One of the highlights of Jazmin Jett’s internship at Dameron Communications was meeting San Bernardino Mayor Patrick Morris. Photo by Chris Sloan
Jazmin Jett learned organizational skills and much more about working for a public relations firm through her internship with Dameron Communications. Photo by Chris Sloan
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Upon graduating from Cajon High school, Jazmin Eboni Jett started interning at Dameron Communications, a position she attained through the ASTERISK program.
The Accelerating Success Through Employment and Responsibility, Inspiration, Skills and Knowledge or ASTERISK program gives students in the San Bernardino City Unified School District an opportunity to work in a professional environment during school breaks.
Jett believes she was fortunate to be placed at a public relations firm. She is very happy to be placed in a work environment that directly relates to the field she is studying at the university.
Jett is studying communication: public relations this fall at California State University, San Bernardino and she is the first in her family to go to college.
“Interning at Dameron Communications has helped to better prepare me to start my college career,” said Jett.
While interning, she learned to be more organized and efficient, became more observant, learned how to multitask and learned how to prioritize. Jett walks away from her internship with a better understanding of working in the field of public relations, and a general feel as to how a business operates.
“I appreciate the importance that was placed into my care,” said Jett. “I felt like I was not only an intern, but a part of the staff.”
She feels that she has gained a sense of independence and realized that she is responsible for her actions. This internship was her first job experience.
For the sixth year in a row, Kathryn Ervin and Carl Dameron will emcee the Black Rose Awards on Friday, Sept. 10. (photo by Chris Sloan)
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Margaret Hill, program chairman for next month’s Black Rose and Humanitarian of the Year Awards, points out, “It’s our 21st annual ceremony. We have been doing this a long time now, honoring more than 100 people who have done so much for our community.”
The September 10 event, presented by the San Bernardino Black Culture Foundation, will recognize recipients in three categories: the Black Rose; the Commitment to Community Service of the Year; and the Humanitarian of the Year.
Hosts for the gala evening, for their sixth consecutive year, are Kathryn Ervin, California State University San Bernardino Theater Arts professor, and Inland Empire public relations leader Carl Dameron of Dameron Communications.
“It’s vitally important,” says Ervin, “for the rest of us to be reminded of the many good things people here are doing.” Dameron adds, “I’m proud to be a part of providing our local heroes of all diversities with the recognition that is so often lacking, but always well deserved.”
The Friday evening ceremony will be in the Valencia Room of the National Orange Show, 689 South E Street in San Bernardino. “The doors open at 6 p.m. for a social hour,” notes Hill. “The awards will begin promptly at 7 p.m.. Tickets this year are $60 per person, with reserved tables for 10 at $600.” To order tickets or reserve a table, call Margaret Hill at (909) 991-6422.
Hill adds, “This is the chance for all of us to honor those virtually unrecognized individuals of the Inland Empire who have brought so much to our lives.”
To Ervin the Black Rose awards provide an opportunity to recognize local leaders, especially for youth. “The honors at the ceremony encourage young people to get involved, to help make our communities the best they can be.”
“The recipients have devoted their lives to helping others,” says Dameron, “and on September 10 it’s time to pay them back for all they have done. It’s time for the Black Rose Awards.”
The San Bernardino Economic Development Agency’s programs to assist moderate-income families, which are families making up to $78,000 a year for a family of four, allows homes like this one to be occupied and cared for, instead of part of the statistic of more than 5,000 vacant, foreclosed homes in the city. Photo courtesy of Oliver Lambert, Tarbell Realtors.
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has released new income guidelines for low and moderate-income housing. These guidelines help many families purchase homes for the first time, and in other cases, help working adults and senior citizens afford decent places to live.
“There are many myths about low income and affordable housing. Many people think they know what it means but they really don’t,” said Carey Jenkins, director of housing and community development for the San Bernardino Economic Development Agency.
“The truth is a family of four with a total annual household income between $33,000 to $53,000, which is 50 percent to 80 percent of the Inland Empire area’s median income, is considered low-income according to HUD. That defines a lot of people in the Inland Empire,” Jenkins said.
Here is more information:
What is the average income of the residents of the City of San Bernardino?
The average annual income of residents in the City of San Bernardino is $31,140. However, this not the income calculation used to determine housing income for federal or state funding or rental purposes. The income used is the Metropolitan Service Area or MSA data established by HUD. The City of San Bernardino’s area is defined as the Riverside-Ontario-San Bernardino Metropolitan Service Area, where the annual median income for a family of four is $65,000.
So, when the City of San Bernardino talks about low income, it is using the federally defined annual median income for a family of four of $65,000.
What are Annual Income and Median Income and how do they work?
Annual income is the total household income for everyone working for one year. The income calculation used to determine housing income for federal or state funding or rental purposes is the Metropolitan Service Area or MSA, created by The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for comparison of income and other reasons.
The Riverside-Ontario-San Bernardino Metropolitan Service Area consists of Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Because of higher income, cost of living (including the cost of housing) is higher in some parts of Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
Cities with a higher cost of living include Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, La Quinta, Redlands, Upland, Montclair, Chino, Chino Hills, Corona, Menifee and Temecula.
What is low-income housing?
Low-income housing includes those households making between 50 percent and 80 percent of an area’s median income. In the Riverside-Ontario-San Bernardino Metropolitan Service Area, that’s between $33,500 and $53,000 for a family of four.
Very low-income housing is usually designed for families earning below 50 percent of the area’s annual median income, currently $32,500 for a family of four in the Riverside-Ontario-San Bernardino Metropolitan Service Area. A larger family can make even more, while smaller families and individuals qualify with lower incomes.
College students, teachers, butchers, bakers, executive secretaries, truck drivers, teachers, cashiers, administrative assistants, restaurant servers, hosts, dishwashers, psychiatric aides, house cleaners, telemarketers, file clerks, gaming dealers, bartenders and people in 347 job categories of skilled, semi-skilled and professional workers may fall into this category, depending on their experience and family size.
What does affordable housing mean?
AffordableHousing” is defined as housing for low to moderate-income households. Moderate-income households are defined, as households having annual incomes between 80 percent and 120 percent of the Metropolitan Service Area’s median income. For our area that is an annual income of up to $78,000 for a family of four. Again, larger families can make even more, while smaller families and individuals qualify with lower incomes.
This category includes almost everyone, including college graduates working in the fields for which they are trained and in many cases, experienced.
Very few professions offer starting salaries above $54,600, the upper limit for moderate incomes for one person in the Riverside-Ontario-San Bernardino Metropolitan Service Area. Since many people marry and/or start families prior to achieving this level of income, they qualify as “moderate income” with larger incomes.
“Low and moderate income people are our friends and neighbors,” said Carey.
For more information, call Carey Jenkins at (909) 663-1044.
The City of San Bernardino Economic Development Agency enhances the quality of life for the citizens of San Bernardino by creating jobs, eliminating blight, supporting culture and the arts, developing quality housing and Stainless Steel Container, and attracting and assisting businesses.
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SAN BERNARDINO AREA MEDIAN INCOME (BASE = $65,000 For Family of 4)
Family Size: 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Extremely Low (30 percent)
$13,650
$15,600
$17,750
$19,500
$21,100
$22,650
$24,200
$25,750
Very Low (50 percent)
$22,750
$26,000
$29,250
$32,500
$35,100
$37,000
$40,300
$42,900
Low Income (80 percent)
$36,400
$41,600
$46,800
$52,000
$56,200
$60,350
$64,500
$68,650
Median Income
$45,500
$52,000
$58,500
$65,000
$70,200
$75,400
$80,600
$85,800
Moderate Income (120 percent)
$54,600
$62,400
$70,200
$78,000
$84,250
$90,500
$96,700
$102,950
Source: State of California Department of Housing and Community Development
San Bernardino celebrates its Bicentennial throughout 2010. San Bernardino Bicentennial 1810-2010, a 200-page “coffee-table” book, commemorates the events and stories of the Bicentennial, including the monument dedication on San Bernardino’s 200th birthday, May 20, 2010. The Bicentennial Committee and area congressmen will present this book to schools and libraries on Monday, Aug. 30. Photo by Chris Sloan
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) – The City of San Bernardino Bicentennial Committee will present every school and library in the city a copy of San Bernardino Bicentennial 1810-2010.
The Bicentennial Committee will present copies of the book representatives of San Bernardino schools and libraries during a special ceremony Monday, Aug. 30 at 4 p.m. San Bernardino City Hall, 300 North D Street.
“This is a coffee-table style book with lots of text and pictures,” said Bicentennial Committee Chairman Rabbi Hillel Cohn. “It is one of the lasting memories of the Bicentennial Celebration we have held this year, and we want to make it available to all our schools and libraries so they can share these memories with the public for years to come.”
Congressmen Joe Baca and Jerry Lewis, who represent San Bernardino, will make the presentation. They both contributed the funds required for the initial research and writing.
The 200-page “coffee-table” book was written by John Weeks and published by The Sun newspaper.
Rabbi Hillel Cohn is the chairman of the Bicentennial Celebration Committee. Other Bicentennial Celebration Committee members are Erin Brinker (chair of the Public Relations & Marketing and July 4th Extravaganza committees), Jim Smith (chair of the Community Engagement committee), Cheryl Brown (chair of San Bernardino’s Got Talent, Intergovernmental and Arts committees), Beverly Bird (chair of the Legend of the Arrowhead committee), Steven Shaw (chair of the History committee), David Smith (chair of the Finance committee), Jane Sneddon (chair of the Parade committee), Nick Colera (chair of the Plant 200 Trees committee, and Martha Pinckney (chair of the Gala committee.) The mayor and members of the San Bernardino Common Council appointed these members.
Additional community volunteers who have taken on leadership of other committees are: Rev. Petra Malleis-Sterberg(Festival of Faiths), Edward Martinez (Leadership Cabinet), Peggi Hazlett (Mayor’s Run), Dr. Charles “Skip” Herbert (Coloring Books for Schools), Karen Blanco and Dameron Communications (Media) and The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire (Design).
Carl Dameron tells non-profit organization publicists how Dameron Communications gets the word out. He will give a similar presentation to Realtors on Thursday, Aug. 19. (Photo by Chris Sloan)
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Carl Dameron, creative director and founder of Dameron Communications, will present “Effective Advertising and Public Relations” to the Fontana/Rialto Real Estate Round Table 9 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 19 at El Rancho Verde Country Club, 355 E. Country Club Dr., Rialto.
Dameron will advise Realtors on how public relations and advertising can help businesses become more well-known and respected in the community. The presentation is open to the public.
“Carl will help Realtors (or anyone else) help their bottom line,” said Charles Radney, coordinator of the Fontana/Rialto Real Estate Round Table.
Dameron will explain there are multiple parts to public relations, including market research, media relations, government relations and community relations. In addition, he will explain the difference between the advertising and editorial functions of media, such as newspapers, radio stations and websites.
“Effective public relations and advertising begin with market research,” Dameron said. “A company must know who its customers are, where they live, their age, their sex what they like doing most, and what media they use to get their news.”
“They must also learn who their competitors are, and what fabulous product or services they can offer beyond what their competitors do,” Dameron said. “Then they can put together a plan for getting their message to the public, through advertising and all forms of public relations.”
Dameron gave a similar presentation to representatives of non-profit organizations on Friday, Aug. 13, as part of a panel discussion with local media outlets, including the Riverside Press-Enterprise, the San Bernardino Sun, and KABC-TV, Channel 7, Los Angeles.
About Dameron Communications
Since 1989 Dameron Communications has creatively met the needs of our diverse client base locally, regionally and nationally. We are an award-winning advertising and public relations agency that creates integrated communications solutions to increase sales and profits, win elections, inform the public or gain acceptance of potentially controversial issues. We use our communications knowledge and experience to advance our clients’ objectives.
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Media: If you would like any of the photos in the slide show below please send an email to Chris@DameronCommunications.com with the photo id number and i will have it to you within 24 hours. If you require the photo sooner please call Chris Sloan at (909) 888-0017.
Sharon Barnes, broker assistant for MGR Services, Inc. said commercial real estate deals have began heating up in early 2010.
Sales and leases of commercial real estate, including the new Covenant Industries office space in Corona, have increased in the last 90 days, says commercial broker assistant Sharon Barnes of MGR Services, Inc
(COLTON, Calif.) “In the last 90 days, sales and leases of commercial real estate properties have really started moving,” says Sharon Barnes, broker assistant with MGR Services, Inc.’ Colton office.
Barnes recently helped Covenant Industries, secure a lease on an office in Corona. The value of the lease exceeds $1.1 million dollars for approximately 10,000 sq. ft. of office space over the next seven years
This new office will more than triple the corporate offices of Covenant Industries which was previously located in Los Angeles County. This turn-key opportunity which includes some of the latest advances in technology will allow Covenant to exceed the requirements needed for its projects as a government contractor.
“Covenant Industries’ new office is a Class A Building, less than three years old,” she said. ”It has a lot of advanced technology, such as video conferencing, and data security, that it needs for the government contracts it has.”
“To have this facility really empowers them,” Barnes said. “They will be able to grow their company, and bring jobs to the Inland Empire.”
MGR Real Estate, Inc. serves clients from the Los Angeles area to the High Desert and Low Desert. In one recent week, its Colton and Upland offices closed almost 30 sales and leases, worth almost $7 million. These two offices also signed up another eight new listings.
The still-high availability of recently built office space in the Inland Empire, coupled with many businesses in 2010 being able to expand, is the main reason for the recent pickup in commercial property transactions, Barnes said. Because the Inland Empire is coming out of a recession, the owners of these commercial properties are willing to sell or lease for much less than they might have in 2008.
“While economic recovery is fueling business real estate transactions throughout the Inland Empire, the City of San Bernardino is poised to see some of the greatest growth,” Barnes said. “San Bernardino is developing some promising economic revitalization projects. Small business owners will want to be in a revitalized San Bernardino, but they should buy or lease their office space now, because downtown will be much more expensive real estate when its revitalization is put into place.”
A secondary reason for real estate activity in recent months is that some businesses in the Inland Empire are still struggling, and need to find less expensive offices,” Barnes said.
“Still, with property prices at their low points, many struggling businesses are able to lease new offices for less money, while not having to give up the space they were used to,” she said. “They might even be able to have more space.”
“At this time,” there are some really good deals,” Barnes said. “Landlords NEED good tenants. They can help you out if you will help them out.”
“But, as our economy improves, the rates will go up,” she said. “Small businesses need to take advantage of the excellent opportunities they have right now.”
For more information call Sharon Barnes at (909) 503-1506 or email sbarnes@mgrrealestate.com.
Street in San Bernardino. At the learning center, home-schooled students will have an opportunity to take enrichment classes, but most of their education will be handled by parents with help from credentialed teachers who will travel to students’ homes. Photo by Chris Sloan
Ramona Bywater, Carden Virtual Academy home school coordinator, invites families to begin a new school year with Carden Virtual Academy on Sept. 7. Photo by Chris Sloan
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Parents from throughout Southern California are discovering a new opportunity to combine home schooling with the resources of public education through Carden Virtual Academy, a charter school opening Sept. 7 in San Bernardino.
“Carden Virtual Academy offers individualized education for every student, “ said Ramona Bywater, home schooling coordinator. “We focus on strengths and interests.”
Bywater is herself a home schooling mom, who started four years ago. Bywater also has experience as a teacher, having taught English as Second Language for the Corona-Norco Unified School District’s adult education program, and with online education as a writing consultant with Ashford University.
She recalls planning 14 field trips for her children a few years ago, and searching diligently for clubs they could join.
Now, as the home school coordinator for Carden Virtual Academy, her job will include planning field trips and organizing other educational programs for Carden homeschoolers.
“We are providing enrichment opportunities, and opportunities for these children to socialize with their peers,” she said.
Bywater is also developing “Learning Center” classes, in which the students come to Carden and learn in a group setting topics that will supplement their home school curriculum.
Carden Virtual Academy offers a core curriculum for all students, overseen by California credentialed teachers. Teachers and parents, working together, add to that curriculum individualized instruction to best meet their students’ needs.
“Our highly qualified, certified teachers work with parents as educational partners to design a personalized learning plan,” said Tim Smith, president of Learning Matters Educational Group, the parent company of Carden Virtual Academy. “We strive to help students develop the character, confidence and skills needed for success in the 21st Century.”
Carden Virtual Academy’s curriculum begins with the state and national educational standards. These put in writing what students are expected to know in any given grade or subject.
Add to that a strong character education program encouraging citizenship, character, responsibility and school and community pride.
Bywater’s job also includes recruiting families to join with Carden Virtual Academy in the education of their children. Once a family joins Carden Virtual Academy, she works with the parents to fine-tune each child’s educational program so that it is interesting and relevant for them.
Bywater will also oversee Carden Virtual Academy’s staff of credentialed teachers, who during the school year will meet every 20 days with families enrolled in the home schooling program. In most cases, Carden Virtual Academy will send the teachers to their students’ homes, where they will monitor student progress and administer testing.
Charter schools in California accept students from their own county and any adjacent county. This means Carden Virtual Academy accepts students from San Bernardino, Riverside, Los Angeles, Orange, Kern and Inyo counties.
Even though these counties cover an area of more than 50,000 square miles (more territory than that of 19 entire states) educating students from anywhere within them is possible through online education.
Students are already enrolling from as far away as the Victor Valley, the Menifee/Hemet areas in south Riverside County and the Laverne/Claremont areas of Los Angeles County, Bywater noted.
“One student who lives near Hemet has a one-and-a-half hour bus ride to attend her nearest public school, and by enrolling in Carden Virtual Academy, she will avoid that,” Bywater said. “There are many reasons why parents home school. Some have medical problems. Others are performing below grade level and their parents see this as a way to help them. Whatever the reason, Carden Virtual Academy offers options for them.”
Carden Virtual Academy opens Sept 24, 2010, and will offer both in-class and online instruction for grades K-12. It is an option for families who wish to be directly involved in their children’s education, for teens who seek an accelerated schedule to begin college early, and for teens needing to catch up on credits to graduate with their classmates.
For more information, call Ramona Bywater at (909) 256-0449 or 1-800-GET-CARDEN, or email her at rbywater@cardenvirtualacademy.com To register online or learn more, go to www.CardenVirtualAcademy.com
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A little girl tries on a pair of sandals at the 499 W. Orange Show San Bernardino Target during a back-to-school shopping spree Target and the Salvation Army sponsored for needy children throughout the United States. Photo by Chris Sloan
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Twenty-three children from San Bernardino and more than 12,000 nationwide are going back to school this year with brand new clothes and supplies, even though all of them are from needy families.
Target, Inc. and the Salvation Army teamed together to help these children. Target supplied $80 gift certificates, one per child, and treated all to cookies and other refreshments when they were done shopping.
In San Bernardino, those helped included all of the school-age children living at Hospitality House, the 90-day emergency family shelter operated by the San Bernardino Corps.
“It helped a lot,” said Jennifer Davis, mother of three children who were able to shop for back-to-school items at the 499 W. Orange Show Road Target. “I wasn’t able to get them new things this year.”
Salvation Army corps throughout the nation identified children who could most benefit from this help and brought them to a local Target store. They also recruited volunteers to serve as personal shoppers for each child.
Leticia Price served as a personal shopper for Jennifer’s son, and noted he and the other children were excited about shopping for their back-to-school goods.
“It was a great experience,” she said. “These children never had an opportunity to go shopping, so to have new clothes that actually fit put smiles on their faces.”
About the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps
The Salvation Army may be able to provide emergency services including food; lodging for homeless or displaced families; clothing and furniture; assistance with rent or mortgage and transportation when funds are available. The Salvation Army Team Radio Network assists rescue workers and evacuees in such disasters as fires.
The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the Universal Christian Church, and also offers evangelical programs for boys, girls and adults. One of the largest charitable and international service organizations in the world, The Salvation Army has been in existence since 1865 and in San Bernardino since 1887, supporting those in need without discrimination. Donations may always be made online at www.salvationarmyusa.org or by calling 1-(800)-SAL-ARMY.
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Media: If you would like any of the photos in the slide show below please send an email to Chris@DameronCommunications.com with the photo id number and i will have it to you within 24 hours. If you require the photo sooner please call Chris Sloan at (909) 888-0017.
Jennifer Rodriguez, new owner of a home San Bernardino Ward Six Council Member Rikke Van Johnson lived in many years ago, cuts the ribbon as local dignitaries watch. The Inland Empire Concerned African American Churches and the San Bernardino Economic Development Association have partnered to renovate foreclosed, vacant homes such as the one Rodriguez purchased. Since Rodriguez’ home was the first this partnership renovated, the Redevelopment Agency held a ribbon-cutting ceremony upon completion of the home and transfer to Rodriguez. No one, including Johnson, realized this had been the council member’s home until the day of this ceremony. Photo by Chris Sloan
Jennifer Rodriguez, San Bernardino Ward Six Councilman Rikke Van Johnson and San Bernardino Mayor Patrick Morris smile in the kitchen of Rodriguez’ new home, where Johnson lived as a child. Many years after Johnson lived there, the home became vacant through foreclosure. The Inland Empire Concerned African-American Churches renovated this home through a partnership with the San Bernardino Economic Development Agency, then sold it to Rodriguez. The partnership is now in the process of renovating additional homes which can be sold to families such as Rodriguez’. Photo by Chris Sloan
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) More than 50 years ago, San Bernardino Ward Six Council Member Rikke Van Johnson lived in a home in the 1500 block of Virginia Street. The home and the neighborhood have gone through many changes since then. Recently, that home received loving renovation by a group of people who like their council member, but were doing the work for a much higher authority.
“We did all this to bring glory to God,” said Pastor Owosu Hodari. “God has challenged us to help our community and bring hope to them.”
Pastor Hodari is the project manager for the Inland Empire Concerned African American Churches Community Development Corporation, which partnered with and the San Bernardino Economic Development Agency to renovate the home. Prior to the renovation, the home had become vacant through a foreclosure.
This is the first home this partnership renovated, but both entities now expect it to become the first of many. The partnership recently acquired two other vacant, foreclosed Ward Six homes to renovate in the very near future.
On July 1, the Concerned Churches and the Economic Development Agency held a Key Ceremony to turn the Virginia Street home over to its new owner, Jennifer Rodriguez, a single mother and medical billing specialist. No one, including Johnson, realized this had been his childhood home until the day of this ceremony.
Johnson still lives in the area. He spent most of his childhood years in a house near the one the Inland Empire Concerned African American Churches renovated, and had almost forgotten the earlier residence.
“When I was walking through this house before this ceremony, certain memories came back to me and I realized this was the house I lived in when I was four years old,” he said. “Jennifer, you are going to love this house. I certainly did when I was a child. And I’m really awed that it is this house the Inland Empire African American Churches has renovated.”
“Because of what everyone who had a hand in building this has done, I have an opportunity to start my life over in a beautiful place,” said Rodriguez, who had been saving money for several years to buy her own home.
Rodriguez was able to purchase her new home for $76,000, which is approximately the market rate in the neighborhood for a two-bedroom, one-bath home. The renovation effort included replacing the kitchen cabinets, installing granite countertops, tile floors, new carpets, paint, and new exterior trim and landscaping,.
“This looks really good,” said Aaron Morrow, who has lived in his house on the same block of Virginia Street for the last 52 years. “It’s what we need.”
The Inland Empire Concerned African American Churches was able to restore the home with a subsidy from the Economic Development Agency, which the agency had received as part of a $3.7 million grant from the federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program. Congress members Joe Baca and Jerry Lewis helped ensure San Bernardino received this grant, and are now working to help the city obtain additional money.
The Economic Development Agency used its Neighborhood Stabilization Program grant to buy, and refurbish vacant, foreclosed homes and sell them to families making up to $78,000 yearly for a family of four. Families with more than four members would be allowed to make even more, while individuals and families of less than four people qualify with lower incomes.
Inland Empire Concerned African American Churches also operates a training program to teach young adults ages 18-26 the construction trades. This program assists licensed contractors in the Economic Development Agency’s renovation projects, and gives the participants the construction skills to help them earn money, which will, in time, allow them to buy their own homes.
“The renovation of this home was the launch of our partnership with the Inland Empire Concerned African American Churches,” said Carey Jenkins, housing and community development director for the Economic Development Agency. “We are working together to redevelop this community for a positive impact on it and its residents.”
Another local leader attending the Key Ceremony was Mayor Patrick Morris. While he doesn’t have the personal connection to the home Johnson does, watching the Inland Empire Concerned African American Church restore this home brought to mind happy memories for him as well.
The Mayor told how, some years ago, he met former United States President Jimmy Carter on one of Carter’s visits to the Inland Empire. He asked the former president what opportunities for service gave him the most joy, and Carter told him it was traveling around the world with Habitat For Humanity, which builds homes and helps neighborhoods globally.
“The next week I received an invitation from him in the mail to join him with Habitat for Humanity in Matamos, Mexico,” Mayor Morris said. “My wife and I went down there, and we were joined by 1,200 of his closest friends, where we built 110 houses in a week.”
“The thankfulness of those people to have a house with water and sewer and electric lamps instead of just kerosene was amazing. So, when we came back, we put an advertisement in the local newspaper to start a Habitat for Humanity in San Bernardino, and 500 people joined us to build houses here.”
“When we turned our first house over, the new homeowner went up to the microphone and yelled WHOOPEE! That said it all. Pastor Hodari, we built 32 houses in the four years before I became mayor. I challenge you to renovate 32 houses in the next four years.”
Morris noted that Inland Empire Concerned African American Churches actually has a more difficult task than does Habitat for Humanity. Because Habitat for Humanity relies entirely on private donations, it doesn’t have to comply with many regulations that Inland Empire Concerned African American Churches does with its Neighborhood Stabilization Program funds.
The Mayor also noted that Neighborhood Stabilization Program funds can only be used for improving housing in a city.
The Economic Development Agency also seeks to partner with other local entities whose members have construction skills. It also can work directly with builders, contractors and developers.
The agency has purchased a total of 84 homes that it can sell to families making as little as $35,000 a year or as much as $78,000 (more to families of more than four.)
According to Bank of America, one of several lenders the Economic Development Agency can help connect with potential homebuyers, with a $7,000 down payment and a 5.3 percent interest rate on a 30-year fixed interest rate loan, the monthly loan payment would be $722.
“That’s about where rents are today,” Jenkins said. “But rents will go up, while this loan payment would stay the same throughout the life of the loan.”
The agency also offers a Homeowners Down Payment Assistance Program, which provides up to a 10 percent down payment for those who qualify. For a $100,000 home that would be up to $10,000 to help purchase the home.
To purchase one of the homes rehabilitated with Neighborhood Stabilization funds, or take advantage of the Homeowners Down Payment Assistance Program to help with the purchase of many San Bernardino homes, buyers must attend Homebuyer Education courses offered monthly by the NID-Housing Counseling Agency, or the Neighborhood Housing Service of the Inland Empire, both HUD-approved agencies.
For more information or a list of available homes through the Inland Empire Concerned African-American Churches program please call Pastor Ray Turner at (909) 663 0198.
For more information on the Homeowners’ Assistance Program call the NID-Housing Counseling Agency at (909) 887-8700 or the Neighborhood Housing Service of the Inland Empire, Inc. at (909) 884-6891.
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To make sure your kindergartener is happy, healthy and does well in school make an appointment today for the required kindergarten physical. Students who play sports, and in some cases, students attending college, also need physicals. (Photo by Carl Dameron)
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) – For many students, seeing the doctor for a physical evaluation is necessary at the start of a new school year.
“Physicals are required when a child enters school in California, most commonly kindergarten,” said Dr. Albert Arteaga, CEO of LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc. “And if an older child is into sports, almost all schools will require them to obtain a physical at the beginning of the season. Also, college students often need back-to-school physicals as a condition of living on campus.”
Physicals for children typically include making sure they have reached adequate height and weight for their age. Doctors also make sure children are up-to-date on the immunizations needed for their age.
Young children also are evaluated to make sure they can perform certain tasks. For instance a child entering kindergarten should be able to play well with other children, state his or her first and last name, color with crayons and dress himself or herself.
Kindergarteners who are not able to do these things may have developmental delays that will cause them to need extra help throughout their education, and may also have medical conditions that need close monitoring by a doctor.
As with adults, physicals also are a time to check overall health, by checking blood pressure, hearing and vision. Doctors also order blood tests to check for anemia, and a urinalysis to check for infections and diseases such as diabetes.
“All of these things we check for in a physical are what’s known as preventative health care,” Dr. Arteaga said. “We want to make sure we catch things as early as we can so that we can start interventions before they cause serious health problems.”
Most K-12 students in San Bernardino County begin school in August, as do many colleges. Parents of any students needing a mandatory back-to-school physical to start school before Labor Day should schedule an appointment with their doctor immediately. Athletes, and anyone who starts school in September should not wait much longer.
“It is important not to wait until the last minute,” Dr. Arteaga said. “Summer is our busy season, and some doctors won’t be able to see you right away. “
The LaSalle Medical Associates clinics are at 17577 Arrow Blvd. in Fontana, 1505 West 17th St. and 565 N. Mt. Vernon Ave. in San Bernardino, and 16455 Main St. in Hesperia.
To make an appointment, or for additional information about LaSalle Medical Associates, call (909) 890-0407.
