On January 26, 2008, Sammantha lost her life to a violent crime in an Unincorporated area of the city of Monrovia. She had just turned 16 yrs. old. She had just started to visit with her dad who lived in Monrovia, California. She lived with her mom in Alhambra, California.
She was a AVID student at Alhambra High School and a member of St. Vincent de Paul All Souls Conference and enjoyed serving the needy.
She was funny and loved to sew and knit.
Unity and Peace Sammantha Salas Scholarship Fund was created to keep Sammantha's memory alive and to raise awareness of senselessness random violence in our communities. And to help our young adults to reach their goal for higher education.
We are an non-profit organization and depend on our fundraisers and donations (Tax deductable) to give out scholarship awards to local high school students.
In the year 2008, we gave out 7 scholarship awards and this year we will also give out 7 scholarship awards.
Last year, Jeanette Chavez (President) received a Certificate of Declaration award from Sup. Michael Antonovich. And a Flag that was flown over the Capitol from Rep.District 29 Adam Schiff.
This year, Jeanette Chavez and Tina Yamashiro (Coordinator and Finance) Received Certificate of Appreciation awards from Assemblyman Mike Eng.
We are members of JHV- Justice of Homicide Victims, Marsy's Law, POMC- Parents of Murder Children, Crime Survivors, JMC-justice for murder children and Crime Stoppers.
Together we can make a difference and promote peace.
I love you mama's. We turned this horrible tragedy into something positive. I have faith that they will bring these people to JUSTICE. I was blessed with family and new friends in whom I met during this journey. Unity and Peace will help those kids take the first step into college.
ReplyDeleteLove mom.
One day as I sat next to a mother who last her son to a violent crime we had a conversation that left me very grateful to meeting this mother.
ReplyDeleteShe stated that when the accused was sentenced for taking her son's life she told him in court that she forgave him and would continue to pray for him as he served his sentence.
To that I asked why did you forgive him?
She stated because if she did not her life and heart would be so filled with anger and hatred that there would not be any room for her son's memory and that her love for God is stronger than hate.
She's right We have no control over anyone else and we must go on, anger and hate serve's no one.
Don't give the accused the power over you. You will find peace and have the strengh to go on to promote peace.
If there is no justice for you on this earth then there will be eternal justice in the end.
Love your family and be ever so close to them share with them in prayer and if you have children love them unconditional and don't judge them, love them for who they are and keep the communication open to them.
Many blessings,
Tina
From Assemblyman Mike eng
ReplyDeleteNews release:
El Monte, Calif- Assemblymember Mike Eng (D-Monterey Park) will host a press conference on Friday, March 20, to present a donation to Unity and Peace Sammantha Salas Scholarship Fund.
Jeanette Chavez, Sammantha Salas' mother, will be in attendance to receive the donation and share her thoughts on making education for youth a top priority.
Many Blessings,
Tina
Solitude is a precious companion: it helps reflect serenely on all decisions, leading to full knowledge of the intimate treasure of oneself.
ReplyDeleteFrom birth to grave life is a school: what we call problems are in fact lessons. Life is energy and is constantly in motion towards your personal fulfillment.
You did not lose anybody: the dead have already reach the goal we are aiming to. The best of them, their love, is still alive in your heart.
Give with love without obligation. You will find fulfillment because you are moved by the natural energy of life within you.
Service is a guaranteed happiness. Give yourself without limits till you identify with Love itself.
Poverty is very close to real love: money is worrisome and creates distance and anxiety.
Many Blessings,
Tina
On Thursday, March 26, Two young men were charged with Sammantha Salas's murder.
ReplyDeleteThis is not a joyous time rather justice for Sammantha, please keep us in your prayers as this journey will be very painful in the coming months.
I comment justice for Sammantha because for us it will not bring her back however these two young men will not harm any more of our children.
Hatred for them will only empower them over us and we will not give them that satisfaction rather we will continue to hold a vigil in our hearts and pray for everyone who has been affected by their actions.
We will continue to promote education and peace.
Many Blessings,
Tina
Alhambra High School Scholarship Awards Night
ReplyDeleteOn June 08, 2009, Unity and Peace Sammantha Salas Scholarship Fund presented (4) four Scholarship awards to the following students:
Ceilo Ruiz- $300.00
Dennis Trieu- 300.00
Lillian Li- 300.00
Karen Ma- 300.00
CONGRATULATION TO CLASS OF "2009"
Next week we will be presenting the following awards:
Monrovia High School (2) two awards
Duarte High School (1) one "
Our mission is to raise awareness of senselessness random of violence in our communities by Peace and Education.
Please support our cause and donate $10.00 dollars to help keep Sammantha's memory alive and to support our Senior High School Students to go on to college.
Please make checks out to:
Unity and Peace Sammantha Salas Scholarship Fund
200 N. Huntington Drive., Suite 225
Alhambra, CA 91801
Non-profit Organization
EIN# 92-0196014
Contact: Tina Yamashiro
626-298-9054
E-mail: Tinayyama@aol.com
Facebook.com: tinyyama
unityandpeacesammanthasalas@gmail.com
"TIDINGS WRITER HONORED AT CATHOLIC MEDIA CONVENTION"
ReplyDeleteR.W. Dellinger received first and second place awards at the 2009 Catholic Media Convention, Held May 27, 2009.
Frist place:
Best News Writing,Local/Regional (40,001-plus Diocesan Paper) for his articles "Carmelities in Lincoln Heights Community Lose Appeal"(March 29, 2008)
and the following up, "David Beats Goliath in Lincoln Height"(May 02)
Mr. Dellinger also won Best Feature Writing, second place for his series of articles on gang violence in Los Angeles that appeared Between May and August of 2008.
The initial article, "I Don't Want My Daughter to Be Forgotten "told of the efforts by the mother of Sammantha Salas, a teenager shot by suspected gang members, to keep the case in the public's eye.
"From the second paragraph," said the judges, "Dellinger places the reader in this family's world; the story builds empathy and understanding on the details, images and rhythms, and refuses to tie gang violence and grief in neat packages."
"CONGRATULATION MR. R.W. DELLINGER!"