WWe e eekkllyy

By Manny Sandoval

The Inland Empire community mourns the loss of Dr Ernest F Garcia, who passed away on April 6, 2023

A lifelong educator, advocate, a n d p a t r o n o f t h e a r t s , D r Garcia leaves behind an indelible legacy of service and inspiration His life's work touched countless lives, and his dedication to education and the arts will be remembered for generations to come

Dr Garcia began his journey in education as a young boy in S o u t h C o l t o n a n d r e m a i n e d passionate about learning and teaching throughout his life He was a pioneering force in the Rialto Unified School District (RUSD), where he introduced foreign language and Gifted

A n d Ta l e n t e d E d u c a t i o n (GATE) programs As the first Latino namesake in the Rialto Unified School District (Dr E r n e s t G a r c i a E l e m e n t a r y School), his influence is still felt today

Syeda Jafri, Rialto Unified School District communication media services agent, said, “Dr Ernest Garcia spent a majority of his selfless life as an education and child advocate He never forgot his humble beginning in Colton ” She went on to describe him as an "icon of a man" whose legacy of excell e n c e w i l l c o n t i n u e i n t h e RUSD

G l o r i a M a c i a s H a r r i s o n , I n l a n d E m p i r e C o m m u n i t y N e w s p u b l i s h e r e m e r i t u s , described Dr Garcia as “a true Mexican American renaissance man ” She highlighted his various roles as a mentor, teacher, artist, and futurist She also reminisced about the impact he had on her own life, saying, “He taught us what was important in the classroom and how we could engage our students It was probably the best training that I have ever received ”

D r G a r c i a ' s e d u c a t i o n a l career began with an associa t e ’s d e g r e e f r o m S a n Garcia cont on next pg

By Manny Sandoval

for Change Foundation's 21st place on April 14th from 6-9 PM at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel in Ontario

This star-studded masquerade event aims to raise $1 million to support the foundation's mission of empowering disenfranchised, low-income women and children, and building thriving communities through evidence-based programs and housing initiatives

Executive Director Vanessa Perez shared the organization's goals for this year's gala, stating, "Our fundraising goal is $1 million Every dollar raised impacts the women and children we serve We want to highlight the work of Time for Change Foundation and

Garcia Bernardino Valley College (SBVC), where he majored in Spanish His college career was interrupted by the Korean War, during which he served in the U S Air Force

After completing his service, he earned a bachelor ’s degree in Social Science from the University of California, Riverside, a master ’s degree in School Administration and Curriculum from the University of Redlands, and a doctorate in Instructional Technology from the University of California, Los Angeles

Garcia went on to teach in Barstow Unified School District (where he became a vice principal at 26 years old), RUSD, and Redlands Unified School District, and eventually teaching at Cal State San Bernardino, and served as dean of the College of

Education before retiring in 1990

Throughout his career, Dr Garcia held various positions in education, including teacher, administrator, and professor He served as a RUSD trustee and was inducted into SBVC's Hall of Fame in 1997

Jorge Oswald Heredia, Garcia Center for the Arts Executive Director, expressed the community's sadness and gratitude for Dr Garcia's contributions, saying, “We are saddened by the passing of our founder Ernie Garcia He was passionate about promoting the arts in San Bernardino, and we are forever indebted to his work ”

The San Bernardino Garcia Center for the Arts is named for Dr Ernest Garcia and his wife, Dr Dorothy "Dottie" Garcia

The couple lived in San Bernardino and remained active

On April 5th, the San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District (San Bernardino Valley) launches a new strategic vision and brand identity representing a renewed direction built off of a strategic plan that reinforces the organization's values for those it serves and its priorities for the region

Achieving a diverse, equitable, and resilient water supply in the upper Santa Ana River (Upper SAR) watershed is critical to San Bernardino Valley’s communities, businesses, economy, environment, and overall quality of life both for people today and future generations San Bernardino Valley’s new vision supports its first ever strategic plan and rebranding effort, which is key to ensuring the organization is equipped to tackle priority issues like improved water quality, adequate and reliable water supply, and a comprehensive program to conserve, reuse, and recycle water to meet the region’s needs With this also comes the responsibility to maintain the health of local ecosystems and to protect the quality of life for people and the shared environment

A New Direction and Enhanced Vision Brings Benefits to the Entire Region

Since 1954, San Bernardino Valley has been a critical steward of the upper Santa Ana River, generally seen as the area from the San Bernardino Mountains to Prado Dam in Corona San Bernardino Valley serves more than 244,000 households and over 6,000 businesses across more than 350 square miles As a regional wholesale water agency and State Water Contractor, the organization's solutions-oriented, collaborative, and adaptive vision will strengthen ongoing efforts to achieve long-term and comprehensive water security With the help of partners and collaborators, San Bernardino Valley will deliver resilient, restorative, science based, cost-effective, and integrated solutions Through this approach there are already several new regional projects underway that will deliver on the promises of San Bernardino Valley’s new vision, including:

Regional Recycled Water System providing up to 2 9 billion gallons per year of drought-proof water supply

Enhanced Recharge Stormwater Capture Project saving up to 26 billion gallons per year of local stormwater

Upper Santa Ana River Habitat Conservation Program protecting 22 endangered or threatened species while providing environmental permits for over 100 water supply projects on behalf of 11 water agencies

Watershed Connect Regional Funding Program securing over $400 million in financial resources to construct more than 20 local water and energy infrastructure projects in their community

In July 2020, Dr Garcia retired as executive director from the Garcia Center for the Arts Reflecting on his time at the center, he said, “After five years, I have chosen to retire, and I want to say thank you to the community Although I am retiring from the Garcia Center, I am not going to stop creating I have three art projects waiting for me to tend to in my garage right now and the Garcia Center will also continue to flourish ”

As the community remembers Dr Ernest F Garcia, they celebrate a life dedicated to advocacy, education, and the arts His passion and achievements continue to inspire those whose lives he touched, and his legacy will live on for generations to come

Gala the women who have transformed their lives "

The event will also showcase upcoming initiatives at the foundation and recognize outstanding community members making a difference

The funds raised will be applied towards the operations of Time for Change Foundation’s Black and Brown Opportunities for Profit Center and its three types of housing programs; including emergency housing, permanent supportive housing, and affordable housing

Speaking about the theme of the gala, Perez explained, "Unmasking the future means revealing the potential and opportunities that lie ahead for the individuals and families we serve, as well as the communities we work in By addressing homelessness, we are unveiling a brighter future for everyone " geous Philanthropy Award will be presented to funders and foundations that have made significant contributions to combating homelessness

For those interested in purchasing gala program advertisements (which will help them reach the $1 million goal) the deadline is Monday, April 10th, by the end of the business day

For more information, contact Perez at 909-886-2994

The Time for Change Foundation has already made a remarkable impact, assisting over 3,300 women and children in becoming self-sufficient and reuniting 320 children with their mothers from foster care The foundation's efforts are more crucial than ever, as recent data shows a 6 6 percent increase in homelessness from 2020 to 2022, with 3,333 persons identified as homeless

Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations (FIRO)

Viability Assessment for Seven Oaks Dam to provide a flexible water management approach using data from improved weather forecasting to increase local water supply and resilience to droughts and flood

Headwaters Resilience Partnership program bringing together local and regional stakeholders to strategically invest in forest management and protection efforts to prevent catastrophic wildfire in our headwaters and impacts to water supplies Hydropower facilities generating 3,950 MW/hours of renewable energy annually while increasing energy grid resilience for the region Sites Reservoir providing 4 billion gallons new imported water supply to our region

“San Bernardino Valley is excited to share with the region our new vision, building upon decades of success since 1954 With a focus on being a trusted partner and collaborator, solutions oriented, and adaptive, our new direction is driven by our first ever strategic plan, and signifies our continued commitment to the people that we serve,” said Heather Dyer, Chief Executive Officer/General Manager of San Bernardino Valley “The importance of being able to provide a sustainable and reliable water supply to support the changing needs of the people, businesses, and environment remains at the forefront of our commitment to the region and the entire watershed ”

Long-term and Comprehensive Water Security

As California continues to face water supply challenges across the State as a result of climate change, a growing population, a global economy, and antiquated infrastructure, it’s critical that water agencies start implementing collaborative strategies to diversify water supply portfolios to create a more dependable and sustainable water supply; and achieve long-term and comprehensive water security The path forward for San Bernardino Valley uniquely positions the organization to execute and deliver on the needs of the region today, tomorrow, and into the future as the State continues to tackle solutions to comprehensively address our ongoing water supply deficiencies

“Even in the wake of recent storms that have provided some drought relief in various communities across the State, it remains critically important that we are able to provide long-term water security both statewide and locally to meet the needs of all uses,” said Senator Rosilice Ochoa Bogh, CA State Senate District 23 “San Bernardino Valley’s new strategic vision underscores the importance of how regional water suppliers can come together for the greater good - to better ensure our communities, businesses, and the environment have a reliable and sustainable long-term water supply that can continue to serve our growing population and economy ”

New attendees can expect an elegant Phantom of the Operainspired evening, complete with a red carpet entrance, beautifully decorated venue, cash bar, raffle opportunities, live music, a dueling piano session, and an awards ceremony The Coura-

The upcoming gala presents an opportunity for the community to come together and make a real difference in the fight against homelessness

To learn more about Time for Change Foundation, click here

30th anniver sar y Foundation Gala raises over $1.1 Million f or Loma Linda Univer sity

Childr en’s Hospital

IECN News

The City of San Bernardino is developing its first parks master plan in fifteen years to identify current and future facility needs, as well as youth, senior and recreation programs for the City’s parks, community centers, and senior centers City officials stated that community participation will be an important part of the process and have launched a website for residents to stay updated and provide input

Local community members attended the 30th anniversary Foundation Gala presented by SAC Health at the Riverside Convention Center on April 6, raising more than $1 1 million to support the patients of Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital

The theme for this year's event was "Dreams Do Come True," with the aim of making a positive impact on the lives of children fighting life-threatening illnesses

Peter Baker, senior vice president and administrator for Children’s Hospital, said this year ’s event focuses on recognizing all who have been a part of the LLU Children's Hospital story since opening our doors in 1993

“Some of the most significant moments in people’s lives happen in a hospital, and many of those moments are yet to come,” Baker said “I consider it an immense privilege for Children’s Hospital to be ready for those times and to work alongside our medical professionals as they demonstrate skill, expertise, and compassion for those who need it the most ”

Four awards were presented to individuals or groups who have made significant dedications to the lives of children:

Ken and Sean Ramirez received the Shirley N. Pettis Award

Pete and Patsy Gillies received the Nancy B Varner Lifetime Achievement Award

Cynthia H. Tinsley, MD, received the Dr. Leonard L. Bailey Outstanding Clinician Award

Thomas Kaney received the Hometown Hero Award

The evening included an emotional patient story that highlighted the hospital’s impact on his life Alex Parraga, 17, of Victorville, CA shared his medical journey, from diagnosis to treatment and recovery, and expressed gratitude to the hospital and its staff His story is a reminder of the importance of the hospital's work and the impact that donations can make

Children’s Hospital has grown into a 380-bed facility with more than 225 pediatric physicians, including pediatric surgeons and sub specialty physicians, providing advanced and specialized care for the 1 2 million children living in San Bernardino, Riverside, Inyo, and Mono counties

By Laurena Bolden