Voice for children.

Shima 0 comments 24.05.2016

Every Wednesday, I will share a resident of the South Bay contributing to making our community a better place.

Today’s WCW title belongs to longtime South Bay native, Jessica LaBray, who is working as an Applied Behavior Analysis therapist, helping children with autism reduce behaviors like aggression and self-injury.

LaBray, 27, was born and raised in Torrance, CA. In 2007, she graduated from North High school and says it is where she first became interested in psychology.

Upon graduating, she attended Cal State University of Dominguez Hills and received her bachelor’s degree in psychology, with a minor in sociology, in 2012. After taking a year off of school to work and pursue a career in behavioral therapy, she was accepted into Hawaii Pacific University’s school of social work graduate program.

 In 2014, she moved to Oahu, Hawaii to attend Hawaii Pacific University and fulfill her dream of living on the islands. Her grandfather worked for Delta airlines for over 40 years so her family was fortunate enough to be able to travel to Hawaii every year for vacation and I was blessed with the opportunity to tag along, visiting so many beautiful places. I fell in love with the islands of Maui and Kauai at a young age and have wanted to live here for as far back as I can remember.

She is currently about half-way through the program in hopes of receiving a master’s degree in social work. She does not recall a specific time where she realized she had an interest in psychology or social work, however, always knew she wanted to be a social worker and work for CPS (Child Protective Services).

Today, LaBray is working in ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) therapy. She says, “I had some knowledge about it but had only taken one behavior modification course during my undergrad program.” It wasn’t until she saw openings on craigslist that she decided to apply, and once she was given the privilege of working with children that have special needs and learning the field of ABA, she fell in love.

Her current position as an ABA therapist teaches replacement behaviors to children with autism to reduce harmful behaviors like aggression and self-injury. In short, they also teach vocal language, sign language, self-care and independent living skills, and social skills.

She says this  is important because these skills can improve their quality of life and open up a wider range of opportunities available to them, as well as lower their risk for incarceration or homelessness as adults. “These kids are my world!” she says.

In five years, she hopes to have her MSW and work with CPS, adoptions, or as a court-appointed child advocate. She says her current job as a behavior therapist is absolutely amazing and the company she currently works for, Easter Seals, has given her the best position she has ever had.

Unfortunately, advancement in her field requires that she becomes a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and since she is already invested in the social work program, she has decided not to pursue that certification quite yet.

Despite loving her major, she says challenges in her study include not having enough time to not only complete assignments, but read and actually learn the material. “Most of the time it feels like I’m just rushing to turn something in or quickly cram for an exam. I work full time from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, so I don’t feel like I’m getting my money’s worth of the program, as I can barely make it to class on time.”

Some of the challenges she faces at work include not having enough energy to keep the kids motivated and happy. “It’s hard to keep a big smile or goofy character voice when you’re exhausted from lack of sleep or anxious about a paper that’s due after work. Personally, those are my biggest challenges,” she says.

LaBray feels grateful to have grown up in the South Bay for its diversity. She says, “In all of the cities I have lived in, I have never had to grow up in a place where everyone looked the same. I love that I was exposed to so many different cultures (and food!) at such a young age. I also love the unity and close-knit ties that friends and families maintained over generations.”

She says that almost everyone has each other’s back. “From being students at NHS and losing our dear friend Hyatt, to national tragedies like the shooting at Sandy Hook, the community came together to support one another,” she says.

She misses many of friends, including those from North High. She says she didn’t realize how valuable friendships were until everyone grew up, moved away and had children.

LaBray hopes that one day the academic system will teach unbiased and historically accurate material and to be accessible (not just free) for everyone. She also hopes that teachers will be paid more in the future.

Thank you, Jessica, for continuing to be a wonderful member of the South Bay, even while away pursuing your academic goals to help others.

“I want to be an advocate, or a voice, for children in dangerous situations. I’ve been in a lot of complicated situations involving my own family throughout my life so I think I can bring the understanding and awareness needed in that field.”

-Jessica LaBray

Touching others through the essence of nature.

Shima 0 comments 04.05.2016

Every Wednesday, I will share a resident of the South Bay contributing to making our community a better place.

Today’s WCW title belongs to Ferial Itani who at 54 years old bravely decided that it was time to pursue her heart’s greatest passion and begin a fragrance and soap line after styling hair for over 18 years.

Ferial, 54, moved to the U.S. when she was just 12 years old from Beruit. Her family moved with hopes of building a better life in the “Land of opportunity.” For her early life, she grew up in the South Bay and later graduated from Hawthorne high school.

After marrying her husband, Ferial owned several businesses including owning Aladin Café restaurant. She was the cook and says that she enjoyed creating dishes with passion. Upon closing the restaurant, she cut, dyed and styled hair for 18 years at her brother’s hair salon in Redondo Beach, Zouhair Salon.

No matter what business, hobby or passion she followed, she took her heart fully in it and she says, “It showed.”

For many years, Ferial began mixing her favorite perfumes with natural essences such as orange blossom. She says that wherever she went, whether the grocery store, airplane, or just walking past a stranger, she was stopped and asked, “What perfume is that?” After informing them that she made the perfume herself, she found it comical that many would beg to buy the already used bottles from her.

She says that she would freely give them away just because it brought her so much joy to see others happy with her products. Often times while at her brother’s salon, her clients would complement her as well and ask her where they could purchase the perfume.

She was constantly asked, “Why don’t you sell them?” At the time, she felt she was too busy to pursue a business in creating the perfumes so she dismissed the idea for a long time. That all changed three years ago when she became severely ill from headaches and was rushed to the hospital.

After being released, her brother insisted that maybe she was exhausting herself from the salon and that it may be time for her to follow a new passion or just simply take a break. Ferial says that she loves to embark on new journeys, such as one day hoping to move to Tuscany. Yet, she says that no matter what new phase she enters in her life, she remains herself…honest and true to her most authentic self.

While home recovering, she found that she wanted to reach more people. She says that so many people have helped her throughout her life and she has helped so many as well, yet knew there was more for her. She was entering a phase in her life where she wanted to be able to “touch” others. So over the course of three years, she quit her job as a stylist and began creating soap products.

Growing up, she would store and save hand soaps she’d receive from Lebanon. She says they were very precious to her for they looked rigid and smelt good. She wanted to use the soaps as a way to connect with others and share the same love and passion she had in her heart through them.

She began mixing ingredients such as peppermint oil with other natural essential oils. After making only one batch and distributing them amongst her five children and their friends, she was surprised to find them so pleased with the products.

“My kids and their friends would beg me to make more and so I did,” she says. She says that although physically she created the products, she finds that the emotional support of her loved ones was what made it possible to create the products. “A smile on a loved one’s face alone was my inspiration,” Ferial says.

Soon after, she decided to begin creating the products for others to also purchase and designed Ferial Essence. The perfumes and soaps can be bought directly from her Etsy website here.

On her website she says, "I began making perfumes and soaps wanting a product that doesn’t exist these days, because of the impurities and toxins added into them. Ferial Essence products are kept in their original state, starting from the ingredients used to the way they are crafted. Each product is unique, different than the rest, blossoming into its own character. Like a jewel in the rough, they are not buffed and do not contain any chemicals or fillers. When you close your eyes, you will be transported to a different time, where the fields were free and pure. You can smell the essence of nature that soothes your body, mind and soul. An honest, good product – that’s what I wanted to make."

. She says her personal favorite product is the orange blossom scents as it takes her back to a place in time where things felt innocent. “I like how it reminds me orange fields where what you see is what you get. Not many things are organic anymore, but orange fields are real,” she says.

When Ferial is not spending time with her family or creating perfumes, she enjoys gardening and spending as much time with nature as possible. She enjoys calligraphy and often draws beautiful symbolic letters, images and creations with them. She pays it forward by knitting beanies for premature babies and children in Lebanon. In her room, she has a wide range of beanies in different sizes and colors in a storage container waiting to ship.

Ferial is enjoying creating perfume and soaps for her clients and says that she can’t wait to see where the next phase of her life takes her. Thank you, Ferial, for reminding us that it is never too late to follow our dreams and reach our destiny and as you say, “Tomorrow is not promised, so do it today.”

“I don’t believe I have talent, I have passion…everything I do is from the heart and it shows.”

-Ferial Itani

Providing Comfort & Making a Difference.

Shima 0 comments 30.03.2016

Every Wednesday, I will share a resident of the South Bay contributing to making our community a better place.

Today’s WCW title belongs to Lynn Aglipay who believes in sharing blessings and giving back to the community as much as possible.

Lynn was born and raised in the South Bay. She has come to believe that when you’re right where you should be, there’s a certainty to what you do. It’s no surprise she feels compelled to give back and works immensely hard to be able to do so.

​Today, Lynn is involved in many charities, especially causes that help children. She is the founding and current Board of Director for the Asian Real Estate Association of America, South Bay Chapter (AREAA SB). She says the latter focuses on providing sustainable living for Asians in the South Bay. In addition, she is on the Board of Directors of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Association of Realtors (PVPAR) and Chairman of the Fundraising and Scholarship Committee​ supporting the Peninsula Education Foundation.

She also is the former Board of Director for Las Amigas de Las Loma and supporting Ortheapedic Institute for Children which provides orthopedic medical assistance to families who cannot afford care. She says, “Sitting on the board of directors for the Las Amigas de Las Lomas, an annual horse show with proceeds going to the hospital, has been one of the most fulfilling areas of my life.”

You’d imagine that she’d exhaust herself with all the committees and boards she manages, yet she also provides monthly dinners and the annual Christmas breakfast to the Toberman House, a community center in San Pedro that provides an after school program for kids.

Lynn believes she has always "given back." She says from the time she was in elementary school; she remembers being taught to give back. “I never thought what I was doing was anything out of the ordinary,” she says. When asked what inspires her to give back to the community, she simply says, “I really don't know...I just do it because it's fulfilling for me personally

For those seeking opportunity to also give back, Lynn says ​there are many ways to make a difference, whether it is working with philanthropic organizations to playing piano for an elderly neighbor. “It can be a financial contribution or it can be physical contribution, most importantly is that you are making a difference,” she says.

One of the most impactful moments for Lynn when giving back was when she was serving salad at the Toberman House. “When I began serving dinners at Toberman House, most kids didn't like or wouldn't want to eat salad. There was a little boy, who refused to even have it on his plate. I told him to just try it, he refused saying the teachers will make me eat everything on my plate and I don't like salad,” she says.

In hopes of convincing the young boy to eat something nutritious, Lynn told him that if he tried it, she would let the teachers know and he wouldn't have to finish it. She says he agreed to try it and he came back for seconds with a big grin. “That's right, the little boy who initially didn't want to eat salad,” she says.

She also remembers hosting a Christmas breakfast for needy families when Santa came and gave gifts to about 60 children. She says that unlike the rest of the families whose children were so excited to be unwrapping their gifts, she noticed a family of six who sat back and the kids just held onto their gifts. She asked one of the teachers why they weren't opening the gifts we had provided, and the teacher responded saying these were the only gifts the children will have so they’re saving it until Christmas. The moment impacted her greatly and she has never forgotten it.

When Lynn isn’t working or giving back to the community, she enjoys spending time her family and friends. She says that when and if she can get away, they are usually having tons of fun in Mammoth, fishing or skiing or relaxing in Palm Springs.​

​She loves to South Bay mostly for the lifestyle it allows. She appreciates being surrounded by beaches, views and tranquility. ​She feels it is important to give back to others because there are so many people in need and we need more compassion for one another.

Thank you, Lynn, for providing efforts to making our community a greater place.

“Giving back to community has been some of the most rewarding work I have ever done, and I look forward to further expand my contributions in the near future. As long as I can contribute and provide comfort for people, I know I am making a difference.”

– Lynn Aglipay

Inspiring the children of our future by making math fun again

Shima 0 comments 09.03.2016

Every Wednesday, I will share a resident of the South Bay contributing to making our community a better place.

Today’s WCW title belongs to Sara Aloteibi who gives back to the community by touching the lives of her student’s and helping them find their strengths in math like she once did.

Sara, 28, grew up in Torrance, CA and never left! When she was an 8^th grader, she failed Algebra 1 and had to retake it over the Summer. “My summer school teacher saw my potential in math and recommended I take the honors route,” she says.

When she began her freshman year at North High School, she began taking both Geometry Honors and Algebra 2 Honors with an inspirational math teacher who made math meaningful, enjoyable, and understandable. “She completely shifted my view of mathematics and her love for the subject was demonstrated in her teaching and eventually transferred onto her students,” she says.

However, when Sara reached Calculus as a senior, she had a horrible teacher who gave a test on the first day of school and said, “If you fail this test then you will fail the class.” He proceeded to administer the test and when she received her results the following day, she had failed along with many others.

Sara says, “I let him succeed in scaring me out of the class as I ended up dropping out of Calculus immediately after. From that moment, I realized the difference an educator can make in the success of a student.” She found that if you set a student up for failure, they will fail. However, if you provide them with inspiration and the tools for success then the sky is the limit.

Today, Sara is using the lessons she’s learned growing up to teach Algebra 2 and Pre-Calculus at South High School to 9th – 12th graders. “Math is just one of those incredible subjects where ends actually do meet. Where you are given a situation with many different approaches that always lead to one clear answer,” she says.

Sara loves math because it’s all around us and has shaped society. “It is actually connected to our real world and present in many different fields than most truly know,” she says. One way she likes to make class fun for her students is to see these connections in our real world and different career fields.

Sara shares some of the ways her class learns: “For example, I show short video clips and pictures from time to time to open up a lesson. We do a cooling cookie lab when we get into exponential and logarithmic functions and relate the cookies cooling to how our world is cooling exponential. We throw tennis balls and determine the height the ball was thrown through mathematics. We design polynomial roller coasters and sine and cosine Tsunami waves. I try to create as many student-centered lessons as possible so that they are able to discover the concepts rather than being told the concepts.”

She is most intrigued when she sees the light bulbs turn on for her kids, especially with students who have always struggled with math all their lives. She wants others to know that life is definitely not about being perfect, rather about doing your very best and putting in as much effort as possible. “And if you fail then learn from your mistakes…you can only do better from that point on,” she says.

In the next five years, she hopes to treat herself and her family as much as possible. She says that her husband and her have worked extremely hard to get to where they are at and definitely have a long way to go, but finds that it’s okay to take a break every now and then to treat themselves as a family.

They hope to take at least two trips a year to travel and enjoy the beautiful world. She also hopes to pursue a doctorate in Education sometime in the near future if God is willing. When she is not teaching and being a mom, she enjoys it on the couch with a bag of chips in her hand watching a movie or a TV show with her husband.

She finds that there isn’t a single thing not to love about living in the South Bay. “The weather is great, the beach is right there when you need it, there is now an in N out in practically every corner, hundreds of great places to eat at, the malls, freeways, diversity, and convenience of really never having to travel far since you can practically find almost every store you can think of in just one city,” she says.

Thank you, Sara for positively influencing the children of our future to accomplish their mathematical struggles!

“Having had both kinds of teachers and both experiences of failing and succeeding made me realize the importance of an educator and their effect on a learner which is why I decided to pursue a career in teaching. I want to spread knowledge, education, and the beauty of math so that I can hopefully inspire young minds to be great.” -Sara Aloteibi

Giving hope with Jewels

Shima 0 comments 10.02.2016

Every Wednesday, I will share a resident of the South Bay contributing to making our community a better place.

Today’s ‪#WCW title belongs to Bonnie Orona who uses her jewelry business to spread awareness and raise money to rescue and aid young children who are facing human trafficking.

Bonnie Orona, grew up in the South Bay and lived in Torrance all of her childhood life. She later graduated from South High and currently lives in Harbor City. Today, Bonnie is a personal stylist and leader for ViVi formerly Cookie Lee Jewelry.

Her duties include selling fashion jewelry, sunglasses, and scarves as well as building a team. “But my biggest passion is fundraising throughout the community and globally. I have a huge heart to give,” she says. A huge heart indeed, as she likes to help many organizations.

Bonnie uses her ViVI business as a way to help different causes. “I set up my jewelry at events or do catalog fundraisers,” she says. At the end of the event, she donates 50% of her sales to the cause. She has found that this is the best way that she can help a cause.

For over three years, Bonnie had a dream to pay for a house to be built on the Thailand/Burma border by Life Impact International. She says her friend has missionaries in Thailand and has been there for over 14 years rescuing kids that are being human trafficked. “I’ve helped on a smaller monetary scale, but when I heard about this land they purchased and how they wanted to build 17 houses…light bulbs went off,” she says.

She knew she had to be a part of building one of the homes. In result, she pasted a picture of the kids and their needs on her vision board. Today, there are only 3 houses left to build. With the help of Bonnie raising money towards these homes, 14 homes have been built.

Once the money is raised, they will be able to build a house where the children can live and know what it is like to live in a more traditional smaller scale family home. “When all of this started, the kids would be rescued and then they would all live in one massive house. Tons of people in one home…like an orphanage. Lana’s vision was for the kids to live more as a family,” she says. 

She was inspired to help largely in part to her friend, Lana Vasquez. “It’s crazy to think a gal from the valley of Southern California would give up everything and sacrifice her life to be over there in Thailand, Burma, and China rescuing kids from a life of prostitution and slavery,” she says. She realized she was living a comfortable life with her husband, kids, pool, and beaches. Yet, there are kids afraid for their lives and a young brave woman over there risking it all…giving kids a hope and a dream.

She ultimately decided that if she can be connected to something like that, then she would feel like she has received the ultimate gift. She thought if she can sow into those kids lives, then she can help them to bloom into something pretty amazing. Such as, helping them heal from a scary life.

There are two ways others can help the cause:

They can shop for some jewelry and 50% of their total purchase price will be donated to Life Impact International. Her website is www.bevivi.com/bonnieorona.

They can make a tax deductible check out to Life Impact International and drop it in the mail to:

Bonnie Orona: 26315 President Avenue, Harbor City, Ca 90710.

Bonnie explains that the goal is to raise $21,000 by the last day of February. As of this morning, they’ve raised $800.00.

Bonnie would like people to know that Child Trafficking is not just happening on the other side of the world. She says, “It is happening right here in our own backyard. Kids as well as adults are being purchased for sex acts as well as slavery. It is so sad and disgusting.”

She is often asked why she is helping children overseas and not here in the United States. She says, “Why not raise $21,000 for children locally? Honestly, I do help children locally. Anytime I can help a child here…I will. But there is just something inside of me that has been telling me to be a part of this.”

She follows what she calls “a small voice.” She is open to see who she can help by following the voice she hears. “For me, that still small voice is God. And I desire to please Him. Today I believe a community will come together for a group of children on the other side of the country and God will honor us for that. A bigger blessing will come for some kids or even for someone here in our town that decided to sow into this movement,” she says.

When she is not working or finding ways to raise money for the children, she is a huge supporter for Community’s Child- a nonprofit organization in Lomita that houses women and their children as well as feeds 1000’s of children every week in the Lomita, Harbor City, and Torrance area. In addition, Bonnie is a member of The Harbor City, Lomita Kiwanis an organization that supports the kids in the community as well as globally.

Her duties include reading and fundraising for the kids at Lomita Magnet. She says, “I help anyone that I find needs help and wants my help and honestly anytime I hear someone needs to raise money, I offer to help.” In addition, she is involved with a group of women via Social Media called The Company of Women.

She says that they are a group of women that promote Faith in the field. The “field” could be their home, community, or market place. She has found that the Company of Women has helped her to have the faith and courage to raise this $21,000.00. 

Bonnie loves the South Bay mostly for its beaches. “I love beaches so much! I could stay near the coast all day long,” she says. She makes a constant effort to live each day full of Joy and says in the midst of chaos, she chooses joy.

Bonnie, thank you for being a wonderful member of the South Bay community and giving young children hope again through jewels!

“Something has always drawn me into the inner city of the South Bay. I have a huge heart for the homeless community and those that are down and out. Honestly, I just want to make a difference in the community and globally.”

– Bonnie Orona

The City with a Hometown Feel

Shima 0 comments 20.01.2016

Every Wednesday, I will share a resident of the South Bay contributing to making our community a better place. Today’s ‪#WCW title belongs to South Bay resident, Kelsie Winders, who is a Human Resources Technician, assuring that all testing procedures are conducted accurately and oversees all potential employees for the City of Torrance.

Kelsie, 26, was born in Torrance and has lived in several cities in the South Bay including Hawthorne and Gardena. Despite having moved several times, she explains that her parents always kept her sister and her in Torrance school to make sure they could maintain their established friendships.

 When Kelsie was 15, she started working part-time for the City of Torrance.  She began in the Youth Sports program; and over time, was able to take on greater responsibility to where she was eventually working directly with the supervisor to help run the programs.

 She graduated from CSULB in 2012, and like many, wasn’t sure when or how she would “start” her life.  When she was given the opportunity for temporary work in Human Resources with the City in 2013, she took it almost immediately.

Today, Kelsie is working as a Human Resources Technician for the City of Torrance. She is responsible for coordinating & conducting all of the testing for any job with the City.  Some of her duties include planning, organizing & overseeing all examination processes for routine and recurrent classifications.  Dependent on the position, she is also involved in some recruitment and outreach, as well.

​Kelsie explains that each position has some sort of testing component – whether it is a written exam, performance test or an interview, or both. She is responsible for proctoring the written/performance exams ​and scheduling the interviews.  In addition, she does testing for the Torrance Fire Department & Torrance Police Department, Public Works, Torrance Transit, etc. Lastly, she also deals with employee relations​, including gathering information for employees and ensuring that Department needs are met.

Kelsie’s position of overseeing the testing process for the City requires for her to follow certain rules & guidelines. “Our processes, not just for testing but throughout the City, are in place to keep a standard across the board and to ensure that all are treated equally,” she explains.

 Kelsie genuinely enjoys feeling like she is able to help individuals in some sort of way.  “I’ve always known that I wanted to be able to help others, and I feel like in my position, I’m able to do that a little bit more,” she says. One of my Kelsie’s favorite parts of her job is being connected with applicants/candidates throughout the testing process.  When a person applies for a position in the City, Kelsie is involved in their “journey” until the end, whether they are hired or not.

​She enjoys being connected ​not only with applicants/candidates, but building relationships with employees, as well.  It makes her feel like she is truly connected with her job & the City.

he enjoys working with the candidates by being able to answer their questions and keeping them informed of each step in the process.  She explains that this also leads to one of the more difficult parts of her job – the unhappy applicants.  Whether it is someone who did not make it past the screening process or someone who failed a testing component, delivering bad news does not always go over well.

In result, getting those calls with complaints on the other end aren’t usually very pleasant.  In a City as large as Torrance, Kelsie has found that every day be different. “HR supports all of the City’s Departments, and with as big as Torrance is, anything can happen,” she says.

 When asked how residents can help make the City of Torrance greater, Kelsie explains that one of the easiest ways residents can help contribute to the city is through their Volunteer Program.  There are numerous opportunities for those willing to volunteer all over the City – at the multiple libraries, through the Youth Sports program, with Seniors or docents for various programs.

One can simply fill out an application on the City’s website here:www.TorranceCA.Gov/VolunteerProgram.htm

 Residents can also stay informed on C​ity happenings by attending or watching the live stream of City Council meetings here.

​Furthermore, the Torrance City Council meets every Tuesday in Council Chambers at City Hall, 3031 Torrance Boulevard, at 7:00 p.m.

Kelsie pays it forward to her community by donating blood to the American Red Cross as often as she is allowed to. “I try to help out as much as I can, whether it’s giving waters to the homeless that I see around town or donating to others in need.  I feel that it is extremely important to give back – if you don’t, then who will?” she says.

When she is not working, she enjoys spending her time with her boyfriend, Dylan, and their adopted dog, Apache (lab/shepherd mix).  They also both like to spend any free time with both of their families.  Kelsie enjoys attempting to recreate what she finds on Pinterest – food recipes, baking recipes, decorating, cutesy projects. Since her workweek is busy, she finds enjoyment in being home and enjoying a good book, movie, or spending time with good company.

Kelsie feels lucky to not only work in the South Bay, but to also live here because everything is so accessible. She has found that Torrance is close enough to everything that nothing ever feels out of reach.

“It was always my goal to work in HR and to work in HR in my City was everything that I had gone to school and worked for! Human Resources is the hub of all things Torrance and I am so grateful that I was given the opportunity which I was able to turn into my career!” she says.

hank you, Kelsie, for being a wonderful community member of the city of Torrance and assuring that employees are carefully chosen and all testing is conducted accurately, providing safety to all!

To learn more about the City of Torrance and how you can help or apply, please visit the following links:

City website: www.TorranceCA.Gov

Job Opportunities: www.torranceca.gov/516.htm

Fur-ever Saving Grace

Shima 0 comments 06.01.2016

Every Wednesday, I will share a resident of the South Bay contributing to making our community a better place.

Today’s #WCW title belongs to South Bay resident, Daphne Ku’uleimealohaokalani Marie Garrett who is a veterinary technician at Country Hills Animal Clinic in Torrance.

Daphne, 28, has lived in Torrance her entire life and was inspired to pursue the animal care field after adopting her very first dog at the Carson Shelter.

Five years  after high school, Daphne received her certificate as a veterinary technician in June 2010. She describes her position as the Doctor’s, “right hand man.”

Daphne begins and ends each day by seeing in room appointments and checking on surgeries. Some of her duties include surgeries mostly of spay and neuters, dental cleanings, vaccinations, radiographs, lab work, placing IV catheters, dental radiographs and blood draws.

Due to the unpredictability of her work field, Daphne feels some days are harder than others and there is no “typical” day at work. “We see so many different types of dogs and cats with similar and different issues. We do our best to exceed beyond everyone’s expectations for themselves and of course for the pet’s best interest,” she says.

When asked what is the most difficult part of her job, Daphne explains when “we have to send our furry friends to doggy heaven because we have done all we possibly could to help them.” This can be in result of many things such as diabetes, cancer, or old age.

“The only thing that gets me by is knowing the second they leave us, they are no longer in pain and are happy and free running around in heaven,” she explains. She says that even when the dog is not hers, it is the worst heartbreak she’s experienced.

Despite the difficulty of some aspects of her position, she believes the best days are when she can send the owners and their pets home happier and healthier than when they walked into the hospital.

Daphne wishes that pet owners understood that having pets is a lot of work. “They need to know it is just like having a kid, but sometimes even worse because dogs don’t have the ability to speak,” she says.

She also wishes pet owners realized that dogs have to be cared for, fed, walked daily and both dogs and cats need to be vaccinated yearly dependent on age. In addition, she urges that they pay attention to symptoms of being sick and take precaution immediately if necessary.

Daphne has found that animals have feelings, know when you are upset or happy. In result, she believes that owners should understand that pets become members of the family. She believes that residents should choose a Veterinarian based on referrals from family and friends. She does not believe in relying on internet sites such as yelp. She explains that people can be cruel and lie.

Daphne hopes to one day start her own business. She’d like to open a rescue or a doggy day care/grooming and dog bakery. However, she believes many can help animals by adopting those at high kill shelters or volunteering their time there.

When Daphne is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, hiking with her own dogs, visiting the dog beach or traveling. Daphne is the furr-mom to Lucky, a mutt who was adopted at Carson Shelter and Winston who she got as a gift two years ago.

Lucky inspired Daphne to pursue the veterinary field after showering her in unconditional love. He is now going on 12 years old and she likes to call him her “grumpy old man.”

Daphne’s motto in life is, “Adopt, don’t shop and give pets the love they deserve. Give them a FURever home.” She has found that dogs give her a sense of saving grace that no one is able to give her.

Thank you, Daphne, for being a wonderful asset to our veterinary field in the South Bay and reminding us that it is possible to have a career doing what we love- like saving animal’s lives.

Brains & Beauty

Shima 0 comments 21.10.2015

Every Wednesday, I will share a resident of the South Bay contributing to making our community a better place.

Today’s #WCW title belongs to South Bay native, Jacqueline Raid Younis, 25, who is currently residing in Dubai as an Executive Administrative Coordinator for an Investment Company.

Younis grew up in the South Bay and graduated from South High School in Torrance. Upon graduating, she went to EL Camino College then Cal State University, Dominguez Hills. She majored in Health Sciences with an Emphasis in management.

Two weeks after graduating from CSUDH, Younis flew to Dubai in pursuit of finding a career while also finding herself. She explains that, “It was a dream of mine to work here. I told myself if I didn’t leave now, I never will.” She took a chance and flew to the foreign country and began immediately applying for jobs in the UAE.

Upon arrival, Younis connected with several women she calls, “great ladies” who referred her to open positions.  With the help from these women, Younis began working for one of the biggest investment empires in the Dubai Investment Park region called AL Khayyat Investment Group.

Younis’ duties include managing logistics, purchasing, and contracts for over 50 franchised locations around the UAE and Gulf areas. “It’s a very tough, tedious position with a high turnover, but I didn’t come this far for anything easy. I wanted a company I can grow with and I learn something new every day I go to work,” she explains.

Although many miles away from “home,” Younis has been a wonderful contributor to her community in Los Angeles. She joined an organization called Mealsforsmiles that feeds homeless on skid row. In addition, she was an intern for an AIDS/HIV facility called AIDS project Los Angles.

While there, she participated as a case manager to help a needy group of AIDS/HIV patients that were disabled. Furthermore, she is really passionate about her heritage and country. During the war on Gaza, July 2014, she raised $5,000 to aid injured women and children. “I enjoy giving back to my community and my country any way I can,” she says.

Younis’ life goal is to be successful in anything she decides to pursue. In five years, she sees herself still working in Dubai, with the hopes of being promoted in her current position with Al Khayyat Investments.

Younis who is full Palestinian, was born and raised in the U.S. and some of her hobbies include shopping, running, cooking, and modeling. She is also passionate for her country, Palestine and her career. Younis’ favorite part of the south bay is the Redondo Beach Pier.  “I miss the beaches very much,” she states.

One of her greatest passions is fashion which she says comes to her naturally. “I love styling, shopping and trying new trends. I never really applied for modeling jobs, people would approach me and offer me modeling gigs. I always took every opportunity that came my way. Modeling was more of a hobby for me. I enjoyed meeting new people and learning about new clothing lines,” she explains.

Her role model is Amal Alamuddin, who she describes as the epitome of brains and beauty. She also admires Victoria and David Beckam. When asked to define more of who she is, she simply replied,

“I’m a hardworking woman with a big heart and big dreams.”

Thank you Jacqueline for being an inspiring role model to your community and teaching others that you can reach your goals…no matter how big they are.

Supporting our Troops at LAX

Shima 0 comments 23.09.2015

Today’s #WCW title belongs to South Bay resident, Melissa Klassen who designates time each month to give back to the troops.

In August of 2009, Melissa was inspired to do something that would allow her to feel a sense of happiness. She knew being in a military environment would feel most like home since she grew up as an Air Force Brat. (The child of an active-duty military personnel)

 Melissa remembered the stresses that being in a military family had and this gave her an opportunity to find a way to give back to the whole family, active duty and retired. In result, Melissa decided she would volunteer with The Bob Hope USO at LAX.

The Bob Hope USO at LAX is similar to a hospitality center which provides comfort for those when traveling throughout LAX. There is a canteen (kitchen) where they provide all the comfort foods of home. As Melissa explains, “You would be amazed at how much a Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich will make someone’s day. It seems so small but the guests are really appreciative.”

In addition, there is a front desk, where Melissa usually will work. Her duties include greeting guest, helping them make hotel arrangements, rebook flights if something was missed, locate lost luggage, hold babies and anything else to make their travel a little less stressful.

The USO also provides a place to search the web, watch TV, play video games or just get little shut- eye. Melissa expresses that, “Some are coming back from war zones and welcoming them back is priceless. Others are headed to war or leaving behind family for a remote assignment. Some are on their way to a wedding or a birth and we get to be a small part of that journey.”

The USO website explains, “In accordance with the policy of USO, Inc., we welcome active duty and reserve members of the Armed Forces, as well as dependent family members. We also welcome, on a space available basis, military retirees and their dependent family members. All must present valid military identification. Although we honor all who have served, we cannot serve all and ask that non-retiree veterans honor our mission, which since our founding in 1941, has been to serve current troops and their dependent family members.”

Melissa finds that no matter what or when she leaves her shift, she always feels great. “It is weird that donating my time does so much more for me than I feel like I give. I am pretty sure most our volunteers feel that way too. It is the weirdest feeling to be so appreciated for making a sandwich or booking a hotel when these men and women are literally putting their life on the line for us.  When they say thank you I always say “my pleasure”, and REALLY mean it,” Melissa expresses.

The Bob Hope USO at LAX is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The staff primarily consist of volunteers and one staff- center manager. The services are free for guest and through donations, the facility is able to run.

Melissa believes that one can help give back to the troops I by simply stating that you support them, doing something regularly or even annually. The USO’s Mission Statement can be foundhere.

Despite volunteering every other Wednesday from 6-10 p.m., Melissa works as an

Executive Assistant for a Real Estate Association. Melissa works with some of the top selling agents in the nation in one of the most beautiful places in the country. Melissa explains that, “I try to do at my job what I do at the USO and just make people’s day a little easier with my help and guidance.”

Thank you Melissa for being another wonderful contributor in making the South Bay a beautiful place to live.

If interested in donating to the USO, please visit the website here.