Article
"LOCAL NONPROFIT EXPRESSES APPRECIATION FOR COMMUNITY SUPPORT"
Colton - On Sunday, October 1st, Trinity's Learning Resource Center held its annual Car Wash Fundraiser at 190 W. "H" Street, Colton. The Learning Center appreciates the support of the community and its business sponsors: Dr. Jeffrey Dharmawan, D.D.S., LaCadena Dental, Julie Bakas, Food4Less; Sergio Araba, AutoZone (Mt. Vernon, San Bernardino); and ABC Dollars, that they wanted to express it in a way that these sponsors are recognized for their community involvement and support.
"The youth and families of our community need to see that people are not so busy that we cannot take and make time to reach out and provide the resources, guidance, direction, and education in the most needful and important areas of life for successful living. It takes time, it takes finances, and it takes help. And we appreciate so much the support of our local community who came to support us in these efforts," says Carlton Dasher, Co-Founder, Instructor, and the lead car washer. "We have to show our youth by demonstration what it means to give, to help, and to be a support to someone else; not just looking at 'What's in it for me?' This is an attitude that has plagued so much of our society," Dasher said. "We need to go back to basics and teach our children and youth the social graces that will cause them to lead successful lives. In today's competitive world, there is no room for selfish attitudes, disrespect, and the lack of knowledge. We are responsible for and must prepare and equip our children and youth as young as possible, so that they are ready and prepared to meet and overcome life's challenges succesfully; understanding the principles of success and recognizing that the lack of appropriating these principles will lead to failure." "Success and failure are choices," says Kerry Dasher, Carl's wife. "And as parents, we have everything to do with the results. We must take an active role to ensure their success, not just telling them what they need to do and be, not cussing them out because we don't see success, and not putting them down because they don't know what to do, but showing and demonstrating our love, care and concern, balanced with correction, teaching and instruction that leads to success." Kerry illustrates our children and youth like seeds, "They are already pre-programmed for success, but it's the soil, the environment, the nourishment, the moisture, the care given, the support and the ties that bind them in the direction they are to go that determines whether or not that seed, that blade, that plant will make it through the winds and storms of life and become what it was designed to be." She says, "Our children and youth become what is sown and watered upon their lives; the words they hear produces their self-talk and attitudes, which produces their feelings and emotions, which produces their decisions, actions and habits, and determines their character and destiny." She said, "What we are now seeing is just the result of our sowing or lack thereofit's our harvest. If we want to reap something different, we must sow and water differently; we must sow the seeds for success in order to reap the harvests of success! And that begins with our giving." Carl says, "We must show them by demonstration what success is by learning it for ourselves, even if we as adults were not taught; we can still learn and show them how to live successfully. Mentoring takes time and trust, and trust is something that is developed over time by seeing fruitfulness of faithfulness in a person's life." As the Dashers heard from a ex-gang member, "Our youth are looking for someone to care for and about them, someone who is willing to provide what it is they need, and they will gravitate to those who care the most and who will provide for them." Kerry said, "This is why it is important for us as parents to learn how to maintain balance in all areas our lives and learn the strategies for successful living so that we can demonstrate them before our children, showing them that they are important to us and not just the pursuit of self, wealth, or the next item on sale. The Learning Center youth are learning to understand what life is really about and that their success depends upon their attitudes and the decisions they make today and every day. They are learning that no matter what happens in life, it is going to be their attitudes: what they say and do that will either sustain them or cause them to fail. They are learning that their attitudes, words, and decisions are the result of what they hear and continue to listen to and will ultimately determine their destiny." Kerry noted, "The associations our children have play a major role in what influences them, so it's important that parents take an active role in their children's lives: knowing what's going on at school, know who their friends are, know who they hanging around with, know what is going on in their lives: their cares and concerns, and taking an active part to ensure their success, happiness and well-being. We must remember that success just doesn't happen. It must be planned for, prepared for, and expected." In so many words, Carl and Kerry Dasher, their Board of Directors, and the parents and youth, just wanted to express their gratitude and appreciation to those of our community who have supported them in these efforts in providing direction for our next generation and affecting generations to come; equipping them for success; which means our communities can enjoy a brighter future! "Thank You" again for showing and demonstrating your support!"
