Community News page 8
Chalk Talk Community Events, page 2 - 3
The Community Paper of Record
Vol. 56, No. 12
Serving the San Gabriel Valley Since 1966
June 26, 2019
Our Saviour Center Continues to Make a Difference by Julie Carlson, Contributing Writer El Monte
Our Saviour Center, located at 4368 Santa Anita Avenue in El Monte, has been making an impact on the community in El Monte and the San Gabriel Valley for 30 years. Once visitors walk through the doors they are welcomed into a hospitable environment -- exactly what the mission of Our Saviour Center’s Second Annual Open House accomplished on Thursday, June 13. “It’s not just a way to remind everybody of what we do,” explained Jane Fall, Executive Director of the event. “But to donate financially or volunteer.” During the Open House, guests were treated to food and drinks from El Sorrito and raffle tickets for fun prizes all while learning about the variety of programs the Center provides. Diane Williams, the Center’s Family Resources Director, led guests on a tour of their Food Pantry -- the 6th largest Food Pantry in LA County through LA Regional Food Bank. “Fresh fruits and vegetables are our
Courtesy Photo by Julie Carlson
priority,” she said. “We’re open on Tuesdays and Thursday’s per week. We’ve been averaging about 220 households for every day we’re open.” A member of the church who helps drive the food truck, Michael
Watkins said: “It’s fun to come down here [to the Center]. I work with another guy and we go to 41st and Alameda and pick up food.” Not only does the Center provide nutritious meals, they also have a clothing room and are starting a new
diaper program for qualifying families. Their motel voucher program for families with children that need emergency shelter for one week is popular and has a long waiting list. Located inside Our Saviour Center Our Savior Center continued on page 15
Message to Our Promotion Ceremonies Celebrate the ACommunity from Achievements of Students the Mayor of by Michelle Earle, Contributing Writer, Mountain View School District El Monte
Schools within the Mountain View School District were packed with family members clutching balloons, flowers and signs for students promoting from 8th grade from Kranz Intermediate School, Madrid Middle School and Monte Vista School, as well as 5th and 6th graders promoting from the District’s elementary
schools. The three 8th grade promotion ceremonies included motivational speeches from each school’s valedictorians and students of the year, as well as addresses from school administrators, teachers, school board members and district administrators who honored the students for their academic achievements and encouraged them to continue to work hard, surround themselves with good people, embrace challenges, put their best effort forward, find their voice, and persevere as they move on to high school and continue their education. Addressing the promoting classes, the principals expressed their appreciation to the students for their dedicated efforts, and to the staff and families for their support and encouragement which helped the scholars reach this point in their educational journey. Kranz Intermediate School was proud to have 10 Valedictorians including Miki Lam,
Estrella Gutierrez, Alma Cordova, Yen (Amber) Phan, Anyi Gao, Jessica Najera, Ruby Saldivar, Elbert Lin, Jade Lozano and Kaylee San. Madrid Middle School’s Valedictorians were Amy Lee and Karina Mora and representing Monte Vista as Students of the Year were Dylan Williams and Alexa Cardenas. Each of the student speakers thanked their teachers, administrators and classmates for making their years at Kranz, Madrid and Monte Vista so memorable and expressed their gratitude to their parents and families for their support. They reminisced about their time at the schools, the knowledge they gained, activities they were involved in, as well as the memories they shared as classmates. They all encouraged their peers to continue to work hard and reach for their dreams. In the Mountain View School District, we are proud to provide our students with a strong educational Ceremonies continued on page 15
the City of El Monte
As many in our community know by now, ICE had announced plans to carry out immigration enforcement actions. I want to inform our residents that the City of El Monte and its Police Department does not participate in any immigration enforcement actions. Our position is both policy and state law. Also, it is not the policy of our police department to ask the immigration status of anyone contacted by our officers. We are committed to maintaining a safe community; the El Monte police department is tasked to enforce laws impartially with respect for all of our residents. We are focused on protecting everyone’s rights equally with ‘Courtesy and Respect.’ If and when these enforcement actions take place, we will strictly adhere to our stated policy and State Law.