(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Young Visionaries Youth Leadership Academy is currently hiring for a Mental Health Specialist to deliver and coordinate services for our High Desert program in San Bernardino. Please see the description below:

Contract position, responsible for implementing case management, facilitating group and individual intervention and prevention services for youth and parents. Population served includes adolescents and parents. This position requires a bachelor’s degree in Social/Behavioral Health, Sociology, Social Work, or a related field or a minimum of two years related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the capabilities to perform the described duties. The Mental Health Specialist works directly with clients, under the supervision of the Program Coordinator.  Ability to counsel youth on factors contributing to youth violence (i.e. mental disorders, wellness, life issues, lifespan development, etc.).

Primary Duties and Responsibilities (other duties may be assigned):

• work with adolescents participating in-school and after-school youth program, counseling and case management services;
• assess levels of risk;
• coordinate intakes and carry out needs assessments, including possible home visits;
• work with clients to develop individualized service plans in conjunction with other professionals, with specific goals and objectives, including substance abuse treatment, mental health care, vocational training, etc.;
• implement and facilitate individual and/or group counseling sessions;
• offer information and counseling support to clients and their families;
• maintain confidential client records, files, and prepare reports;
• travel to off sites to provide services;
• other duties as assigned by the Program Coordinator

Minimum Qualifications

• computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office;
• excellent documentation skills;
• some involvement with youth serving organizations and
• understanding of adolescent developmental issues preferred

For more information please contact Terrance Stone, CEO at (909) 723-1695 tstone@yvyla-ie.org.

Download application here: YVYLA Employment Application

By Lue Dowdy

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— The Flow is WHAT IT DO! Don’t miss it! Checkout The Flow for LUE Productions 2nd Annual BBW/Plus Size Model Competition and Fashion Show on Sunday, August 26 at 5 p.m.

The night will be like no other. There will be nonstop entertainment with an important message on domestic violence. We want you there! We need you there! Please support the movement by purchasing a ticket.

The event will be held in the beautiful city of San Bernardino at the Women’s Club of San Bernardino located on “E” Street. For more information please text us at (909) 567-1000 or visit us on Facebook @lueproductions. Remember to always report abuse! Your LIFE MATTERS!

The flow of the evening will go something like this: 5 p.m. doors open; 5 p.m. Red Carpet Interviews; 5:30 p.m. – Selfie Winner awarded on Red Carpet; 6:15 p.m.- Show begins; -intro of host ‘Comedian JT Turner” and co-host ‘Lue Dowdy’; welcome; quick blurb-age of the WHY; Intro of judging panel; at 6:30 p.m. will be the 1st Category; Belly Dance Chorography; Model Introduction; Performance by LPM Artist Mack Pepperboy; Fashion Show by Diva Outlaw; 2nd Category will be Disney Princess; Performance by LPM R&B Recording Artists; Section III will be the 3rd Category – 70’s Style;  Fashion Show by Diva Outlaw; 4th Category – Free Style and Special performance by LPM Recording Group (GWAAP FAM); 5th Category – Formal and  Questions; Domestic Violence Skit; Keynote speaker – Ronda Robinson; Final Walk and announcement of the winner.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—SAN BERNARDINIO, CA— While all of the participants of the Little League® Western Regional Tournament enjoy their experience in San Bernardino, there are a handful of notable stars who have gone on to have professional careers. 

Darnell Coles

As a member of one of three local-area teams to ever play at the Western Regional Headquarters in San Bernardino, Darnell Coles led the San-Ri Little League from Rialto and San Bernardino to the West Regionals in 1974. Unfortunately, San-Ri lost in the championship game to a very tough Red Bluff team from Northern California. After a star career at Eisenhower High School, lettering in four sports, Mr. Coles earned a football scholarship to UCLA. Despite his scholarship, Mr. Coles was also drafted by the Seattle Mariners and chose to play baseball. Mr. Coles later starred with the Detroit Tigers, hitting 20 home runs in one season. He is currently the hitting instructor for the Milwaukee Brewers.

Ken Hubbs

Ken Hubbs – Colton (Calif.) Little League (1954)

While he never played at the Western Regional Headquarters, Ken Hubbs and the Colton (Calif.) Little League went to the Little League Baseball World Series in 1954. He lettered in four sports in high school, named All-CIF in three sports, and was named an All-American in both football and baseball. After being recruited by John Wooden to play basketball at UCLA, Mr. Hubbs was drafted by the Chicago Cubs and quickly made his way to the majors, setting many fielding records in his brief career. In 1962, he was named the National League Rookie of the Year and became the first rookie to also win the Golden Glove. Unfortunately, his career was cut short as he died shortly later in a plane crash. In his honor, Colton Little League has since been renamed Ken Hubbs Little League and continues to be an active Little League program today.

With thousands of players participating in the West and Northwest Regional Tournament, this select few were also able to take their talent to the ultimate level playing on the professional level.

For more information about Little League, please go to www.littleleague.org.

 (EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— SACRAMENTO, CA— Recently on the California State Assembly Floor, Assemblymember Chris Holden recognized Gerald Freeny for his confirmation as the first African American president of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Board of Directors. Freeny will provide leadership for the 130th Rose Parade on Tuesday, January 1, 2019.

“Gerald Freeny’s confirmation as President of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses is a significant milestone in Black History,” said Assemblymember Chris Holden. “Freeny is an example of the Black excellence that occurs every day and exemplifies the progress Tournament of Roses has made to further diversity and inclusiveness within their ranks.”

Gerald Freeny rose through the ranks of hundreds of “white suit volunteers” to become the 130th president of the Association. He previously worked as the chairman of parade operations, and has been a volunteer member of the Tournament of Roses Association since 1988.

Gerald Freeny announced “the Melody of Life” as this year’s theme for the Tournament of Roses to encourage creativity and music as a way to bring people together.

“Many in the Pasadena community have waited and fought for this moment, and we are all excited about the leadership Gerald Freeny will bring to the Tournament of Roses,” said Holden.

Lou Coleman-Yeboah

By Lou Coleman-Yeboah

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—I tell you if you tell people truth they will get offended. If you don’t tell people truth they will get offended. Damned if you do; damned if you don’t. You just can’t please people. 

Listen, Christians must not forbear speaking the truth, for fear of offending others.… Jesus proclaimed truth more than any other person on the planet. He offended people, divided crowds, made people uptight, and enraged the masses more than any other person on the planet. His words always produced a strong reaction, and he always caused division. The message He proclaimed always provoked people, irritated people, challenged people, and offended people.

Know that proclaiming truth will always alienate people, always upset people, and always offend people. How can this not be the response? When we preach the gospel that Jesus and the disciples preached, we should expect to get the same reaction that Jesus and the disciples got. Jesus was crucified for his efforts, and the disciples were persecuted, jailed and killed. So how can we expect to get any less of a reception if we faithfully and fully proclaim the biblical gospel fearlessly and boldly as Jesus and his early followers did?

As He said to me, “It is not your job to make the message acceptable; it’s your job to make the truth available.” I’m here to tell you the truth, without stutter, stammer, apology, or equivocation no matter how uncomfortable that may be. God message was clear, “PREACH THE WORD! “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up they voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.”[Isaiah 58:1]… reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine [2 Timothy 4:2].

Yeah some would say “if you preach like that, you might offend somebody.  It’s not “might”—you will offend somebody. You will upset somebody. They’ll call you harsh, they’ll call you narrow minded, arrogant, they’ll call you mean-spirited, and they’ll call you intolerant [John 15:21].  But Scripture is clear about how we are to respond when the very foundations of the Christian faith are under attack: our duty is to contend, not compromise.

You know on one occasion, after Jesus taught about how the Pharisees had abused God’s Word, His apostles came to him and said, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” [Matthew 15:11]. It is almost as if the apostles thought like many people today. They seemed to be indicating that because Jesus had offended the Pharisees, then He should stop teaching those ideas or change His message. Jesus, however, thought nothing of the sort. He knew that His message offended the Pharisees because of the hardness of their hearts, not because of the way the message was delivered. Jesus understood that the hearts of the Pharisees needed changing, not His message or even the way He delivered it. He responded to His apostles by saying, “Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind” [Matthew 15:14]. Their offense was misplaced. They were blind to the truth. They should not have been offended at Jesus’ message. Jesus’ message was the truth that God had sent to set them free [John 8:32].

Man is a sinner and the more he is reminded of that disposition, the better are his chances of repenting and receiving Salvation. That is my goal in preaching and teaching the Word of God. I do not think about ‘Preaching Hard’ or ‘Preaching Soft’.  God gives me a message based on His Biblical truth and I deliver it to the listener the way He has blessed me to deliver it.

Unfaltering convictions: truth, the mission, and the calling given by God that is not altered by time, people, opinions, or circumstances.

“As the LORD liveth, what the LORD saith unto me, that will I speak” [1 King 22: 14].

“Therefore, I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all of you, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.” [Acts 20:26-27]

Rialto’s Night Out is a way to reduce crime in the community

Caylee Cardenas, 9, from San Bernardino with puppy Dozer.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—LOMA LINDA, CA—Yucaipa Animal Placement Society (YAPS) collaborated with restaurant chain Raising Cane’s in bringing the society’s puppies to visit cancer patients at the LLU Children’s Hospital hematology/oncology outpost clinic Monday, July 30.

Patients cuddled up to the puppies between treatments. The clinic — which is an outpost of unit 4800 — treats pediatric blood-related diseases and cancers and is the largest of its kind in the Inland Empire. Young cancer patients receive treatments such as blood transfusions in the clinic.

The visit was designed to bring joy to children diagnosed with cancers such as leukemia, brain tumors and blood-related diseases such as hemophilia.

“I love seeing the smiles on my child’s face when they’re surprised by something special like this,” said one patient’s parent.

This is the first visit to Loma Linda University Health for both Raising Cane’s and YAPS.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—SAN BERNARDINIO, CA— To show their love to our servicemen and women, the Concerned Citizens for the Development of North Fontana and P-Love Helping Hands partnered with Danny Martinez Veterans Affairs to provide our soldiers with comfortable Snuggie pajamas that will be sent overseas.

 (EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—— SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County (CAPSBC) is excited to be selected by Macy’s San Bernardino as the nonprofit beneficiary of the 2018 The Big Give Back – Make Good Cents for Your Community campaign.

Macy’s Corporate and Macy’s Staff have been a long-time supporter of CAPSBC, giving both times to volunteer, and dollars to support their great programs. Many staff volunteer at their Food Bank, which is the largest provider of free emergency food for those in need in San Bernardino County.

When you shop at Macy’s San Bernardino between August 1 to the August 15, you will see a message at the credit card pin pads when you check out that asks would you like to round it up to Help Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County. You then have the option to round up your purchase to the nearest dollar, up to $0.99 cents.

We know you love to shop at Macy’s and you will be helping your fellow community members in need!

Macy’s San Bernardino is located at Inland Center Mall, 400 Inland Center Drive in San Bernardino.

 (EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— DETROIT, MI— Sports enthusiasts and writers crowded the Cartier Ballroom of the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center on Thursday, August 2, to hear from the best in the basketball business. A panel entitled “Detroit Basketball: Then and Now” included former star players Isiah Thomas, Spencer Haywood and Steve Smith. Former Detroit News writer Vincent Goodwill also joined the panel at the National Association of Black Journalists Convention and Career Fair to speak about how much of an influence the Motor City has had on the NBA. 

Moderated by Stephanie Ready, NBA game analyst (Charlotte Hornets) for FOX Sports Southeast, topics included the infamous “Malice at the Palace” and the Pistons’ recent move back to downtown Detroit. 

Panelists opened the discussion, powered by Turner Sports and The Bleacher Report, singing each other’s praises. Goodwill and Smith, both Detroit Pershing High School grads, beamed with pride as they talked about Haywood (also a Pershing alum) and his accomplishments. Haywood’s historic 1971 Supreme Court case ended the NBA rule that barred players from being drafted into the league until four years after their high school graduation.

Thomas spoke a lot about the need for diversity within the media and how an inclusive press environment would have changed the Bad Boys era. “We were being viewed by the gaze of the white male,” he said. Thomas said that instead of being upset by the term, the team decided to embrace their bad boy image. “If you embrace the label then you make the label work for you. … We used the label to instill fear. We didn’t have to be physical or hurt you; if that’s in your mind, then you go for the jump shot instead of the lay-up.”

The November 2004 game between the Pistons and Indiana Pacers, also known as “The Malice at the Palace,” was a hot topic for the panel. The brawl resulted in a historic number of fines for players on both teams. 

The panel had a unanimous feeling of disappointment about media coverage of the incident. “It’s going to be a negative thing for my city,” Smith said about his initial thoughts on the fight. “Even though it was a fight between two teams, it still shined negative light on the city.” 

Goodwill saw it as another reason for people to taint the city’s image. “It became another stain and label the city had to fight back,” the NBA analyst said. “On the news, it never said it was Auburn Hills [where the game actually took place]; it was always Detroit.”

Thomas reiterated just how heavily the Bad Boys influenced the current state of the NBA. “We were the first small-market team to win big, have own plane, stay in first class hotels, wear suits and ties to games,” the NBA Hall of Famer said. “That dress code that David Stern had to put in, look at how the Pistons used to dress; that was us.”

As they looked to the future, the group hoped the team’s move back to the city would mean recreating its strong ties to the community. “When we got to the Palace we lost a little of our everyday people,” Thomas said. Smith said the move to the Palace felt like the team had been taken away from the city. Now that the team is back, Smith hopes the team will reconnect with Detroit residents. 

“To have the Pistons back here is a blessing and we have to finish that blessing off with a statue or a trophy,” Haywood said. 

Thomas summed up the panel with a simple quote: “We change all rules. That’s what we do in Detroit.”