An impressive array of community resource leaders networked with Fresh Start Ministries at the Ontario church last December.

The event, called “Through the Doors of Justice,” attracted several hundred people. Carlyle Skinner, pastor, was the master of ceremony for the Sabbath afternoon program. Following several presentations by resource people, a panel discussed drug abuse, gang violence, youth intervention, re-entry into society of former prisoners and homicide.

Among the guests were The Honorable Paul S. Leon, mayor of the City of Ontario; James Doyle, chief of police, Ontario; and Chaplain Michael Lashon, Federal Bureau of Prisons, MDC, Los Angeles.

On Sunday, the community visited booths in the church fellowship hall. Exhibitors included the L.A. County Sheriff’s community transition unit, Inland Valley, and Mid-Valley recovery centers, the Ontario and Ontario Spanish Adventist churches, and Fresh Start Ministries.

Established six months ago, Fresh Start Ministries is the dream of Paul Hernandez, a member of the Ontario church. After his son died in 1992 as the result of community violence, Hernandez wanted to find ways to prevent violence and heal communities. The weekend event was the first outgrowth of that dream. Hernandez recently received his Ph.D. in counseling.

Fresh Start Ministries is a non-profit corporation. It is dedicated to counseling, mentoring children of prisoners, working with the underprivileged, developing crime prevention programs, prison ministry and placement coaching.

“Many places want to do this work, but are diminished because of lack of volunteers and funds,“ Hernandez continued. “Adventist Christians need to come across as real and supportive within their communities.”

For more information about Fresh Start Ministry or to volunteer, call 909-630-2662.

Presenters and Panelists

Presenters and panelists for “Through the Doors of Justice” included: Walter Lewis, deputy district attorney, County of Los Angeles, retired; Diane Gonzales, FBI, community outreach; Clove Clinton, unit manager, Federal Bureau of Prisons, Victorville; Joanna Garcie, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for victims and survivors; Louis Perez, parole agent; Rebecca Hernandez, parole agent and supervisor, both from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; Judy Walker, Pacific Union Conference prison ministries director.