R I A L T O R E C O R D 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 t h e R i a l t o U n i f i e d S c h o o l

D i s t r i c t ( R U S D ) , w h e r e h e i n t r o d u c e d f o r e i g n l a n g u a g e a n d G i f t e d A n d Ta l e n t e d Education (GATE) programs

As the first Latino namesake in t h e R i a l t o U n i f i e d S c h o o l D i s t r i c t ( D r E r n e s t G a r c i a Elementary 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

B e r n a r d i n o Va l l e y C o l l e g e (SBVC), where he majored in S p a n i s h H i s c o l l e g e c a r e e r was interrupted by the Korean War, during which he served in the U S Air Force

After completing his service, e g a l s : i e c n l e g a l s @ h o t m a i l c o m

The Rialto Unified School District continues to bring in major awards with several leaders in the District being recognized recently for state and regional honors for their outstanding work

From administrators to support staff, these individuals have been acknowledged for their excellence in education and commitment to their work The honors are as follows:

Dr Rhea McIver Gibbs, RUSD Lead

Strategic Agent, has been named the 2023 San Bernardino County Education Medal o f H o n o r a w a r d i n t h e E x c e l l e n c e i n

Education/Student Alumni category Dr Manuel Burciaga, RUSD Lead Academic Agent: Secondary Innovation, was selected RUSD, cont on next pg

Garcia 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 ed- ucation, 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 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

Time f or Change Foundation Seeks to Combat Women and Childr en Homelessness by R aising $1 Million, Her e’s How You Can Help

By Manny Sandoval

Time for Change Foundation's 21st Annual Gala, "Unmasking the Future," is set to take 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 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 "

New attendees can expect an elegant Phantom of the Opera-inspired 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 Courageous 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 909-8862994

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

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, visit timeforchangefoundation org

RUSD as an Administrator of the Year by the Association of California School Administrators in (ACSA) Region 12

Dr Kyla Griffin, Milor High School Principal, was named Administrator of the Year by the California Continuation Education Association Plus (CCEA Plus), Mr Edwin Carranza, Milor High School Clerk Typist III, earned CCEA Plus Classified Employee of the Year, and Milor High School’s Manhood Project was named Exemplary Program by CCEA Plus

Dr McIver Gibbs is a graduate of the RUSD and has worked in the District for more than three decades She was appointed as the District’s Lead Strategic Agent in October 2022 Dr McIver Gibbs will be honored at an awards ceremony held on April 24 at the Dorothy Inghram Learning Center in San Bernardino

“I am so humbled by this recognition,” Dr McIver Gibbs stated “As a proud student alumnus of the Rialto Unified School District, I have had a gratifying career in education spanning over 32 years while serving the students, families, teachers, classified staff, and administrators of this community It has been a work of ‘heart,’ and I truly love my profession and my District ”

Dr Burciaga, who joined the District in 2021, will be honored as an Administrator of the Year at the ACSA Region 12 Spring Celebration Ontario Doubletree Hotel on May 1 alongside Eisenhower High School senior Kayla Bodon, who is an ACSA Region 12 High School Scholarship Recipient

Dr Burciaga was nominated by Dr Griffin She stated that Dr Burciaga has been there to support her and others in the district with actions, not just words

“He didn’t just say, ‘I’m here to support ’ He rolled up his sleeves and was present ” said Griffin “I appreciated that, and I believe that made him the Administrator of the Year for ACSA, Region 12 ”

Of the award, Dr Burciaga stated: “Receiving this award is a great honor for me and the Rialto Unified School District community To be named Administrator of the Year validates the hard work me and my colleagues put in day in and day out ”

In 2022, Milor High School was named Model Continuation High School by CCEA Plus and teacher Mr Jeffrey Whisman earned Teacher of the Year The Mustangs have another set of honors from the organization this year with Dr Griffin, Mr Carranza, and the Manhood Project all being recognized by CCEA Plus, a State organization that advocates for the interests of continuation school students and staff They will be honored at CCEA Plus 2023 State Conference in San Diego on the weekend of April 27-30

Mr Carranza has served for the last three years as the Clerk Typist III He was nominated for the award by Dr Griffin, who said that he goes above and beyond to assist students

“His professionalism is authentic,” Griffin stated “I appreciate that about Edwin, and I think he should be recognized for that In every area of professionalism from customer service, punctuality, being a team player, being adaptive, and being flexible Edwin is outstanding ”

Carranza has served for the last two years as the Clerk Typist III at Milor High School He was nominated for the Classified Employee of the Year award by Dr Griffin, who said that he goes above and beyond to assist students

Carranza stated that the best part of his job at Milor High School is interacting with students, getting to know them on a first-name basis, and helping them succeed

“I am humbled and grateful to be receiving this award,” Carranza said “It feels good to be recognized ”

Dr Griffin has served as the Principal at Milor High School for four years She was nominated for the award by Mrs Kristy Streff, Milor High School Assistant Principal

“Dr Griffin is passionate about building Milor High School into a place where all students feel safe, respected, and supported,” Mrs Streff stated “With her outstanding leadership, we have fostered that very environment on campus Her motto for Milor High School is ‘Success Starts Here’ and she is the living embodiment of it as well ”

On her Administrator of the Year honor, Dr Griffin stated: “It is an honor to be recognized within the context of alternative education To have a panel of experts who understand the infrastructure of alternative education recognize me, is such a rewarding feeling ”

By Laurena Bolden