Sunday, August 30, 2009

U.S. Census 2010

The Crystal C. Chavez Foundation is a 2010 Census Partner!

We are proud to support the 2010 Census and to help make sure that every resident in the nation is "counted in 2010"! After all, the Census is in all our hands!

The cenus is a count of everyone residing in the United States.

Census Day is April 1, 2010. With only 10 questions, the 2010 Census questionnaire is one of the shortest questionnaires in history and takes just 10 minutes to complete!


For more information about the 2010 Census, go to www.2010census.gov

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

U.S. Department of Education

After attending the White House Initiative on Hispanic American Educational Excellence in Rio Hondo last week I learned about a great website full of up to date information, news and resources. I'm talking about the website: www.ed.gov! Yay, I just check it out and found it to be a gem of information goodness just like the Press Release I read about below about veterans education. So please check out www.ed.gov for all your education-related needs, I know I will :-) If you have other useful sites please feel free to let me know by emailing me at: crystal@crystalcchavez.org. Have a productive day!

PRESS RELEASES

Seven Colleges Share $1.75 Million to Increase College Enrollment, Completion for Veterans

FOR RELEASE:August 25, 2009
Contact: Gregg Wiggins,Jane Glickman or Stephanie Babyak(202) 401-1576 press@ed.gov

The U.S. Education Department has awarded seven colleges $250,000 each to operate Veterans Upward Bound programs that help veterans develop academic and other skills needed to succeed in postsecondary education. The primary goal of the program is to increase the rate of enrollment and completion of postsecondary education programs.
“Offering this assistance is our responsibility and our duty to the men and women who served in our nation's military,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. “Helping them access college is good for the nation that they will continue to serve as productive and participating members of the civilian community.”
The programs will provide academic and personal counseling, mentoring and tutoring, and offer refresher courses for veterans who have not completed high school or who may be high school graduates but delayed the start of their postsecondary education to serve in our nation's military. Veterans Upward Bound programs will also assist veterans in obtaining support from sources such as the Veterans Administration, state agencies, veterans’ associations and other groups that aid veterans.

A list of grantees is provided below:
ARKANSAS:Henderson State University, Arkadelphia
ARIZONA:Yavapai County Community College, Prescott
GEORGIA:Georgia State University, Atlanta
IDAHO:Boise State University, Boise
MASSACHUSETTS:Suffolk University, Boston
MINNESOTA:Bemidji State University, Bemidji
OKLAHOMA:Redlands Community College, El Reno

Fundraiser this Saturday in El Monte to help Wounded Soldier

Fundraisers set for soldier wounded in Afghanistan

Posted: 08/24/2009 07:42:22 PM PDT (www.sgvtribune.com)
The American Legion Post 261 will host two special fundraisers on Saturday and Sunday for SPC Ryan Price, who was wounded during a mission in Afghanistan.
Price lost both legs and the funds will help build an addition to his parent's home in Nuevo, Calif., for better wheelchair access and mobility.

A steak-picado dinner fundraiser will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Post 261 Legion Hall, 4542 Peck Road, El Monte.

Cost is a $7 donation. The dinner will also feature live entertainment from a disc jockey and Sal Cucinella, an Elvis impersonator.

Tickets are limited. Adults only and no alcohol permitted. For tickets, call Leonora Allen at (626)579-6982 or Douglas Reyes at (323) 206-8945.

A carwash will also be held from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at Post 261. Donations will be accepted.

Remember 9/11

The eighth anniversary of 9/11 is upon and we should all take time to remember what trajedy occured on that day and how we must unite as Americans and remain strong and vigilant to protect our land and our values. Don't forget to raise your flag and hug a veteran and say "thank you" to all of our men and women in uniform.

-------Below is what I read in an email I received today...--------------

On Friday, September 11th, 2009, an American flag should be displayed outside every home, apartment, office, and store in the United States. Every individual should make it their duty to display an American flag on this eighth anniversary of one of our country's worst tragedies.

We do this to honor those who lost their lives on 9/11, their families, friends and loved ones who continue to endure the pain, and those who today are fighting at home and abroad to preserve our cherished freedoms.

In the days, weeks and months following 9/11, our country was bathed in American flags as citizens mourned the incredible losses and stood shoulder-to-shoulder against terrorism. Sadly, those flags have all but disappeared. Our patriotism pulled us through some tough times and it shouldn't take another attack to galvanize us in solidarity. Our American flag is the fabric of our country and together we can prevail over terrorism of all kinds.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Man-e Moreno Foundation

Here are some pictures from Saturday's Building Better Families event at the South El Monte Civic Center. Sheriff Lee Baca gave a warming speech about faith, love, family and responsiblity. Also present were City of El Monte Mayor Pro Tem J. Gomez and City of South El Monte Councilman Joseph Gonzalez. It was a great attended event and well organized. Please check out www.man-efoundation.org to learn more about the organization and to read about Manuel Moreno. We look forward to working with like minded nonprofits in the San Gabriel Valley like the Man-e Moreno Foundation to help our youth, and in turn, help build and strengthen our families.









Friday, August 14, 2009

Learning Resource Center opening at Rio Hondo College

A 94,000 square foot, state of the art Learning Resource Center will be open this Fall when students resume classes at Rio Hondo Community College. Please read more about this new facility below from an article from the San Gabriel Valley Tribune.

Rio Hondo supporters get sneak peek of new $34 million Learning Resource Center

By Tracy Garcia, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/13/2009 08:22:16 PM PDT

WHITTIER - About a week before it opens to students, a select group of Rio Hondo College supporters got a sneak peek Thursday at its latest accomplishment in a massive campus facilities overhaul: the scenic, state-of-the-art, 94,000-square-foot Learning Resource Center.
It's been three years since the college first broke ground on the LRC, a two-story building that includes a second-floor library overlooking the San Gabriel Valley, as well as a teleconferencing lounge, media studio and classrooms. And when the majority of students return to the hilltop college for the fall semester on Aug. 24, they'll finally be able to take advantage of the $34.7 million LRC.

"This is a big, big day for Rio Hondo College," Board president Andre Quintero told dozens of special guests that included Whittier Mayor Bob Henderson, former Rio Hondo College President Rose Marie Joyce, Rep. Grace Napolitano, D-Santa Fe Springs, and well-known community leader Ruth B. Shannon.
These guests, and several others, are part of the President's Circle, a select group of supporters who have donated generously to the Rio Hondo College Foundation.
"I'm so proud to be here," Quintero said. "People worked so hard for so many years to make this place happen."
The LRC was mostly paid for with state funds, but it's one part of the college's long-term Facilities Master Plan that calls for an update of the aging campus to accommodate an expected surge in enrollment over the next few years.
Already this spring, officials said, enrollment topped 28,000 students.
Other projects in the pipeline for the college include a new Physical Education Complex, a Student Services/Student Union complex, and a rehabilitation of the college's entire Central Quad plaza and landscaping area.
They will be funded by the college's $245 million Measure A bond, which voters approved in March 2004.
Thursday's reception began with a State of the College address by President Ted Martinez Jr., performances by Rio Hondo College singers, and remarks from LRC architect David Martin.
Guests were then encouraged to take a tour through the facility, which is not yet fully furnished with books and computers, but should be ready for student use in the next couple of weeks.
In designing the LRC, Martin said several factors came into play - including the motivation for something with a strong presence on the campus' lower quad, as well as something that was in sync with the 1950s and 1960s architecture of the existing buildings.
"This building also kind of hung over the hill," Martin said. "The entire south wall is on a curve on the back end of the site

Librarian Adele Enright, right, guides a tour through the library level of the Learning Resource Center. Members and guests of the President's Circle attend a preview reception and tour of Rio Hondo College's new Learning Resource Center at the Whittier campus Aug. 13, 2009. (SGVN/Staff photo by Leo Jarzomb)- but what a great way to (showcase) the view." It's also energy-efficient, Martin said, pointing out features like motion-sensor lights and new carpeting made of recycled materials.
"It's a great moment to celebrate the completion" of a project, Martin told the crowd. "Thank you so much."
tracy.garcia@sgvn.com
(562) 698-0955, Ext. 3051

Art Exhibit Opening and Reception

NAVARRO Noir...Dames, Demons, Monsters and Masked Men, oh MY!
September 5th-October 4th

GEEKS
6747 Greenleaf Ave. Suite A
Whittier, CA. 90606
(562) 696-9393

Opening reception: Sept 5th @ 7pm
A wonderful art exhibit is schedule to open next month featuring artist, Rafael Navarro. His work will be on display at Geeks in Whittier. There will also be a reception on September 5th at 7pm, I hope you can attend and support a local, talented artist. Support the arts!

Thursday, August 13, 2009

FREE EVENT this SATURDAY in S.El Monte

Free event this SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 2009 at the South El Monte Community Center!

Time: 10am-1pm

The City of South El Monte and the Man-e Moreno Foundation along with L.A. Sheriff Lee Baca! are hosting an event this Saturday to help and promote at-risk youth to stay our of drugs, gangs and violence.

We are so glad that the city is taking a proactive approach in helping the youth of the community stay on the right path and be productive citizens. See information below from the SGV Tribune online.

Hope y'all can make it for what sure looks to be a great, family event.

Event planned in South El Monte for at-risk youth, families
From staff reports http://www.sgvtribune.com/ci_13055199
Posted: 08/13/2009 05:31:03 PM PDT


SOUTH EL MONTE - At-risk youths and their families are invited to join Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca, the City of South El Monte and the Man-e Moreno Foundation Saturday at an event designed to keep kids out of trouble.

The "Building Families For a Better Future" event and resource fair will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the South El Monte Community Center, 1530 Central Avenue, organizers said.
Following a panel discussion and talk by Baca, at-risk teens and their families will be invited to tour a resource fair with services such as tattoo removal, expunging of records, positive mentors and more, all geared towards keeping area youths away from drugs, gangs and violence.

City officials and community organizations from around the San Gabriel Valley are invited to attend.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Summer Concert in Whittier

Summer Concerts Offer Music Under the Stars*

The free concerts are sponsored by the Whittier Cultural Arts and Parks and Recreation commissions, Los Angeles County Supervisor, Don Knabe and the Los Angeles County Arts Commission.

Seating is festival-style and concertgoers may bring lawn chairs or blankets for comfort while they enjoy music under the stars.

This year’s concert schedule includes returning favorites, as well as several new acts.
In addition, concert goers may bring picnic suppers, or enjoy the variety of freshly-cooked food, including desserts, available for purchase by food vendors at the park.
For more information on the 2009 Summer Concerts in the Park, contact the Community Services Department at (562) 464-3350.

PARNELL PARK:

Swing August 13 – “The Beatless” – Classic Rock

**All information taken from the City of Whittier website, found at: http://www.cityofwhittier.org/

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Foothill Unity Center to Distribute School Supplies to Kids

On August 20, 2009 the Foothill Unity Center will be distributing back to school supplies to students at the Santa Anita Race Track.

The Foothill Unity Center is preparing for up to 2,000 children to participate. The Center is urgently seeking donated funds to handle the increase. Just $50 provides the basics for one child. Those who prefer to purchase supplies themselves are asked to drop them off by August 12 to ensure distribution at this year's event. Checks may be mailed to Back to School Program, Foothill Unity Center, 415 West Chestnut Avenue, Monrovia, CA 91016. For further information on Back to School Distribution needs and volunteer opportunities please call the Monrovia offic at 626-358-3486 or the Pasadena Center at 626-584-7420. The organization invites local businesses and groups to donate new computers, bicycles and other larges prizes to give away in a free raffle during the event.

Please help out if you can to this great charitable event that will benefit our children = our future! Remember education is our greatest economic stimulus so let's invest in our children today.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Fundraiser TONIGHT to benefit our CHILDREN!

MESSAGE FROM SUPERVISOR MICHAEL D. ANTONOVICH

Please join me, along with the Department of Children and Family Services, for the 14th Annual "All for the Love of Kids" Family Fundraiser and Awards Dinner. The event takes place on Thursday, August 6th at 6:00 p.m. at the Arboretum, 301 North Baldwin Ave., Arcadia.

All of the proceeds from this benefit go to support the Family and Children's Services Trust Fund, which allocates funding for life enhancing services such as orthodontia, replacement of lost or stolen prescription glasses and clothing as well as fees for organized sports for our foster youth.

Please plan to attend what promises to be a special evening in support of a worthwhile cause. There will be a buffet dinner, live and silent auctions, great entertainment and a chance to win a Wii, 32" Flat Screen T.V. and an iPod for $1.00. Raffle tickets are on sale now!


For additional information on "All for the Love of Kids" please contact Stu Riskin at riskis@dcfs.laccounty.gov (213) 739-6202.