W e e k l y COLTON COURIER Features, Lifestyle & News You Can Use!
Vol 144, NO. 42
THIS WEEK Gloria’s Corner and Words To Think About A3 & A5
Alejandre: “We are a community bonded through education.” A7
Colton PD holds fundraiser for family battling cancer
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By Anthony Victoria
ario and Raylene Alvarez explained life has changed significantly after their fouryear-old daughter, Adrina, was diagnosed with stage four cancer in June. Raylene said doctors have found a tumor in her kidney, which has now spread to the child’s lungs and lymph nodes.
Bing Wong Elementary invites the community to tinker in high-tech lab
“I’ve been buying the very minimum in order to make sure we get by,” Castillo said. “I’m cleaning houses to earn enough to pay the mortgage. There are times when I tell myself, ‘What am I going to do?’”
COURTESY PHOTO
Adrina Alvarez, 4, has been diagnosed with stage four cancer.
On Monday, Castillo was joined by hundreds of other workers who visited the Gonzales Community Center in Colton to receive information on unemployment and health benefits.
In August, 840 employees of Ashley Furniture’s manufacturing plant in Colton were told by company representatives that they would be out of jobs after October 25.
In spite of the California Employment Development Department and the U.S. Department of Labor’s efforts in assisting the displaced workers, many workers are concerned they will not be able to find work to keep themselves and their loved ones stable.
INSIDE ONE SECTION, 16 PAGES
For Juan Zuniga, 36, of San Bernardino, making financial adjustments, such as selling his car or cutting down on leisure activities, is a feasible task. However, the father of three said the difficult part is explaining to his children why they could no longer afford certain items or enjoy certain activities.
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Although she’s receiving compensation from her former employer Ashley Furniture through October, Castillo--a widowed single mother--is already bearing the brunt of her unanticipated termination.
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Workers adjusting to life after termination
angelina Castillo, 54, of Colton doesn’t know how she's going to pay for her 16-year-old son’s prom and graduation expenses this year, let alone pay their living expenses.
“It’s been very hard,” explained Raylene. “But her spirit is what keeps us going.”
Adrina cont. on next page
October 6, 2016
By Anthony Victoria
The Alvarez’s have reduced their workload to ensure completes her Adrina chemotherapy treatment and receives moral support. However, they said doing so has provided them with lots of economic hardship.
On Thursday the Colton Police Department surprised the Alvarez’s by hosting a barbecue fundraiser at City Hall to support the family. Officers, business owners, and city leaders helped raise
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PHOTO/ANTHONY VICTORIA
Adrina Alvarez, center, with Colton Police officers Jack Morenberg, left, and Todd Smith, right.
“It’s hard to explain to them why I lost my job,” explained Zuniga. “It’s not easy to get back Ashley cont. on next page