Riverside East Rotary was honored to welcome Dr. Jason Jones as our guest speaker today. Dr. Jones serves as Director II of Student Support Services within the Division of Leadership, Wellness, and Student Services at the Riverside County Office of Education. He shared valuable insights on the important work being done to support students across our community, and we are grateful for his dedication to the well-being and success of our local youth.
Also pictured is member Matt Barth, proudly modeling the new “Rotary at Work” vest.
Thank you, Dr. Jones, for taking the time to visit with us and for all that you do for Riverside County students!
We were honored to welcome Shelia McLean, LMFT, CEO and Founder of Plan-It Life, Inc. — a local nonprofit residential treatment center providing a safe haven for abused and neglected teens ages 12–18 right here in Riverside County.
Founded in 2001, Plan-It Life operates four residential homes across the Inland Empire, offering at-risk youth individual and group therapy, academic support, life skills training, and so much more — all with the goal of helping young people take control of their futures.
Shelia’s passion for these kids is truly contagious. Thank you for visiting our club and sharing more about your work!
We also had the chance to recognize President Elect Nick Lopez for his Paul Harris +1. Congratulations Nick!
This week, Riverside East Rotary had the opportunity to visit exhibits for the Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California right next door to our meeting location.
We explored two powerful exhibits that highlight important stories from our region’s history. Dr. Norman Towels guided us through the Legacy of Clarence Muse exhibit, which features artifacts from his extensive collection celebrating the life and career of Clarence Muse — a pioneering Black actor, writer, and composer who appeared in more than 200 films and helped challenge racist stereotypes in early Hollywood. Muse, who lived in nearby Perris, used his platform to push for greater dignity and representation in entertainment. Dr Towels is also a member of the Perris Rotary Club so it was great to have him visit us.
We also toured the Out in the I.E. exhibition with Robert Merrill. This exhibit explores the history and contributions of the LGBTQ+ community in the Inland Empire, covering themes like activism, art, political representation, and community care across several decades. The exhibit highlights personal stories, milestones, and the ongoing efforts that have helped shape a more inclusive community throughout the Inland Empire.
A big thank you to Dr. Towels and Robert Merrill for sharing these important stories and helping us better understand the diverse history of our region.
Thank you to Darrilyn Erickson for visiting our club! She shared information about the Riverside Flower Show and Garden Tour and the ways it supports gardening and beautification throughout Riverside. The next tour is coming up April 25 & 26, 2026 from 9am – 5pm.
Today Riverside East Rotary was joined by Dr. Tiffanie Tate, MD, to speak on her new book. Thank you for joining us Dr. Tate!
Riverside East Rotary was pleased to be joined by Knea Hawley from the Riverside Unified School District Foundation, who shared how the Foundation supports students, teachers, and schools throughout our community. It was great to learn more about the programs and partnerships that help create opportunities and enrich education across RUSD.
We also celebrated Dennis Sullivan for achieving his Paul Harris Fellow +7, recognizing his outstanding commitment and generosity in support of The Rotary Foundation. Congratulations, Dennis!
