Latest news with #BrandonNichols
CBS News
16-04-2025
- General
- CBS News
LA County YMCAs offering free memberships to foster youth
Kids and young adults in foster care can now join one of more than two dozen YMCAs in Los Angeles County for free. The Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services partnered with the worldwide youth community organization after the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles invested $1 million into the "You Belong" initiative. "This partnership has renewed my hope that, in the future, former foster youth will have stronger connections with good, kind, conscientious people in their communities and a smoother transition to becoming adults," DCFS Director Brandon Nichols said. The program will allow foster youth between the ages of 12 and 26 to connect with licensed clinical social workers and mentors at one of 27 locations. Foster youth will also have access to other resources, including fitness, nutrition, mental health and substance use prevention information. The initiative also provides other programs such as paid job training, leadership development courses, conflict resolution workshops and financial literacy classes. "Through the 'You Belong' initiative, we're not just offering free access to our centers – we're promising youth in foster care that they will never have to navigate adulthood alone," said Victor Dominguez, president and CEO of YMCA in LA. "Every Y center will be a sanctuary where they truly belong, today, tomorrow and for years to come." Two locations, Weingart in South LA and the Antelope Valley YMCA, will also extend free memberships to caregivers and foster parents. "Our message is clear: You will always have a home at the Y," Dominguez said. "No matter where life takes you in Los Angeles, the Y is a community that cares and is waiting with open arms." To sign up, foster youth should contact their DCFS social worker, who will refer them to a YMCA in their community. The facilities will also provide a space for parents working toward reunification to interact with children during supervised visits.
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Yahoo
Ramona man, 24, arrested after ghost gun found during traffic stop
RAMONA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — A 24-year-old Ramona man is facing multiple weapons charges after San Diego County Sheriff's deputies allegedly found a ghost gun in his vehicle during a traffic stop, authorities said Friday. Deputies from the Ramona Sheriff's Substation first pulled over the suspect — identified as Brandon Nichols — around 9 p.m. on Monday for expired registration tags on his silver Chevrolet Colorado, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Office. Man caught on video breaking into Airbnb rental home with family inside During the stop, the sheriff's office says deputies found Nichols to be in possession of a loaded, privately manufactured firearm commonly known as a 'ghost gun.' These firearms do not have serial numbers unlike legal ones, making them nearly impossible to trace. Sheriff's detectives subsequently carried out a search warrant on Wednesday at his home along D Street. The search recovered additional ghost guns, as well as machines to manufacture weapons, illegal magazines and ammunition, and various pieces for firearms, according to SDSO. Nichols was arrested and booked into San Diego Central Jail on charges of possessing an undetectable firearm after the traffic stop. Per SDSO, he was later released on bond. As a result of the search, SDSO notes he could face additional charges tied to possession and manufacturing of illegal weapons. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
