Lesa's Latest Plan of Action
Dear friends,
Tonight I sang at a Correctional Facility in Whittier, and I have decided to
join the fight at hand against the California Youth Authority (CYA). The CYA
is potentially closing this facility, a move which will be devastating to
hundreds of young men, as well as their friends and families...I have
attached the opposition to the closure's arguments, and I hope that you will
read this and help me in my "lobbying." This means a lot to me, which is surprising to me!
One reason that is not listed is very important: there is a major rivalry
between Northern/Southern California gangs, so by moving these boys up into
"enemy" territory, security can be a major issue.
Please email, call, or write the following representatives, especially
Governor Arnold, if you are convinced that this should not be closed. If
only you could have seen the pain in these boys eyes when asked how they
felt about this potential move...the thought of not seeing their families
for months at a time, because of the distance...anyway, please help make a
difference in the lives of these precious boys!
In Opposition to the Closure of Fred C. Nelles
"The state of California is considering closing the 95-acre, 112 year old
Fred C. Nelles Youth Correctional Facility on Whittier Boulevard... This
possibility has spurred a political ping pong match. On one side is the
CYA's administration, which says its prison population is dwindling and that
closing the facility could save the CYA about $14 million per year. On the
other side is a group of legislators dedicated to keeping a state youth
prison in the Los Angeles area . In May, CYA officials submitted a plan to
state legislators calling for the closing of the Nelles facility in 2006.
But legislators told them to craft an alternative plan . CYA officials are
still hopeful their original plan will be approved by lawmakers."
From article, State May Close Nelles, Whittier Daily News, A1, June 11,
2003, by Ben Baeder
Reason for Nelles to Remain Open
Nelles houses younger CYA wards (mostly ages 14 to 18). Older wards in the
CYA (ages 19 to 25) are placed at Chino, Camarillo and other northern (CYA)
facilities (but the Camarillo facility for boys is also proposed to be
closed in March 2004). The younger wards at Nelles would have to be
transferred to Paso Robles (200 miles from L.A. and more than 300 miles from
southern counties), or to Stockton (340 miles from L.A. and up to 500 miles
from southern counties). Such distances would create great hardships on
families of wards from southern California who would be housed in northern
facilities. The majority of the CYA population comes from southern
California. With so many wards not receiving family visits, individual
motivation to do well and rehabilitate would be hindered. The morale in the
CYA would be greatly affected by the large population of wards who do not
receive visits. The CYA environment would be more hard and difficult.
Safety and security could become more challenged.
There would no longer be a state youth correctional facility for minors in
southern California. The city of Whittier has provided such a facility for
112 years to southern California families. Every Saturday and Sunday family
members from all over southern California and beyond come to visit their
children who are incarcerated at Nelles. Some have spent their evenings in
local motels, while others have bought meals, gas, and shopped in local
stores. The visit to Whittier is a positive experience for both wards and
family members. To see the 95 acres of Nelles land only as a revenue
producing source is to miss the bigger and better picture. Whittier's
graciousness and hospitality is known throughout southern and even all of
California.
The Fred C. Nelles program has been a positive influence in Los Angeles
County. B.O.O.T., a ward conducted intervention program impacts school,
police, and community youth organization and programs from all over the
area. Local L.A. television has featured Nelles on numerous newscasts
discouraging gangs and youth anti-social behavior. The award winning cadet
program has brought state recognition to Nelles and Whittier. The Fred C.
Nelles High School was recently accredited and is equipping youthful
offenders to realize the dream of a high school diploma or equivalent.
Volunteer opportunities provided by Nelles have enriched the lives of a
multitude of L.A. County citizens (Foster-grandparents, cultural arts, gang
intervention, and religious volunteer programs). Local volunteers commit
their personal time and talents to come to Nelles in order to encourage
wards and serve their community. Volunteers, with passion, heighten local
awareness to the gang and juvenile delinquency issues facing the greater
L.A. area. Los Angeles County is the biggest contributor to the CYA
population. A positive influence such as Nelles cannot be removed from our
county.
If you are a volunteer, concerned citizen, or a friend or family member of a
former or current ward at Nelles, we encourage you to write to one of the
legislators and others listed below to express your concerns.
Department of the California Youth Authority (CYA)
4241 Williamsbourgh Dr.
Sacramento, CA 95823
(916) 262-1473
You may also email your concern to the CYA website at: www.cya.ca.gov
See, "Questions About the Consolidation"
Fred C. Nelles Youth Correctional Facility
11850 E. Whittier Blvd.
Whittier, CA 90601
(562) 698-6781
Governor Arnold Schwartzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Attention: Governor Arnold Schwartzenegger
(916) 445-2841 Fax (916) 445-2841
You may also email your concern to:
governor@governor.ca.gov
Budget Joint Sub-Committee Members
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0056
Attention: Assembly Member Rudy Bermudez (56th) Dem
(916) 319-2056 Fax (916) 319-2156
Mr. Bermudez is the assemblyman for Whittier
District (562) 864-5600 Fax (562) 863-7466
assemblymember.bermudez@assembly.ca.gov
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0070
Attention: Assembly Member Jenny Oropeza (55th) Dem
(916) 319-2055 Fax (916) 319-2155
assemblymember.oropeza@assembly.ca.gov
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0009
Attention: Assembly Member Darrell Steinberg (9th) Dem
(916) 319-2009 Fax (916) 319-2109
District (916) 324-4676 Fax (916) 327-3338
assemblymember.steinberg@assembly.ca.gov
State Capitol
Room 4066
Sacramento, CA 95814
Attention: Senator Dick Ackerman (56th) Rep
(916) 445-4264 Fax (916) 445-9754
District (714) 573-1853 Fax (714) 573-1859
senator.ackerman@sen.ca.gov
State Capitol
Room 5050
Sacramento, CA 95814
Attention: Senator Dede Alpert (39th) Dem
(916) 445-3953 Fax (916) 327-2188
District (619) 645-3090 Fax (619) 645-3094
senator.alpert@sen.ca.gov
State Capitol
Room 5100
Sacramento, CA 95814
Attention: Senator Wesley Chesbro (2nd) Dem
(916) 445-3375 Fax (916) 323-6958
District (707) 445-6508 Fax (707) 445-6511
senator.chesbro@sen.ca.gov
(FROM: http://www.houseofgracechurch.com/nelles.htm)
Tonight I sang at a Correctional Facility in Whittier, and I have decided to
join the fight at hand against the California Youth Authority (CYA). The CYA
is potentially closing this facility, a move which will be devastating to
hundreds of young men, as well as their friends and families...I have
attached the opposition to the closure's arguments, and I hope that you will
read this and help me in my "lobbying." This means a lot to me, which is surprising to me!
One reason that is not listed is very important: there is a major rivalry
between Northern/Southern California gangs, so by moving these boys up into
"enemy" territory, security can be a major issue.
Please email, call, or write the following representatives, especially
Governor Arnold, if you are convinced that this should not be closed. If
only you could have seen the pain in these boys eyes when asked how they
felt about this potential move...the thought of not seeing their families
for months at a time, because of the distance...anyway, please help make a
difference in the lives of these precious boys!
In Opposition to the Closure of Fred C. Nelles
"The state of California is considering closing the 95-acre, 112 year old
Fred C. Nelles Youth Correctional Facility on Whittier Boulevard... This
possibility has spurred a political ping pong match. On one side is the
CYA's administration, which says its prison population is dwindling and that
closing the facility could save the CYA about $14 million per year. On the
other side is a group of legislators dedicated to keeping a state youth
prison in the Los Angeles area . In May, CYA officials submitted a plan to
state legislators calling for the closing of the Nelles facility in 2006.
But legislators told them to craft an alternative plan . CYA officials are
still hopeful their original plan will be approved by lawmakers."
From article, State May Close Nelles, Whittier Daily News, A1, June 11,
2003, by Ben Baeder
Reason for Nelles to Remain Open
Nelles houses younger CYA wards (mostly ages 14 to 18). Older wards in the
CYA (ages 19 to 25) are placed at Chino, Camarillo and other northern (CYA)
facilities (but the Camarillo facility for boys is also proposed to be
closed in March 2004). The younger wards at Nelles would have to be
transferred to Paso Robles (200 miles from L.A. and more than 300 miles from
southern counties), or to Stockton (340 miles from L.A. and up to 500 miles
from southern counties). Such distances would create great hardships on
families of wards from southern California who would be housed in northern
facilities. The majority of the CYA population comes from southern
California. With so many wards not receiving family visits, individual
motivation to do well and rehabilitate would be hindered. The morale in the
CYA would be greatly affected by the large population of wards who do not
receive visits. The CYA environment would be more hard and difficult.
Safety and security could become more challenged.
There would no longer be a state youth correctional facility for minors in
southern California. The city of Whittier has provided such a facility for
112 years to southern California families. Every Saturday and Sunday family
members from all over southern California and beyond come to visit their
children who are incarcerated at Nelles. Some have spent their evenings in
local motels, while others have bought meals, gas, and shopped in local
stores. The visit to Whittier is a positive experience for both wards and
family members. To see the 95 acres of Nelles land only as a revenue
producing source is to miss the bigger and better picture. Whittier's
graciousness and hospitality is known throughout southern and even all of
California.
The Fred C. Nelles program has been a positive influence in Los Angeles
County. B.O.O.T., a ward conducted intervention program impacts school,
police, and community youth organization and programs from all over the
area. Local L.A. television has featured Nelles on numerous newscasts
discouraging gangs and youth anti-social behavior. The award winning cadet
program has brought state recognition to Nelles and Whittier. The Fred C.
Nelles High School was recently accredited and is equipping youthful
offenders to realize the dream of a high school diploma or equivalent.
Volunteer opportunities provided by Nelles have enriched the lives of a
multitude of L.A. County citizens (Foster-grandparents, cultural arts, gang
intervention, and religious volunteer programs). Local volunteers commit
their personal time and talents to come to Nelles in order to encourage
wards and serve their community. Volunteers, with passion, heighten local
awareness to the gang and juvenile delinquency issues facing the greater
L.A. area. Los Angeles County is the biggest contributor to the CYA
population. A positive influence such as Nelles cannot be removed from our
county.
If you are a volunteer, concerned citizen, or a friend or family member of a
former or current ward at Nelles, we encourage you to write to one of the
legislators and others listed below to express your concerns.
Department of the California Youth Authority (CYA)
4241 Williamsbourgh Dr.
Sacramento, CA 95823
(916) 262-1473
You may also email your concern to the CYA website at: www.cya.ca.gov
See, "Questions About the Consolidation"
Fred C. Nelles Youth Correctional Facility
11850 E. Whittier Blvd.
Whittier, CA 90601
(562) 698-6781
Governor Arnold Schwartzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Attention: Governor Arnold Schwartzenegger
(916) 445-2841 Fax (916) 445-2841
You may also email your concern to:
governor@governor.ca.gov
Budget Joint Sub-Committee Members
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0056
Attention: Assembly Member Rudy Bermudez (56th) Dem
(916) 319-2056 Fax (916) 319-2156
Mr. Bermudez is the assemblyman for Whittier
District (562) 864-5600 Fax (562) 863-7466
assemblymember.bermudez@assembly.ca.gov
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0070
Attention: Assembly Member Jenny Oropeza (55th) Dem
(916) 319-2055 Fax (916) 319-2155
assemblymember.oropeza@assembly.ca.gov
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0009
Attention: Assembly Member Darrell Steinberg (9th) Dem
(916) 319-2009 Fax (916) 319-2109
District (916) 324-4676 Fax (916) 327-3338
assemblymember.steinberg@assembly.ca.gov
State Capitol
Room 4066
Sacramento, CA 95814
Attention: Senator Dick Ackerman (56th) Rep
(916) 445-4264 Fax (916) 445-9754
District (714) 573-1853 Fax (714) 573-1859
senator.ackerman@sen.ca.gov
State Capitol
Room 5050
Sacramento, CA 95814
Attention: Senator Dede Alpert (39th) Dem
(916) 445-3953 Fax (916) 327-2188
District (619) 645-3090 Fax (619) 645-3094
senator.alpert@sen.ca.gov
State Capitol
Room 5100
Sacramento, CA 95814
Attention: Senator Wesley Chesbro (2nd) Dem
(916) 445-3375 Fax (916) 323-6958
District (707) 445-6508 Fax (707) 445-6511
senator.chesbro@sen.ca.gov
(FROM: http://www.houseofgracechurch.com/nelles.htm)
posted by Lesa at 1/25/2004 10:47:00 PM
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