COLTON COURIER Weekly
September 04, 2025
Vol 153, NO. 38
Cedar House Braces for $30M Expansion as Waitlists and Bed Shortages Endanger Recovery 8,777 hours for those in lowerlevel programs.
By Manny Sandoval
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n San Bernardino and Riverside counties, people seeking addiction treatment often face a devastating roadblock: a waitlist. Those ready to begin recovery may be told it will take 30 to 60 days before a bed opens — a delay that can lead to relapse, overdose, or death.
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“There’s that moment of clarity people have when they want treatment,” said Jake Strommen, marketing and outreach coordinator at Cedar House Life Change Center. “Then you get told you have to wait 30–60 days. Tomorrow isn’t promised.”
Ontario Unveils Southern California’s Largest Sports and Entertainment District Pg. 4
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL Cedar House Life Change Center in Bloomington, which accepts both private and medical insurance, serves a population where 30% to 40% of clients are experiencing homelessness.
Inclusive Public Safety Model for People with Disabilities
Cedar House, located at 18612 Santa Ana Ave. in Bloomington, operates 125 beds — men housed in the front section, women in the back. But with thousands seeking help annually, demand far outweighs capacity. In 2023 alone, 3,277 individuals entered treatment at Cedar House, which delivered more than 53,968 hours of care for high-intensity consumers and
The center reported a 97% overall satisfaction rate among consumers, with more than 50% of sobering center clients placed into treatment. At its stabilization unit in Riverside, more than 90% of individuals transitioned into long-term recovery programs. Despite these successes, waitlists remain the harsh reality, one that Cedar House hopes to ease with a major expansion. The nonprofit secured a $30 million Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program grant that will fund a new two-story facility on the back section of its Bloomington campus. Construction is set to begin in 2026 and will add 70 new beds to its existing 125. Every Cedar House treatment plan is individualized. Residents receive three meals a day, group therapy sessions, one-on-one counseling, and access to licensed vocational nurses and nurse practitioners Cedar House, cont. next pg.
Colton Rotary Club Hosts Father-Daughter Dance, Little Miss Pageant, and Expands Service Efforts
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ZM Trucks Opens Fontana HQ, Debuts Zero-Emission ZM8 Commercial Truck Pg. 8
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PHOTO ROTARY CLUB Fathers and daughters share the dance floor during last year’s Father-Daughter Dance in Colton, including Councilman John Echevarria and Bobby Ross Avila of The Avila Brothers.
PHOTO ROTARY CLUB Rotary Club leadership, including President Erlinda Armendariz, member and Councilman John Echevarria, and County Supervisor Joe Baca Jr., in July 2025 at the Teen and Miss Colton Pageant.
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from 6 to 10 p.m., with tickets priced at $25 per father and daughters included in the ticket. DJ Jacob Perez, also known as DJ Handles, will provide music, and Juan’s Tacos will offer food for an additional cost.
and treat their daughters to a night they will remember.”
On Friday, Sept. 19, the club will host its 2nd Annual Father-Daughter Dance at Colton American Legion Post 155, located at 1401 Veterans Way. The event runs
“Last year’s Father-Daughter Dance was such a great success we decided to bring it back,” said Erlinda Armendariz, president of the Rotary Club of Colton. “We want dads to put on their dancing shoes
Following the dance, the Rotary Club will crown new queens during its 4th Annual Little Miss Colton Pageant on Sunday, Oct. 19, at Colton American
By Manny Sandoval he Rotary Club of Colton is inviting families and residents to celebrate community spirit this fall with a series of events and renewed service initiatives.
Tickets are available at the door or in advance at Inland Valley Insurance, 183 W. H Street, Colton.
Rotary, cont. next pg.