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Friday, September 13, 2013

A Very Active Year

It has been an extremely busy year this 2013. Guess that is pretty much self explanatory, but here's just a taste of what I have been occupying my time with.

As some of you may already know, I am an Intern and Instructor with Orange County Communities Organized for Responsible Development (OCCORD) in their Citizenship Program. For the last couple of years I have volunteered my time and talents to promote the FREE services provided to qualifying Lawful Permanent Residents, I also have helped organized Citizenship Fairs where we help applicants fill out their N-400 Naturalization Application (I oversee volunteers in this part of the process). One of the components of the Citizenship Program is the FREE Citizenship Courses that help prepare applicants study for their Interview, this is where I am assigned to as well. In other areas of the Citizenship Fair, we have attorneys that help us review each and every case/application in that one day. They provide our clients with recommendations accordingly. Also provided FREE: study materials, passport photos, copies, fee-waiver, packaging, and follow-up. Next fair is in October 12th, 2013.

I got hired as a Campus Supervisor for the 2012-2013 school year, it wasn't much income but very gratifying. I got to interact with students, teachers, faculty, parents, and other volunteers. What my team and I were in charge of was to make sure all the students were safe on school grounds and on  the share park. I was first to get called to mediate disputes between students, listen to what might bothering them, and providing them with the tools they need to make educated choices and to succeed academically and socially.

By summer, I got the opportunity to fight for workers' right and to help 500 unfairly dismissed concession workers get their jobs back. Pushed major textile industry owners that have their factories overseas to sign the Safety Accord of Bangladesh. Continued canvassing LA and OC communities to educate and find support for a Comprehensive Immigration Reform with a pathway to Citizenship. And lastly, kicked-off the Covered California Campaign in LA and brought it to Orange County.

The work has just begun, this is just but a small taste of the work I'm doing, and there are loads more to do.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

No Vote = No Voice

Random Blogging Three Six Five (2010)
Time is running low and the last chance to submit your votes is
Tuesday, November 6th, 2012 at 20:00 hrs.

There isn't really much that I would like to tell you about this year's general election other than "If you don't vote, you waived your right to complain." Also... an "undervote" or "overvote" is just as if you didn't vote.

What is an undervote?
An undervote is the term given to the act of NOT filling in (checking, crossing, or any other marking) the boxes in the ballot to select a candidate, take action on a proposition, or possible district measures. So, DON'T SKIP, VOTE!
What is an overvote?
An overvote is the term giving to the act of filling in MULTIPLE (checking, crossing, or any other marking) boxes in the ballot to select a candidate, take action on a proposition, or possible district measures. So, VOTE AS DIRECTED!

If you live in the Orange County region of California, watch the LIVE cast from the OC Registrar of Voters HQ | Data Center here.
If you live anywhere else, you may use this tool to find your County's Registrar of Voters.

Take the time to exercise your right to vote and make your voice be heard! Don't let everything to the last minute, not even your tax forms!!! 

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Car Woes

Random Blogging Three Six Five (2010)

UPDATE 10/25/2012: If you are not comfortable contributing electronically, you may send a check payable to "Omar Perez" at "PO BOX 7913 Newport Beach, Ca. 92658"
Thanks once again for all your support, I am very blessed having you in my life. May God fill you with blessings tenfold! [end update 10/25/2012]

Please help me get my only means of reliable transportation to work fixed. (Full details and pictures below)

A couple of weeks ago, a motherless individual crashed into my only means of reliable transportation while it was parked in front of my house. This individual fled the scene almost crashing into a produce truck parked a few cars behind mine.

Now, after numerous calls between my insurance provider and I, there's no evidence that their investigation has given any results on finding this individual, and thus... they won't cover repairs. The police department is behind on their investigation as well.

I am struggling commuting to and from work (about 20mi), getting rides from family or friends that have the time, but are not always available. Taking the bus, not reliable enough since the timing isn't always the same and there have been times I clocked-in late.

My goal is to collect, with your appreciated help, about $500.00 to replace the front axle  to fix the door, fix the tire, bumper and hood, pay for towing, labor... and refund for gas to those who give me rides until the car is drive-able again. The amount is an approximate, and even if it the final bill ends up being higher, at least with your help I will make a huge dent covering the car repair costs.

Here is a picture of the car. I still get frustrated just by looking at it, but I keep reminding myself that it could have had been worst. Luckily  no one was in the car, and the children that get dropped-off by this corner had just completely cleared out almost a minute prior the hit-and-run.

Click image for more images...
It was the afternoon of Friday the 28th day of September, my cousins were over to chill at the pool and I had just arrived from work (fifth and last day of my second week, 13:30). We were hungry so I started cooking while they were getting ready for the pool. I was half way done slicing the tomatoes when I hear the screeches, twice before that horrifying sound, CRASH! We all stopped what we were doing, ran to the door and just get a glimpse of the dark truck/SUV type vehicle trying to flee. Unable to control the vehicle, the driver almost hits a parked produce truck and near-misses another car just before flooring it again to disappear from the gathering crowd.

Just as we were dealing with the initial shock, we look around to see which one got hit. All seem to be alrig... "THERE!" my cousin says, and to add to my frustration... it was MY car that was at the receiving end of the impact. The crowd grew, and everyone recounted the event as they experienced it. We gathered all the information as accurate as possible from the bystanders (including a partial plate number), called the police department and the insurance provider. Made the reports, and that was the it. Investigation: Pending.

Seeing as how the insurance provider was taking too long to send an agent to evaluate the car as per their policy, I kept making calls that lead no where. Decided to remove the car from the street since I didn't want to get a parking ticket on street sweep day (car was there for almost a week since the event). Weeks passed and just last Thursday, the insurance agent checked the car. Tells us that they won't cover repairs since we don't have any complete information on the driver that hit it.

Now I'm left with a car that can't go anywhere. Just finished week five of work (approximately 46 hours at minimum wage). And will have to fix the car without refunding from the insurance provider. I really need your help, any amount will suffice... it all adds up, and will be of great relief even if the goal isn't met. THANK YOU!

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Earthquake Storm Hits Southern California

Random Blogging Three Six Five (2010)
Today has been a hard day for those living near the US-México border. Multiple earthquakes Magnitud 3.0+ and a few Magnitud 4.0+ in the Richter Scale have occurred in the vicinity of Brawley, California. There are not yet full reports of damages or loss of life. It is advisable to tune in to your source for "breaking news" broadcasters to get up-to-the-minute details.

Prayers go out those affected by today's Earthquake Storm of Brawley, California.

The following images are taken from the "Earthquake Alert" app, and are used to show the area affected by the Storm. Use discretion.

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