I Escaped San Bernardino’s School to Prison Pipeline

Now I'm Working To Dismantle It

As a teenager, I was the poster child for the school to prison pipeline. Yes, I was the smart girl, but I was the smart girl in trouble. I was the kid who was always in the principal’s office. However, because of strong mentors, I somehow managed to back out of the pipeline. And now, some years later, I’m applying what I learned about that process to my community of San Bernardino, where I’m working with friends and other concerned community members to run a nonprofit that dismantles the pipeline …

By La’Nae Norwood | October 19, 2016

Why I Walk at Night in San Bernardino

Until We Stop The Violence This Will Never Be A Healthy Place

By Tom Dolan | October 19, 2016

San Bernardino is often described as the second-poorest city in America and it is a violent place. It will never be a healthy place—cannot be a healthy place—until we stop …

An All-Volunteer Clinic With Muslim Roots Brings the Community Together to Save Lives

The San Bernardino Health Center Tends to a Largely Latino—and Underserved—Neighborhood

By Muhammad Safwatullah | October 19, 2016

When you drive up to the Al-Shifa Free Health Clinic, there will only be a few cars outside. But when you walk in, you will see that the waiting room …

We Grow the Country’s Carrots, but Ours Come in Bags

Kern County's Food Policy Council Tries to Confront the Unique Paradoxes of Its Food System

By Jill Egland | October 19, 2016

Kern County is home to two seemingly opposite realities.

First, it’s famous for producing food. In 2014, it grew $7.5 billion worth of grapes, almonds, milk, citrus, and beef. The …

A Hungry Child Cannot Learn

Buying Shoes, Growing Lettuce, and Treating Tooth Decay at a San Bernardino Elementary School

By Larry Elwell | October 19, 2016

Eric had multiple cavities and several abscesses. His younger sister Madeline was not in much better shape.

“He has something wrong with each tooth,” the dental student said in amazement. “He …

Merced Is My Village and It’s Looking Up

Murals, Pools, and District Elections Are Changing the Place Once Known As "Merdead"

By Melissa Kelly-Ortega | October 19, 2016

I moved to Merced in 1990 when I was 20 years old. Back then the town had 57,000 residents, the Merced Junior College, Castle Air Force base, and a sense …

wellness