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Dear Neighbor,
The movement for guaranteed income is continuing to grow. I was honored to witness this firsthand this week as I addressed over 200 attendees - from elected offices, government departments, philanthropy, advocacy, and community representatives - at LA County's Guaranteed Income Summit, held at the Second District's Erwin "Magic" Johnson Park.
Guaranteed Income—a program that provides direct cash payments to individuals or households with no conditions or restrictions—has the power to make a difference for communities experiencing poverty. I shared insights gained from my office's work with the County's Poverty Alleviation Initiative to launch BREATHE, LA County's first and largest Guaranteed Income program.
The $1,000 in stipends that have reached over 1,000 people these past two years have helped families pay for critical necessities like childcare, rent, and the ability to grow savings for the first time. Since launching BREATHE, we have expanded the program to include 200 foster youth, and I am proud to be introducing a motion on Tuesday to provide 2,000 foster youth ages 18 to 21 with $500 stipends.
Poverty is a symptom of injustice and systemic oppression. It is not by happenstance or a complete lack of effort, that generations within families and whole communities experience varying levels of economic insecurity and at worst, deep poverty that takes lives.
We all see the manifestation of poverty by design in our unhoused family, friends, and neighbors, in our over-crowded jail system, and in the fact that we are home to the largest population of foster youth.
During the summit I presented questions for us to explore as a collective: how do we approach dismantling poverty as an act of service that will have a generational impact? And how do we serve people who only know systems by the harm they've caused?
These are serious questions that require us to listen and trust the people who are most impacted. I am proud of our work to provide residents with financial breathing room. By trusting them to make the right decisions for their lives and families, we are co-creating sustainable solutions to help end poverty.
Thank you to the County's Poverty Alleviation Initiative and the entire coalition of community and philanthropic supporters who have made BREATHE possible.
To learn more about the impact and testimonials from participants in BREATHE, please visit: https://ceo.lacounty.gov/pai/breathe/
Sincerely, Holly J. Mitchell Supervisor, Second District
Read Ahead:
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UNINCORPORATED COMMUNITY UPDATES |
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Stay Safe During Excessive Heat
An excessive heat warning is in effect from 10:00 a.m. Sunday to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, with peak conditions expected on Tuesday. Stay cool by avoiding the sun from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. drinking plenty of water, and wearing light, loose-fitting clothing. Use air conditioning or visit public cooling centers, and check on high-risk family members, neighbors, and friends, like the elderly and young children. For a list of local cooling centers near you, visit ready.lacounty.gov/heat or call 2-1-1.
For a list of cooling centers in the Second District and throughout LA County visit: https://ready.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2024-Cooling-Centers-List-for-Webpage-7.20.24.pdf
For additional tips for staying cool visit: https://ready.lacounty.gov/heat/
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Westside Area Plan: Public Review Period Extended Until August 16
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My office recently held a community meeting with the LA County Department of Regional Planning on the Westsiide Area Plan (WSAP). I would like to thank the over 240 residents from Ladera Heights and View Park / Windsor Hills that joined to share valuable feedback and uplift important concerns regarding traffic, building height restrictions, parking, and the need to protect existing businesses and residents in their community. The WSAP is currently in its drafting stage, with the public review period extended until August 16, 2024. For more information on the WSAP, visit planning.lacounty.gov/long-range-planning/westside-area-plan/
Your feedback is crucial, we encourage you to share your input in the following ways:
Thank you to the Ladera Heights Civic Association and View Park/Windsor Hills United Homeowners Association for their support. We will share details for the next community meeting.
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Celebrating Charles R. Drew University’s Medical Class of 2028
During this week’s board meeting, we celebrated the first-year medical students for the class of 2028 from Charles R. Drew University! These 60 students are the second class to begin their journey to becoming doctors at the new CDU medical school in South LA. They were selected from over 4,000 applicants and represent all five of LA County's supervisorial districts. May we continue to support these brilliant leaders and their commitment to providing medical care to under-resourced and underserved communities throughout LA County.
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Enhancing Senior Parks Programming in the Second District
In partnership with the Department of Parks & Recreation, my office hosted focus groups at all 27 of our senior programs offered by the Parks Department to hear from senior residents directly on the types of experiences and resources that would serve them best. The information gathered will inform monthly parks programming for our seniors, from trips to guest speakers. We look forward to sharing the outcomes from this initiative and updates as parks staff will continue monthly meetings with seniors to discuss needs, interests, improvement areas, and success stories. To learn more about services provided Parks & Recreations, visit https://parks.lacounty.gov/seniors/
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Marina del Rey’s New Rotary Chapter
Team Mitchell helped celebrate the Marina del Rey’s new Rotary Chapter. We joined this dedicated group focused on bringing diversity and community resources to the Marina. The group has already started working to bring new programs, including the summer youth sailing camps. Thank you to the members for your ongoing efforts and work to make a positive mark in the Marina; we look forward to working together. To learn more about the Marina del Rey Rotary Chapter, visit https://mdrrotary.org/
Beaches & Harbors Summer Concert Series
Team Mitchell attended the Marina del Rey Summer Concert Series, connecting with constituents while enjoying live music by the ocean. Now in its 24th year, the series has featured a variety of fantastic performers at the beautiful Burton Chace Park. Make sure to check out this free summer concert experience happening every Saturday until August 17. For more details, visit https://beaches.lacounty.gov/concerts/.
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If you are a youth or young person who identifies as LGBTQ+, the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services is committed to providing a safe and affirming environment that uplifts your sexual orientation, gender-identify and expression (SOGIE) so that you can thrive. To learn more about DCFS programs for LGBTQ+ youth, visit https://dcfs.lacounty.gov/youth/lgbtq-youth/
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GREENLINE HOME PROGRAM
Ready to buy your first home? The Greenline Home Program provides a $35,000 grant for down payment or closing cost assistance to help first-time homebuyers in LA County. This initiative aims to support economically marginalized communities impacted by redlining. For more information on the Greenline Home Program, visit https://dcba.lacounty.gov/greenline/.
CALFRESH RESTAURANT MEALS PROGRAM
Restaurant Meals is a CalFresh Program that allows eligible individuals to use their Golden State Advantage (EBT) card to purchase prepared meals from participating restaurants. The program is available to people experiencing homelessness, elderly (60+), those disabled and their spouses. To use the program, find participating restaurants displaying the Restaurant Meals sign, use your EBT card to purchase meals, and receive a receipt showing the cost and your EBT balance. For more information, visit https://dpss.lacounty.gov/en/food/meals.html.
LACDA SENIOR HOME IMPROVEMENT GRANT
The Senior Grant Program assists with mobility and habitability repairs to help low-income seniors (62 years or older) remain in their homes and age in place. Seniors must reside within the unincorporated areas (UA) of Los Angeles County Supervisorial Districts 1, 2, 4, and 5, and must own the home, which is in need of home modifications and repairs. For more information, call Cindy Tei at 626-586-1828 or email SeniorGrant@lacda.org.
DOWNLOAD THE WORKS APP
From reporting potholes to accessing essential services, The Works App helps you connect to essential county services. This app empowers you to report issues like graffiti, overgrown trees, illegal dumping, and maintenance needs in county parks, while also keeping you updated on upcoming events. Download The Works App for iPhone or Android today to connect to services and easily locate nearby offices, libraries, shuttle buses, and more.
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HARM REDUCTION COMMUNITY MEETING
June 10 - August 16
Burton Chace Park 13640 Mindanao Way Marina del Rey, CA 90292
Monday, August 5 | 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Martin Luther King Jr., Behavioral Health Center
Join the LA County Department of Public Health for a community meeting on LA County's harm reduction syringe services program. This hybrid event will take place on Monday, August 5, from 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm at the Martin Luther King Jr, Behavioral Health Center. To participate via Zoom, register here.
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MAGGIE HATHAWAY GOLF COURSE RENEWAL PROJECT
Wednesday, August 7 | 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Jesse Owens Park Gymnasium
9651 S. Western Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90047
The LA County Department of Parks & Recreation, Fore Youth Golf Foundation, American Golf, and partners are excited to invite you to a community meeting to learn about the planned renewal and restoration of the historic Maggie Hathaway Golf Course next to Jesse Owens Park. Project proposes golf course updates, a new clubhouse with a community room and youth enrichment lab, an accessible driving range, expanded practice facilities and enhanced programming.
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SUMMER LOVE PET ADOPTION EVENT
Saturday, August 10 | 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Carson Animal Care Center
216 W. Victoria Street
Gardena, CA 90248
Join the LA County Department of Animal Care and Control for a pet adoption event. Adoption fees will be waived, and free microchips will be available–thanks to Old Blue Inc., a nonprofit that provides medical funding for the dogs in Carson Animal Care Center.
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2ND DISTRICT OCEAN SAFETY DAYS
August 10 - August 31, 2024
Dockweiler Youth Center
12505 Vista Del Mar
Playa Del Rey, CA 90293
Join LA County's Fire Department Lifeguard Division and the Women's Fire League every Saturday from 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. for Ocean Safety Days. Your child will learn vital ocean safety skills and improve their knowledge and confidence to enjoy the beach. This is a free program open to all youth 9 years and older.
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LENNOX NIGHT AT THE PARK
Thursday, August 15 | 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Lennox Park
10828 Condon Avenue
Lennox, CA 90304
Join us for our 3rd Annual Night at the Park event at Lennox Park. There will be a free concert, food, resource fair, a youth soccer clinic, and a 4v4 futsal indoor soccer tournament!
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FREE YOGA CLASSES WITH MASTER YOGI DAVID LILLY
Learn the fundamentals of yoga with Master Yogi David Lilly in a friendly and supportive environment. The program is aimed at improving flexibility, strength, and overall well-being.
Mondays | 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Burton Chace Park 13650 Mindanao Way Marina del Rey, CA 90292
To reserve a spot, send an email to chacepark@bh.lacounty.gov.
Fridays | 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Dockweiler Youth Center 12505 Vista del Mar Playa del Rey, CA 90293
To reserve a spot, send an email to dyc@bh.lacounty.gov.
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We encourage you to share this newsletter with your neighbors!
Sign up for the Second District Unincorporated Newsletter here.
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