e e k l y W EL CHICANo Features, Lifestyle & News You Can Use!
Vol 53, NO. 21
THIS WEEK Gloria’s Corner and Words To Think About A3
Teen Suicides Prompt Action, Awareness in Redlands A8
IECN
.com May 12, 2016
San Bernardino faith-based initiative aims to help at-risk youth
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By Anthony Victoria
few years ago, Ivan Echeverria, 30, was on the streets selling drugs and involved in gang activity. Now, his barbershop “Faith and Fadez” is one of several “safe houses” that will provide residents the opportunity to receive employment training and mentorship.
“This place is open for people that need jobs and are willing to learn,” remarked Echeverria .
The Hope Opportunity Purpose and Empowerment (H.O.P.E.) Culture initiative, led by Victory Outreach Pastor Rick Alanis Jr. and Speech Consultant Michelle Sabino, intends to partner with the San Bernardino City Unified School District, non-profit agencies, city leaders, and law enforcement agencies to direct people to basic services and emotional support, as well provide avenues for personal growth and development.
said Alanis Jr. “We’re making the right connections with the right people to impact this city. It’s all about bringing a holistic approach to empower our residents relationally, economically, educationally, and spiritually.”
H.O.P.E. culture is in the process of obtaining non-profit (501c3) status and is developing after school programs. Alanis Jr. explained Victory Outreach launched several “safe houses” as a means to give consistent guidance to young people in tough neighborhoods. It was spurred by the murder of 12year-old Jason Spears in March.
“When the young boy (Spears) got killed, we went there right away,” he said. “But we just didn’t want to come and do a vigil, and then leave. Instead, we left a safehouse there.”
Alanis Jr. explained that dozens of kids now stop by the Griego Family’s household almost everyday to hang out, receive Faith cont. on next page
PHOTO/ANTHONY VICTORIA
Victory Outreach pastor Rick Alanis Jr. speaks to a group of residents about a new faith-based initiative Tuesday evening.
Powerball fever hits San Bernardino
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By R.A. Contreras
Ken Hubbs Award Winners A10
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PHOTO/R.A. CONTRERAS
Barbara Lucero of San Bernardino shows off a lottery ticket at Todo Discount Market on East Highland Avenue.
here were 415 million reasons for San Bernardino residents to be out in full force Saturday evening. Powerball fever has once again struck the nation as customers divvied up dollars for the latest Powerball jackpot--which as of Saturday evening’s drawing, stood at $415 million. The Lottery contest, which is currently played in 44 states and Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, saw the latest ultimate prize as one of the largest in recent history--and comes off the massive payout of $1.5 billion which occurred back in January. Ticket sales were brisk at two local stores in North San Bernardino--Valencia Liquor and Todo Discount, both on east Highland Avenue. Owner of the Valencia establishment Abrahim Seder noted that on a typical day, upwards
of 2,000 ticket transactions occur at his business, totaling around $8 thousand in Lottery ticket sales alone. “We are a Type-A account since there have been many winners here--some have won $50 thousand, $30 thousand, $10 thousand,” remarked Seder. About a mile east, ticket sales were a little slower leading up to the 7 p.m. deadline, but that’s not to say that sales were of any less quantity. “Most of my customers were here this morning--they tend to buy much earlier,”stated Todo Discount manager Nick Manae. While most customers were gathering up forms for their own secret number selections or computer-generated ‘Quick-picks’, some shoppers said they were not drawn into the hype of what many term ‘Lotto fever’. “Everytime, I buy a ticket, I don’t win,” an exasperated Trenace Hollis of Colton said. Fever cont. on next page