UP FRONT Letters to the Editor Heartfelt thanks from foster youth of Kern County Dear Editor,
My name is Bria Sherrod, and I serve on Children Joining Children for Success' foster youth board. On Dec. 11 at our annual foster youth event, I had the extreme privilege of being a mentor along with Hon. John Brownlee and attorney H.A. Sala. Having the privilege to work with such wonderful people has made me realize how blessed I truly am. Never in a million years would I have expected to be in such close contact with these great people of such high caliber. Working with both Brownlee and Sala has given me a new perspective on my life, my future and my educational opportunities and abilities. Not just the youth walked away changed on that day, I also walked away with the thoughts of what I could become in the future. I have so much respect and admiration for the dedication and love that both Brownlee and Sala have shown to the youth of this organization. I would like to thank both Brownlee and Sala for all they have done for Children Joining Children for Success, and I encourage them to return next year to continue impacting the lives of the foster youth of Kern County. Sincerely, Bria Sherrod Dear Editor,
I just wanted to thank the Children Joining Children for Success organization for giving me and Leaders in Life an opportunity to be a part of something so grand and inspiring. I had a great time helping with this event. From teaching some of the children energizers to our session, it was amazing. If you ever need my help with anything, contact me. Thanks again! These types of events give me so much hope about the future. Sincerely, Navjyot Gill Golden Valley High School junior cocoordinator for Leaders in Life, president of the AWARE club at Golden Valley, and governmental affair director for the California Association of Student Councils for region 8
16
Bakersfield Life
February 2011
Dear Editor,
As a business owner and court reporter for 25 years, I learned my survival instincts as a child who once faced very sad and dangerous conditions growing up in a violent home. In an era of my life very long ago, I trembled in fear as I witnessed my alcoholic father, who when sober could be very caring, transform into a mean and unstoppable brute while intoxicated. When not home causing chaos, he was serving prison sentences, where my co-dependent mother took her four children to visit their father … until the fateful day when we watched her take her last breath. We buried my mother, and my father went on to yet his third prison stint. For the first time in my life, I was, oddly enough, at peace. I tell my story to foster children at Children Joining Children for Success events so they understand that separation from their parents was intended to give them stability and a chance for a successful future. I tell them these things: I have reached personal and professional success; I am now married to a wonderful and caring husband, attorney H. A. Sala, and we have two beautiful little girls. They must dream big, work hard, have faith and hope; their sadness is only temporary. The fortitude and resilience they build now will carry them into adulthood to do great things in life and help society make sense of our problems through their precious little eyes. Be proud of who they are; they are only responsible for their actions, not of anyone who has ever caused them harm. Many thanks to all our sponsors, judges, mentors and more than 600 volunteers for caring and joining together to empower and inspire our most vulnerable children. Sylvia Mendez Sala Founder/CEO of Children Joining Children for Success Dear Editor,
I can’t say thank you enough to Sylvia Mendez and Children Joining Children for Success for inviting me to participate in the CJCFS project as a mentor on Dec. 11 at the Rabobank Arena. I showed up with the expectation that I would primarily share my professional experiences to motivate foster youth to strive for higher learning and success. However, during our first group
session, it was clear that these children would benefit more from practical real-life experiences that go beyond my professional training. For the first time in a long time, I was forced to reflect on my childhood experiences and the people, places and things that changed my life (for the better). Imagine how difficult it must be as a 12- or 13- year-old to envision a pathway that goes from middle school to graduate school. It’s a challenging endeavor for any kid regardless of the family situation — but doing this as a foster child must be especially difficult. That’s why the CJCFS program is so great! For these kids, it has provided the people, the place and the things that may change their lives for the better. Sincerely, Gary D. Frazier Vice president, strategy and business development, Bakersfield Memorial Hospital
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