EL CHICANo Weekly
Vol 58, NO. 14
March 25, 2 021
County, Mar y’s Mercy Center provide COVID-19 vaccination to homeless population By Maryjoy Duncan
www.iecn.com
Assemblyman Ramos honors Wo m e n o f Distinction Pg. 3
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he homeless population has faced a unique set of challenges during this pandemic that includes increased risk of infection due to difficulty in adhering to public health directives such as physical distancing, isolation and quarantine while in shelters, and the closure of several social services. The arrival of the vaccine has brought hope onto the horizon for many, and finally to the area’s homeless individuals on Thursday, Mar. 11 when San Bernardino County’s Department of Public Health held the first vaccination event specifically for the homeless at Mary’s Mercy Center (MMC) in San Bernardino. “The County is very grateful for the support and community leadership provided by Mary’s Mercy Center,” Board of Supervisors Vaccine, cont. on next pg.
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MMC
San Bernardino County vaccinated over 170 unsheltered individuals with the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine during the first event specifically targeting the homeless population on Thursday, Mar. 11 at Mary’s Mercy Center in San Bernardino.
Har r y "Doc" Er vin named new superintendent of SB school district
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S B Symp h ony offers second chance season Pg. 4
H OW TO R E AC H US
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he San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) Board of Education voted unanimously to appoint Harry “Doc” Ervin as Superintendent during the Mar. 16 Board of Education meeting. Ervin will assume the leadership post on July 1, officially filling the seat vacated by Dr. Dale Marsden. Ervin joins SBCUSD from Bakersfield City School District, where he has served as superintendent since 2016. He was selected during a nationwide search that resulted in more than 20 highly qualified applicants. “The Board of Education listened closely to our SBCUSD community about the qualities we should look for in a new superintendent, and Doc Ervin stood out for his passionate commitment to equity and excel-
lence,” said Board President Gwen Dowdy-Rodgers. “We are confident we have found a transformational leader as his experience at all levels of the educational system will help us effectively navigate the opportunities and challenges that come as we recover and grow from the COVID-19 pandemic.” Ervin, who is fluent in English and Spanish, has dedicated his career to bringing equity and access to economically disadvantaged students from culturally diverse backgrounds, setting high expectations for their success. He brings more than 25 years of experience in education as a classroom teacher, school principal, assistant superintendent, and superintendent in districts across the state, serving areas that include Kern County, Monterey PHOTO SBCUSD County, Los Angeles County, and Newly appointed Superintendent Harry "Doc" Ervin begins his tenure at SBCUSD on July 1. Ervin, cont. on next pg.