COLTON COURIER We ekly
Vol 147, NO. 40
September 19, 2019
Homeless no more - newspaper salesman K enny moves into per manent home By Marina Rojas
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www.iecn.com Gloria’s Corner Pg. 3
Military Explorers Program teaches leadership Pg. 5
enny Robbins has not missed one day of work selling newspapers at the corner of Valley and Rancho since he started there in 1996. Every morning, he’s a steadfast figure for those driving by, quick with a wave and a smile to complete their morning commute. People think that Kenny became a Colton celebrity of sorts last June when he was featured in an IECN Colton Courier article, but when asked about his relationship with the people of Colton, Kenny smiles and says, “These people have been good to me, very good to me. I was helping out at a Rose parade one year, I think it was 2003, you know, selling programs and things. As I walked around doing my job, I could hear people calling out to me, ‘Hey, aren’t you from Colton?’ and I have to admit, I was surprised, like I was some sort of a celebrity. But Colton people are good to me.”
So, last June it was mentioned that Kenny was homeless at the time, living at Elizabeth Davis Park. Colton people posted an SOS on the Facebook page ‘You know you’re from Colton if…’ and asked Colton-ites to share some money, gift cards and love with the beloved community icon. All of this brought his plight to the attention of the Lighthouse Community Services in Colton, and they stepped forward to do what they do best work to find Kenny a home. They enrolled him into their veterans program on June 14, 2019. On September 5, 2019, Mr. Robbins signed a lease for his very own apartment and moved in on Saturday September 14, 2019. It’s a beauty of a one bedroom in a quiet complex that is all his. As he opened the door for the first time and took a tour with several dignitaries who came to congratulate and encourage him, Kenny seemed a little Kenny, cont. on next pg.
PHOTO
MARINA ROJAS
Lighthouse CEO Karen Young-Lowe watches as Kenny Robbins opens the door to his new home
Buddy Bench helps students make friends at Crestmore Elementar y
Resident honors first responders Pg. 6
INSIDE Gloria’s Corner
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Words To Think About 5 Opinion
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Legal Notices
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H OW TO R E AC H US
Inland Empire Community Newspapers Office: (909) 381-9898 Fax: (909) 384-0406 Editorial: iecn1@mac.com Advertising: sales@iecn.com
PHOTO CJUSD
Students feeling a little lonely and looking to make friends take a seat on the bench and others will approach them to befriend them. From left: Armando Murillo, 8; Luiza Ramirez, 8; Elementary Counselor Angelica Martinez; Briana Rivera, 11; teacher Vicky Nitch; and Instructional Assistant Ralinda Jones. Community News
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n a sunny Monday morning, children are playing on the Crestmore Elementary School playground, when a little girl holding a basketball sits down on a big yellow bench. She looks a
little sad and lonely, but in just a few minutes, two other little girls cheerily come up to her to ask her to play and soon everyone is all smiles. That’s the magic of Crestmore Elementary School’s new Buddy Bench. Students who might be in need of a friend simply sit down
on the bench and other children know to come up and see if they can be that friend. Even though the bench has only been in existence for a few weeks, it’s already making a difference for the students in need of a friend, as well as those who step up to help, noted Elementary
Counselor Angelica Martinez. “They’re aware of the power they have to lift somebody up,” she said. Second grade teacher Vicky Nitch brought up the idea for the Buddy Bench up at a PBIS Buddy, cont. on next pg.