‘Justice in July Jamboree’ scheduled for Saturday

A resource fair scheduled for Saturday intends to bring leaders together for a discussion focused on addressing social issues and providing resources to struggling families.

The Time for Change Foundation, along with the United Nations of Consciousness, Option House, the Congregations Organized for Prophetic Engagement, Young Visionaries, Youth Leadership Academy, and the American Civil Liberties Union, are hosting the ‘Justice in July Jamboree’ at Rialto City Hall on Saturday July 22 to give the public access to voter registration, assistance with criminal expungement, and health services, to name a few.

The goal of the event is to bring local leaders and community groups together to discuss issues with public housing, substance abuse, domestic abuse, and transportation.

“The Justice Jamboree brings voices of change together with decision makers while using the power of the ‘voter’ as a catalyst for change,” says Vanessa Perez, Associate Director of Time for Change Foundation.

The event will begin at 9 a.m. and finish at 2 p.m.

Time for Change client and DV survivor finds causes to stand up for

Several months ago, Gloria Garcia faced the prospects of being homeless. She felt her life was in shambles after experiencing a domestic violence incident.

Garcia grew weary of her ex-partner’s blows–forcing her to finally physically retaliate. That altercation, Garcia explained, caused her to lose custody of her 13-year-old daughter, putting her deeper into alcoholism and drug addiction, she explained.

“I was at a point in my life where I was dependent on relationships,” said Garcia, a single mother of three children. “I was in an unhealthy toxic relationship and had a disease, which was alcoholism and drug addiction.”

Today, Garcia, 45, has a full time job, an open bank account, and through the help of the Time for Change Foundation, a cause to stand up for. Her experiences with the nonprofit’s case managers has motivated her to want to uplift women enduring tough times.

“I was a hopeless dark place when I got here,” she said. “But being involved in my community has helped me in my recovery.”

Garcia hopes the ‘Justice in July Jamboree’ will inspire those encountering social dilemmas to seek help from organizations like Time for Change. She’s spent the last two weeks attempting to inform residents by handing out flyers and making phone calls.

“There are people out there that feel like I felt,” she said. “They feel there’s no hope. When you’re stuck like I was, it’s hard to go out and find these resources. But when given support, you can empower yourself and focus on the bigger picture in life.”