EL CHICANo
By Manny Sandoval
Following a successful Trunk or Treat event that drew dozens of families in costume last weekend, the San Bernardino Family YMCA is gearing up for its next major community gathering: a Día de los Muertos celebration Saturday, Nov. 1 at 11 AM.
Held at 808 E. 21st St., the celebration invites families to honor loved ones who have passed by bringing photos to display on ofrendas. The free event will include cultural activities, facility tours, and exclusive membership opportunities — including a oneday-only waiver on joining fees.
“We want the Y to be a place where families feel welcome, connected, and empowered,” said Executive Director Jennifer Lopez. “This isn’t just a gym. It’s a safe space where community comes first.”
Lopez, a San Bernardino native and former participant in the YMCA’s original CAPS after-school program, now
leads the organization she grew up in. Appointed executive director in June 2025, Lopez has prioritized accessibility and community engagement.
During the Día de los Muertos event, Lopez will personally lead tours of the newly renovated facility, including its indoor pool, weight room, spin studio, basketball gym, and upgraded locker rooms. Families who attend will have the chance to sign up for memberships on the spot — without the standard joining fee.
Lopez emphasized that affordability remains a key focus. Students currently enrolled in the San Bernardino City Unified School District's Expanded Learning (EXL) after-school program are eligible for a free YMCA youth membership. Additionally, entire families of those students can join for just $15 per month.
“It’s all about access,” Lopez said. “We want to remove the barriers so families can focus on their health and growth —
YMCA, cont. on next pg.
Café Debuts Latin Flavors in Colton Following Prolonged Permit Challenges
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By Daphne Marquez
New local business, Buenos Dias Cafe invited the community to celebrate its grand opening along with a celebratory ribbon cutting presented by Colton‘s Chamber of Commerce and City Council.
The cafe, which was originally supposed to open its doors in November 2024, had to
delay its opening until August 29, 2025 due to permit and resource struggles for Co-owners of the cafe, Susana Perez and Xochilt Retamoza.
Perez said, “It was really hard to open up because of permits. There was a previous business, and because it was closed down, they wouldn’t let us open up. The sinks, the walls, or just the edges had to be like a specific material, whether it was epoxy or tile. It was really hard to open up in this
city and with the county and everything.”
Despite the challenges Buenos Dias Cafe has faced concerning permits, they have proven to have booming success within the community. One of the customers, Victoria Ruiz said, “Actually, I’ve been waiting for months for it to open. So it finally did, and we’ve been coming like three times a week since it opened. Their horchata latte and
YMCA (cont.)
- together.”
The upcoming celebration follows a well-attended Trunk or Treat on Oct. 25, where kids dressed as Pikachu, Ninja Turtles, and Minions and gleefully collected candy from 20 decorated vehi-
Business (cont.)
- their chilaquiles are amazing.”
Colton’s Chamber of Commerce and City Council members were also in attendance to present the scissors for the ribbon cutting and to get a taste of what Buenos Dias Cafe was all about.
cles. Lopez, who spent the afternoon chatting with children and parents, celebrated her birthday by waiving membership fees and deepening ties with the community she serves.
“I wanted to spend my birthday doing what I love — serv-
ing the community I come from,” she said. For more information on Saturday’s Día de los Muertos event or to learn about membership options, call the San Bernardino Family YMCA at (909) 8819622 or visit ymcaeastvalley.org.
By Manny Sandoval
BTo add to the special occasion, Perez and Retamoza had pulled together a photobooth, jumper, a party clown, and raffles which included TVs, speakers, and more. The first 50 people who ordered drinks were given it for free, and everything ordered after that was discounted for customers.
The Party Clown for the event and announcer for the raffles, Monse
The Cafe itself is Latin inspired, the tiles, artwork, and bold colors bring together that Hispanic feel, which could give their Family owned cafe a closer connection to the majority-Hispanic community.
Pocaspecas said, “I like my job, I like it because I have a love of socializing with people, especially with kids, because I’ve been learning a lot from them. So yeah, that’s, that’s one of the main things that I love.”
Bueno Dias Café has officially now made its mark on the community, bringing breakfast, culture, and the connection of their family owned business to Colton. The cafe is located at 1462 N La Cadena Dr, Colton.
oard members of the Rialto Unified School District directly confronted public misconceptions about the district during Saturday’s Family Summit, where nearly 1,000 parents, students, and educators gathered to hear from keynote speaker Julie Chavez Rodriguez and explore new educational tools, including artificial intelligence.
The second summit of the 2025–26 academic year aimed to strengthen family involvement, celebrate student voice, and connect the community with district resources through a college and career fair and hands-on workshops.
Chavez Rodriguez, former White House director of intergovernmental affairs and granddaughter of civil rights leader Cesar Chavez, spoke about the power of collective action and personal resilience, closing her remarks by reciting an excerpt from “Prayer of the Farm Workers’ Struggle”—a poem written by her grandfather.
“Let the spirit flourish and grow so that we will never tire of the struggle,” she read. “Let us remember those who have died for justice, for they have given us life. Help us love even those who hate us, so we can change the world.”
She then grounded the room with three words that continue to define the movement her grandfather helped build: “Si se puede.”
District leaders say events like the summit are essential not just for family engagement, but also for transparency in the face of skepticism. When asked by IECN, Board Member Edgar Montes said one of the biggest misunderstandings he encounters is rooted in public perception.
“A lot of misconceptions and perceptions that may not be so positive about our district are really just that—misconceptions,” Montes said. “If you speak to the majority of our parents, the majority of our staff, the majority of our students, our district is a wonderful district.”
Board Member Evelyn P. Dominguez echoed that concern. “That we don’t care,” she said plainly when asked about the district’s most damaging misconception. “Some things have to stay confidential, and unfortunately, we cannot speak on them. Because of that, people feel like we don’t care—but we do.”
Montes added that criticism is welcome, but the district has seen growth in openness and problem-solving. “People are more willing to come forward now and share concerns and ideas about how we can improve.”
Student Board Member Audrey Gonzalez, a senior who attends Milor High School, also pushed back on public doubt. “They think that the district is not trying hard enough and that they’re not doing enough,” she said. “Honestly, they really are. They go far and beyond to help their students.”
The Family Summit also provided a platform to showcase the district’s increasing focus on innovation. Parents attended a range of workshops, including “Tech and AI Tools for Parents and Students,” which introduced them to tools such as Google Classroom, ChatGPT, and language translation apps. Other sessions addressed financial literacy, student confidence, and college readiness.
According to district officials, Rialto is leading the region in its strategic approach to artificial intelligence. Through an AI Policy Committee of staff, students, and parents, the
district has developed updates to policies on technology use, created an AI Handbook and Toolkit, and launched self-paced learning modules for educators. In November, Rialto will become the only district in the region to debut “AskRUSD,” an AI-powered chatbot to help families access district services and information instantly.
Dominguez, who helped lead the summit, said these innovations are critical for family awareness and student success. “We want to educate our parents on the new innovations for education,” she said. “We want to make sure that our students are up to date with technology so they can be college ready.”
She also pointed to ongoing efforts to eliminate digital barriers. “We provide a Chromebook for every single student in Rialto and also hotspots if they need it in the home,” she said, noting that teachers are equipped to field these requests from students.
Montes said the summit’s emphasis on collaboration reflects a broader cultural shift in the district. “It’s important for us to work together and really show the children… that adults can come together from the community [and] school district to both work in partnership to better the education and lead by example,” he said. He also credited Interim Superintendent Dr. Judy D. White with helping restore trust in leadership. “She’s really giving district leaders the confidence to come forward to share concerns and ideas for the betterment of our educational programs.”
The event follows a series of communitybuilding efforts, including a Unity Conference held over the summer. Montes said these moments are paving the way for greater transparency and alignment moving forward.
“Hopefully tomorrow, we’re going to be selecting our new superintendent,” he added, referring to an upcoming special board meeting. (That superintendent has since been selected, but pending approval)
For Gonzalez, being part of these conversations is what inspired her to run for student board member. “I love supporting others,” she said. “It’s a really big dream to help, support and just advocate for other students.”
She encouraged her peers to think big— whether that meant heading to college or learning a trade. Gonzalez hopes to study criminal justice and become a lawyer, while also pursuing tattoo artistry. “I would honestly encourage all students to go to college and at least get some experience from that,” she said.
Curt Lewis, representing Congressman Pete Aguilar’s office, praised the district’s efforts and the keynote address. “The community gave Julie a round of applause that expressed appreciation and understanding of her powerful, unifying message,” he said. “Kudos to Mr. Joseph Williams and his Family and Community Engagement team for an exceptional event.”
Dominguez said that above all, the summit’s success was measured by confidence—in students, families, and the work ahead. “Seeing outcomes,” she said, “and how my vote has impacted lives… that’s what makes this job worth it.”
November CalFresh Benefits Uncertain Amid Federal Shutdown; County Urges Residents to Stay Informed
Community News
Due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, CalFresh benefits may not be available in November. Funding is currently secured through October 2025. At this time, CalWORKs and Medi-Cal benefits are not expected to be impacted. However, if the federal shutdown continues, delays may occur.
San Bernardino County’s Transitional Assistance Department (TAD) is actively preparing to assist residents and keep the community informed throughout this uncertain period.
If benefits will not be available, affected participants will receive a formal notification later this month. Receiving this notification does not mean a case is closed or that eligibility has ended. Participants are encouraged to continue meeting all mandatory reporting requirements, including submitting SAR 7 Eligibility Status Reports and completing renewals on time to ensure benefits can continue promptly when funding resumes.
The Transitional Assistance Department is working closely with the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) to ensure San Bernardino County residents receive timely and accurate information. The department is also preparing to assist
customers who may have questions and will provide updates through county websites, social media and local offices as new information becomes available.
“The Transitional Assistance Department understands how essential CalFresh benefits are for families and individuals across San Bernardino County,” said Director James LoCurto. “We remain committed to providing clear, up-to-date information and assisting our residents throughout this period of uncertainty.”
Stay informed by:
Checking official updates on the San Bernardino County TAD website at
https://wp.sbcounty.gov/tad/.
Following San Bernardino County and TAD social media pages for real-time updates.
Contacting the local TAD office with any questions or concerns about benefits or eligibility.
For information and community resources, please visit the TAD website at wp.sbcounty.gov/tad. If you have questions, TAD staff is here to help. Customers can call the Customer Service Center at 877-410-8829 or visit their local Transitional Assistance Department office.
Millions of Californians to Lose Food Assistance as Trump and Republican Shutdown Continues
Community News
Assemblymember Dr. Corey A. Jackson, Chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee #2 on Human Services, issued a strong statement today condemning the Trump and Republican-led federal government shutdown that is forecasted to cut off federal SNAP (CalFresh) benefits beginning November 1.
If the shutdown continues past October
31, over 5.5 million Californians, including parents, children, seniors, and lowwage workers will lose access to essential food assistance. This federal failure threatens billions in benefits that help families afford groceries and feed their loved ones as the holidays approach.
“This is a moral failure,” said Assemblymember Dr. Corey A. Jackson. “Trump and the Republicans are holding working families hostage by shutting down the government and cutting off the
food lifeline for millions. California will continue to stand up for our communities, but we cannot backfill billions of dollars stolen from our communities by the Trump Administration.”
Governor Newsom will fast-track $80 million in state funding to food banks and deploy the California National Guard in a support capacity to meet increased demand. However, the state emphasizes that these efforts cannot replace the scale of federal funding lost under this Republi-
can shutdown.
“This is not a drill. Trump’s government shutdown is literally taking food away from our kids,” said Speaker Robert Rivas. “But when Republicans fail to lead, Assembly Democrats, including Dr. Corey Jackson, will do everything in our power to help parents and seniors pay for groceries and celebrate the holidays, because it’s our job to fight for programs that put food on the table.”
