2nd District Unincorporated Communities Newsletter | Saturday, November 8

Leer en español

Dear Neighbor,

Budgets are value statements – reflecting our current priorities and the future we are choosing to invest in. From the federal government shutdown to local government, budgets directly impact our lives and communities.

Two years ago, my office, in partnership with Reimagine LA Coalition, Participatory Budgeting Project and Tres Luna Consulting, launched the Second District Community Participatory Budget. Participatory budgeting gives people real power over how funds should be invested towards creating solutions and improving their community.

For this initial pilot, we focused on working directly with residents in Florence-Firestone and Ladera Heights on how a total of $1.7 million should be invested across their neighborhoods. They provided ideas and voted on the top ones.

I’m proud to announce we are in the implementation phase for the winning projects residents in Florence-Firestone and Ladera Heights selected. Check out the winning projects and the community organizations that are helping us bring them to fruition (learn more here):

Florence-Firestone 

• Florence-Firestone is Home: Cash Grants to Help People Stay Housed – St. John’s Community Health
• Connections to Ready-to-Hire Jobs – Inspire Together
• Nourishing Our Neighborhood: A Green Space Initiative – TreePeople & LA Conservation Corps

Ladera Heights 

• Tree & Common Area Improvement Project – LA Conservation Corps & Los Angeles Trade Tech College
• Active Minds, Healthy Lives Initiative – Building Futures Inc.
• Digital Literacy Empowerment – Bridge the Digital Divide
• Youth Digital Workforce Development – UNITE-LA

Our Second District Community Participatory Budget is a powerful example of what’s possible when we intentionally collaborate to ensure that budgets are informed by the people they are meant to serve. I  look forward to sharing more updates on the outcomes of this initiative, to stay updated, please visit:https://bit.ly/SD2-PBP

Free Food Distributions in the 2nd District

Organizations throughout our district have stepped up to help provide free food to those in need. My office alone has distributed $260,000 to support local organizations in expanding their food distributions. We are also partnering with the County and Los Angeles Regional Food Bank to host the following upcoming food banks:

• Tuesday, Nov 11 from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm: Exposition Park (900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90007)

• Wednesday, Nov 12 from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm: Magic Johnson Park (905 E. El Segundo Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90059)

• Saturday, Nov 22 from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm: Lennox Middle School (11033 Buford Ave, Lennox, CA 90304)

To find the nearest food bank to you, please visit LAFoodBank.org or call 2-1-1. 

In service,
Holly J. Mitchell
Supervisor, Second District

Below are upcoming clean-ups at encamepments in our unincorporated communities that will be happening throughout the week of November 10. Please note that clean-ups are ongoing along with outreach to help connect residents experiencing homelessness to the services they need and build trust so they are ready to accept interim housing once it is available.

Florence-Firestone

• Holmes Ave and Firestone Blvd
• 92nd and Fir Ave
• 87th and Beach Street
• 85th and Miramonte
• 78th and Compton Ave
• 60th and Compton Ave

Willowbrook:

• 114th and Watts Ave

If you would like to notify the County of encampments in your community, you can submit via The Works App here.

The Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District (GLACVCD) confirmed last week the first positive mosquito test for West Nile virus in Florence-Firestone this year. You will begin to see public notices from GLACVCD within a half-mile radius of trap locations to advise residents to take precautions when mosquitoes are present. 

Residents should remove any items that hold standing water for over a week, change the water in pet dishes, birdbaths, and similar containers weekly; wear insect repellent when outdoors; keep swimming pools, spas, and ponds properly maintained; and report neglected swimming pools to the GLACVCD. For more information, visit GLAmosquito.org.

Our office is teaming up with the LA County Department of Public Works to gather feedback from residents in our unincorporated communities on how to make local transportation safer, more reliable, and better suited to your needs. For more information about this initiative, click here.

Residents are encouraged to attend one of the upcoming meetings:

📍 Wednesday, November 12 | 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. – Virtual Meeting

📍 Monday, November 17 | 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. – Willowbrook Senior Center

📍 Wednesday, November 19 | 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. – Leimert Park Metro Station

Can’t make a meeting? Share your feedback anytime, here:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NQD5Q8S

Share your feedback to help LA County’s Governance Reform Task Force (GRTF) improve future budget presentations and ensure the County’s budgeting is more accessible and responsive to community needs. All are encouraged to complete the survey, whether you attended past County budget presentations or not, your insights are needed and appreciated. Take the survey here: bit.ly/GRTFsurvey

In honor of Veterans day on Tuesday November 11, throughout LA County, government agencies, cities, and community partners are lighting their buildings and landmarks green. Your community organization or business is encouraged to join us, submit a pic of how you celebrated Operation Green Light here. 

Thank you to all the brave people who have served our country. We are committed to showing our gratitude by ensuring you have the care and resources you need. For more information about government benefits and services for veterans and their families, please visit https://mva.lacounty.gov/.

As part of our 2nd District Corridors 2 Community initiative, we hosted our second activation event for the vacant lot on the corner of 77th and Central in our Florence-Firestone community. Each activation event includes free onsite County and community services along with different fun family friendly activities. 

Join us at the next one on Saturday, November 15 from 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. There will be free food for the first 200 participants and 100 free produce boxes. The event is open to everyone. Register here: https://bit.ly/4mVLasI. Stay updated on this initiative at: mitchell.lacounty.gov/corridors2community/

LA County Arts Commission champions the mission, vision, and values of the LA County Department of Arts and Culture. The Commission provides leadership, advocacy and resources to strengthen collaboration among artists, educators, cultural organizations, municipalities, and the community at large. To learn more about the Commission, visit https://www.lacountyarts.org/about/arts-commission/arts-commissioners

Free Construction Training for Women

The LA County Department of Justice Care & Opportunities and Metro are partnering with WINTER and the LA/OC Building & Construction Trades Council to offer a 10-week, tuition-free construction training program for women who are system-impacted, including foster youth, justice-involved individuals, and veterans.

For more information and to apply, visit https://tinyurl.com/JCODxMetro-Winter

The LA County Department of Public Health is hiring a Public Health Microbiologist I, responsible for performing standardized laboratory tests in specialized areas such as bacteriology, virology, serology, or parasitology. To apply, visit https://bit.ly/Microbiologist-I

Harvest Festival

November 12 - 25

Various LA County Parks

Celebrate the season’s harvest, traditions, and togetherness at a park near you. These events honor Indigenous cultures and sustainable practices. Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Call your local park for a schedule of activities.

Roots & Routes: Grill & Chill

Saturday, November 15 from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Willowbrook Rosa Parks Station Plaza
11611 Willowbrook Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90059

Join Metro for a fun afternoon celebrating local chefs, culture, and creativity. Enjoy live music, art, and family-friendly activities while sampling delicious food from Willowbrook’s own culinary talents. The event also features the Flavor Cart Grand Opening, where you can learn about food vending, turning recipes into revenue, and the micro-entrepreneurship program.

(Spanish Flyer)

Corridors 2 Community Florence-Firestone Lot Activation

Saturday, November 15 from 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.

7700 S. Central Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90001

Join the Office of Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell for a free community event to connect to county services, including tenant and business resources, free health screenings, and wellness checks along with free food for the first 200 attendees and 100 free produce boxes.

Mobile Flu Vaccine Clinic

Tuesday, November 18 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Burton Chace Park Community Room
13650 Mindanao Way
Marina del Rey, CA

The LA County Department of Public Health is hosting a free mobile flu vaccine clinic. No appointment is needed, on-site registration only.

You can learn about and provide public comment on upcoming Board motions before they come to the Board of Supervisors for a vote at one of the five public meetings also known as Cluster Meetings taking place each Wednesday. 

The next set of Cluster Meetings is on Wednesday, November 12. To learn about cluster meetings, visit ceo.lacounty.gov/agendas.Sign-up to receive weekly notifications on cluster meetings here.

The Board of Supervisors meets every Tuesday at 9:30 a.m., except on Tuesdays following a Monday holiday when meetings begin at 11:00 a.m. The next meeting is a Regular Board Meeting on Tuesday, November 18. View all public Board meetings live at: http://bos.lacounty.gov/Board-Meeting/Live-Broadcast.

We encourage you to share this newsletter with your neighbors! 

Sign up for the Second District Unincorporated Newsletter here.