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Grant will fund the Los Angeles County Human Trafficking Task Force Program; since 2015, the task force has made 1,624 arrests in connection to human trafficking activities and rescued 324 victims

Torres previously led efforts to secure nearly $70,000 in federal funding to fight human trafficking and prostitution in the Inland Empire

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) announced that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded a $749,982 grant to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to combat human trafficking. The grant will fund the Los Angeles County Human Trafficking Task Force (LACHTTF) Program to develop, enhance, and implement collaborative approaches to identify victims of human trafficking within the County, investigate and prosecute sex and labor trafficking cases at the local, state, and federal levels and address the individual needs of victims through the provision of comprehensive array of quality services.

“Human trafficking isn’t something that only occurs in faraway places, it’s happening in our own backyards every single day. To crack down on this horrible crime, we need to ensure that our local law enforcement agencies have the resources they need to put perpetrators behind bars and keep our communities safe,” said Congresswoman Torres.

 “This support from the Department of Justice will enable the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to enhance its already successful efforts to thwart human trafficking in the Inland Empire and provide survivors with the justice and services needed to help them reclaim their lives. Local agencies should take advantage of the training opportunities available to them by joining this task force—it’s the first step to make certain that this vital program continues.”

“I would like to thank Congresswoman Norma Torres for her tireless work in the field of combatting the scourge of human trafficking. Her bipartisan efforts as part of the Congressional Human Trafficking Caucus have helped secure funding for this very important law enforcement and humanitarian effort,” said Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva. 

“Today’s grant award will help continue to fund the Los Angeles Regional Human Trafficking Task Force.”

Last year, Torres led a bipartisan group of Members of Congress in a letter to the House Committee on Appropriations calling for $50 million in funding nationwide for DOJ grant programs that support anti-human trafficking task forces, such as the LARHTTF. Torres is also a member of the Congressional Human Trafficking Caucus. She previously helped secure nearly $70,000 in DOJ grants to combat human trafficking and prostitution in the City of Pomona.

Torres is a member of the powerful House Appropriations and Rules Committees.

By Lou Yeboah

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— It’s called the principle of sowing and reaping. The nation of Israel had to learn this in a very personal way. Their waywardness and failure to do what God instructed them to do often placed them in a position where they would not have His blessings. The Lord gives principles in Scripture to serve as warnings and as an encouragement. It is insane to do the same thing over and over again … knowing it has never worked out well before. It doesn’t work: never has, never will. To change the result you have to change the path. Different actions are required for different results. The premise of the quote is if you want something different out of your life you have to put something different into it.  Because “If you always do what you’ve always done- you will always get what you always got.”  

I want you to know that God created us to succeed; you and I were made to win! And God has given us everything we need to succeed in life, but we need to understand today that Biblical success is different from the world’s definition of success, and Biblical success is not something we just stumble into. If you want success God’s way then you’ve got to go after success God’s way! What it comes down to is taking a risk, being bold, uninhibited, stepping out your comfort zone. I ask you, do you want to be this person who won’t jump, looking into the unknown, but turning around; Or, do you want to be the person taking a leap of faith and throwing caution to the wind. Because if you always do what you’ve always done, you will always get what you always got.

I just want you to understand, that you and I will never possess what we will not pursue. If you want a deeper relationship with the Lord, you’ve got to pursue it. If you want a happy marriage, you’ve got to pursue it. If you want a degree, you’ve got to pursue it. If you want to get out of debt; you’ve got to pursue it. If you want to own your own business; you’ve got to pursue it! If you want to lose weight, you’ve got to put down that candy bar, step away from those cookies and doughnuts and pursue it. If you want to live a successful life God’s way, then you’ve got to stop waiting for your ship to come in and get on board with God’s program and set sail towards the horizon of God’s destiny for your life!

With the understanding that success is not having money, power, or avoiding criticism. Success is not having prestige, position or prominence. Success is not having your name up in lights and enjoying the applause and accolades of men. Success is discovering and doing the will of God for your life. Success is fulfilling the purpose for which God created you in the first place. Success is discovering your God-given gifts and using them to fulfill your God-given destiny.

God’s Word is our blueprint, God’s Word is our road map, God’s Word is our play book, and God’s Word is the authoritative standard for every detail of our lives and in His Word He has given us all the information we need to start living a life of success.

And the Lord said to Joshua, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”

If you’re going to have success God’s way then you’ve got to do things God’s way. Success starts with changing your perspectives and practices and embracing God’s perspectives and practices.  Because “If You Keep Doing What You’ve always Done – You Will Get What You’ve Always Got.”  

Site will serve both pediatric and adult patients

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— LOMA LINDA, CA— Loma Linda University Health has expanded primary care services to a new location on Redlands  Boulevard to accommodate more patients. The new clinic opened Monday, April 1. Primary care services are now available at the Loma Linda University Health Faculty Medical Clinics – Redlands Blvd. facility located at 25828 Redlands Blvd., Redlands, formerly the Veterans Affairs (VA) clinic building.

The new clinic will have family medicine, internal medicine and pediatric physicians to care for patients.

Roger D. Woodruff, MD chair of the department of family medicine, said planning for the move began about six months ago by looking at various locations. He said this site provided a great structure with an adaptable layout and opportunity for growth in our implementation of new technologies.

“With the move, providers will be able to see more patients in our community,” Woodruff says. “Our community has been asking for more access. We’ve outgrown our current space, so we’re making the necessary changes to provide patients a convenient location that can meet their healthcare needs.”

The clinic will be open Mondays through Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The new Redlands Boulevard clinic also houses Loma Linda University Health pediatric and adult internal medicine clinic, previously located on Terracina Blvd. in Redlands. “We look forward to providing easily accessible healthcare in this new location for current and future patients,” said Richard Chinnock, MD, chief medical officer at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital.

“We are proud to offer a broad scope of care for both children and adults at our clinics in continued service to the community,” Chinnock said.

For appointments or more information about the services available call:

• Family Medicine at (909) 558-6600
• Internal Medicine at (909) 307-0964
• Pediatrics at (909) 307-0964

By Rich White

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK— ENN)— Hitting a pothole can adversely affect a vehicle’s handling and performance. It can be difficult to know if and to what extent your car has been damaged, so the Car Care Council urges motorists to watch for three warning signs to help determine if hitting a pothole has damaged their vehicle.

1. Loss of control, swaying when making routine turns, bottoming out on city streets or bouncing excessively on rough roads are indicators that the steering and suspension may have been damaged. The steering and suspension are key safety-related systems. Together, they largely determine a vehicle’s ride and handling.
2. Pulling in one direction, instead of maintaining a straight path, and uneven tire wear, are symptoms of an alignment problem. Proper wheel alignment is important for the lifespan of tires and helps ensure safe handling.
3. Low tire pressure, bulges or blisters on the sidewalls, or dents in the wheel rim will be visible and should be checked out as soon as possible, as tires are the critical connection between the vehicle and the road.

Because hitting a pothole with your car can do a real number on tires, wheels, steering and suspension, and alignment, it is a good idea to describe the symptoms to a professional technician who can then check out the vehicle and make the necessary repairs to ensure safety and reliability.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— INLAND EMPIRE, CA— Juice It Up!, one of the nation’s leading handcrafted smoothie, raw juice, and superfruit bowl chains, has announced its corporate partnership with leading hunger-relief organization, Feeding America Riverside|San Bernardino (FARSB) to help protect those in the communities it serves from going hungry. Juice It Up!’s aptly dubbed “Feed It Up!” campaign will reward guests for donating to the cause. The Inland Empire food bank alone feeds over 400,000 people and distributes over 2 million pounds of food per month.

With food collection boxes at each of Juice It Up!’s 45 Inland Empire locations through December 31, 2019, the company will reward guests who donate five canned items with a $2 coupon to use on any Juice It Up! menu item. The company is hoping this incentive will encourage area residents to support those less fortunate in their very own communities and join Juice It Up! in the fight to end hunger. The FARSB program will eventually be rolled out to all Juice It Up! locations nationwide.

“We are proud of our amazing franchisees who jumped at the opportunity to support their hyper-local communities and further FARSB’s indispensable work in the Inland Empire,” said Milena Rimassa, Juice It Up!’s Director of Marketing. “We’re thrilled to exercise our company’s core values of corporate citizenship and service, and are committed to making a positive impact in the areas we serve.”

Juice It Up! kicked off the partnership at FARSB’s 4^th annual Ladles of Love luncheon in Riverside, California where the more than 200 attendees learned about the many ways to help alleviate hunger in the Inland Empire year-round. As a proud sponsor of the event and to celebrate their alliance with FARSB, Juice It Up! donated hundreds of their popular Strawberry Wave smoothie to those in attendance.

“It is because of generous partners like Juice It Up! who take on our mission with a sense of ownership, that we are able to provide hunger-relief services and emergency food assistance to those who need it most,” said Lori Butler, Philanthropy Director for FARSB. “We feel fortunate to align with Juice It Up! and look forward to working together in achieving our mutual goal to alleviate hunger in the Inland Empire.”

To find your nearest Juice It Up! visit www.juiceitup.com. To learn more about FARSB, visit www.feedingamericaie.org.  

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(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— LOMA LINDA, CA— Loma Linda University Health has received a more than $430,000 grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health to study ways vitamin D could potentially be used to enhance intestinal wall repair of patients suffering inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). 

IBD is a chronic and debilitating disease in human intestines that affects approximately 1.6 million Americans. The number of people affected by IBD is rising worldwide, making it an increasingly global disease in the 21st century. 

The grant is for two years with a total of $433,340 in funding.

“I am very excited that our idea is supported by the experts in our field,” said Xiaolei Tang, MD, PhD, an associate research professor at Loma Linda University School of Medicine and lead research for the grant. “I hope that this study will eventually benefit patients at Loma Linda University Health and around the world.”

U.S. Congressman Pete Aguilar (CA-31) said he was pleased that Loma Linda University Health — which resides in his district — was awarded this grant.

“Loma Linda is a national leader in medical research, a major provider of good-paying jobs in our region, and a world-renowned medical center,” Aguilar said. “I’m proud to announce this grant funding, which will allow Loma Linda University Health to conduct groundbreaking new research and continue growing its legacy of innovation.” 

Aguilar is a member of the House Appropriations Committee and has been a consistent advocate for NIH funding to make these types of grants possible.

IBD is caused by a disordered immune response to intestinal bacteria. Normally, bacteria are contained outside the intestinal wall for food digestion and is prevented from entering other organs. However, this immune disorder can damage the intestinal wall, allowing bacteria to enter into other organs. A vicious cycle starts: bacteria in the internal organs further worsen the immune disorder, which in turn lets more bacteria pass through the gut wall into internal organs. The vicious cycle continues unless the gut wall is completely repaired.

No medications are currently available to repair the damaged intestinal wall. Recent research has suggested that, under healthy conditions, vitamin D is a key component for the normal functions of intestinal stem cells. Intestinal stem cells are known to renew the intestinal wall every 5 to 7 days to ensure its integrity. Tang will use the awarded grant to examine if such renewal mechanisms can be harnessed for the repair of damaged intestinal wall. He and his team will determine how vitamin D affects the functions of intestinal stem cells. 

The grant award number is R21AI142170. 

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA— To commemorate Smokey Bear’s 75^th year of delivering wildfire prevention messaging, replicas of iconic Smokey Bear scenes by artist Rudolph Wendelin will be on display through April 16 at the Gateway to Nature in El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument. This is the only stop in Southern California where the exhibit will take place during regular business hours, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. This is a free family friendly event. This exhibit is hosted locally by the Los Angeles Center for Urban Natural Resources Sustainability (LA Urban Center) as a stop on a larger national traveling exhibit.

Since 1944, Wendelin created hundreds of Smokey representations that highlighted national resource conservation and wildfire prevention. It is Wendelin’s more humanized representation of Smokey Bear that is commonly known today. Under his direction Smokey assumed his ranger hat, jeans and shovel. The touring exhibit consists of 16 replica pieces of artwork from the National Agricultural Library. For additional information please call the LA Urban Center at 213-628-3718.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— ONTARIO, CA— The Inland Prosperity Conference is less than one week away. Don’t miss out on this great event!

At the 7^th annual Inland Prosperity Conference, you will get a chance to learn how to align with your business dreams, grow your business, become a sales expert and more!

• The day will be lead by “Mobile Mary” Barnett, CEO and Marketing Strategist of Another Brilliant Idea, Inc.
• Our morning keynote speaker, Shameca Tankerson an expert on Sales Leadership and Defeating Doubt, will help teach you the best ways of “Getting Your Mind Aligned with your Dreams!”
• Our lunch keynote speaker, Ursula Mentjes an award-winning Entrepreneur and Sales Expert, will help you learn how to become a Sales Expert.
• Panels of accomplished women business owner will discuss topics such as: “Taking the Leap to Achieve your Dreams” and “Business Success in a Digital Age”.
  

CSUSB Alumnis

• Nicole Kinney, Owner of Logoing You
• Maritza Gomez, CEO of MG Custom Printing

1. Brenda Lorenzi, co-owner of Sunwest Publishing which publishes Inland Empire Magazine
2. La’Vonne Shields, CEO of Management Consultants of America
3. Sonia Stewart, Owner of Sonia Stewart Photography
4. Kim ‘ Kat’ Shepherd, CEO of the Ultimate Professional, Inc.
5. Janet Steiner, CEO of Throro Packaging

• Breakout sessions will cover topics such as: “Publishing to Grow Your Business”, “Options to Fund your Business” and “Contracting to Grow your Company”

Whether you’re thinking about becoming an entrepreneur or are already an entrepreneur then this is the conference for you! Past participants have given glowing reviews about previous Inland Prosperity Conferences:

Thank you, thank you, thank you. Walking in I was discouraged, walking out my soul is on fire.

-Attalah Walker

So well organized, tons of valuable content, everything, inspirational, warmth.

-Evanne Levin

The Inland Prosperity Conference will be held April 12^th, 2019 from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Ontario Airport Hotel and Conference Center, 700 N. Haven Ave. in Ontario.

Attendee registration is $67 for the general public, $20 for students and $30 for non-profit entities. Vendor spaces and sponsorships are still available. For registration or additional information, visit the IEWBC website at www.iewbc.org or contact Joelle Passerello at (909) 890-1242 or jpasserello@iewbc.org.

Majestic Hearts’ 1^st Annual 5K Walkathon in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month 

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— INGLEWOOD, CA— In the cannabis culture, April 20 (known as, “Four-Twenty”) is an International holiday of cannabis consumption. However, this year Majestic Hearts will raise awareness about sexual assault. The organization will host its 1^st Annual 5K Walkathon in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month to raise $5K toward its shelter and counseling programs. Taking place at Darby Park in Inglewood, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. (registration opening at 8:45 a.m.), Majestic Hearts will educate attendees about the subject matter, while raising funds to assist and enrich the community. 

According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, 1 in 5 women and 1 in 71 men will be raped at some point in their lives. “This alarming statistic must be exposed and it’s our organization’s duty to ensure the community is properly educated,” says Majestic Hearts’ Founding CEO, Kanishia L. Jackson. “We must also take in to account that this statistic is solely based on reported data. There are numerous victims/survivors who have never reported their sexual abuse encounter(s). It’s an uncomfortable subject that needs to be addressed,” she concludes. 

The event will be hosted by comedienne and founder of LesTalk Radio (@LesTalkRadio), Chelley Chelle and food will be catered by WoodMasters Smoked Meats & Fixings (@WoodMastersSMAF). The fundraiser will attract male and female attendees ages 18-75 who have been affected by sexual assault personally, or byway of a loved-one. Registered attendees will receive a Majestic Hearts medal and a water bottle from B.A.L.L. (Build A Lasting Legacy: @BuildALastingLegacy), founded by Pinique Singleton, one of Majestic Hearts’ continued supporters.  

“Sexual assault is not just a woman’s issue,” explaines Wendy Talley, Majestic Hearts’ licensed therapist of KW Essential Services (@KWEssentialServices). “The physical pain of sexual assault eventually goes away, but the heart and the mind will never forget,” the Licensed Clinical Social Worker further exclaims. Talley will be providing additional insight about sexual assault at the event. Her expertise will provide attendees with the tools needed to identify and cope with sexual assault.

Register, today to reserve your perks! Registration is $35 per person and children (under 18) are free! Go to www.majestic-hearts.org to RSVP. If you’re unable to participate, please donate and help spread the word. 

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Majestic Hearts is a 501 © (3) for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Founded in October 2017, we’ve made it our mission is to convert victims into survivors as we fight to be a refuge against DV and SA. We offer group and individual counseling, as well as provide shelter resources to victims/survivors throughout Kern, Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego County. For more info, visit our website at www.majestic-hearts.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram at @MajesticHeartsOrg.  

Black & Positively Golden celebrates a new movement to uplift communities & inspire excellence through education, empowerment, entrepreneurship

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— McDonald’s USA announced the launch of Black & Positively Golden, a new campaign movement designed to uplift communities and inspire excellence. It highlights all things positive and focuses on stories of truth, power and pride, while celebrating Black excellence through education, empowerment and entrepreneurship.  Being an active member in the communities McDonald’s serves has been fundamental to the business since its inception. Black & Positively Golden is a natural extension of the brand’s long-term commitment to the African-American consumer, and part of its larger efforts to reconnect with customers and build a better McDonald’s.

“At McDonald’s, we strive to connect with our customers by showing up in ways that matter to them,” said Lizette Williams, Head of Cultural Engagement & Experiences, McDonald’s USA. “Prior to launching the Black & Positively Golden campaign, we spent time with our African-American customer base and heard from them on what’s most important. We are leveraging this platform to shine a brilliant, powerful light on Black culture and excellence in a way that matters most to our consumers. This is the largest African-American campaign we have launched in 16 years and it continues to demonstrate our longstanding commitment to this community.”

The new campaign is brought to life in partnership with McDonald’s Black Owner/Operators nationwide. These entrepreneurs bring positive economic opportunities to the neighborhoods they serve in numerous ways, including hiring directly from the community, providing scholarships and engaging in other philanthropic activities.

“McDonald’s has long supported African-American communities. We maintain a commitment to our neighbors through various parts of our business – including scholarship partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities, generational wealth-building with franchisee training and partnering with minority suppliers,” said Nicole Enearu, a second-generation Owner/Operator and member of McDonald’s U.S. Marketing African-American Consumer Market Leadership Committee. “Through our new Black & Positively Golden campaign, we aim to further connect with and inspire the African-American customer.”

Continuing the growing momentum of the brand’s economic impact and commitment to diversity, Enearu is one of 300 African-American McDonald’s franchisees representing more than 1,500 restaurants.

In an effort to reach consumers in places where they already live, work and play, Black & Positively Golden commences a yearlong commitment to the YWCA USA, supporting the organization’s Women’s Empowerment 360 Program, an initiative designed to empower women of color who aspire to be entrepreneurs. Currently, more than 70% of participants are African-American. McDonald’s financial support will help empower approximately 5,000 up-and-coming businesswomen across the U.S. with education curriculum and other tools needed for success.

The commitment with YWCA USA officially kicks off tonight, in the celebrated and largely African-American Leimert Park neighborhood with an interactive, community event at the YWCA Greater Los Angeles. The event will feature a transformative empowerment mural created by LA-based artist Enkone. Attendees will help co-create the community mural by adding their own words of affirmation. There will be an appearance by actress/comedienne Yvonne Orji, a special performance by multi-platinum recording artist Normani and more. The one-of-a-kind event will shine a light on African-American culture and demonstrate the power words have to inspire Black excellence.

“As part of our commitment to the community, we are excited to kick off Black & Positively Golden with an expanded commitment to the YWCA, an organization that shares McDonald’s core values,” Williams said. “McDonald’s has restaurants in many communities that are also served by the YWCA, and we have local ties to the organization. For instance, we’ve supported their Chicago chapter for more than 30 years. With their focus on women entrepreneurs of color, the partnership is a great fit and we’re thrilled to extend our support nationally.”

“We are honored that McDonald’s has chosen to extend their partnership with us. The community-led event and mural project is incredibly special. The mural will live at one of our centers, located in a historic, predominantly African-American community, and will stand as a beacon of positivity and empowerment,” said Faye Washington, CEO and President of the YWCA Greater Los Angeles.

In conjunction with the YWCA launch event, McDonald’s will debut the campaign with a 60-second anthem television spot on Saturday, March 30, during the 50^th NAACP Image Awards. Consumers will also engage with campaign elements in some of their favorite and most trusted digital, print, radio and broadcast outlets all year long. Understanding the importance of social media for engaging the African-American audience and especially millennials, the brand launched a new Instagram channel for the Black & Positively Goldencampaign – @wearegolden, highlighting moments of positivity, exciting programs and consumer experiences, as well as people who are shining examples of Black excellence in the community. The channel also provides resources to help uplift communities through education, empowerment and entrepreneurship.

The Black & Positively Golden campaign also will be supported through a series of events throughout 2019. First up is McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour set to kick off in late April, followed by consumer experiences at BET Experience and Essence Festival. In addition, Black & Positively Golden will provide $60,000 in scholarships to foster educational empowerment among HBCU students through its partnership with Thurgood Marshall College Fund. For more information visit TMCF.org/McD.

For more information on McDonald’s new Black & Positively Golden campaign, follow @wearegolden on Instagram.