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I want to share a statistic that shines a light on the far-reaching impact of the opioid crisis. In LA County, seven to eight of our fellow residents lose their lives to an overdose, half of which are caused by fentanyl. For National Opioid Awareness Day, my team joined Dr. Barbara Ferrer, Sheriff Robert Luna, and other County departments and community leaders to share how the County is addressing this crisis through partnerships, preventative outreach, and resource centers like the Martin Luther King Jr. Behavioral Health Center in South Los Angeles. This health center is an example of effective collaboration in providing lifesaving services for people experiencing a mental health or substance abuse crisis.
One thing we can all do is talk to a young person we know about the dangers of fentanyl. Unfortunately, many people, especially young people, are unaware that a drug they might have purchased off the street for anxiety may be laced with fentanyl due to it being undetectable by taste or smell - this is just one heartbreaking example of how fentanyl has become the leading cause of death for people ages 18 to 45.
To learn more about resources available to prevent an overdose or how to save someone’s life with Narcan, please check out the Department of Public Health’s Fentanyl Frontline Awareness Campaign.
We are committed to removing the stigma that deters people from taking the hard road to recovery and will not back down from doing all we can to provide culturally competent resources that save lives.
Sincerely,
Holly J. Mitchell
Supervisor, Second District
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
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Today is Coastal Clean-up Day! (Saturday, September 23)
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In honor of Coastal Clean-up Day, I want to share this year's Clean Beach Poster Contest Winners for the 2nd District. Congratulations to Emily Chong, Alondra Statler, and Dagny Tang. These young artists created inspiring pieces conveying our shared responsibility to clean our waterways. To view all the artwork from this year's winners, click here.
If you have a third, fourth, or fifth grader who attends school in LA County and would like to submit artwork for the Department of Beaches and Harbors' Clean Beach Poster Contest, learn more here.
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September Racial Justice Learning Exchange Recap |
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Over 100 attendees joined us on the Charles R. Drew University (CDU) campus for our September Racial Justice Learning Exchange on Art & Resilience in Our Unincorporated Communities. We were thrilled to have the artist, Floyd Strickland, and one of our LA County Arts Commissioners, Pamela Bright-Moon, discuss the importance of honoring the artistry unique to Los Angeles and our diversity. Special thank you to CDU, the LA County Department of Arts & Culture, and our community partners, Juntos Florence-Firestone Together, Willowbrook Inclusion Network, the Lennox Coordinating Council, and the artist Ronek, who shared the meaning behind some of the iconic murals and pieces of artwork in our unincorporated communities. |
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National Opioid Awareness Day (Thursday, September 21) |
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On National Opioid Awareness Day, LA County's Department of Public Health convened an informative press conference (starts at 14:55) that included County, Federal, and community partners; at the end was a presentation on how to correctly administer Narcan to help save someone who is experiencing an overdose. Team Mitchell’s Senior Health Deputy, Yolanda Vera provided remarks on the preventative work we must continue to invest in to help stop the opioid crisis.
To check out the Department of Public Health’s Fentanyl Frontline Awareness Campaign click here. Here are a few additional resources: LA County Substance Abuse Helpline 1-844-804-7500, you can also find recovery centers here and tips on how to speak to someone about getting help.
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Getting Laptops to Students |
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The SEED School LA is LA County's first college-prep boarding school that provides students who have been underserved and need equitable access to opportunities with a pathway to college and career readiness in the fields of transportation infrastructure and Science, Technology Engineering, and Math. LA County's Delete the Divide initiative delivered over 200 laptops for SEED LA students. To learn more about the Delete the Divide initiative and the County's ongoing work to advance digital equity, visit deletethedivide.org. |
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Speaking in the Heart of Screenland |
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This week, I was invited to the Culver City Council meeting to share updates on opportunities to work with the County in addressing mental health, homelessness, and strengthening racial equity. Culver City was able to secure funds from LA County's Measure H Cities Innovation Fund; as a result, with the support of state Homekey funding, we will have a ribbon cutting next week for a new Homekey site. This is just one example of the strength of County-City partnerships in getting people housed. Thank you to the County's Department of Mental Health and Anti-Racism Diversity and Inclusion Initiative for joining me in sharing updates. |
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Celebrating Senior Center Awareness Month |
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September is Senior Center Month! Our senior centers are vital to our communities, providing a safe and welcoming space for our elderly residents to enjoy fun activities, stay active, and connect with friends and neighbors. As we join LA County's Department of Aging and Disabilities in celebrating Senior Center Month, we encourage you to check out the department's heartfelt video to learn more about the many benefits and services provided at community senior centers across the County.
To find a senior center near you, click here, and for more resources for seniors, including assistance with food, visit lacountyad.org.
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CITY OF LOS ANGELES EMERGENCY RENTERS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
If you rent an apartment in the City of Los Angeles and are at risk of losing your housing due to COVID-19 or other financial hardship, click here for eligibility requirements and to apply for the City of Los Angeles’ Renters Assistance Program.
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GRANTS SEASON IS HERE
The Los Angeles County Department of Arts & Culture has three grant applications open! If you are a community based organization in the arts check out the Organizational Grant Program, Community Impact Arts Grant and Arts Internship Program.
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MORTGAGE RELIEF AVAILABLE FOR RENTAL PROPERTY OWNERS
You may be eligible for the mortgage relief program if you are a rental property owner. Qualified applicants can receive up to $30,000 to eliminate outstanding mortgage or utility debt caused by the pandemic. To learn more and to review eligibility requirements, click here.
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LA FOOD EQUITY FUND
The Los Angeles County Chief Sustainability Office has launched the LA Food Equity Fund to alleviate food and nutrition insecurity and build a more sustainable and resilient food system. Grans upwards of $100,000 - $1,000,000 are available in the form of capacity-building grants or distribution grants.
Visit the link here to learn more and to view eligibility requirements.
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CAPACITY STRENGTHENING FOR IMMIGRANT-FOCUSED COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS GRANT PROGRAM
The Los Angeles County Office of Immigrant Affairs is expanding the Capacity-Strengthening for Immigrant-Focused Community-Based Organizations grant program. The application period is now open, and submissions will be accepted through October 27, 2023 by 5:00 pm. A total of 18 organizations will be selected for $125,000 grant awards.
To learn more and to apply, click here.
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To access additional information on upcoming community resources and events related to education, health, housing, workforce development and more, click here.
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SAFETY IN FLORENCE-FIRESTONE
Florence Library
7807 Compton Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90001
Wed, Sept 27 | 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Calling all Florence-Firestone Residents! Join us for a community conversation to discuss increasing safety in the Florence-Firestone community with a focus on safe access to the library. Participants will have the opportunity to share ideas to help create an action plan for a safer neighborhood.
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HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH BOOK FAIR
Sat, Sept 30 | 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Plaza La Alameda
2140 Florence Ave., Walnut Park, CA 90255
Join us to celebrate Hispanic heritage, history, and culture through literature and storytelling. This a free event that will feature live readings, music, and more!
All are welcomed!
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RJLE BOOK CLUB COMMUNITY DISCUSSION: SOLITO BY JAVIER ZAMORA
Wed, Oct 11 | 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Florence Library
7807 Compton Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90001
Join Supervisor Mitchell for our next community discussion on our Racial Justice Learning Exchange book of the quarter, Solito by Javier Zamora. Solito is a memoir that chronicles the near-impossible journey, which Zamora made by himself at 9 years old, from El Salvador to Arizona. Reading the book is encouraged but not required to participate in the discussion.
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THE RADICAL POWER OF DANCE: UNITED BY THE BEAT
Sat, Oct 29 | 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Our October Racial Justice Learning Exchange will focus on cultural connections through dance. This is a free event, and all are welcome to attend.
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Wishing all observing Yom Kippur a meaningful fast and day of reflection.
G'mar chatima tova.
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BOS Meeting Updates
The Board of Supervisors (BOS) meets every Tuesday at 9:30 am, except on Tuesdays following a Monday holiday when meetings begin at 1:00 pm. The next meeting is Tuesday, September 26. All public Board meetings can be viewed live at: http://bos.lacounty.gov/Board-Meeting/Live-Broadcast.
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This Week on Social Media
Follow Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell on Instagram, Facebook, X, and Threads to get the latest updates, resources, and events happening in the 2nd District!
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