Category: Health

Over 500 attendees gathered at the Santa Ana Zoo last week for the Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) Orange County & Inland Empire’s High School Bigs Summer Celebration, an event that showcased the profound impact of mentorship on local youth. The event, held on July 12, celebrated the successful mentorships facilitated by BBBS, with special recognition given to stand out Bigs such as Adriana Sanchez and Gabriel Mendoza. Adriana Sanchez has been a steadfast mentor to her Little, Penelope Martinez, for the past three years. Penelope, who is dyslexic, has received unwavering academic and emotional support from Adriana. Their bond has been mutually beneficial, with both gaining confidence and self-awareness through their journey together. Gabriel Mendoza’s mentorship of Nelson, his Little, has also been a highlight of the program. Initially hesitant, Nelson was won over by Gabriel’s persistent presence, academic support, positive attitude, and shared passion for soccer. The transformation in Nelson’s attitude and confidence led his guardian to enroll Nelson’s two siblings in the BBBS program as well. The event underscored the positive outcomes of BBBS programming, with 84% of participating youth reporting improved

In October 2023, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 525, introduced by Senator Durazo, into law. This legislation establishes a minimum wage of $25 per hour for all healthcare workers across California. Due to the efforts of Teamsters Local 1932, San Bernardino County will implement this wage increase earlier than other counties. “I’m so happy that my hourly rate is increasing because my rent has skyrocketed and until now, my wage has stayed the same. This gives me and my co-workers some relief,” said Tiffany Boddie, a lead custodian at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. Initially, the bill aimed to implement the wage increase in June 2024. However, before its signing in October, the Governor and the legislature amended the bill, granting counties an additional six months to extend the implementation date to 2025. Despite this extension, on April 30, 2024, the Executive Board, led by Secretary-Treasurer Randy Korgan, initiated discussions with the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors. The local Teamsters union pushed for the wage increase to take effect in June 2024, in line with private sector competitors. Due to their advocacy and the

Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) and the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes are partnering to strike out roadblocks to vibrant health by co-hosting two health and wellness events during the 2024 baseball season. The Grand Slam Health Jam is intended to open a pathway to better health by bringing social and care services directly to the community from 1 to 5 p.m., Sunday, July 21, and Aug. 11, at LoanMart Field, 8408 Rochester Ave., Rancho Cucamonga. Services will include dental screenings, fluoride treatments and vaccinations, plus access to local organizations and nonprofits like Foothill Family Shelter, GeriSmiles Mobile Dental Hygiene Practice and the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health. Admission is free. “The event allows us to bring our mission, vision and values to life by reaching out to members in a vibrant, community-focused setting,” said Laura Acosta, IEHP’s director of community partnerships and engagement. “Our aim is to make health care accessible and enjoyable by showing our commitment to your well-being.”  For the Quakes, it’s an opportunity for a double play: teamwork and dream work. “This partnership is a reflection of the Quakes’ and IEHP’s