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By Manny Sandoval

Ti m e f o r C h a n g e Foundation (TFCF) is set to host a transformative Community Action Fair and Legal Clinic on Saturday, August 19th, from 9:00 AM to

1 2 : 3 0 P M a t t h e Yo u n g Visionaries Resource Center This event, a collaboration with numerous esteemed community partners, promises to be a pivotal resource for Inland Empire residents, offering legal and family emergency services complemented by an atmosphere of music, food, games, and raffles

Va n e s s a P e r e z , E x e c u t i v e Director of TFCF, emphasized the event’s significance, “We’re offering legal services for people with an adverse background and criminal history Record s e a l i n g a n d r e n t a l p a y m e n t assistance will be some of the main resources offered ” She further clarified, “Record sealing is when your record is completely cleared For example, if you get an expungement, some- t i m e s c o n v i c t i o n s w i l l s t i l l a p p e a r, b u t r e c o r d s e a l i n g ensures that no convictions are retrieved from a background check when applying for a job ”

Kim Carter, TFCF founder, and ambassador, underscored the importance of such services, saying, “It’s vital because it TFCF cont on next pg

By Manny Sandoval

AS a n B e r n a r d i n o p o l i c e o ff i c e r fatally shot a robbery suspect after allegedly robbing a female gas station cashier at gunpoint and subsequently brandishing a firearm at the officer, according to the San Bernardino Police Department

At approximately 8:49 A M on August 11th, officers responded to multiple calls reporting an armed robbery at a Baseline and 'H' Street gas station Callers described the suspect as a 30-year-old black male with shoulder-length hair, donning a white shirt, and seen wielding a black handgun He was reportedly associated with a blue or purple Mazda parked near the fuel pumps

Upon arrival, an officer identified an individual matching the suspect's description w a l k i n g a w a y f r o m t h e g a s s t a t i o n ' s entrance The suspect, holding a handgun, began weaving between vehicles at the fuel islands Despite the officer's repeated commands to drop the weapon, the suspect allegedly raised the handgun toward the officer

TFCF offers people a chance at economic empowerment and expanded educational opportunities and employment We all make mistakes, and once they are rectified, it’s essential to let individuals move forward ”

Speaking from personal experience, Carter added, “In 1994, I couldn’t get a job at places like Jack in the Box or McDonald’s because of my background Today, some of those organizations that once denied me employment now contract with me because I’m in a leadership position ”

The Community Action, Fair, and Legal Clinic will feature on-site legal representatives to assist with record sealing, SB 731 petition-based expungement, family law, and other criminal defense services

Additionally, resources for emergency services,

SBPD

In response, the officer fired two shots, striking the suspect, who dropped the firearm The suspect was taken into custody and later transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries

Two individuals from the associated Mazda were detained for questioning

The incident unfolded during a peak morning hour, with many bystanders pumping gas

SBPD PIO Sgt Chris Gray stated, "The case is

By Manny Sandoval

On Monday, August 14th, Studio D in Downtown San Bernardino was abuzz with financial insights and community engagement as J P Morgan Chase held its Managing Debt Workshop The event, aimed at bridging the gap between financial institutions and the community, was a testament to the bank's commitment to fostering financial literacy

Brad Wilson, VP and Community Manager from J P Morgan Chase shared valuable insights on managing debt Before diving into debt repayment, Wilson emphasized the importance of ensuring that you truly owe the debt to a creditor, checking that the statute of limitations hasn't expired, and verifying the legitimacy of the debt collector He further advised attendees on the nuances of negotiating with debt collectors

If full payment isn't feasible, Wilson suggested setting up an affordable payment plan, negotiating for a lower balance, and aiming for a "paid in full" status rather than a "settled" one

The workshop also highlighted the rules that debt collectors must adhere to and encouraged attendees to report any creditor abuse to USA gov

Silva Harapetian, Chief Marketing Officer of Studio D, spoke passionately about the significance of such workshops "Financial literacy is not something we are taught in school," Harapetian said She further emphasized the unique chal- such as rental and utility payment assistance, will be available TFCF will also offer employment services for formerly incarcerated individuals and family reunification services for mothers facing incarceration or homelessness

“We are thrilled to be hosting an event that will give members of our county direct access to resources that are often unaffordable and inaccessible,” Perez added “Time for Change Foundation has a deep-rooted passion for uplifting and advancing our community, and we’re immensely grateful for the incredible partners supporting our mission ”

Admission to the event is free Registered participants can avail of a personalized legal session Contact Vanessa Perez at (909) 886-2994 for registration and further details, or visit TimeForChangeFoundation org

City of San Ber nardino Launches GameChanging Entr epr eneurial Hub in Downtown’s Studio D with CSUSB Par tner ship

Community News

Existing and aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners in the City of San Bernardino are about to have a new resource available to help them launch and grow businesses, thanks to an innovative initiative developed by the City and California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB)

City and CSUSB project that the ERC will be operational in October 2023

The ERC grew out of the City and the University’s participation in the Aspen Institute Latinos & Society Program’s City Action Lab, a unique initiative that focuses on Latino majority cities and communities to strengthen local entrepreneurial ecosystems San Bernardino was one of six cities nationally chosen to participate in the program, which focuses on generating long-term, inclusive economic growth through business ownership still under investigation

Anyone with additional information regarding this incident should contact Detective D Sawyer at 909-384-5630 As standard protocol, the San Bernardino District Attorney's Office responded to the scene on the incident date and is conducting a parallel investigation, which is also ongoing "

The San Bernardino Police Department urges witnesses and anyone with further information to come forward

The newly created Entrepreneurial Resource Center (ERC), led by CSUSB’s Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship (IECE), will be an easily accessible hub for small business services, centrally located in downtown San Bernardino at Studio D, 330 N D Street Studio D is a newly established coworking and business hub designed for entrepreneurs at every stage that is committed to building a dynamic and diverse entrepreneurial ecosystem in the City The ERC will bring together a wide range of entrepreneurial support programs and organizations to provide a complete set of training, business counseling, and access to resources for small business owners and entrepreneurs in the City

Out of the City-University partnership with the Aspen Institute, the ERC emerged as one of the ways CSUSB, as an anchor institution in the region, could strategically work with the City lenges immigrant families face, respectfully stating, "Speaking as an immigrant, with immigrant parents, we sometimes have preconceived ideas of finances, banking, debt, interest, etc Sometimes, what our parents know and teach us about finances is not always efficiently aligned with our system here "

Harapetian also underscored the importance of creating an inclusive environment for financial education "It's imperative for everyone to know their options and understand how to budget, use a credit card, and more Understanding the nuances of finances and creating a safe space where likeminded people can ask questions is crucial If we do it collectively as a community, we are all better off," she added

Feedback from attendees indicated a keen interest in future workshops on building credit and additional workshops on preparing for home purchases The workshops are held monthly at Studio D and are free

The event concluded on a high note, with J P Morgan Chase gifting attendees backpacks filled with school supplies

J P Morgan Chase's initiative at Studio D is a testament to the bank's commitment to community engagement and education With workshops on debt management, budgeting, financial journey, home buying, and business banking, the bank is making strides in ensuring that financial literacy is accessible to all

“The new center will improve access to resources for all aspiring and existing entrepreneurs, increase the rate of business creation, and foster greater success and long-term sustainability for local small businesses,” said Mike Stull, a professor of entrepreneurship and director of the IECE and the CSUSB School of Entrepreneurship “The ERC will also seek to address disparities in small business ownership and entrepreneurship through a deliberate focus and outreach to underrepresented groups in the City ”

Each partner is making a significant commitment to ensure the success of the ERC, including the City of San Bernardino investing of $1 87 million over three years, and the IECE investing $1 9 million of resources through its major business assistance programs including the Inland Empire Small Business Development Center (IESBDC) and Inland Empire Women’s Business Center (IEWBC) The

“The creation of the Entrepreneurial Resource Center stands as a testament to the unwavering partnership between California State University, San Bernardino and the City of San Bernardino,” said Tomás D Morales, president of the university “The ERC will serve as a beacon of opportunity, a hub of creativity, and a catalyst for economic growth, providing budding entrepreneurs the resources and support they need to turn their visions into reality Together, we embrace the spirit of innovation, resilience, and inclusivity, confident that this center will unleash the potential of our community and drive us towards a brighter, more prosperous future ”

“I applaud the City of San Bernardino and CSUSB’s strategic alliance – the Entrepreneurial Resource Center This is a game changer for the San Bernardino small businesses ecosystem,” said Domenika Lynch, vice president of the Aspen Institute and executive director of the institute’s Latinos & Society Program “The ERC will consolidate business support resources in a one-stop shop and increase opportunities for innovation and access to capital necessary to start and scale small business I am delighted that the Aspen Institute’s City Action Lab could help catalyze this endeavor ”

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