Social Justice Project Does It Again

The Social Justice Project (SJP) once again came to the help of poor people.  When Typhoon Sendong devastated some provinces in the Philippines in December 2011, the SJP donated $1,200 to the typhoon victims in Negros Oriental through the Knights of Columbus Council in Dumaguete City.

When a 6.9 earthquake destroyed homes and businesses in the norther part of Negros Oriental in the Philippines, the SJP again donated $1,200 to purchase rice, water, and medicine for the victims of the earthquake in Guihulngan town.

SK Rudy Salanga (in blue shirt, above), Philippine Project Manager of SJP, spearheaded the aid provided the victims of the typhoon and the earthquake.  Through his leadership, the response of the SJP to both disasters were swift.  The victims received help when they needed it most.

I am proud to be the Executive Director of the Social Justice Project, a 501 c 3 non-profit corrporation in California.  I am ably aided by the expertise of a team of volunteers.  The SJP is comprised of the following gentlemen: Chairman of the Board SK Jack Mielke, Financial Secretary Tom Sanders, Board Members Bob Herness and Ted Williams.  The Philippine SJP Team is made up of Country Coordinator SK Eduardo Arreza, Project Manager SK Rudy Salanga and Financial Secretary SK Roque Fado.  No one gets paid in the SJP.  The overhead expenses of the organization are paid for by the volunteer themselves.

The SJP has been serving and helping the poor since the turn of the millenium in 2000.  Donors from around the world support the SJP through cash donations.  Visit www.socialjusticeproject.com to know more of this non-profit, public benefit organization.

The Wedding

Ces and I really feel sad after attending the wedding of our daughter Rhacel last night at the patio of a quaint hotel, The Farmer's Daughter in Culver City.  I felt blindsided when my daughter told me that I was not going to walk her to the altar.  Instead she asked a young male friend to walk her because she said she wanted to make it "young," whatever that meant.

Meanwhile, the widowed mother of the groom walked her son to the altar.

I don't know about you, but I am "old school."  I believe in honored tradition.   Some guests gave me a surprised look when they saw the friend walk my daughter to the altar.  After that I pretended to be in extreme pain with my lower back to give the guests reason to think that my inability to walk could have been the reason why I didn't walk my daughter to the altar.

Through the night, Ces and I did not want to show our inner pain.  We went through the motions of the happy parents of the bride.  God forgive me my thoughts.  God forgive me for being so sentimental.

Sigh.

May Rhacel and Ben, her husband, live a fruitful and happy life together!

New Life with Crown Ridge Academy

It has been three years and three months since I posted in the Chronicles. During that span of time, Ces and started a new life from retirement. We founded Crown Ridge Academy, a charter high school in the City of San Bernardino, CA. To date, the school is in its second year of operation with 160 students, 10 teachers, and four administrative staff members.

Its high school curriculum is enriched with special emphasis on engineering and biomedical science elective programs. The Academy inculcates in the minds of students, parents and staff that "Success is the only option." Its mission is to graduate every enrolled student from high school, become productive members of the community and proceed to college. To ensure this success, the Academy maintains small classes, provides individualized instruction and offers credit recovery.

The Academic Program Assistance (APA), Peers Always Learning System (PALS) and After-School Assistance Program (ASAP) are three programs that augment concerted classroom instruction and further ensures success at Crown Ridge Academy.

The old adage, "To see is to believe" applies here. Do feel free to visit the school any school day and see for yourself how the Academy operates. You may also check out http://crownridgeacademy.com.