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Dear Neighbor,
Last month, the Board of Supervisors proclaimed October 20-26, 2024, as Lead Poisoning Prevention Week in Los Angeles County, a motion I pushed forward with my co-author, Supervisor Janice Hahn.
As we enter Lead Poisoning Prevention Week in Los Angeles County, I want to reaffirm my commitment to safeguarding the health of our communities, especially our children, who are most vulnerable to the harmful effects of lead exposure. The legacy of contamination from facilities, which have been historically placed in low-income and vulnerable communities, has left a devastating stain on our neighborhoods, and we must continue to fight for justice and accountability. This week serves as a crucial reminder of the work that lies ahead, as we strive to raise awareness, promote education, and advocate for the necessary changes to protect public health.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), lead can linger in the body for years- months in the soft tissues and decades in bones. Additionally, living in an urban area, such as Los Angeles County, exposure to some level of lead is almost inevitable. The only way to know if one has been lead-poisoned is by getting a blood lead test. Children should be screened at 1 and 2 years of age, and any time they are potentially exposed to a lead source. Adults should request a blood lead test from their medical provider if exposed to a lead hazard source.
For more resources regarding Lead Prevention Week, keep reading for an upcoming resource in the San Gabriel Valley or visit http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/lead/.
Sincerely,
Hilda L. Solis
Supervisor, First District
 
It brought me great joy to attend the grand opening of the La Puente Enhanced One Stop Center, the new regional office which will offer expanded County services to residents and businesses right in the heart of San Gabriel Valley.
Growing up in unincorporated Puente Valley, I understand how important it is for our residents to access resources and services close to them. I am proud to share that this new regional center will ensure services are connected for areas like the City of La Puente and City of Industry, in addition to unincorporated areas like Avocado Heights, Bassett, West Puente Valley, Covina Islands, Hacienda Heights, Rowland Heights, and other surrounding neighborhoods.
The La Puente Enhanced One Stop Center will house multiple Los Angeles County Departments, including the Departments of Public Works, Public Health, and Regional Planning. In addition to the ribbon cutting, the event showcased a new civic art mural made by local artist Carly Lake with input from local high school students from La Puente High School, Bassett High School, and Nogales High School, and included a resource fair for community members needing County services.
 
When tough times are upon us, the support we receive from key community pillars, like churches, can provide immediate relief. That is why I awarded $1 million in grant funding to the Resurrection Church to expand their food distribution program. This church, which serves Boyle Heights and surrounding areas, is a longstanding place of refuge and empowerment for low-income and immigrant communities while offering spiritual nourishment and practical resources.
The Resurrection Church currently serves around 200 people daily and will make an even bigger impact with the expansion of their food distribution operations. I have no doubt they will play a vital role in uplifting our Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles communities, and I remain inspired by their commitment to serve our communities.
 
This week I joined the Justice, Care, and Opportunity Department (JCOD) for their “Together We Thrive” Summit, which brought together visionaries, advocates, community organizations, and justice-impacted individuals to recognize the positive impact made in the lives of our communities, and uplift collaboration as we continue to work on dismantling systemic issues in our justice system.
In 2022, I co-authored the motion with then-Supervisor Kuehl to create JCOD, with the determination to increase collaboration and partnership among those who support justice-involved communities. It was moving to look at the accomplishments and improvements we’ve made together and inspiring to know the difference we can make when we unite and work together.
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When community comes together, beautiful things can happen – including the beautification of the Folsom Stairs in East Los Angeles! I joined community members and volunteers from Esteban Torres High School, In The Making, and Soledad Enrichment Action to clean up and plant along these stairs.
Community projects like these not only make our neighborhoods greener, but also bring us closer, and deepen our relationships to each other and our neighborhoods. When we invest in our communities and cherish it, we are filled with a sense of pride from taking care of our own. Thank you to our community members, volunteers, and partners who helped out!
Do you know East LA? LA Metro is investing funds to address street safety and make it easier to walk, bike, or roll around the East LA Civic Center Station and wants to ensure that the community's input plays a key role in guiding this process.
Exploramos East Los is an interactive way to test your East LA knowledge while sharing your thoughts on how to best enhance the streets around the Civic Center Station. And you get to compete for gift cards to local businesses!
There are 26 medallions with questions about East LA history, hidden gems, and street smarts. Test your knowledge - the more correct answers you give, the more likely it is that you’ll win a prize!
  Join the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program and SPA 3 Pomona Wellness Community at our Lead Resource Fair and learn about lead exposure in consumer products and other sources of lead, and practical prevention measures against lead poisoning.
Lead 101 Presentations will be available in English and Spanish.
There will also be FREE blood lead testing by the Public Health Nursing Team from the Office of Environmental Justice and Climate Health from 1-3pm.
Interested in learning more about services the County offers for people living with substance abuse issues?
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is hosting a community meeting on harm reduction for residents in Supervisorial District 1 from 12-1:30 p.m. Friday, November 1 at the LA Mission. Registration is required. On-site parking is limited.
🕯️ Join us for a two-week celebration honoring the cultural traditions of people, places, and ideas. Immerse yourself in the beauty of stunning altars, family-friendly activities, a free outdoor film screening, and #DiaDeMuertos #DTLA’s inaugural parade. Opening ceremony begins this Saturday, 10/19 11am-4pm.
To learn more, visit https://grandparkla.org
 
 Meet Bailey!
Bailey (#A5618105) is a 10 month old siberian husky. Curious and true to her breed, Bailey is ready to adventure and explore the world! Bailey is spayed and is weighing about 23lbs, so she’ll need to gain a little more! This sweet baby girl is still a puppy and will benefit from someone who can show her the ropes and teach her all the good things in the world (toys, good manners, and treats!). Ready to meet Bailey? Come meet her today at the Baldwin Park Animal Care Center!
Interested in viewing other pets at our County Shelters? Visit Dept of Animal Care and Control https://animalcare.lacounty.gov.
 Meet Tara!
Tara (#A5649456) 4 year old beautiful lab/pitbull mix with big brown eyes. She deserves a place to decompress, as she is shy and a bit overwhelmed at how loud the shelter is. Tara warms up fast and is looking for someone who can understand her and give her some love and safety. She’s sweet and walks well on a leash!
Ready to meet her? Come visit her today at the Baldwin Park Animal Care Center!
Interested in viewing other pets at our County Shelters? Visit Dept of Animal Care and Control https://animalcare.lacounty.gov.
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