Tag Archives: Religion and Churches

Our Help is Yours: Humanitarian Initiatives Supported by the Church of Scientology

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Drug abuse and spiking overdose deaths. Failed marriages and broken families. Bullying, corruption and crime. Dead-end careers or jobs that don't pay the bills or dish out a constant diet of stress. Are these and other issues, conditions and problems simply a fact of life? Or is there a way to take action and change them? Voices for Humanity, an award-winning original series on the Scientology Network, documents how diverse individuals are changing conditions like these and making a difference in their own and others' lives.

The Church of Scientology and Scientologists support humanitarian initiatives and social betterment programs that address these and other important personal and social issues. Each has an educational component with free courses and materials. They are all available free of charge in 17 languages and can be easily accessed online.

Foundation for a Drug-Free World empowers young people and adults with factual information about drugs and alcohol. Armed with the facts-not opinions, hype or scare tactics-youth and adults are empowered to make their own decisions to live drug-free. Just one example is a straight-edge punk artist in Malaysia who took on the drug culture of his country, educating at-risk youth so they make the self-determined decision to live drug-free.

The Way to Happiness is a book of morals based entirely on common sense. It has fostered a grassroots movement extending to 190 nations. Implementing its precepts and encouraging others to do so can help raise the bar on tolerance and understanding within families, in the workplace, in the community and beyond. Learn how this simple booklet helped build a peace movement among notorious warring gangs in South-Central Los Angeles.

United for Human Rights and its program for young people Youth for Human Rights has empowered more than 700 million with knowledge and understanding of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. They raise awareness of the rights everyone has simply because they are human. It has been used to tackle bullying and prejudice and impact entire nations. Learn how a brother and sister team used this initiative to help put an end to years of violence raging between their government and rebels in war-torn Colombia with a strategy of defending human rights that won over supporters from both sides.

Citizens Commission on Human Rights is a charitable mental health watchdog established by the Church of Scientology. Learn how two human rights activists in Germany helped secure the rights of victims of coercive psychiatry by exposing present-day corruption and past crimes, including the Holocaust, committed in the name of "science."

The Scientology Volunteer Ministers program has, for the past three decades, responded to disasters great and small. Using technology developed for the program by humanitarian and Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard, Volunteer Ministers empower others to improve their own lives and their communities. Watch the new documentary Operation: Do Something About It to see the unparalleled scale of the response of the Scientology Volunteer Ministers to the COVID-19 pandemic across the globe to ensure the safety of every sector of society.

In his famous essay "My Philosophy" Mr. Hubbard wrote: "I like to help others and count it as my greatest pleasure in life to see a person free himself of the shadows which darken his days." This is the passion that informs these humanitarian and social betterment initiatives, which the Church of Scientology makes available free of charge to anyone wishing to improve the quality of life for themselves, their friends, families, community or the world.

LEARN MORE:

https://www.humanrights.com

https://www.drugfreeworld.org

https://thewaytohappiness.org

https://www.cchr.org

https://www.volunteerministers.org

https://www.scientologynews.org/press-releases/

MULTIMEDIA:

VIDEO:

https://www.scientology.tv/documentaries/the-story-of-human-rights.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6sxsSt2Srg&t=5s

https://www.scientology.tv/series/voices-for-humanity/

Drug abuse and spiking overdose deaths. Failed marriages and broken families. Bullying, corruption and crime. Dead-end careers or jobs that don't pay the bills or dish out a constant diet of stress. Are these and other issues, conditions and problems simply a fact of life? Or is there a way to take action and change them? Voices for Humanity, an award-winning original series on the Scientology Network, documents how diverse individuals are changing conditions like these and making a difference in their own and others' lives.

Related link: https://www.scientology.org/

Church of Scientology of Rome Promotes a Culture of Human Rights for a Better Word

ROME, Italy /ScoopCloud/ -- The Church of Scientology of Rome, in coordination with the Association of Arts, Culture and Human Rights, organized a celebration and awards ceremony in honor of the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

They presented "Human Rights Defender" awards to individuals who set an example of helping others through their human rights advocacy: Alessandra Morelli, who served for decades as delegate of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR); world-renowned Moroccan musician Nour Eddine Fatty; musician and India's cultural ambassador to Italy Rashmi Bhatt; and actor and philanthropist Paolo Pesce Nanna.

Also commended were the Demetra Borbonica Cultural Association, which supports and disseminates human rights in the field of the arts; the Prosperity and Social Promotion Association for its fight to free children from slavery; and Felix Adado and Hassan Batal who help orient immigrants to the customs and mores of their new home.

Ms. Morelli spoke of the heartache of displaced and stateless persons that she chronicled in her book Mani Che Poteggono (Hands That Protect). She had ample experience to draw from, representing the UNHCR at some of the world's most notorious refugee zones, including Sri Lanka, Georgia, Yemen, Somalia, Niger and Afghanistan. She also served in Greece when nearly a million refugees escaped to that country and began their trek through Europe in search of security and freedom.

Musicians Nour Eddine Fatty and Rashmi Bhatt brought far-away cultures to life through their musical performances. And actor Paolo Pesce Nanna spoke of his new charity to help victims of the Morocco earthquake.

Salameh Ashour, professor of Islamic culture, described how intolerance is not inherent - children have to be indoctrinated into prejudice. Raniero Ranieri, president of AVIS (Italian Association of Voluntary Blood Donors) Rome, stressed the importance of blood drives for securing the right to life for those needing transfusion. And Ikhtiar Gul Kaiam of Italy's Afghan community spoke of the plight of the women of his country.

The Church of Scientology and Scientologists are ardent supporters of human rights and they sponsor one of the world's most comprehensive human rights education and public information initiatives - United for Human Rights and its program for young people Youth for Human Rights. These nonprofits aim to create a sea change by teaching young people everywhere their inalienable rights, thus creating an entire generation of leaders who will demand full implementation of the 30 UDHR articles.

In crafting the creed of the Scientology religion, author, humanitarian and Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard stressed the belief "that all men of whatever race, color or creed were created with equal rights."

As to which of these rights is most important, Mr. Hubbard expressed a unique perspective in a lecture he recorded in 1958, stating "the biggest right there is, is not the right to vote, is not the right to freedom of speech or press or religion or anything else. The biggest right there is in human rights is the right to help."

In celebration of this 75th anniversary, Scientology Churches, missions and groups organized petition drives, human rights marches, and other public awareness campaigns.

Scientology Network has produced a series of short documentaries on human rights advocates from Guatemala to Taiwan, Colombia to South Africa, and Pakistan to Morocco who share how they have used these initiatives to create meaningful change.

The Story of Human Rights, a brief documentary on the history of human rights and its state in the world today, also airs on the network.

The Scientology Network is available on DIRECTV Channel 320, DIRECTV STREAM, AT&T U-verse and can be streamed at Scientology.tv, on mobile apps and via the Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV platforms.

For more information, contact the nearest Scientology Church or Mission or enroll on the free online human rights course, available in 17 languages on the United for Human Rights website.

LEARN MORE:

https://www.humanrights.com

https://en.scientology-roma.org/

https://www.scientologynews.org/press-releases/

MULTIMEDIA:

https://www.scientology.tv/documentaries/the-story-of-human-rights.html

VIDEO:

https://www.scientology.tv/documentaries/the-story-of-human-rights.html

The Church of Scientology of Rome, in coordination with the Association of Arts, Culture and Human Rights, organized a celebration and awards ceremony in honor of the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

Related link: https://www.scientology.org/

A Wish for a Joyful Holiday Season From the Church of Scientology

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- The holidays should be a time of joy. But challenges, problems and disappointments can cast a pall on the season. The Church of Scientology encourages anyone facing issues that threaten their happiness to take heart. Because, no matter the challenges, Something Can Be Done About It.

At a time of spiraling drug overdose and abuse, illiteracy, broken families, social upheaval and crime, it can seem that the odds are too great to hope for happiness and success. But Volunteer Ministers on six continents not only believe it is possible to set and accomplish personal and societal goals, they are doing so, empowered by the Scientology Tools for Life.

Operation: Something Can Be Done About It, the new documentary released this week on the Scientology Network, is a living example of what can be accomplished with the life skills available to everyone through the Volunteer Ministers program.

For more than 30 years, Scientology Volunteer Ministers, trained on the Scientology Tools for Life, technology developed for the program by Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard, have helped victims of disasters great and small and empowered countless others to overcome difficulties, resolve problems and achieve their goals.

Scientology Tools for Life courses are available free of charge in 19 languages through the Scientology website.

Watch Operation: Something Can Be Done About It to see the unprecedented response of the Church of Scientology and its Volunteer Ministers to the global COVID-19 pandemic and its extraordinary impact. Learn more about the Scientology Tools for Life by watching brief introductory films on all 19 tools on the Scientology Network. And enroll on the Scientology Tools for Life courses.

With our fondest wishes for a happy holiday season and that these tools help you ensure a bright future for you and those you love.

LEARN MORE:

https://www.scientology.tv/documentaries/operation-do-something-about-it.html

https://www.scientologynews.org/press-releases/

https://www.scientology.org/courses

https://www.scientology.tv/films/scientology-principles/tools-for-life.html

MULTIMEDIA:

https://www.scientology.tv/documentaries/operation-do-something-about-it.html

https://www.scientology.tv/films/scientology-principles/tools-for-life.html

The holidays should be a time of joy. But challenges, problems and disappointments can cast a pall on the season. The Church of Scientology encourages anyone facing issues that threaten their happiness to take heart. Because, no matter the challenges, Something Can Be Done About It.

Related link: https://www.scientology.org/

New Film Shows the Dedication of the Church of Scientology to Help Other Religious Communities Make It Through the Worst of Times

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Operation: Do Something About It, the feature-length film that premiered on the Scientology Network this week, documents the work of Scientology Volunteer Ministers across the globe throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. One of their highest priorities was to help congregations of diverse faiths, ordered closed in the early days of the pandemic, reopen safely to serve their congregations.

With casualties mounting, people needed the solace and help of their church, mosque or temple. But even when restrictions were relaxed or lifted, many did not return for fear of contracting the illness. As the purpose of the Scientology Volunteer Minister is to restore spiritual values no matter the faith or denomination, Volunteer Ministers worked with religious leaders to make their houses of worship safe.

From Mexico to Rome and from the UK to Aruba and South Africa, Scientology Volunteer Ministers, trained on the world's most effective sanitization procedures and equipment, mobilized to help houses of worship and their parishioners.

In Mexico, where almost 90 percent of the population is Christian, Volunteer Ministers sanitized houses of worship of diverse denominations from Methodist to Presbyterian and Roman Catholic to Evangelical. They made it possible for one of the world's most important pilgrimage sites to reopen - the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. They also trained church staff and provided equipment and supplies to ensure the basilica's continued safe operation.

The secretary to the Archbishop of Mexico City thanked the Church of Scientology for working "for the good of the people," making it possible for them to return to church in safety. "I think this work must be known," he said. "We do great work when we work together for the good of the community."

In Birmingham, England, where 20 percent of the population is Muslim, Scientology Volunteer Ministers sanitized mosques throughout the city and trained mosque staff to continue to do so. They also helped Hindu temples, Sikh gurdwaras, and a Greek Orthodox church, sanitizing more than 1.5 million square feet of houses of worship, making it safe for them to welcome parishioners back.

The administrator of one of the mosques described the volunteers as "the unsung heroes." The imam of another spoke of the team's passion to help. "Forget about the backgrounds, forget about the color, forget about the ethnicities," said another imam. "It's just for love, for peace, bringing people together. You are a role model... It's humanity serving humanity."

In Italy, Scientology Volunteer Ministers responded to a request from the Great Mosque of Rome - the largest mosque in the Western World. Volunteer Ministers sanitized more than 300,000 square feet of the facility.

"I saw cars arriving from all over Italy," said the imam. "It was an enormous joy to see how many volunteers the Church of Scientology mobilized." He described how this inspired "a society of love, a fraternal society, a society living in joy where everyone can benefit from collaboration."

In establishing the Scientology Volunteer Minister movement in the mid-1970s, Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard defined religion as "a system of beliefs and practices by means of which a group of people struggles with the ultimate problems of human life. The quality of being religious implies two things: first, a belief that evil, pain, bewilderment and injustice are fundamental facts of existence; second, a set of practices and related sanctified beliefs that express a conviction that man can ultimately be saved from those facts.

"Thus, a Volunteer Minister is a person who helps his fellow man on a volunteer basis by restoring purpose, truth and spiritual values to the lives of others.

"A Volunteer Minister does not shut his eyes to the pain, evil and injustice of existence. Rather, he is trained to handle these things and help others achieve relief from them and new personal strength as well."

Discover the passion, skill and commitment of Scientology Volunteer Ministers who reached out with help through the darkest of times. Watch Operation: Do Something About It on DIRECTV Channel 320, DIRECTV STREAM, AT&T U-verse and streaming at Scientology.tv, on mobile apps and via the Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV platforms.

Since launching with an introduction by Scientology ecclesiastical leader Mr. David Miscavige in March 2018, the Scientology Network has been viewed in 237 countries and territories in 17 languages.

Satisfying the curiosity of people about Scientology and Founder L. Ron Hubbard, the network takes viewers across six continents, spotlighting the everyday lives of Scientologists, showing the Church as a global organization, and presenting its social betterment programs that have touched the lives of millions worldwide.

LEARN MORE:

https://www.scientologynews.org/press-releases/

https://www.scientology.tv/documentaries/operation-do-something-about-it.html

MULTIMEDIA:

https://www.scientology.tv/documentaries/operation-do-something-about-it.html

VIDEO:

https://www.scientology.tv/documentaries/operation-do-something-about-it.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6sxsSt2Srg

Operation: Do Something About It, the feature-length film that premiered on the Scientology Network this week, documents the work of Scientology Volunteer Ministers across the globe throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. One of their highest priorities was to help congregations of diverse faiths, ordered closed in the early days of the pandemic, reopen safely to serve their congregations.

Related link: https://www.scientology.org/

To Make Hollywood Shine, the Church of Scientology and the Hollywood Village Initiative Went All Out on Their Holiday Cleanup

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- The Hollywood Neighborhood Cleanup team, sponsored by the Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre and its Hollywood Village initiative, joined forces with other community organizations and the LAPD. They spread cheer along Hollywood Boulevard as volunteers held their annual cleanup in advance of the Hollywood Christmas Parade, airing Friday, December 15 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on the CW Network.

Not only did the volunteers clean the streets, as they do each month, but they also decorated store windows along Hollywood Boulevard with snowflakes, candy canes, holly, nativity scenes, and Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah signs, while Christmas carolers entertained tourists and locals.

All up and down Hollywood Boulevard's Walk of Fame, volunteers provided managers of restaurants, fast-food stores, souvenir, coffee and jewelry shops and local tourist attractions with displays inviting patrons and customers to take a copy of The Way to Happiness, the popular common-sense guide to better living by author, humanitarian and Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard. They also placed mini-posters in shop windows promoting The Way to Happiness precept "Love and Help Children," which is the theme of The Way to Happiness float in the 2023 Christmas Parade.

Those sponsoring or supporting the clean-up with food and drinks for the volunteers included Kettle Glazed Donuts and Starbucks, which provided donuts and coffee to volunteers arriving for the day's activities, and Domino's Pizza, Monastery of the Angels and Salvation Army. Once done with the cleanup and beautification project, volunteers gathered at The Way to Happiness tent, erected on North McCadden Place next to the Scientology Information Center on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for homemade tamales and champurrado - a thick, creamy, chocolatey Mexican drink - fresh-baked pumpkin bread from Monastery of the Angels, and Domino's pizza.

The Way to Happiness tent was also on hand the evening of the Christmas Parade, to help ensure the joy of the season lasts throughout the year through application of the book's 21 precepts that point the way to a better, happier and more fulfilling life. Volunteers introduced paradegoers to The Way to Happiness and encouraged young and old to sign a pledge board committing to what they will do to create a good example for others.

Hollywood Village, a partnership of the Church of Scientology, The Way to Happiness Foundation and the Los Angeles Police Department, has grown into a community coalition of people of all faiths, ideologies and backgrounds, working together to make Hollywood beautiful, safe and clean.

To learn more about The Way to Happiness, visit The Way to Happiness website or watch The Way to Happiness book on film on the Scientology Network.

LEARN MORE:

https://www.scientologynews.org/press-releases/

https://www.facebook.com/HollywoodsVillage/

https://www.scientology.tv/documentaries/the-way-to-happiness.html

https://www.scientology.cc

MULTIMEDIA:

https://www.scientology.tv/documentaries/the-way-to-happiness.html

The Hollywood Neighborhood Cleanup team, sponsored by the Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre and its Hollywood Village initiative, joined forces with other community organizations and the LAPD. They spread cheer along Hollywood Boulevard as volunteers held their annual cleanup in advance of the Hollywood Christmas Parade, airing Friday, December 15 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on the CW Network.

Related link: https://www.scientology.org/

Publisher of L. Ron Hubbard’s Nonfiction Works and the Mayor of Commerce Ring in the Holiday Season with a Special Dinner for Local Seniors

CITY OF COMMERCE, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- For seniors, living alone or far from loved ones, the holidays, once joyful, can be a very lonely time. To remind residents of TELACU Gardens and TELACU Manor Senior Apartments how important they are to the community, Bridge Publications, publisher of the nonfiction works of author and Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard, and City of Commerce Mayor Hugo Argumedo held a holiday banquet for the residents.

The mayor and Bridge volunteers wanted to let the residents know how much they value their many contributions to their families and society. The Church of Scientology provided the luncheon, and residents dined together, renewing old friendships, forging new ones, and celebrating the holiday season together.

Each resident was also presented with a copy of The Way to Happiness, the common-sense guide to better living that is one of Mr. Hubbard's most popular books. Residents were touched by the thoughtfulness of the mayor and Bridge Publications and expressed their appreciation for the delicious dinner and the gift of the book.

The outreach was intended to counter the ageism many of these residents experience. It was inspired by a precept of The Way to Happiness: "Try To Treat Others As You Would Want Them To Treat You."

"In all times and in most places, Mankind has looked up to and revered certain values. They are called the virtues," wrote Mr. Hubbard. "They have been attributed to wise men, holy men, saints and gods. They have made the difference between a barbarian and a cultured person, the difference between chaos and a decent society."

Mayor Argumedo and the Bridge volunteers sought to incorporate this precept into their holiday initiative by treating the residents with the virtues of consideration, compassion, friendliness, respect, dignity, admiration, and love.

In the introduction to The Way to Happiness, Mr. Hubbard wrote:

"You are important to other people. You are listened to. You can influence others.

"The happiness or unhappiness of others you could name is important to you.

"Without too much trouble, using this book, you can help them survive and lead happier lives.

"While no one can guarantee that anyone else can be happy, their chances of survival and happiness can be improved. And with theirs, yours will be."

The City of Commerce, known as the Model City, is home to some 13,000 residents. Another 60,000 work or patronize more than 1,800 Commerce businesses. In addition to its commitment to economic development, Commerce provides services and programs to fight blight and preserve and maintain the city's infrastructure, which is vital to the quality of life for all who live and work in the city.

With headquarters in Commerce, TELACU is a community development corporation committed to service, empowerment, advancement, and the creation of self-sufficiency. Among its many projects is the creation of affordable homes for first-time homeowners and beautiful residential complexes constructed and operated for families and senior citizens.

Bridge Publications, Inc. is the publisher of the nonfiction works of international best-selling author L. Ron Hubbard. Located at 5600 E. Olympic Boulevard in Commerce, Bridge Publications is the world's largest all-digital, print-on-demand facility. Under the direction of Mr. David Miscavige, ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion, the publishing house was put in place to fulfill the global demand for Mr. Hubbard's written and recorded materials.

To learn more about Bridge Publications, Inc., watch Inside Scientology: Bridge Publications on the Scientology Network.

To help in future Bridge Publications community outreach events, contact Lucia Winther at (323) 888-6200 or lwinther@bridgepub.com.

LEARN MORE:

https://www.scientologynews.org/press-releases/

https://www.bridgepub.com/about/

https://www.scientology.tv/series/inside-scientology/bridge-publications.html

https://www.thewaytohappiness.org

https://voicesforhumanity.tv

MULTIMEDIA:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eae3ZomZAYE

https://www.scientology.tv/documentaries/the-way-to-happiness.html

https://www.scientology.tv/series/inside-scientology/bridge-publications.html

For seniors, living alone or far from loved ones, the holidays, once joyful, can be a very lonely time. To remind residents of TELACU Gardens and TELACU Manor Senior Apartments how important they are to the community, Bridge Publications, publisher of the nonfiction works of author and Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard, and City of Commerce Mayor Hugo Argumedo held a holiday banquet for the residents.

Related link: https://www.scientology.org/

Meet Scientologist Pam Ryan-Anderson and See How She Continues to Create a Remarkable Christmas for the Clearwater Community

CLEARWATER, Fla. /ScoopCloud/ -- Winter Wonderland is celebrating 30 years of bringing joy to the children of Clearwater. But how is the grass-covered park in downtown Clearwater transformed into a magical Christmas village? Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the year-round work that results in its magical materialization. Watch Meet a Scientologist: Pam Ryan-Anderson on the Scientology Network.

All are invited to visit with Santa, decorate cookies with Mrs. Claus, and explore and enjoy all the games and goodies at Winter Wonderland. Admission is free but guests are encouraged to bring a new toy or nonperishable food item to help make the season merry for families in need.

Ryan-Anderson's episode of Meet a Scientologist is just one of dozens of shows in this award-winning original series on the Scientology Network. Follow the stories of fascinating people on the cutting edge of art, science, sports, medicine, entertainment, and other professions, who also happen to be Scientologists. Each week, Scientologists from around the world are featured in this interview-driven series that combines intimate and uplifting portrayals of their journey to the top of their fields with honest discussions about the influential role Scientology played in their personal lives and how it helped them excel in their professional endeavors.

The Scientology Network airs on DIRECTV Channel 320, DIRECTV STREAM, AT&T U-verse and can be streamed at Scientology.tv, on mobile apps and via the Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV platforms.

Since launching with an introduction by Scientology ecclesiastical leader Mr. David Miscavige in March 2018, the Scientology Network has been viewed in 237 countries and territories in 17 languages.

Satisfying the curiosity of people about Scientology and Founder L. Ron Hubbard, the network takes viewers across six continents, spotlighting the everyday lives of Scientologists, showing the Church as a global organization, and presenting its social betterment programs that have touched the lives of millions worldwide.

LEARN MORE:

https://www.scientology.tv/series/meet-a-scientologist/pam-ryan-anderson.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Fi0LM64P0I

https://www.scientologynews.org/press-releases/

MULTIMEDIA:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Fi0LM64P0I

https://www.scientology.tv/series/meet-a-scientologist/pam-ryan-anderson.html

Winter Wonderland is celebrating 30 years of bringing joy to the children of Clearwater. But how is the grass-covered park in downtown Clearwater transformed into a magical Christmas village? Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the year-round work that results in its magical materialization. Watch Meet a Scientologist: Pam Ryan-Anderson on the Scientology Network.

Related link: https://www.scientology.org/

Documentary on the Church of Scientology Response to the Pandemic Proves No Matter How Grave the Situation, Something Can be Done About It

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Scientology Churches across the country invited the community to join them for the premiere of Operation: Something Can Be Done About It. The feature-length documentary produced by Scientology Media Productions aired on International Volunteer Day, December 5. The film documents the response of the Church of Scientology to the Covid pandemic, not only to help parishioners and staff but to reach out indiscriminately on an unparalleled scale across the globe to ensure the safety of every sector of society. A sampling of feedback shows the impact of the film.

"What they did for our police department during Covid was hands down an absolute blessing," said a police officer the Church helped with sanitization. "In a time of complete panic and fear, they stepped up with help.... I am proud to have worked alongside every member."

"You did not let your volunteers or staff sit there but you gave them a way to do something and told them, 'OK, let's go. We are doing this,'" said a neighbor.

Referring to the Church's initiative to provide essential information on how to stay well and prevent the spread of the virus, a human rights leader and author said, "It was very enlightening the way the documentary showed how you educate those who don't know, especially in impoverished areas. You teach people where they don't know. You empower people."

The pandemic had an indelible effect on the entire generation who lived through it. Many have not yet recovered. So, in many ways, the message that "Something can be done about it" is as important now as it was over the past three years.

"What stands out to me the most is how everyone got together and helped people," said a woman who volunteers with a Christian program that helps at-risk youth.

"We are all about humanity," said a teacher who attended the premiere. "So, it was very inspiring. The community is still recovering. Without people like you helping, I don't know where we'd be."

In a lecture in 1958, Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard spoke of the philosophy that informs this and so many other aspects of Scientology: "Scientology helps people to help one another. This is the message of all prophets in all ages. Help one another. It is a formula for life that cannot fail. It is the message of Scientology."

Watch Operation: Something Can Be Done About It on the Scientology Network, airing on DIRECTV Channel 320, DIRECTV STREAM, AT&T U-verse and streaming at Scientology.tv, on mobile apps and via the Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV platforms.

Since launching with an introduction by Scientology ecclesiastical leader Mr. David Miscavige in March 2018, the Scientology Network has been viewed in 237 countries and territories in 17 languages.

Satisfying the curiosity of people about Scientology and Founder L. Ron Hubbard, the network takes viewers across six continents, spotlighting the everyday lives of Scientologists, showing the Church as a global organization, and presenting its social betterment programs that have touched the lives of millions worldwide.

LEARN MORE:

https://www.scientology.tv/documentaries/operation-do-something-about-it.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6sxsSt2Srg

https://www.scientology.org/2023-celebrating-the-ias/#vm-documentary

https://www.scientologynews.org/press-releases/

MULTIMEDIA:

https://www.scientology.tv/documentaries/operation-do-something-about-it.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6sxsSt2Srg

https://www.scientology.org/2023-celebrating-the-ias/#vm-documentary

Scientology Churches across the country invited the community to join them for the premiere of Operation: Something Can Be Done About It. The feature-length documentary produced by Scientology Media Productions aired on International Volunteer Day, December 5. The film documents the response of the Church of Scientology to the Covid pandemic, not only to help parishioners and staff but to reach out indiscriminately on an unparalleled scale across the globe to ensure the safety of every sector of society. A sampling of feedback shows the impact of the film.

Related link: https://www.scientology.org/

L. Ron Hubbard’s Winter Wonderland Celebrates 40 Years of Making Christmas Special for Hollywood Families and Visitors in Town for the Holidays

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Traffic came to a standstill on Hollywood Boulevard Sunday, December 3, as Santa Claus drove up on a red Harley-Davidson Electra Glide to cut the ribbon, opening L. Ron Hubbard's Winter Wonderland adjacent to the Church of Scientology Los Angeles Information Center. He was joined by his elves, Los Angeles Fire Department Deputy Chief Richard Fields, and nationally syndicated radio show host Kerri Kasem to the delight of hundreds of cheering children.

Just a week earlier, Kasem had her first opportunity to see this year's Winter Wonderland when she rode by on a float in the Hollywood Christmas Parade. The theme of the float was the precept "Love and Help Children" from The Way to Happiness, the nonreligious moral code written by Mr. Hubbard.

"Winter Wonderland is a beautiful annual tradition," said Kasem, "and it is wonderful to see so many children enjoying themselves for the holidays."

Once the ribbon was cut, the fun began, including live entertainment, face painting, and Santa, who held court with his elves in his cabin where he gave out Christmas gifts and posed for photos with the kids.

The tradition of L. Ron Hubbard's Winter Wonderland began in 1983 when author, humanitarian and Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard first presented a giant Christmas tree in a holiday setting as a gift to the children of Hollywood. The Friends of L. Ron Hubbard Foundation and the Church of Scientology continue the four-decade tradition, providing a safe and beautiful location for families throughout the holidays. "We hope to welcome everyone to enjoy this setting for many more generations to come," said Friends of L. Ron Hubbard spokesperson Louis Ricketts.

Winter Wonderland features a 6,000-pound grand fir in a forest of evergreens surrounding Santa's home and a banner carrying Mr. Hubbard's timeless message: "On the day when we can fully trust each other, there will be peace on Earth."

For more information, contact friendsofron@lronhubbard.org or visit L. Ron Hubbard's Winter Wonderland Facebook page for updates on events and activities.

To learn more about Mr. Hubbard, visit the L. Ron Hubbard website or watch programming including episodes of L. Ron Hubbard: In His Own Voice on the Scientology Network, available on DIRECTV Channel 320, DIRECTV STREAM, AT&T U-verse and streaming at Scientology.tv, on mobile apps and via the Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV platforms.

LEARN MORE:

https://www.scientologynews.org/press-releases

https://www.lronhubbard.org

https://www.scientology.tv/series/l-ron-hubbard-in-his-own-voice/

MULTIMEDIA:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tpHZH4mXE0

https://www.scientology.tv/series/l-ron-hubbard-in-his-own-voice/

Traffic came to a standstill on Hollywood Boulevard Sunday, December 3, as Santa Claus drove up on a red Harley-Davidson Electra Glide to cut the ribbon, opening L. Ron Hubbard's Winter Wonderland adjacent to the Church of Scientology Los Angeles Information Center. He was joined by his elves, Los Angeles Fire Department Deputy Chief Richard Fields, and nationally syndicated radio show host Kerri Kasem to the delight of hundreds of cheering children.

Related link: https://www.scientology.org/

International Human Rights Day Open House to Commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

FLORENCE, Ky. /ScoopCloud/ -- Award-winning human rights and anti-trafficking activist Harold D'Souza, president and cofounder of Eyes Open International, will be guest speaker Sunday, December 10, at an International Human Rights Day celebration at the Church of Scientology of Greater Cincinnati from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at 283 Main St., Florence, Kentucky.

The event will commemorate and celebrate the 75th anniversary of the United Nations' adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). All are invited to attend.

Cincinnati-based D'Souza is an expert consultant to the State Department Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons. He served on the United States Advisory Council on Human Trafficking under the last two presidential administrations.

Youth for Human Rights International honored D'Souza earlier this year, presenting him with its Human Rights Hero Award in July 2023 at United Nations headquarters in New York.

Although the UDHR was adopted 75 years ago, current news reveals horrific abuses and violations of the rights enshrined in the document: poverty and hunger, human trafficking, religious repression and war.

Scientology Churches and their members believe human rights education can change the landscape. They are inspired by author, humanitarian and Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard who believed that "human rights must be made a fact, not an idealistic dream." To accomplish this, they sponsor one of the world's most comprehensive human rights education and public information initiatives, United for Human Rights and its program for young people Youth for Human Rights. These nonprofits aim to create a sea change by teaching young people everywhere their inalienable rights, thus creating an entire generation of leaders who will demand full implementation of the 30 articles of the UDHR.

"Those who do not know their own rights and responsibilities will not demand or defend them for themselves or others," says April Wallace, public relations officer for the Church of Scientology of Greater Cincinnati. "Surveys show most people can name only a few of the 30 rights enshrined in the Declaration. We invite young and old to learn how human rights violations impact Greater Cincinnati and what we can do to secure the rights of all members of our community."

To reserve seats for the program, call the Church of Scientology of Greater Cincinnati at (859) 962-5080.

To learn more about United for Human Rights visit their website or watch The Story of Human Rights or public service announcements on each of the articles of the UDHR on the Scientology Network.

LEARN MORE:

https://www.scientology-cincinnati.org

https://www.scientologynews.org/press-releases/

https://www.humanrights.com

https://www.youthforhumanrights.org

https://eyesopeninternational.org/about/

MULTIMEDIA:

https://www.scientology.tv/documentaries/the-story-of-human-rights.html

https://www.scientology.tv/documentaries/30-rights-brought-to-life.html

https://www.scientology.tv/watch/series/voices-for-humanity/mary-shuttleworth.html

VIDEO:

https://www.scientology.tv/documentaries/the-story-of-human-rights.html

https://www.scientology.tv/documentaries/30-rights-brought-to-life.html

https://www.scientology.tv/watch/series/voices-for-humanity/mary-shuttleworth.html

Award-winning human rights and anti-trafficking activist Harold D'Souza, president and cofounder of Eyes Open International, will be guest speaker Sunday, December 10, at an International Human Rights Day celebration at the Church of Scientology of Greater Cincinnati from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at 283 Main St., Florence, Kentucky.

Related link: https://www.scientology.org/

Church of Scientology Pasadena Open House and Interfaith Panel Promotes Respect, Diversity and Religious Freedom for All

PASADENA, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- A religious freedom conference and open house at the Church of Scientology Pasadena brought faith leaders together to promote diversity and respect at a time when rising hate crimes, conflict and war bring the importance of religious freedom and understanding into sharp relief. The Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission reports that hate crimes in Los Angeles County have reached the second highest level in more than 20 years. And the news is filled with religious conflicts that have spiraled into war.

December 10 marks the 75th anniversary of the United Nation's adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The preamble of the document points out that "recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world."

A recent interfaith panel, held in the Chapel of the Church of Scientology Pasadena, highlighted Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article #18. "Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance."

Leaders of diverse faiths shared their views and those attending realized how many of their core beliefs are held in common.

"It is absolutely necessary for faith leaders to come together," said one participant. "They are the compass for the rest of society."

"This event inspired me to be active in raising awareness about human rights," said another, "and to back that up with action to make it real."

Church of Scientology Pasadena public affairs director Karla Bartholomew hosted the program and said, "Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard stressed the rights of all religions to practice their faith in peace. He began the Creed of the Church of Scientology stating that 'all men of whatever race, color or creed were created with equal rights,' and that 'all men have inalienable rights to their own religious practices and their performance.' That is why we feel it is vital to bring diverse faiths together in support of religious freedom."

The Church of Scientology Pasadena is committed to interfaith activities and helping to make Pasadena a model of tolerance and peace. An Ideal Scientology Organization, the Church is configured not only to service Scientologists in their ascent to spiritual freedom but also to serve as a home for the entire community-a meeting ground of cooperative effort to uplift people of all denominations.

The Church of Scientology Pasadena was dedicated by Scientology ecclesiastical leader Mr. David Miscavige in 2010 and is featured in an episode of Destination: Scientology on the Scientology Network.

For more information, visit the Church of Scientology Pasadena at 35 South Raymond Ave. in Old Pasadena, open Monday through Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Sundays 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

LEARN MORE:

https://www.humanrights.com

https://www.scientology-pasadena.org

https://www.scientologynews.org/press-releases/

MULTIMEDIA:

https://www.scientology.tv/series/scientology-principles/the-creed-of-the-church-of-scientology.html

https://www.scientology.tv/watch/series/destination-scientology/pasadena.html

VIDEO:

https://www.scientology.tv/series/scientology-principles/the-creed-of-the-church-of-scientology.html

https://www.scientology.tv/watch/series/destination-scientology/pasadena.html

A religious freedom conference and open house at the Church of Scientology Pasadena brought faith leaders together to promote diversity and respect at a time when rising hate crimes, conflict and war bring the importance of religious freedom and understanding into sharp relief. The Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission reports that hate crimes in Los Angeles County have reached the second highest level in more than 20 years. And the news is filled with religious conflicts that have spiraled into war.

Related link: https://www.scientology.org/

Jenna Elfman Hosts ‘Christmas Stories’ To Benefit Underserved Children

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- The Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre presented "Christmas Stories" December 1 and 2. Artists, including Golden Globe Award-winning actress Jenna Elfman ("Fear the Walking Dead") and Emmy Award-winners Nancy Cartwright ("The Simpsons") and Michelle Stafford ("The Young and the Restless"), performed holiday-themed skits and songs to raise funds to benefit the Hollywood Police Department's youth development programs for at-risk youth. Show proceeds also support the Hollywood Police Department's annual holiday toy give-away for underserved children.

The Christmas Stories stage is a 1930s-style radio show setting. Since 1993, the annual benefit has raised more than $500,000 for these community programs.

Hollywood police youth programs are operated by the police officers themselves and include educational, recreational and athletics activities as an alternative to gangs. This approach furnishes positive role models for Hollywood youth while providing them leadership and life skills.

Organized in cooperation with the Hollywood community, the Hollywood LAPD holiday toy give-away provides toys to local children who would otherwise have no Christmas gifts. Hundreds of toys are delivered in person each year by LAPD officers.

Stepping to the stage at the beginning of the "Christmas Stories" second act, LAPD Hollywood Division Captain Michael Rippe delivered a heartfelt message of appreciation to the Church and its parishioners. "Drive any boulevard here in Hollywood, you will see the investment that has poured in over the past two decades," he said. "What we have gained in Hollywood is not by accident. It is because of the strong partnerships we have, including the Church. It takes strong partners to raise a community, and that's what we've done. And we end up with a vibrant community where families, and kids and the people that we have reached out to, that the Church has reached out to and touched, know they are going to be supported. They know they will not be forgotten, and they know they will not go without. And that is again, because of your generosity and the partnerships we have created."

Celebrity Center Vice President Greg LaClaire echoed these sentiments. "We present 'Christmas Stories' each year to support our police officers in their efforts to create a safe environment for children in Hollywood," he said. "We believe in and participate in programs that support the safety and wellbeing of the children of our community.

"Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard wrote, 'When children become unimportant to a society, that society has forfeited its future.' And we work to make sure their future is bright by supporting Hollywood Police Department's youth development programs and other humanitarian initiatives."

Learn more about the Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre at: https://www.scientology.cc/

The Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre presented "Christmas Stories" December 1 and 2. Artists, including Golden Globe Award-winning actress Jenna Elfman ("Fear the Walking Dead") and Emmy Award-winners Nancy Cartwright ("The Simpsons") and Michelle Stafford ("The Young and the Restless"), performed holiday-themed skits and songs to raise funds to benefit the Hollywood Police Department's youth development programs for at-risk youth.

Related link: https://www.scientology.cc/

A Story of Hope, Help and Humanity Airs for the First Time on the Scientology Network on International Volunteer Day

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- While most of the world went "on pause" during the pandemic, Mother Nature certainly did not-nor did the Scientology Volunteer Ministers, a religious social service founded in the mid-1970s by Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard.

Volunteer Ministers answered the global call at every cataclysmic natural disaster, demonstrating unconditional courage and compassion time after time.

Operation: Do Something About It is a new feature-length documentary, premiering on the Scientology Network on International Volunteer Day, December 5 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

The documentary chronicles the global response from the Church of Scientology Volunteer Ministers during the pandemic. It details the help extended to communities, religions and essential services across six continents.

A Scientology Volunteer Minister's mandate is to be "a person who helps his fellow man on a volunteer basis by restoring purpose, truth and spiritual values to the lives of others." Their creed: "A Volunteer Minister does not shut his eyes to the pain, evil and injustice of existence. Rather, he is trained to handle these things and help others achieve relief from them and new personal strength as well."

Watch Operation: Do Something About It live on Tuesday, December 5 at 8 p.m. ET PT on the Scientology Network, or on DIRECTV Channel 320, DIRECTV stream, AT&T U-verse, AppleTV, Roku, fireTV or on mobile apps.

Since launching on March 12, 2018, with six original series and more than 70 hours of programming, the Scientology Network has been viewed in 237 countries and territories in 17 languages.

Satisfying the curiosity of people about Scientology and Founder L. Ron Hubbard, the network takes viewers across six continents, spotlighting the everyday lives of Scientologists, showing the Church as a global organization, and presenting its social betterment programs that have touched the lives of millions worldwide.

LEARN MORE:

https://www.scientologynews.org/press-releases/

https://www.scientology.tv/documentaries/operation-do-something-about-it.html

MULTIMEDIA:

https://www.scientology.tv/documentaries/operation-do-something-about-it.html

VIDEO:

https://www.scientology.tv/documentaries/operation-do-something-about-it.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6sxsSt2Srg

While most of the world went "on pause" during the pandemic, Mother Nature certainly did not-nor did the Scientology Volunteer Ministers, a religious social service founded in the mid-1970s by Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard.

Related link: https://www.scientology.org/

New Interactive Timeline on Scientology.org Shows What Scientologists Mean When They Say ‘Our Help is Yours’

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- At the 39th anniversary of the International Association of Scientologists (IAS), Scientology ecclesiastical leader Mr. David Miscavige briefed the 7,000 members and guests gathered at Saint Hill in the UK on the magnitude and impact of humanitarian and social betterment activities supported by the IAS over the past four years.

On the morning of the second day of the IAS 39th Anniversary weekend at Saint Hill in the UK, a standing-room-only crowd of IAS members was briefed on the launch of the next phase of IAS-supported global humanitarian initiatives.

These humanitarian and social betterment campaigns:

* Protect individuals from coercive and abusive practices in the field of mental health

* Bring human rights to life with the world's most far-reaching education and public information initiatives

* Increase tolerance and understanding with The Way to Happiness, the common-sense guide to better living by L. Ron Hubbard. This nonreligious moral code helps create a safer and more compassionate world for all

* Combat drug abuse and addiction by empowering children, youth and adults with factual information about drugs so they can make informed decisions and live drug-free

* Provide indiscriminate help no matter where, no matter when through the Scientology Volunteer Ministers, a religious social service created in the mid-1970s by Mr. Hubbard. While the world went "on pause" during the pandemic, the Scientology Volunteer Ministers did not. They answered the global call at every cataclysmic natural disaster, demonstrating courage and compassion time and again.

The International Association of Scientologists is an unincorporated membership organization open to all Scientologists from all nations, formed in 1984 at a time when the religious freedom of Scientologists was imperiled. Delegates from Scientology Churches the world over assembled at Saint Hill Manor, L. Ron Hubbard's home in the UK from 1959 to 1966.

The purpose of the IAS is: "To unite, advance, support and protect the Scientology religion and Scientologists in all parts of the world so as to achieve the Aims of Scientology written by Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard."

The Aims of Scientology are:

"A civilization without insanity, without criminals and without war, where the able can prosper and honest beings can have rights, and where Man is free to rise to greater heights."

Watch a video of an overview of these Scientology-supported activities or see it all at Scientology.org/2023-celebrating-the-ias

LEARN MORE:

https://www.scientologynews.org/press-releases/

https://www.scientology.org/2023-celebrating-the-ias/

MULTIMEDIA:

https://www.scientology.org/2023-celebrating-the-ias/

VIDEO:

https://www.scientology.tv/series/voices-for-humanity/

At the 39th anniversary of the International Association of Scientologists (IAS), Scientology ecclesiastical leader Mr. David Miscavige briefed the 7,000 members and guests gathered at Saint Hill in the UK on the magnitude and impact of humanitarian and social betterment activities supported by the IAS over the past four years.

Related link: https://www.scientology.org/

Bringing the Truth About Drugs to the Fan Zone as the Bruins and Bears Faced Off at the Rose Bowl in Their Final PAC-12 Game

PASADENA, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- While two of California's favorite college teams faced each other on the football field this weekend, drug-prevention activists from nearby Scientology Churches set up a bright teal tent in the fan zone to win a different kind of competition altogether: reaching kids before drug dealers do.

California has the highest number of drug overdose deaths in the country. And these volunteers are determined to change this.

"When people really understand what drugs are and what they do, they are far less likely to abuse them," says Jessica Hochman, Executive Director of Foundation for a Drug-Free World, the drug education and prevention campaign supported by the Church of Scientology and Scientologists. "That's why we are so committed to reaching youth before they begin to experiment with drugs."

The tent had a continuous stream of visitors of all ages throughout the afternoon and evening.

Volunteers encouraged young and old to sign the Foundation's drug-free pledge board and scan the QR code that took them to the free drug education courses, available in 20 languages on the Foundation for a Drug-Free World website.

Parents encouraged their kids to sign the pledge and they took home copies of the booklets.

Educators were particularly interested in the program and they ordered the Truth About Drugs Educator's Guide to use with their classes.

A Scout leader wanted to empower his Scouts with this information. He was invited to the "Join a Team" section of the Foundation's website.

A 5th-grade teacher spoke of how she encounters kids and families all the time who are struggling with drugs. It gave her hope to learn of the success of the campaign and she immediately ordered the materials.

The mother of a 9-year-old son was relieved when she toured the tent. There are kids his age at school who are already abusing drugs. She took sets of the youth-friendly drug-education booklets to share with her son and his friends.

Foundation for a Drug-Free World is a nonprofit public benefit corporation that empowers youth and adults with factual information about drugs so they can make informed decisions and live drug-free. Through the support of Scientology Churches and Scientologists, the Foundation offers its drug education resources free of charge to anyone wishing to use them to educate others about drugs.

For more information on Foundation for a Drug-Free World, watch its public service announcements and The Truth About Drugs-Real People, Real Stories documentary, or episodes of Voices for Humanity to see the program in action.

Scientology Network is available on DIRECTV Channel 320, DIRECTV STREAM, AT&T U-verse and streams at Scientology.tv, on mobile apps, and via the Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV platforms.

LEARN MORE:

https://www.drugfreeworld.org

https://www.scientologynews.org/press-releases/

https://voicesforhumanity.tv

https://www.scientology.tv/documentaries/the-truth-about-drugs.html

https://www.scientology.tv/documentaries/they-said-they-lied.html

MULTIMEDIA:

https://www.scientology.tv/documentaries/the-truth-about-drugs.html

https://www.scientology.tv/documentaries/they-said-they-lied.html

VIDEO:

https://www.scientology.tv/documentaries/the-truth-about-drugs.html

https://www.scientology.tv/documentaries/they-said-they-lied.html

While two of California's favorite college teams faced each other on the football field this weekend, drug-prevention activists from nearby Scientology Churches set up a bright teal tent in the fan zone to win a different kind of competition altogether: reaching kids before drug dealers do.

Related link: https://www.scientology.org/

25 Years of Service to the Community Honored at the Church of Scientology of the Valley

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Serving the North Hollywood community since 1998, the Women's Auxiliary of the Church of Scientology of the Valley has established a reputation for always stepping up with help. They celebrated their 25th anniversary with a banquet and award presentation along with a silent auction to raise funds for their charity work.

The group raises funds for Scientology-supported humanitarian and social betterment programs and to assist underserved families in North Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley.

In an episode of I Am a Scientologist on the Scientology Network, Lisa Malm, president of the organization, describes the members' dedication to carrying out community projects. If they hear of a group needing winter jackets for foster children, for example, they immediately put out a call to their members and fulfill the need. Whether collecting canned goods for shelters, or making sure local children have a Christmas gift each year, whatever is needed, they take it on.

"Our mission is really to help people," she says.

The Women's Auxiliary was inspired by L. Ron Hubbard's belief that "a community that pulls together can make a better society for all."

The Church of Scientology of the Valley is an Ideal Scientology Organization, dedicated in March 2017 by Scientology ecclesiastical leader Mr. David Miscavige. The Church services Scientologists in their ascent to spiritual freedom and serves as a home for the entire community - a meeting ground of cooperative effort to uplift people of all denominations.

Learn more about the Church of Scientology of the Valley and what makes this community unique in an episode of Destination: Scientology on the Scientology Network, and watch Lisa Malm's profile in an episode of I Am a Scientologist on the Scientology Network, available on DIRECTV Channel 320, DIRECTV STREAM, AT&T U-verse and streaming at Scientology.tv, on mobile apps and via the Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV platforms.

LEARN MORE:

https://www.scientology-valley.org/

https://www.scientologynews.org/press-releases/

https://www.scientology.tv/series/i-am-a-scientologist/from-surfer-to-charity-organization-president.html

MULTIMEDIA:

VIDEO:

https://www.scientology.tv/series/i-am-a-scientologist/from-surfer-to-charity-organization-president.html

Serving the North Hollywood community since 1998, the Women's Auxiliary of the Church of Scientology of the Valley has established a reputation for always stepping up with help. They celebrated their 25th anniversary with a banquet and award presentation along with a silent auction to raise funds for their charity work.

Related link: https://www.scientology.org/

Giant Christmas Tree Arrives for the 40th Anniversary of a Hollywood Tradition Begun by L. Ron Hubbard

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- The Hollywood Christmas season got off to a great start November 20 with the arrival of a giant Christmas tree to mark the 40th Anniversary of L. Ron Hubbard's Winter Wonderland. Passersby on the Hollywood Walk of Fame watched in awe as the 6,000-pound giant grand fir was hoisted into place next to the Church of Scientology Los Angeles Information Center by a 40-ton crane at the end of its 900-mile journey from Sheridan, Oregon.

Since 1983, Winter Wonderland has been the holiday home of a massive Christmas tree and holiday setting first presented in 1983 as a gift by L. Ron Hubbard to the Hollywood community. The tradition has continued ever since, and features Santa's House and a performance stage surrounded by a forest of evergreens. This holiday tradition has provided joy to tens of thousands of children and their families each year.

The Winter Wonderland banner carries Mr. Hubbard's timeless and universal message: "On the day when we can fully trust each other, there will be peace on Earth."

Santa will officially ignite the lights on the giant Christmas tree Sunday, November 26, with a magical salute as he glides by Winter Wonderland in his sled -the final float of the 91st Hollywood Christmas Parade.

Friends and officials will join the Church of Scientology Western United States and the Friends of L. Ron Hubbard December 3 to cut the ribbon, launching L. Ron Hubbard's Winter Wonderland in celebration of its 40th anniversary.

L. Ron Hubbard's Winter Wonderland will provide children's concerts and other entertainment and family fun including photos with Santa and gift giveaways throughout December.

For more information, contact friendsofron@lronhubbard.org or visit L. Ron Hubbard's Winter Wonderland Facebook page for updates on events and activities. To learn more about Mr. Hubbard, visit the L. Ron Hubbard website or watch programming including episodes of L. Ron Hubbard: In His Own Voice on the Scientology Network, available on DIRECTV Channel 320, DIRECTV STREAM, AT&T U-verse and streaming at Scientology.tv, on mobile apps and via the Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV platforms.

LEARN MORE:

https://www.scientologynews.org/press-releases

https://www.lronhubbard.org

https://www.scientology.tv/series/l-ron-hubbard-in-his-own-voice/

MULTIMEDIA:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tpHZH4mXE0

https://www.scientology.tv/series/l-ron-hubbard-in-his-own-voice/

The Hollywood Christmas season got off to a great start November 20 with the arrival of a giant Christmas tree to mark the 40th Anniversary of L. Ron Hubbard's Winter Wonderland. Passersby on the Hollywood Walk of Fame watched in awe as the 6,000-pound giant grand fir was hoisted into place next to the Church of Scientology Los Angeles Information Center by a 40-ton crane at the end of its 900-mile journey from Sheridan, Oregon.

Related link: https://www.scientology.org/

The Motto of the Scientology Volunteer Minister is Something Can Be Done About It: No Matter When and No Matter Where

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Disasters, whether great or small, do not comply with the calendar. And whether the scope of the difficulty affects a single family, or hundreds of thousands or more, Scientology Volunteer Ministers live by the motto that no matter the difficulty, "Something Can Be Done About It."

Case in point was Christmas 2004. On December 26, a series of earthquakes triggered tsunamis: Towering walls of water 98 feet (30 meters) high crashed down on villages and cities of Indonesia, eastern India, Thailand and Sri Lanka, killing more than 230,000.

Within days, some 600 Scientologists from 28 nations arrived in the region where they brought help to 300,000 people devastated by the catastrophe. The work of these Volunteer Ministers served as a model for the organization and administration of Scientology disaster response operations at subsequent major catastrophes.

When tens of thousands were displaced by the 6.4 magnitude earthquake in Croatia two days before New Years 2021, Volunteer Ministers from the Churches of Scientology of Italy and Hungary filled their bright yellow vans with urgently needed supplies and headed out to help.

When a 160-foot-wide tornado decimated Mayfair, Kentucky, two weeks before Christmas in 2021, all but erasing the town from the map, Volunteer Ministers from the Scientology Churches in Nashville, Tennessee; Cincinnati, Ohio; and Twin Cities, Minnesota put their own holidays on hold and arrived with supplies and equipment. They filled U-Hauls with 100 generators, heaters and propane tanks, erected their bright yellow tents, and immediately set to work helping residents recover what they could from the rubble and plan for the future. They connected with other nonprofits and helped prepare and distribute thousands of hot meals, including Christmas dinner, to residents and volunteer workers.

But physical damage is only one aspect of the impact of disasters. When faced with tremendous loss, those affected often suffer from despair and hopelessness, making it virtually impossible for them to confront their situation and take effective action to rebuild their lives. That is where the skills of the Volunteer Minister are vital.

Volunteers are trained in technology developed by Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard called Scientology assists. Assists are techniques that relieve distress by addressing the emotional and spiritual factors of trauma.

To make this technology available to everyone, anywhere and at any time, the spiritual technology contained in the Scientology Handbook, the textbook of the Volunteer Minister, has been made available as free courses in 18 languages through the Scientology website at Scientology.org. Anyone can log on and learn the skills that enable these volunteers to produce such remarkable change in the state of mind of victims of disaster.

Brief videos introducing the chapters of the Scientology Handbook are available on the Scientology Network, along with a documentary on the work of Volunteer Ministers who served in the aftermath of the 2015 earthquake in Nepal.

The Church of Scientology Volunteer Ministers program is a religious social service created in the mid-1970s by Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard.

A Volunteer Minister's mandate is to be "a person who helps his fellow man on a volunteer basis by restoring truth and spiritual values to the lives of others." Their creed: "A Volunteer Minister does not shut his eyes to the pain, evil and injustice of existence. Rather, he is trained to handle these things and help others achieve relief from them and new personal strength as well."

LEARN MORE:

https://www.scientologynews.org/press-releases

https://www.volunteerministers.org/

https://www.scientology.org/how-we-help/volunteer-ministers/

https://www.scientology.tv/films/scientology-principles/tools-for-life.html

MULTIMEDIA:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Su1NKhyhIp8&t=1s

Disasters, whether great or small, do not comply with the calendar. And whether the scope of the difficulty affects a single family, or hundreds of thousands or more, Scientology Volunteer Ministers live by the motto that no matter the difficulty, "Something Can Be Done About It."

Related link: https://www.scientology.org/

City of Commerce Mayor and Bridge Publications Team Up to Make Thanksgiving Special for Local Seniors

CITY OF COMMERCE, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Knowing the loneliness some elderly residents feel as the holidays approach, City of Commerce Mayor Mr. Hugo Argumedo, his wife Jessa, and volunteers from Bridge Publications Inc., publisher of the nonfiction works of author, humanitarian and Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard, provided more than 200 Thanksgiving meals to local seniors.

They served the meals to residents of two apartment complexes: Rosewood Senior Apartments and Gage Senior Citizen Apartments. The Church of Scientology prepared the meals which were served by volunteers. Mayor Argumedo also held a raffle for the residents and presented holiday gifts to the winners. He wanted local seniors to know how much the City of Commerce values the men and women of their generation.

Those organizing and volunteering for the initiative believe the elderly should be acknowledged for a life lived in devotion to families, work, the community, and, as in the case of veterans, their service to the country. Yet many local seniors have to spend weekends, birthdays and other special occasions alone. And the feeling of loneliness is often greater over the holidays.

The volunteers set up Thanksgiving dinner for the residents in common rooms where they could enjoy a delicious meal in the company of friends. For those unable to leave their apartments, volunteers delivered the meals to them at home.

It meant a great deal to 90-year-old Rosita that the mayor and a local business created Thanksgiving dinner for Gage Senior Citizen Apartments residents. It touched her that the community wanted to make Thanksgiving special for her and the other seniors at the complex.

Bridge staff also presented each senior with their own copy of The Way to Happiness by Mr. Hubbard - a simple guide they can use to increase joy during the holiday season and yearlong.

Mayor Argumedo thanked Bridge for its partnership in this event and the many other programs Bridge volunteers organize throughout the year that help Commerce live up to its name as the Model City.

To find out more about The Way to Happiness, visit The Way to Happiness Foundation website, and watch The Way to Happiness book on film, or episodes of Voices for Humanity on the Scientology Network, which show how humanitarians in countries across the world use this common-sense guide to better living to help members of their communities.

To learn more about Bridge Publications, Inc., watch Inside Scientology: Bridge Publications on the Scientology Network.

To help in future Bridge Publications community outreach events, contact Lucia Winther at (323) 888-6200 or lwinther@bridgepub.com.

LEARN MORE:

https://www.scientologynews.org/press-releases/

https://www.bridgepub.com/about/

https://www.scientology.tv/series/inside-scientology/bridge-publications.html

https://www.thewaytohappiness.org

https://voicesforhumanity.tv

MULTIMEDIA:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eae3ZomZAYE

https://www.scientology.tv/documentaries/the-way-to-happiness.html

https://www.scientology.tv/series/inside-scientology/bridge-publications.html

Knowing the loneliness some elderly residents feel as the holidays approach, City of Commerce Mayor Mr. Hugo Argumedo, his wife Jessa, and volunteers from Bridge Publications Inc., publisher of the nonfiction works of author, humanitarian and Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard, provided more than 200 Thanksgiving meals to local seniors.

Related link: https://www.scientology.org/

Church of Scientology Los Angeles Launches the Holiday Season with a Turkey Giveaway

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- To help bring the joy of the season to life, the Church of Scientology is holding a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway again this year. It takes place Sunday, November 19, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in what has become a tradition over the past few years.

While the turkeys will be first come first serve until supplies run out, the Church will also be serving hot chocolate and apple cider. And the turkey giveaway does not replace the Volunteer Ministers' weekly food drive, which will take place as usual, Saturday, November 18, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Anyone needing access to regular and nutritious food is welcome to come for a box or bag of groceries at no cost.

Beginning with the turkey giveaway on Sunday, a professional photographer will be manning a booth all day to take free portrait shots to share with family and friends this holiday season.

Then at 3:30 p.m., the Holiday Lights family fun day begins, with complimentary hot cocoa, cookie decorating, live music, an ice-skating rink for the kids, music and fun for the entire family.

Rumor has it Santa will be arriving to help city officials and nonprofits transform the East Hollywood neighborhood by flipping the switch, illuminating nearly 300,000 holiday lights. Santa will stay to the end of the celebration at 8 p.m. for photographs with the children.

The Church of Scientology Los Angeles is committed to serving as a home for the community to gather throughout the year for safe and family-oriented activities. An Ideal Scientology Church, it is configured to serve Scientologists in their ascent to spiritual freedom and as a home for the entire community.

To learn more, visit the Church of Scientology Los Angeles at 4810 Sunset Blvd. any day of the year from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., visit the Church of Scientology Los Angeles website or watch Inside a Church of Scientology on the Scientology Network available on DIRECTV Channel 320, DIRECTV STREAM, AT&T U-verse and streaming at Scientology.tv, on mobile apps and via the Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV platforms.

LEARN MORE:

https://www.scientologynews.org/press-releases/

https://www.scientology-losangeles.org

MULTIMEDIA:

https://www.scientology.tv/series/inside-scientology/inside-a-church.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0xMnowNCYo

To help bring the joy of the season to life, the Church of Scientology is holding a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway again this year. It takes place Sunday, November 19, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in what has become a tradition over the past few years.

Related link: https://www.scientology.org/

Churches of Scientology Count Down to the 75th Anniversary of an Event that Literally Defined Human Rights

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- As we count down to the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), Scientology Churches and Scientologists gear up to achieving the goal of universal human rights. They are inspired by author, humanitarian and Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard who believed that "human rights must be made a fact, not an idealistic dream."

As we approach this anniversary, a quick scan of the news reveals glaring violations of these rights, not the least of which are poverty, human trafficking, hunger, repression of freedom of religion and conscience, and war.

But those who do not know their own rights and responsibilities will not demand or defend them for themselves or others. Surveys show most people can name only a few of the 30 rights enshrined in the UDHR.

Scientology Churches and their members believe in and support human rights education and sponsor one of the world's most comprehensive human rights education and public information initiatives, United for Human Rights and its program for young people Youth for Human Rights. These nonprofits aim to create a sea change by teaching young people everywhere their inalienable rights, thus creating an entire generation of leaders who will demand full implementation of the 30 UDHR articles.

In celebration of this 75th Anniversary, Scientology Churches, missions and groups are organizing petition drives, human rights marches, and other public awareness campaigns. Scientology Churches are bringing community leaders together for conferences and open houses to share the educational resources and make these available free of charge. They are also arranging training for those interested in delivering human rights education to others.

Scientology Network has produced a series of brief documentaries on human rights advocates from Guatemala to Taiwan, Colombia to South Africa, and Pakistan to Morocco who share how they have used these initiatives to create meaningful change. And how simple it is to do so.

The Story of Human Rights, a brief documentary on the history of human rights and its state in the world today, also airs on the network.

The Scientology Network is available on DIRECTV Channel 320, DIRECTV STREAM, AT&T U-verse and can be streamed at Scientology.tv, on mobile apps and via the Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV platforms.

For more information, contact your nearest Scientology Church or Mission or enroll on the free online human rights course, available in 17 languages on the United for Human Rights website.

LEARN MORE:

https://www.scientology.tv

https://www.humanrights.com

https://www.youthforhumanrights.org

MULTIMEDIA:

https://voicesforhumanity.tv

https://Scientology.tv/HumanRights

As we count down to the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), Scientology Churches and Scientologists gear up to achieving the goal of universal human rights. They are inspired by author, humanitarian and Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard who believed that "human rights must be made a fact, not an idealistic dream."

Related link: https://www.scientology.org/

Scientology Volunteer Ministers Reach Out to Flood Victims With Help

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Responding to a call from the civil protection department in early November, Scientology Volunteer Ministers reached out to the municipality of Campi Bisenzio with help. The Bisenzio River, for which the town is named, had overflowed, wreaking havoc.

Hurricane-force winds of Storm Ciarán tore through Central Italy, causing severe flooding, toppling power lines and trees, sweeping away cars, and leaving entire areas submerged. Once the flood waters receded, it revealed the extent of cleanup needed. And it was immense.

Arriving with trucks, bobcats, mini-bulldozers and excavators, the Volunteer Ministers' first task was to dig up and haul away mud and debris that was blocking the roads, making it possible for emergency workers to access homes and businesses in need of help. Then they tackled the arduous job of helping residents dig out from the mud and salvage what possessions they could.

In the aftermath of floods, it is vital to remove waterlogged furniture and carpeting and allow the buildings to fully dry, as mold and mildew can create health hazards for those with weakened immune systems.

In addition to the physical aid they provide, Scientology Volunteer Ministers are trained to help victims of disaster overcome the confusion, disorientation and despair that often affect victims of such calamities. They provide Scientology assists-techniques developed by Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard that address the emotional and spiritual factors in stress and trauma.

The Church of Scientology Volunteer Ministers program is a religious social service created in the mid-1970s by Mr. Hubbard. It constitutes one of the world's largest independent relief forces.

In the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001, Scientology ecclesiastical leader Mr. David Miscavige called on Scientologists to redouble their efforts to aid their fellow man, which inspired astonishing growth within the Volunteer Minister movement. In response, Volunteer Ministers of Italy formed the Civil Protection Volunteers of the Scientology Community, Pro.Civi.Co.S, which was entered into the registry of the National Department of Civil Defense and is on call throughout the year to respond to disasters great or small.

Over the past two decades, Pro.Civi.Co.S and the Volunteer Ministers of Italy have responded to disasters at home and abroad, providing relief after the L'Aquila and Amatrice earthquakes in Italy, the South Asian tsunami of 2004, the Haiti earthquake of 2010, the 2019 Albania earthquake, the 2020 Croatia earthquake, and throughout the Covid pandemic.

A Volunteer Minister's mandate is to be "a person who helps his fellow man on a volunteer basis by restoring purpose, truth and spiritual values to the lives of others." Their creed: "A Volunteer Minister does not shut his eyes to the pain, evil and injustice of existence. Rather, he is trained to handle these things and help others achieve relief from them and new personal strength as well."

For more information, visit the website of the Scientology Volunteer Ministers, or learn about the technology used by the Scientology Volunteer Minister by watching Scientology Tools for Life on the Scientology Network, available in 17 languages on DIRECTV Channel 320, DIRECTV STREAM, AT&T U-verse and streaming at Scientology.tv, on mobile apps and via the Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV platforms.

LEARN MORE:

https://www.scientology.org

https://www.volunteerministers.org/

https://www.scientology.org/churches/ideal-orgs/rome-italy/

https://www.scientology.org/how-we-help/volunteer-ministers/

https://www.scientology.tv/films/scientology-principles/tools-for-life.html

MULTIMEDIA:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Su1NKhyhIp8&t=1s

Responding to a call from the civil protection department in early November, Scientology Volunteer Ministers reached out to the municipality of Campi Bisenzio with help. The Bisenzio River, for which the town is named, had overflowed, wreaking havoc.

Related link: https://www.scientology.org/

Italian Volunteers Say an Active, Creative Lifestyle is a Much Better High Than Drugs

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Is LSD harmless? Can a single hit of crack hurt you? How addictive is heroin, really? And what about marijuana? "You need to know the truth about drugs," say the volunteers of Foundation for the Drug-Free World Italy - the drug education and prevention initiative supported by the Church of Scientology.

Hundreds of thousands of young people and their families visit the city of Lucca for its annual Comics & Games Festival. Which is why the Drug-Free World Italy volunteers were there: to reach young people with their youth-friendly Truth About Drugs booklets. And they also talk to parents to urge them to use these materials to help their children make informed decisions on this vital subject.

The Foundation's Truth About Drugs booklets provide facts about the most commonly abused drugs, including hashish and marijuana, ecstasy, cocaine, heroin, crack, LSD, amphetamines, alcohol, and opioid painkillers and other prescription drugs. The booklets inform the reader of the short and long-term effects of these substances on the body and mind.

Thanks to the support of the Church of Scientology and Scientologists, the Foundation provides the Truth About Drugs secular program and materials free of charge.

Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard noted the role substance abuse plays in the disintegration of the social fabric: "Research has demonstrated that the single most destructive element present in our current culture is drugs."

"More and more people are dying of drug overdose in Italy every year," says Drug-Free World Italy executive director Oreste Depaoli. "People are not well informed about what drugs are and what they do. And there are active campaigns in our society that make it look like drugs do no harm. If people knew what drugs really lead to, they could choose not to take them."

Depaoli is featured in an episode of Voices for Humanity on the Scientology Network, available in 17 languages on DIRECTV Channel 320, DIRECTV STREAM, AT&T U-verse and streaming at Scientology.tv, on mobile apps and via the Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV platforms. Since launching with a special episode featuring Scientology ecclesiastical leader Mr. David Miscavige, Scientology Network has been viewed in 240 countries and territories worldwide in 17 languages.

LEARN MORE:

https://www.scientologynews.org/press-releases/

https://www.drugfreeworld.org

https://www.scientology.tv/series/voices-for-humanity/oreste-depaoli.html

MULTIMEDIA:

https://www.scientology.tv/series/voices-for-humanity/oreste-depaoli.html

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/n0GFfmxTwZA

Is LSD harmless? Can a single hit of crack hurt you? How addictive is heroin, really? And what about marijuana? "You need to know the truth about drugs," say the volunteers of Foundation for the Drug-Free World Italy - the drug education and prevention initiative supported by the Church of Scientology.

Related link: https://www.scientology.org/

Publisher of the Works of L. Ron Hubbard Gets a Jump on the Holiday Season by Sharing the ‘Not So Secret’ Secret of Happiness

EAST LOS ANGELES, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- In "My Philosophy," one of his most popular essays, author, humanitarian and Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard wrote, "I like to help others and count it as my greatest pleasure in life to see a person free himself of the shadows which darken his days."

And what better way to help Los Angeles youngsters and their families experience the joy of the season than by sharing The Way to Happiness at the East L.A. Sheriff's Department Halloween event at the city's Belvedere Park. Hundreds of children trick-or-treated at the booths set up by local nonprofits and took part in the costume contest.

The joy of the season and throughout the year depends in no small part on how people treat others and the countless other choices they make each day. Noting a dramatic decline in morality and the consequent spike in broken families, crime and despair, in 1981 Mr. Hubbard authored a common-sense moral code-a guide to better living intended for use by people of all faiths or none. With more than 139 million copies distributed in 118 languages, The Way to Happiness holds the Guinness Record as the world's most translated non-religious book.

Established in 1981 in Los Angeles, California, Bridge Publications, Inc. is publisher of Mr. Hubbard's nonfiction works. Bridge Publications staff volunteer with humanitarian and social betterment initiatives supported by the Church of Scientology to join forces with other businesses, nonprofits, law enforcement and civic and community leaders to help create a safe environment where local businesses and families can prosper and experience the innate happiness that is available to everyone.

As Mr. Hubbard wrote in the introduction to The Way to Happiness:

"While no one can guarantee that anyone else can be happy, their chances of survival and happiness can be improved. And with theirs, yours will be.

"It is in your power to point the way to a less dangerous and happier life."

To learn more about The Way to Happiness, visit the website of The Way to Happiness Foundation or watch The Way to Happiness book on film, available in 17 languages on the Scientology Network. And to learn more about Bridge Publications, watch Inside Scientology: Bridge Publications.

These programs are available on the Scientology Network on DIRECTV Channel 320, DIRECTV STREAM, AT&T U-verse and stream at Scientology.tv, on mobile apps and via the Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV platforms.

To participate in future community outreach activities with Bridge Publications volunteers, contact Lucia Winther, Bridge Publications Public Relations Director, at (323) 888-6200 or lwinther@bridgepub.com.

LEARN MORE:

https://www.scientologynews.org/press-releases/

https://www.bridgepub.com/about/

https://www.scientology.tv/series/inside-scientology/bridge-publications.html

https://www.thewaytohappiness.org

MULTIMEDIA:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eae3ZomZAYE

https://www.scientology.tv/documentaries/the-way-to-happiness.html

https://www.scientology.tv/series/inside-scientology/bridge-publications.html

In "My Philosophy," one of his most popular essays, author, humanitarian and Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard wrote, "I like to help others and count it as my greatest pleasure in life to see a person free himself of the shadows which darken his days."

Related link: https://www.scientology.org/

Can a Pair of New Socks Make a Difference to the Houseless?

SEATTLE, Wash. /ScoopCloud/ -- Warm, dry socks are essential to anyone living on the streets, according to charities serving the homeless, yet those making donations of clothes and food rarely think of socks as a vital commodity. According to one Seattle nonprofit, "for folks living outside, clean socks are an absolute necessity and a very difficult thing to come by." So Seattle Scientology Volunteer Ministers marked "Make a Difference Day" by donating socks to the Queen Anne Helpline and Queen Anne Food Bank at Sacred Heart and the Jean Kim Foundation Hygiene Center.

Seattle's homeless population grew 13.8 percent from 2020 to 2022. This, despite an average 150 rainy days each year and temperatures at or near freezing for much of the winter. At the same time, just about all services and commodities including apartment rentals and home purchases are more expensive on average in Seattle than in other cities.

For decades, volunteers from the Church of Scientology Seattle have helped address the needs of individuals and families in the community, including those experiencing homelessness and food insecurity. They volunteer with Food Lifeline. They hold food and clothing drives for the Queen Anne Food Bank and other local nonprofits. At the start of each school year, Scientologists organize a back-to-school backpack giveaway with each backpack filled with school supplies. And the Church has launched its annual holiday drive to collect and distribute warm clothing and other items of need.

Make a Difference Day was created in 1992 to offer community support and encourage volunteerism across the country. It is cosponsored by Points of Light, a nonprofit dedicated to engaging people and resources to solve serious social problems through voluntary service.

In addition to annual Make a Difference Day activities, the Church of Scientology Seattle engages in community outreach and social betterment activities throughout the year. In fact, many Scientologists consider every day as a day to make a difference, in keeping with their passion to achieve the Aims of Scientology:

"A civilization without insanity, without criminals and without war, where the able can prosper and honest beings can have rights, and where Man is free to rise to greater heights."

Throughout the year, volunteers of humanitarian initiatives supported by the Seattle Scientology Church provide effective drug education and prevention through the local chapter of Foundation for a Drug-Free World. The Seattle chapter of Youth for Human Rights International raises awareness of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. And the Seattle chapter of The Way to Happiness Foundation promotes common-sense values by distribution of The Way to Happiness, a book written by author, humanitarian and Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard, whose purpose was to use this book to arrest and reverse moral decline in society and restore honesty and understanding to make the world safer and less violent for all.

The Church holds frequent open house programs and conferences to bring the community together to tackle issues affecting the city.

In dedicating the new home of the Church of Scientology Seattle in 2010, Scientology ecclesiastical leader Mr. David Miscavige described the Church's humanitarian mission as "a movement that is all-embracive, all-inclusive and all about ensuring no one falls between the cracks."

To learn more, visit the Public Information Center of the Church of Scientology Seattle at 300 West Harrison Street Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sat. and Sun. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; visit the nearest Church of Scientology; or watch programming on the Scientology Network, available on DIRECTV Channel 320, DIRECTV STREAM, AT&T U-verse and streaming at Scientology.tv, on mobile apps and via the Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV platforms.

LEARN MORE:

https://www.scientology-seattle.org

https://www.volunteerministers.org

https://www.scientologynews.org/press-releases/

https://www.scientology.tv/series/voices-for-humanity/

MULTIMEDIA:

VIDEO:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frDy5xdLMGE

Warm, dry socks are essential to anyone living on the streets, according to charities serving the homeless, yet those making donations of clothes and food rarely think of socks as a vital commodity. According to one Seattle nonprofit, "for folks living outside, clean socks are an absolute necessity and a very difficult thing to come by." So Seattle Scientology Volunteer Ministers marked "Make a Difference Day" by donating socks to the Queen Anne Helpline and Queen Anne Food Bank at Sacred Heart and the Jean Kim Foundation Hygiene Center.

Related link: https://www.scientology.org/

CCHR Demands Psychiatrists Immediately End Cruel and Harmful Practices in the Name of Mental Health

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- As the World Psychiatric Association (WPA) convened its annual congress in Vienna, hundreds of activists from Citizens Commission on Human Rights Austria and chapters across Europe marched through the streets, insisting psychiatrists immediately cease their use of ECT (electroconvulsive treatment) and all coercive and harmful practices in the field of mental health.

In an open letter to the President of the WPA, CCHR Austria demanded the adoption of recent World Health Organization guidelines that call for ending all "coercive practices in mental health care" that "contradict international human rights law" and "can inflict severe pain and suffering on a person with long-lasting physical and mental health consequences, which can impede recovery and lead to substantial trauma and even death."

The letter also reminded the WPA of its duty to enforce the renunciation of coercive practices by its members.

CCHR marched to the convention center where the WPA Congress was convened chanting slogans that emphasized their demands. At the convention center, where CCHR erected its traveling exhibit, Psychiatry: An Industry of Death, visitors learned the dark history of psychiatry and the destruction it wreaks on society, from the use of ECT and psychosurgery to psychiatry's promoting the false doctrines of eugenics and its role in the Holocaust. Among those touring the exhibit were psychiatrists from countries including the UK, India, the U.S., Spain, Germany, Austria and Italy.

The CCHR documentary Therapy or Torture: The Truth about Electroshock screened throughout the three-day congress on a huge jumbotron.

Among the organizers of the CCHR protest and exhibit were human rights advocates featured in episodes of Voices for Humanity on the Scientology Network:

* János Dobos and Klára Hídvégi who fight the corruption of the psychiatric industry and its abusive practices in Hungary, and

* Bernd Trepping and Nicola Cramer who have taken on the psychiatric industry in the country where it all began, Germany, exposing its present-day manipulation and crimes, including the Holocaust, committed in the name of "science."

The Scientology Network also airs CCHR documentaries, including the film that was featured at the demonstration in Vienna, Therapy or Torture: The Truth about Electroshock.

The Scientology Network debuted in March 2018. Since launching, it has been viewed in over 240 countries and territories in 17 languages. Satisfying curiosity of about the Scientology religion and its Founder L. Ron Hubbard, the network takes viewers across six continents, spotlighting the everyday lives of Scientologists, showing the Church as a global organization, and presenting its social betterment programs that have touched the lives of millions worldwide.

Scientology Network is available on DIRECTV Channel 320, DIRECTV STREAM, AT&T U-verse and streams at Scientology.tv, on mobile apps and via the Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV platforms.

LEARN MORE:

https://www.scientology.tv/series/cchr-documentaries/therapy-or-torture-the-truth-about-electroshock.html

https://www.scientology.tv/series/voices-for-humanity/

MULTIMEDIA:

VIDEO

https://www.scientology.tv/series/cchr-documentaries/therapy-or-torture-the-truth-about-electroshock.html

https://www.scientology.tv/series/voices-for-humanity/janos-dobos-klara-hidvegi.html

https://www.scientology.tv/series/voices-for-humanity/bernd-trepping-and-nicola-cramer.html

As the World Psychiatric Association (WPA) convened its annual congress in Vienna, hundreds of activists from Citizens Commission on Human Rights Austria and chapters across Europe marched through the streets, insisting psychiatrists immediately cease their use of ECT (electroconvulsive treatment) and all coercive and harmful practices in the field of mental health.

Related link: https://www.scientology.org/

Reaching Out on Veterans Day to Help Prevent Suicides

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- This Veterans Day, Citizens Commission on Human Rights, the nonprofit mental health watchdog founded in 1969 by the Church of Scientology, warns veterans and their families of the hidden enemy behind veteran suicides.

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs, "Every day, some 17 veterans take their own lives." This is despite nearly 9 million veterans receiving health care services from the VA and the investment of $1.8 billion on research each year.

Citizens Commission on Human Rights advises the VA and Congress to look no further than the black box warning contained on each component of the cocktail of drugs administered to veterans.

And it is not only veterans who are at risk. The Defense Suicide Prevention Office warns the number of suicides across the active-duty military is also on the rise.

To raise awareness that the very "help" provided to our veterans is creating this crisis, CCHR produced a documentary exposing not only the cause but those exploiting and profiting from the fallout: The Hidden Enemy: Inside Psychiatry's Covert Agenda.

The film documents how the psychiatric industry conspired to infiltrate the military: archival footage that suggests military members were targeted by psychiatry as the perfect control group on which to conduct mind-altering experiments. Former service members and families speak out about the corruption and the mass drugging responsible for soaring suicide rates among veterans.

Warning: This film contains disturbing footage. But anyone with friends or family who are veterans or are serving in the armed services today needs to inform themselves of this hidden enemy and what can be done to combat it. And in doing so, perhaps save a loved one's life.

The Hidden Enemy: Inside Psychiatry's Covert Agenda is available in 17 languages on the Scientology Network. Citizens Commission on Human Rights also provides an educator's package for use by educators, lecturers or members of veterans' group who wish to make this information available, form coalitions or enlighten those in Congress or veterans' affairs to take action and end the crisis.

Since launching in 2018, the Scientology Network has been viewed in over 240 countries and territories in 17 languages Satisfying the curiosity of people about the Scientology religion and Founder L. Ron Hubbard, the network takes viewers across six continents, spotlighting the everyday lives of Scientologists, showing the Church as a global organization, and presenting its social betterment programs that have touched the lives of millions worldwide.

Scientology Network is available on DIRECTV Channel 320, DIRECTV STREAM, AT&T U-verse and streams at Scientology.tv, on mobile apps and via the Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV platforms.

LEARN MORE:

https://www.scientology.tv/series/cchr-documentaries/therapy-or-torture-the-truth-about-electroshock.html

https://www.scientology.tv/series/voices-for-humanity/

MULTIMEDIA:

VIDEO

https://www.scientology.tv/series/cchr-documentaries/therapy-or-torture-the-truth-about-electroshock.html

https://www.scientology.tv/series/voices-for-humanity/janos-dobos-klara-hidvegi.html

https://www.scientology.tv/series/voices-for-humanity/bernd-trepping-and-nicola-cramer.html

This Veterans Day, Citizens Commission on Human Rights, the nonprofit mental health watchdog founded in 1969 by the Church of Scientology, warns veterans and their families of the hidden enemy behind veteran suicides. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs, "Every day, some 17 veterans take their own lives."

Related link: https://www.scientology.org/

Church of Scientology Mission of Modena Dedicates New Home

MODENA, Italy /ScoopCloud/ -- The city of Modena represents the best of the old and new. Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its architectural gems and museums displaying some of the best-loved masterpieces of the 16th century, it is also the car capital of Italy. Birthplace of Enzo Ferrari, automobile manufacturing, speed and precision are part of its DNA.

October marked the 42nd anniversary of the Church of Scientology Mission of Modena, one of the premiere Scientology Missions of Italy. And on October 29, hundreds of Scientologists and guests joined the executives and staff of the Mission to celebrate the dedication of their new headquarters.

The Mission was welcomed by local businesses, nonprofits and community leaders.

Mr. Alessandro Crotti, an entrepreneur who works in the renewable energy sector, learned about Scientology two years ago when he was introduced to the groundbreaking administrative technology developed by Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard. Crotti has used the skills he learned not only to better handle production and distribution situations but also to improve relationships with others. And he spoke of how it has helped him face whatever comes his way with greater clarity and confidence.

Mr. Andrea Ferrarini is president of the civil protection group Radio Club Contea Nord of Bondeno. Ferrarini first worked with Modena's Scientology Volunteer Ministers responding to the earthquake that devastated the Emilia Romagna region of Italy in 2012. He spoke of how much he valued their help in the midst of such destruction.

Mr. Benito Toschi is founder of the local chapter of ANFASS which provides help to people with disabilities. He spoke of the many projects the Scientology Mission has supported to the benefit of the people ANFASS serves.

The final speaker was Ms. Simona Scattolin, an official from the municipality of Forlì, some 70 miles from Modena. Floods inundated the entire region in May and June, ravaging the homes and businesses of her city. Scientology Volunteer Ministers from Modena helped Forlì families with the grueling task of digging their homes and businesses out from the mud, salvaging what could be saved, and disposing of waterlogged flooring, walls and furniture.

Ms. Scattolin presented a plaque congratulating the Mission for its 42nd anniversary and its beautiful new home, extending heartfelt thanks to the Scientology Volunteer Ministers for their extraordinary and tireless help to the city of Forlì.

The staff then joined Mission Executive Director Simona Gorzanelli in opening the Mission and invited guests to tour. They welcome those new to Scientology to visit their public information display and learn more about what Scientology offers.

The Mission of Modena is equipped with every facility needed to provide the full array of introductory Scientology services. These include the popular Life Improvement Courses through which anyone may find workable solutions to common challenges of everyday life-such as how to improve a marriage, successfully raise children, increase personal motivation, and set and achieve goals.

The new Mission also offers seminars on a wide range of topics, including personal efficiency. The Hubbard Dianetics Seminar is based on Mr. Hubbard's watershed work Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health, the bestselling book that reveals the source of one's nightmares, unreasonable fears and irrational behavior-the reactive mind-and how to conquer it.

Additionally, the Mission provides spiritual counseling, known as auditing, and the Purification Program, developed by Mr. Hubbard to free individuals from the mental and spiritual damage caused by drugs and toxins.

LEARN MORE:

https://www.scientologynews.org/press-releases/

https://www.volunteerministers.org

https://www.scientologynews.org/press-releases/scientologists-bring-help-and-peace-of-mind-to-disaster-victims.html

MULTIMEDIA:

VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Su1NKhyhIp8

The city of Modena represents the best of the old and new. Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its architectural gems and museums displaying some of the best-loved masterpieces of the 16th century, it is also the car capital of Italy. Birthplace of Enzo Ferrari, automobile manufacturing, speed and precision are part of its DNA.

Related link: https://www.scientology.org/

Help in Action: Conference Dedicated to Bettering Migrants’ Lives

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- The Church of Scientology Los Angeles hosted a conference where Los Angeles Latinx community and civic leaders reviewed situations affecting migrants and their families. They invited human rights icon Father Alejandro Solalinde Guerra and Mexican state and national officials to brief them on urgent issues affecting the migrant community and recommend policy changes.

Fr. Solalinde has long championed the rights and dignity of migrants. He is founder of Hermanos en el Camino (Brothers on the Road), a migrant shelter providing humanitarian aid, food, and legal assistance to migrants since 2007. He also coordinates the Catholic Pastoral Care Centre for Migrants in southwestern Mexico (La Pastoral de Movilidad Humana Pacifico Sur del Episcopado Mexicano).

He has traveled on the network of freight trains that transport migrants through his country, saying this was the only way to comprehend the horrors they face on their journey through Mexico to the U.S. border. In his presentation, Solalinde stressed that migrants are unique beings. They are seeking to survive and create a better life for themselves and their families against tremendous odds. A close friend of Mexico's President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, Solalinde wanted the input of the L.A. Hispanic community so he could present their concerns and suggestions to the president.

The conference opened with a briefing on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by Francisco Sanz Polo of the Church of Scientology. He presented the human rights initiative the Church supports-United for Human Rights and its program for young people, Youth for Human Rights. Those attending watched a brief documentary on the history of human rights and read sections of the United for Human Rights booklet The Story of Human Rights. Author, humanitarian and Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard inspired these campaigns in his belief that "human rights must be made a fact, not an idealistic dream."

Celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights stresses the role of education in creating a world where all can enjoy their rights. Raising awareness of the existence of these rights is the vital first step in empowering those whose rights are infringed. And it is key to creating a culture where human rights are supported. For this reason, the Church provides these simple and compelling educational materials free of charge to anyone wishing to use them to educate others on this vital subject.

The Church of Scientology partners with the Los Angeles Latin American community on programs that support their rights and unique cultures. An Ideal Scientology Organization, the Church of Scientology of Los Angeles was designed to provide ideal facilities for Scientologists on their ascent to higher states of spiritual freedom and to serve as a home for the entire community-a meeting ground of cooperative effort to uplift people of all denominations. It was dedicated by Scientology ecclesiastical leader Mr. David Miscavige in 2010.

The Church of Scientology Los Angeles is featured in an episode of Inside Scientology on the Scientology Network, available on DIRECTV channel 320, DIRECTV STREAM, AT&T U-verse, and streaming at Scientology.tv, through mobile apps and via the Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV platforms.

For more information, visit the website of the Church of Scientology Los Angeles.

LEARN MORE:

https://www.scientologynews.org/press-releases/

https://www.scientology-losangeles.org

MULTIMEDIA:

https://www.scientology.tv/series/inside-scientology/inside-a-church.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0xMnowNCYo

https://www.scientology.tv/documentaries/the-story-of-human-rights.html

The Church of Scientology Los Angeles hosted a conference where Los Angeles Latinx community and civic leaders reviewed situations affecting migrants and their families. They invited human rights icon Father Alejandro Solalinde Guerra and Mexican state and national officials to brief them on urgent issues affecting the migrant community and recommend policy changes.

Related link: https://www.scientology.org/

Tolerance or Respect? Scientology Church Believes Communication is the Key to Friendship Among Faiths

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- In the spirit of interfaith understanding and friendship, the Church of Scientology Budapest invites all to attend an International Day of Tolerance open house and roundtable on the theme Tolerance or Respect?

For any group or religion, it is easy to love someone who thinks the way its own members do. The challenge is to love and understand those who think differently. But is tolerance of others' beliefs and practices enough? Or do we sell ourselves short when we don't go the extra mile to build understanding?

The event begins Wednesday, November 15, at 6 p.m. with a reception at 5:30 p.m.

Representatives of six different religions will explore and seek to answer:

* What is the difference between tolerance and respect?

* Can tolerance be achieved today despite religious, worldview, ethnic or national differences?

* What are the major issues creating division or polarization in society today?

* What do different religions teach about this?

* Can tolerance be taught?

* Is tolerance enough?

The roundtable will take place in the chapel of the Church of Scientology Budapest at Váci út 169.

The United Nations set aside International Day of Tolerance to "affirm respect and appreciation of the rich variety of our world's cultures, our forms of expression and ways of being human," and the "human rights and fundamental freedoms of others."

The rights and freedoms of others is a concept the staff and congregation of the Church of Scientology Budapest hold dear. In fact, this is a central theme of the episode of Destination: Scientology-Budapest on the Scientology Network. "Budapest is called the City of Freedom," says one of the Church executives interviewed for the program, and this is central to their pride in being Hungarian.

An Ideal Scientology Organization, the Church is configured to provide services to Scientologists in their ascent to spiritual freedom and serve as a home for the entire community-a meeting ground of cooperative effort to uplift people of all cultures and denominations. And it was in the name of freedom that Scientology ecclesiastical leader Mr. David Miscavige dedicated the Church in July 2016.

To learn more, visit the Church and its Public Information Center, open Mon-Fri 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sat and Sun 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., the Church website, or watch Destination: Scientology-Budapest, available in English, Magyar (Hungarian) and 15 other languages on DIRECTV Channel 320, DIRECTV STREAM, AT&T U-verse and streaming at Scientology.tv, on mobile apps and via the Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV platforms.

LEARN MORE:

https://www.scientology.tv/series/voices-for-humanity/

https://www.thewaytohappiness.org

MULTIMEDIA:

VIDEO

https://www.scientology.tv/series/destination-scientology/budapest.html

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/0Cs10XUsju4

In the spirit of interfaith understanding and friendship, the Church of Scientology Budapest invites all to attend an International Day of Tolerance open house and roundtable on the theme Tolerance or Respect? For any group or religion, it is easy to love someone who thinks the way its own members do. The challenge is to love and understand those who think differently.

Related link: https://www.scientology.org/

Gone but Not Forgotten: Church of Scientology Hosts Day of the Dead Festival

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Dia de los Muertos is not a day of sorrow but of joy. The Los Angeles Oaxacan Community honored the departed at the day's annual celebration at the Church of Scientology Los Angeles. Families celebrate the lives of deceased loved ones, welcoming them back as honored guests, serenading them, dancing traditional dances, and preparing their favorite foods.

The Church of Scientology Los Angeles and the Monarca Purépecha Association hosted the celebration for the L.A. Oaxacan community. The Purépecha are indigenous people of Michoacán, Mexico. More than 2,500 observed the holiday together at the festival.

Booths lined L. Ron Hubbard Way, where artisans displayed handicrafts from jewelry to traditional clothing and the food and drink of the region. Others created flowered altars of marigolds. Called ofrendas, they contain photos and other memorabilia to welcome those who have died and honor and celebrate their lives.

Throughout the afternoon and evening, costumed men and women performed folkloric dances to traditional music in a joyous celebration of life.

The Church of Scientology Los Angeles supports the culture and traditions of the many Latin communities of the Southland with festivals and cultural events throughout the year. An Ideal Scientology Organization, the Church was dedicated by Scientology ecclesiastical leader Mr. David Miscavige in 2010. The Church services Scientologists in their ascent to spiritual freedom and serves as a home for the entire community - a meeting ground of cooperative effort to uplift people of all denominations.

To learn more, visit the Church of Scientology Los Angeles at 4810 Sunset Blvd. any day of the year from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., visit the Church of Scientology Los Angeles website or watch Inside a Church of Scientology on the Scientology Network available on DIRECTV Channel 320, DIRECTV STREAM, AT&T U-verse and streaming at Scientology.tv, on mobile apps and via the Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV platforms.

LEARN MORE:

https://www.scientologynews.org/press-releases/

https://www.scientology-losangeles.org

MULTIMEDIA:

https://www.scientology.tv/series/inside-scientology/inside-a-church.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0xMnowNCYo

Dia de los Muertos is not a day of sorrow but of joy. The Los Angeles Oaxacan Community honored the departed at the day's annual celebration at the Church of Scientology Los Angeles. Families celebrate the lives of deceased loved ones, welcoming them back as honored guests, serenading them, dancing traditional dances, and preparing their favorite foods.

Related link: https://www.scientology.org/

Neighborhood Fun on L. Ron Hubbard Way for the Annual Halloween Festival

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- More than 3,000 filled L. Ron Hubbard Way in East Hollywood this week at a Halloween festival hosted by the Church of Scientology Los Angeles. As with all the street fairs the Church organizes, it was designed for maximum fun and admission was free.

The street was filled with minions, ghouls and witches, and superheroes of all ages and sizes. Activities included pumpkin carving, face-painting and donut-eating contests. The Ferris wheel and bouncy house were particularly popular. And kids screwed up their nerve to pet a host of challenging creatures at the "creepy crawly critters" petting zoo.

One of the most popular features of the festival was a children's concert and sing-along of songs performed by some of the children's favorite cartoon characters.

Neighbors, community groups, Church volunteers and staff took turns manning trick-or-treat stations and contributed candy and other treats for the kids.

The annual Halloween fun day was just one of a series of events planned to make the holiday season special for East Hollywood kids and their families. Next was a celebration of Dia de los Muertos. The Holiday Lighting Festival is scheduled for November 19 to be followed by winter fun for the kids throughout the season.

The Church of Scientology Los Angeles is an Ideal Scientology Church, serving Scientologists in their ascent to spiritual freedom and as a home for the entire community. In its commitment to bringing the community together, it hosts festivals like this throughout the year. The Church was dedicated by Scientology ecclesiastical leader Mr. David Miscavige in 2010.

To learn more, visit the Church of Scientology Los Angeles at 4810 Sunset Blvd. any day of the year from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., visit the Church of Scientology Los Angeles website or watch Inside a Church of Scientology on the Scientology Network available on DIRECTV Channel 320, DIRECTV STREAM, AT&T U-verse and streaming at Scientology.tv, on mobile apps and via the Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV platforms.

LEARN MORE:

https://www.scientologynews.org/press-releases/

https://www.scientology-losangeles.org

MULTIMEDIA:

https://www.scientology.tv/series/inside-scientology/inside-a-church.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0xMnowNCYo

More than 3,000 filled L. Ron Hubbard Way in East Hollywood this week at a Halloween festival hosted by the Church of Scientology Los Angeles. As with all the street fairs the Church organizes, it was designed for maximum fun and admission was free.

Related link: https://www.scientology.org/

Holiday Magic on L. Ron Hubbard Way Begins November 19

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Save the date and bring the whole family to the annual holiday lighting ceremony in East Hollywood, Sunday, November 19, 2023. And be prepared for a day full of fun. Church of Scientology Los Angeles promises another memorable holiday lighting ceremony. All are invited to share in the fun.

Expect the treats East Hollywood families have come to anticipate at this annual festival, including an ice-skating rink, cookie decorating booths, hot cocoa and live entertainment from 3:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Rumor has it that Santa plans to leave the North Pole in time to make his first appearance in Hollywood at the lighting festival this year. He will touch down in a horse-drawn carriage loaded with presents for the kids. And he plans to stick around at the lighting festival for portraits and selfies.

City officials and neighborhood groups will transform the East Hollywood neighborhood when they help flip the switch, illuminating nearly 300,000 holiday lights.

Volunteers have contributed more than 2,000 hours to make the lighting festival a memorable experience for East Hollywood families, in keeping with their campaign to "Keep Hollywood Beautiful."

The Church of Scientology Los Angeles is an Ideal Scientology Church, serving Scientologists in their ascent to spiritual freedom and as a home for the entire community. In its commitment to bringing the community together, it hosts festivals like this throughout the year. The Church was dedicated by Scientology ecclesiastical leader Mr. David Miscavige in 2010.

To learn more, visit the Church of Scientology Los Angeles at 4810 Sunset Blvd. any day of the year from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., visit the Church of Scientology Los Angeles website or watch Inside a Church of Scientology on the Scientology Network available on DIRECTV Channel 320, DIRECTV STREAM, AT&T U-verse and streaming at Scientology.tv, on mobile apps and via the Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV platforms.

LEARN MORE:

https://www.scientologynews.org/press-releases/

https://www.scientology-losangeles.org

MULTIMEDIA:

https://www.scientology.tv/series/inside-scientology/inside-a-church.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0xMnowNCYo

Save the date and bring the whole family to the annual holiday lighting ceremony in East Hollywood, Sunday, November 19, 2023. And be prepared for a day full of fun. Church of Scientology Los Angeles promises another memorable holiday lighting ceremony. All are invited to share in the fun.

Related link: https://www.scientology.org/

Drug-Free Heroes Honored at the Church of Scientology Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Each year, as part of their celebration of Red Ribbon Week, the Church of Scientology Los Angeles and local chapter of Foundation for a Drug-Free World hold the annual Drug-Free Heroes Gala Awards. This year's gala, Saturday, October 28, in the atrium of the Church of Scientology Advanced Organization on L. Ron Hubbard Way, honored L.A. drug prevention activists from across the Southland.

Following dinner and live entertainment, Unitarian Bishop L.J. Guillory delivered the keynote speech and Church of Scientology Los Angeles New Civilizations Director Betsy Davis presented awards to local drug-free heroes:

* Alex Alvarado of Urbanzones, for his support to the Los Angeles Guatemalan community especially at-risk youth and ex-offenders

* Victor E. Antepara from Latinos Unidos Los Angeles Foundation, who promotes Latin American culture to provide direction and guidance and instill pride in youth, helping them avoid dangerous lifestyles

* Maria Isabel Omolo Romos of M.I.R.O., who helps women in need of support to restore their lives

* Annette Dedillo of Our Paths Foundation, whose services include drug education, advocacy, in-home support and parent training.

This was followed by a very special award to Strike Out Against Drugs founder David Sanchez. In recognition of his outstanding service to the community, Davis presented him with the President's Volunteer Service Award, including a certificate of achievement and a letter signed by President Biden.

Sanchez, whose story is featured in an episode of Voices for Humanity on the Scientology Network, was introduced to marijuana by a neighbor when he was 9. It was not long before he became addicted to heroin and crystal meth, habits he supported with a life of crime. Spending most of his adult life in jail, he finally freed himself from drugs and on release, opened a sober living facility called Beacon of Hope to help former addicts transition to a drug-free, crime-free life. But he wanted to do more to help youth avoid a life of drug abuse and addiction.

"I had to find an organization that was like-minded, that had the will and the want to get out there and make a change in the community," Sanchez says in his Voices for Humanity episode. "Drug-Free World has the facts about drugs, the truth about drugs." Sanchez shares why the Truth About Drugs materials of Foundation for a Drug-Free World are so vital: "Knowing about something that could hurt you is half the battle in being able to defeat it."

He established his nonprofit Strike Out Against Drugs, created a mobile Truth About Drugs theater using films from Foundation for a Drug-Free World and tours throughout Los Angeles helping youth and their parents understand the truth about drugs.

The Church of Scientology Los Angeles is an Ideal Scientology Church, serving Scientologists in their ascent to spiritual freedom and as a home for the entire community-a meeting ground of cooperative effort to uplift people of all denominations. It was dedicated by Scientology ecclesiastical leader Mr. David Miscavige in 2010.

For more information on the Church, its services and community outreach, visit the Church of Scientology Los Angeles website or watch Inside a Church of Scientology on the Scientology Network, available on DIRECTV Channel 320, DIRECTV STREAM, AT&T U-verse and streaming at Scientology.tv, on mobile apps and via the Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV platforms.

LEARN MORE:

https://www.scientologynews.org/press-releases/

https://www.scientology-losangeles.org

https://www.drugfreeworld.org

https://www.scientology.tv/series/inside-scientology/inside-a-church.html

https://www.scientology.tv/series/voices-for-humanity/david-sanchez.html

MULTIMEDIA:

https://www.scientology.tv/series/inside-scientology/inside-a-church.html

https://www.scientology.tv/series/voices-for-humanity/david-sanchez.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95biwRmra1k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0xMnowNCYo

Each year, as part of their celebration of Red Ribbon Week, the Church of Scientology Los Angeles and local chapter of Foundation for a Drug-Free World hold the annual Drug-Free Heroes Gala Awards. This year's gala, Saturday, October 28, in the atrium of the Church of Scientology Advanced Organization on L. Ron Hubbard Way, honored L.A. drug prevention activists from across the Southland.

Related link: https://www.scientology.org/

Help Counter Bullying with Compassion and The Way to Happiness

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- According to a survey conducted by the Boys & Girls Club of America, 40 percent of U.S. children and teens say they were bullied at school this past year and 18 percent were bullied online. The effects of this practice can be fatal, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Is there something those wishing to help with this vital issue can do? The answer is yes, according to humanitarians featured on the Scientology Network. And not only is it effective, it is also easy to do.

These men and women use The Way to Happiness, the common-sense nonreligious moral code written by author, humanitarian and Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard. And the results are dramatic.

Among the 21 precepts of The Way to Happiness are two that particularly resonate on the subject of bullying. They present a new perspective on The Golden Rule - a concept that can be found in nearly every religion on Earth. These two precepts reinforce the original concept of this moral principle while giving direction on how to put it into practice.

Precept 19: Try Not to Do Things to Others That You Would Not Like Them to Do to You

Precept 20: Try to Treat Others as You Would Want Them to Treat You

These and 19 additional precepts are presented with practical examples of how to implement them to improve one's own and others' lives. The book has been adopted by people of vision around the world to better social conditions.

Voices for Humanity, an original series on the Scientology Network, shows how this booklet can counter bullying by helping those who would practice it reevaluate their behavior and its effect on their own and others' happiness.

In Taiwan, educator Miao-Hsiang Lin became an advocate of The Way to Happiness after using it in her classroom. She was deeply troubled about abusive behavior of her pupils and its consequences. Learning about The Way to Happiness from a friend, she used it to help her students reevaluate how they treat others-with dramatic results. This inspired her to bring The Way to Happiness to children throughout the island.

In Aruba, former parliamentarian Carmelita Haynes uses the booklet to reduce crime and increase opportunity for the youth of her country. As a child, she learned to protect herself from bullies and to cope with turmoil at home that ultimately led to her parents' contentious divorce. Training as a teacher, her goal was to ensure children growing up under similar circumstances have the same opportunities as anyone else. She says the book, with its 21 precepts, is just the thing kids need when things get rough-something they can hold on to. And for parents whose kids are in trouble, The Way to Happiness can set an example of how to survive and do well in life.

In Honduras, a country with one of the highest murder rates in the world, gangs frequently recruit children as young as 9 to a life of crime. Educator Eduardo Sabillon uses The Way to Happiness to inspire a movement to restore moral values and create a safer country.

To learn more, take a free online course on the book, or contact the nearest Church of Scientology for assistance in connecting with or setting up a local chapter of The Way to Happiness Foundation.

The Scientology Network airs the award-winning The Way to Happiness book on film and a series of public service announcements, illustrating each of the precepts in a way that particularly resonates with youth.

The Scientology Network debuted in March 2018. Since launching, with a special introduced by Scientology ecclesiastical leader Mr. David Miscavige, it has been viewed in over 240 countries and territories in 17 languages. Satisfying the curiosity of people about the Scientology religion and Founder L. Ron Hubbard, the network takes viewers across six continents, spotlighting the everyday lives of Scientologists, showing the Church as a global organization, and presenting its social betterment programs that have touched the lives of millions worldwide. The network also showcases documentaries by independent filmmakers who represent a cross-section of cultures and faiths but share a common purpose of uplifting communities. Scientology Network's innovative content has been recognized with more than 125 industry awards, including Tellys, Communitas and Hermes Creative Awards.

Broadcast from Scientology Media Productions, the Church's global media center in Los Angeles, the Scientology Network is available on DIRECTV Channel 320, DIRECTV STREAM, AT&T U-verse and streams at Scientology.tv, on mobile apps and via the Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV platforms.

LEARN MORE:

https://www.scientology.tv/documentaries/the-way-to-happiness.html

https://www.scientology.tv/documentaries/common-sense-for-life.html

https://www.scientology.tv/series/voices-for-humanity/glory-matipile.html

MULTIMEDIA:

https://www.scientology.tv/documentaries/the-way-to-happiness.html

https://www.scientology.tv/documentaries/common-sense-for-life.html

https://www.scientology.tv/series/voices-for-humanity/glory-matipile.html

https://www.scientology.tv/series/voices-for-humanity/miao-hsiang-lin.html

https://www.scientology.tv/series/voices-for-humanity/carmelita-haynes.html

https://www.scientology.tv/series/voices-for-humanity/eduardo-sabillon.html

According to a survey conducted by the Boys & Girls Club of America, 40 percent of U.S. children and teens say they were bullied at school this past year and 18 percent were bullied online. Is there something those wishing to help with this vital issue can do? The answer is yes, according to humanitarians featured on the Scientology Network. And not only is it effective, it is also easy to do.

Related link: https://www.scientology.org/