(Achieving Respect in Society Through Excellence)

Pastor, Motivational Speaker, Youth Counselor, Drama Teacher, Play Write, Director, Conflict Mediator, Consultant. Portia Sumner (510) 290-4303

April 14, 2011

Dear Governor Brewer, All that it takes for evil to triumph is for great men to do nothing. We are the President and Vice President of Arise in the city of Oakland, California. We are an organization dedicated in helping young people achieve respect in society by training them to have excellent character, behavior, and academic excellence. We have served the Oakland Unified School District for over fifteen years as independent contractors. We also were Youth Pastors and counselors at Shiloh Church for fifteen years. Shiloh Church has received numerous awards for there service to its community and has served the City of Oakland for over 40 years. As we go through our daily grind of business every now and then we are exposed to individuals with exceptional talent and or gifts. They are people who give that, something more, more then the average persons would ever think to give. We believe that Bobby and Ceci Torres are such people and submit this letter on there behalf asking for your help. Despite all our credentials and experience we were not able to help a family with there two teens. Honestly, we tried our best for years with no success. Sarah Gash was a social invert who wouldnt look at you when you talked to her. She wouldnt speak to you if you spoke to her most of the time. Daniel Gash was prone to fits of rage. His parents would sit and cry not knowing what to do. Respecting your time, Maam, I will not elaborate. They were sent to Bobby and Ceci Torres program in Arizona at Spirit life Church. They are totally changed for the good! We have visited many times and Sarah has come out of her shell and is now considered a social butterfly. She writes me letters and talks to me about the program and how it really helps kids. She has come to visit us in Oakland and has helped kids with the same problem. People who knew her before say to me, What? She cant be the same person! She says what a joy it is to help others. Daniel Gasch, her brother, is now gainfully employed, laughing and smiling. No more fits of rage. Daniels occupation is helping special needs people. He also enrolled in the Reserve to serve our country. This program did in months what we could not do in years! Pastor Bobby and Ceci Torres are good quality people. Every year they would take van loads of youth to Oakland and help us pass out free back packs and school supplies, run

carnival games, feed hundreds of people. Every year the teens learned what is meant to not be self-centered. They learned what it means to care about other people. They would perform dramas and work free of charge. Not just the youth, but the leaders, Bobby and Ceci would participate as well. We all rolled up our sleeves and would work together! We hope you see the value of this program and how much it means to our youth, their parents and mostly there communities. Please, Governor Brewer, help us save this ministry for our teens and keep this program active! Thank you so very much for your time and attention toward this matter. Sincerely,

Steven & Portia Sumner Pastors, & Arise President and Vice President