San Bernardino Press MONDAY, AUGUST 18, 2014 - AUGUST 24, 2014
sanbernardinopress.com
VOLUME 1, NO. 16
$1.9M awarded to local nonprofits to ease The plight of homeless veterans Recording by Vickie Vértiz Academy remembers Robin Williams By Terry Miller
-Photo by Terry Miller
A total of $1.9 million in funding from the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) was granted to three Inland Empire nonprofits and nonprofit partnerships to assist low-income and homeless veterans. The three organizations are
Knowledge, Education for Your Success (KEYS) in San Bernardino, the Lighthouse Treatment Center in Moreno Valley, and the U.S. Veterans Initiative at the March Air Reserve Base. This is the second year that
KEYS was awarded support for their programs that not only help homeless veteran and their families, but other homeless families in San Bernardino. According Please see page 4
San Bernardino Unified Commission working to reduce city’s unemployment rate The San Bernardino City Unified School District’s (SBCUSD) Personnel Commission is actively working to reduce San Bernardino’s double-digit percent unemployment rate by recruiting for a variety of skilled and unskilled jobs. According to the City of San Bernardino’s website, the city has a labor force of 85,000. Only about 68,900 are currently employed, resulting in an unemployment rate of 18.9 percent. Since January, the SBCUSD Personnel Commission has been
making a steady dent in those numbers by filling 130 positions and seeking to fill dozens more. Not only is the Commission helping decrease the city’s unemployment rate, it is filling vital positions that directly benefit students, such as instructional aides and cafeteria workers. The Personnel Commission is a voter-approved organization that recruits and evaluates job applicants for SBCUSD classified positions in a way that promotes fair hiring practices. Classified positions do not require
Robin Williams, circa 1990, at Santa Barbara’s Biltmore Hotel at a special event honoring his comedic mentor Jonathan Winters – Photo by Terry Miller
a teaching credential, though some positions may require other credentials or certificates. “We are focused on our mission of employing the best, highest-caliber workers for the benefit of our 50,000 students,” said Commissioner Mike Salazar. “The bonus is that by putting people to work, we also have a positive impact on our local economy.” The Personnel Commission, under the direction of three
Oscar-winning actor and comedian Robin Williams apparently took his own life at his Northern California home Monday, law enforcement officials said. Williams was 63. Officials have confirmed that Mr. Williams hanged himself in his home Monday. “He has been battling severe depression of late,” publicist Mara Buxbaum told media outlets. “This is a tragic and sudden loss. The family respectfully asks for their privacy as they grieve during this very difficult time.” Coroner investigators suspect “the death to be a suicide due to asphyxia,” according
Please see page 2
Please see page 2