STAFF SPOTLIGHT
Driving with Jason from Silver Stars
Earler this year, I had the wonderful opportunity to go on a ride-along with Jason Davenport, our driver for the Silver Stars program. It was truly eye-opening to witness Jason in his element, interacting with seniors with such genuine warmth and kindness. The bond he shares with them is truly heartwarming – you can sense the genuine care they have for each other. Personally, I cherished the conversations I had with the seniors, hearing their stories and experiences living in our city. One senior’s sentiment particularly struck a chord with me: “When I moved here in 1979 I thought I might have made a mistake, but I didn’t. I am so proud to be a resident of this City, I love it here.” Moments like these reaffirm the importance and impact of our programs in fostering community connections and enriching lives.
Career Day with Thailin from Housing Services Department
Thailin Martin, our Senior Project Manager, recently visited St. George Catholic School for Career Day on January 30. She spoke to a full classroom of about 30 Kindergartners about the importance of having a home and how our team helps those in need.
Thailin engaged the kids in a lively discussion about homes of different shapes, sizes, and colors, emphasizing their role in providing shelter, comfort, and security. It was an incredibly rewarding experience for her to inspire these young minds about the value of housing and potential careers in the field.
Cheers to Thailin for her impactful work!
Candice serves on CPRS
I am thrilled to share that Candice Smith has been elected to serve as the Region 4 Representative on the CPRS (California Parks & Recreation Society) State Board for the 2024-2025 term. With her dedication and exemplary service, Candice has been an integral part of the board of directors for the past year and is entering the second year of her term. Her commitment to excellence and passion for parks and recreation make her a true asset to the organization. Nick Gonzalez and I couldn’t be prouder of Candice’s accomplishments! Way to go Candice!
Conduit Exhibit
I had the pleasure of attending the “Conduit” exhibition, guest curated by Debra Scacco, which opened on Thursday, February 15th, with the opening reception held on Saturday, February 17th during the Ontario Arts Walk. I must say, it was a remarkable experience. The Ontario Museum Of History and Art deserves a huge shoutout for their commitment to elevating their work and consistently bringing high-quality productions to our community. The artwork, curated by Scacco, was not only visually stunning but also thoughtprovoking, exploring themes on the conservation, history, and future of water.
Learn more about water in Ontario and the Inland Empire by visiting
Conduit 225 S. Euclid Ave. Ontario, CA 91762 OntarioMuseum.org @ontariomuseum_artsculture Built
region. It
local
regional tribes, agriculture, water conservation,
creation
By focusing
traditional
water
on Water: Ontario and Inland Southern California focuses on the history and future of water in the Ontario
brings together the story of
water agencies,
and the
of the City of Ontario.
on local and tangible history, including the
ecological knowledge of the Tongva/Gabrielino community and regional Indigenous tribes, the exhibit aims to increase empathy, access, and engagement with the vital issue of
conservation.
GALLERY GUID E
Conduit is made possible in part by a grant from the Inland SoCal Creative Corps, a component fund at the Inland Empire Community Foundation.
Conduit Media Coverage
Radio station’s, KFrog and KVCR highlighted the museum’s newest exhibit Conduit.
Freedom to Read
Scan the QR code to listen!
I had the privilege of attending a thought-provoking discussion at Rancho Mirage about book bannings, how libraries respond, and the importance of safeguarding the freedom to read. Nick Higgins (Chief Librarian, Brooklyn Public Library), Misty Jones (SDPL), and Skye Patrick (COLA) led an engaging conversation at the Rancho Mirage Public Library. Their insights into the vital role libraries play in defending intellectual freedom were both enlightening and inspiring. It’s crucial to uphold the principles of freedom of expression within our libraries, and discussions like these serve as a reminder of the ongoing fight for literary freedom. I felt deeply moved by this discussion.
Ontario with the Boys
I absolutely love being able to include my two sons in all the exciting programming our City offers. Our programs provide us with the perfect opportunity to create new memories together, and I’m incredibly grateful to the staff who always encourage us to have fun and learn. From outdoor adventures and sporting events to creative workshops, there’s always something for us to enjoy as a family. It’s truly rewarding to see the joy on Tom and Henry’s faces as we participate in these activities. I’m thankful for the inclusive and enriching experiences our City provides. Here’s a few adventures we partook in this season.
Empire Strykers
Ontario Night
The game was incredibly fun! I enjoyed seeing our local CHS band, local choir, and Ontario AYSO groups out on the field.
Blind Dates with a Book
Ontario City Library had a display of “blind dates with a book,” where you can choose a wrapped book and enjoy the surprise of opening it when you get home!
Party at the Library
The Ovitt Family Community Library hosted a Mario themed event on March 10. The boys were so excited to participate.
Hoops
Tom with his award from the Recreation & Community Services Mini Hoops Program!
Mario
Mini
Cl&C Designers and Communicators Meeting
I was pleased to join the relaunched CL&C Designers and Communicators bi-weekly meeting to introduce myself to the expanding team. With four Graphic & Marketing Specialists, two Recreation & Community Services Coordinators, a Senior Management Analyst and an Administrative Specialist now part of our group, it’s exciting to see our team grow. I’m looking forward to see this creative team elevate our agency’s communications and visuals.
Rebecca Ustrell: Finalist
Speaking of creative forces in our agencey, Rebecca Ustrell was recognized as a finalist for the Inland Empire Community Foundation Woman of Achievement Awards for 2024. She was recognized as 1 of 5 Honorees. We are so proud of her and I can not wait to see what other amazing professional achievements she accomplishes.
CL&C Full-time Staff Meeting
Our recent full-time staff meeting at the De Anza Community & Teen Center was both informative and inspiring. We had the opportunity to learn about the setup of the new “Conduit” exhibit and gain insights into the process of getting an exhibition ready for display. Additionally, Jana Waitman, Senior Librarian, delivered a powerful presentation on the Library’s Adult Literacy program, leaving a profound impact on all of us.
Amidst the presentations, the CL&C Mental Health Task Force took a moment to recognize Maria Munoz as the recipient of the Extra Mile Award. Maria, who is part of the Housing Service Department, has consistently demonstrated a positive attitude and a genuine spirit of inclusivity, making others feel supported and valued. Her dedication to going above and beyond embodies the essence of our agency’s values, and we are incredibly proud to have her as part of our team.
Overall it was a fantastic meeting with much to learn and celebrate.
Visiting AK Smiley
Shawn and I had the pleasure of visiting AK Smiley, the Redlands Public Library, and as avid library enthusiasts, it’s always a delight to explore and experience other library spaces. With our upcoming ASO on the horizon, which entails a substantial marketing campaign to showcase our library as a premier destination, this visit provided us with valuable inspiration and insights. I’m eager to take what we’ve learned and apply it to our own initiatives, ensuring that we continue to elevate and promote our library as a cornerstone of our community.
Housing Tour
Touring Emporia Place II with the Housing Services Department was an incredibly rewarding experience for me and the team. We were filled with excitement as we witnessed the incredible progress taking place just across the street from our Emporia office. Seeing the tangible results of our efforts was truly inspiring, and it reaffirmed our commitment to providing affordable housing for our community. With applications for the second phase recently opening up, we’re thrilled at the prospect of being able to transform lives through our affordable housing units. It’s moments like these that remind us of the profound impact we can have on individuals and families in need, and we’re eager to continue our mission of creating accessible and sustainable housing options for all. Way to go team!
This year, I had the pleasure of joining our Recreation team at the CPRS (California Parks & Recreation Society) Conference held in stunning Palm Springs. It was an absolute blast, and I returned feeling invigorated and filled with new knowledge. The conference provided invaluable opportunities for learning and networking for our staff. I know they took away a lot o great information that will help to continue to elevate our programs and services.
CPRS Conference
Convention Center Tours
Earlier this year Marissa visited a few convention centers with a delegation of City staff. Marissa’s role was to look at opportunites for public art for our convention center. What an exciting opportunity.
Museum, Arts, and Culture Managers
I’m thrilled to announce that Tonya C. Rodzach and Carolyn J. Oakes have joined our Museum, Arts & Culture Team as our Museum, Arts, and Culture Managers. Tonya and Carolyn bring with them a wealth of experience and knowledge, and we’re excited to have them on board. Their expertise will undoubtedly contribute to the success and growth of our team and the impact we make in the community. Welcome, Tonya and Carolyn!
Housing California Conference
I had the pleasure of attending the Housing California Conference in Long Beach alongside a group of Housing Services staff. A fantastic bonus for the staff was their stay at the iconic Queen Mary, where the team had the unique opportunity to tour the engine room. It was a memorable experience that added an extra layer of excitement to the conference.
Winter Event
Jose, Marina and Chris represented the Recreation & Community Services Department at the Municipal Management Association of Southern California (MMASC) Winter Forum event in Montebello on March 14. So excited to see our team members join organizations that not only help their professional development, but also expand out agency’s connections.
Joss attended GSMCon in April. At this conference held in sunny Palm Springs, Joss was able to connect with social media creators from all areas of government across the Nation. She is excited to be able to bring back some ideas and contacts in order to better leverage our platforms and connect with our residents.
Joss also connected with ONT digital creators. Anyone recognize fellow Ontario City Alumn, Stephanie Chesin? Glad you had a great time, Joss!
MMASC
Government Social Media Conference
California Association of Museums Conference
Miriam, our curator of education, presented at CAM with our former curator of exhibits and exhibit designer, Leslie Matamoros. They shared our learnings from the five year process of planning built on water with a full house of museum professionals!
Also at CAM the team showcased the museum’s mobile app ‘waterkeepers’ and VR experience “wings of transformation, a monarch’s journey”. I was a massive hit at the conference.
Leadership Retreat
Our leadership retreat in San Diego from March 19-21 was a whirlwind of inspiration. We kicked off Day one at the Ontario Convention center, disussing ASOS and opportunities for development. Our jam-packed San Diego feild trip began the very next day. We explored Olympus Park, Veterans Village of San Diego, San Diego Public Library, Coronado Community Center, and the San Diego Waterfront Park. These visits sparked ideas for future projects, upcoming ASOS, and strengthened our team dynamic. A big thank you to Nelva for keeping us on track and ensuring a smooth experience. Thanks to her and the team, it was an unforgettable journey of bonding and growth.
Recreation All Staff Zoom Meeting
Nearly 200 staff members joined the Recreation All Staff Quarterly Zoom Meeting on March 12. During the meeting, Nick gave some updates on some park projects, upcoming special events, and lead focus group conversations on our priority value of Fun! You’ll be seeing the Recreation team starting to integrate more fun into the workplace and ensure our participants are having a fun time during our programs! We hope to talk more about our 7 priority values over the course of the next year.
Story time with Starbucks
On March 27, Ovitt Youth Services partnered with Starbucks on E Street to host a story time on their patio. Starbucks provided children with cake pops and lemonade while the adults enjoyed pastries and coffee. 40 participants enjoyed stories and songs performed by Melissa Williams. As caregivers left, they commented on how much they enjoyed the library, our services and youth staff. Starbucks managers were excited to have the library present and utilize their space. Through the success of this event, Youth Services will host quarterly story times on their patio, and Starbucks is interested in the library hosting outreaches and programming for teens on site.
Library
Library
PROMOTED & HIRED STAFF
Housing
Kaela L. Fengler
Allison Bridgewater
Nicholas A. Gallardo Recreation
Alexander G. Grigg
Joceline S. Seres Community Life & Culture
Tonya C. Rodzach Museum
Carolyn Jean Oakes Museum
Congratulations Joceline!
Congratulations to Joceline “Joss” on her promotion to Sr. Management Analyst! Joceline has been with the City for the last three years as the full-time Graphics & Marketing specialist in CL&C Agency. Some of her contributions to the agency have included coordinating the Ontario Living Magazine and designing marketing materials for our departments. With her experience and enthusiasm, we cannot wait to see her grow even further in this new role.
She would like you to know she did not write this.
Accreditation Celebration
On April 18, the Museum hosted a VIP accreditation celebration to commemorate its recent accreditation award—a significant milestone that has been years in the making. This event was a testament to the Museum’s dedication and commitment to excellence, underscoring the high standard of care and service it consistently provides. I couldn’t be prouder of the Museum team for their hard work and unwavering dedication, which have led to this well-deserved recognition.
See you next time!
