Press Room: San Bernardino Sun News Article
Hot Line Project Advances
By Robert Rogers, Staff Writer
SAN BERNARDINO (July 2006) – No one said it would be cheap, quick or easy. Two weeks since Antoine Smith rose at a community meeting and gamely took the idea of a 24-hour hot line for people wrestling with violence and poverty, he and a handful of other residents are still plugging away.
"We are going to do our duty. We are going to get this hot line up and running for our kids and our community," said Smith, a member of Empowerment Temple Christian Fellowship.
They have made progress since June 28, he said, but they still don't have a phone number.
The group met once with Mayor Pat Morris' new community safety czar, Kurt Wilson, scraped together about $1,500 from their own pockets and settled on a network headquarters in Smith's garage.
The ultimate goal is to have a hot line with a ubiquitous number that serves as a hybrid counseling line and referral service. Not only do they want to lend an ear and some advice, those involved say, but also serve as conduits linking people to resources.
Smith and Fred Acuna, both newly minted board members for the hot line being called "Escape Hatch," met with Wilson at City Hall last week.
Wilson offered praise for the effort this week, casting it into the larger context of the grass-roots movements citywide.
"Every organization can succeed with the right resources," Wilson said Tuesday. "This venture is a tremendous sacrifice on these people's part and is right in line with the sense of service the mayor speaks of."
Acuna said the Church of the Valley of San Bernardino has offered a trailer that may replace Smith's garage as network headquarters.
Talks are also occurring with the Inland Empire United Way in Rancho Cucamonga, which is starting a countywide 2-1-1 service Sept. 20. The 24-hour-a-day hot line will offer referrals to local social-service and nonprofit programs.
Partnering with 2-1-1 would provide established infrastructure, Acuna said.
Smith said the more likely structure will feature a toll-free number people call, with the call transferred to the house or cell phone of whoever is on duty.
Acuna said the group still needs equipment, preferably donated computers, phones and office supplies.
The next meeting is scheduled for July 26. Smith said he is
aiming for an Aug. 1 launch date.