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Packed with resources and info, click to skip ahead: Why We Need Small Business Tenant Protections, Coyote Safety Reminders & Resources, Upcoming Changes to LA County Government, Supporting our Carson Animal Shelter, 2nd District Arts & Culture Update, Job Opportunities & Internships, Grants & Funding Resources, Community Events & Programs, Upcoming Public Meetings
Dear Neighbor,
Three years ago, we asked residents in Ladera Heights and Florence-Firestone to decide how they would like to invest $1.7 million in their communities. The ideas were developed and voted on by local residents, and the winning initiatives we have been implementing have included beautification projects, workforce development training and job fairs, rental assistance to help people stay housed, exercise and health classes for seniors, and digital literacy classes.
This marked Los Angeles County’s first participatory budgeting program and the launch of our Second District Community Budget.
I’m excited to share that we are now expanding our Second District Community Budget to the unincorporated communities of Willowbrook and Athens-Westmont, with a total of $1.45 million allocated to these communities—$600,000 for Willowbrook and $850,000 for Athens-Westmont.
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And now, we are asking Willowbrook and Athens-Westmont community members to join the Advisory Committee to help develop and weigh in on recommendations for initiatives that will ultimately be submitted and voted on by their fellow neighbors.
Any Willowbrook and Athens-Westmont resident age 16 or older can apply, regardless of immigration status, gender, race, or ethnicity.
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The application will remain open through Friday, September 18 at 11:59 pm. To apply visit: Mitchell.LACounty.gov/CommunityBudget
If you would like more info, please join our upcoming virtual info sessions:
You can also check out this video for more insight on participatory budgeting from Tyler and Karla on our team.
Also, if you are a community based organization that serves our Willowbrook and Athens-Westmount community that is interested in supporting outreach efforts for this initiative, you can sign-up here to be notified once our Community Engagement Partner application opens.
I want to thank Reimagine LA and Tres Lunas Consulting for partnering with my office on this effort. The success from our landmark pilot was a reflection of co-governance at its best and demonstrated what is possible when our residents have a direct say in how their public funds are spent.
Sincerely,
Holly J. Mitchell
Supervisor, Second District
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A’kia Benbo is the owner of HoneyQween Juice Bar, a small business based in South Los Angeles, recognized for bringing healthy and flavorful beverages to our communities. A’Kia started her business in 2016 as a street vendor and caterer, before leasing her first brick-and-mortar store in 2021.
What started as an exciting opportunity to bring jobs and healthy options to South LA, quickly turned into issues with landlord harassment and predatory pracitices that ultimately forced A’Kia out of her first storefront. A’Kia is one of many business owners who have faced similar circumstances of being displaced.
This is why I’m bringing forward a motion with Chair Hilda Solis at the Tuesday Septemeber 1 Board of Supervisor’s meeting that will require commercial landlords in our unincorporated communities to have a Commericial Rental License and will include support for businesses that are wrongfully pushed out of their storefronts.
My office joined A’Kia and other small business owners at a Small Business Alliance for Equitable Communities rally to raise awareness of the challegnes they face. Click the video below to learn more and join us at this Tuesday September 1 board meeting.
Also, if you’re wondering how to support HoneyQween Juice Bar, you can still purchase online and at select Vallarta Supermarket locations.
We’ve heard from residents like Tina in our Windsor Hills community who wanted more info and support with responding to coyotes. So in addition to delivering lawn signs to Tina with safety tips for the community, we also took her advice about seeing if utility companies can support clearing areas near their power lines which helps with coyote safety, we will keep you informed on any updates on this.
It’s important to keep in mind that coyotes are a natural part of the ecosystem throughout Los Angeles County. In our unincorporated communities, the County’s Agricultural Commissioner/Weights and Measures (ACWM) Department helps lead coyote awareness and response efforts. The department has created this helpful guide, which we encourage you to review.
Coyote sightings are common, for example between May of last year to now, our office has received 12 calls from residents regarding sightings. It’s important to note that because coyotes are native to LA County, sightings are normal but incidents of direct aggression, like biting, are not and should be reported to California Department of Fish and Wildlife at 888-334-2258.
Coyotes generally keep to themselves unless they become dependent on people, which can happen when they are fed. So please never feed coyotes. To help us peacefully coexist with coyotes, please keep these other important safety tips in mind:
- Keep garbage cans closed and secure.
- Promptly remove food dishes after pets finish eating outdoors.
- Clear brush and dense weeds from around your property.
- If you encounter a coyote, stay calm, keep your distance, and make yourself appear large and loud to encourage it to move away, which usually works since they are generally shy and wary of humans.
Residents in our unincorporated communities who would like additional information or support can contact ACWM at 626-575-5462 for one-on-one advice and, if appropriate, an onsite assessment. You can also report a coyote sighting through the department’s Coyote Sighting Report
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There are major changes to LA County’s government structure that are underway that the LA County Governance Reform Task Force (GRTF) is working to provide recommendations on. Your voice is needed in this space. To help residents stay informed and participate in the GRTF meetings we have been hosting virtual community meetings.
Join our next virtual meeting on Wednesday, September 2 from 6 - 8 pm to get the latest updates, make informed decisions, and meaningfully participate in upcoming Governance Reform Task Force meetings.
Register here: bit.ly/Sept-2-GC. And be sure to attend the GRTF meeting on September 9.
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This week, as part of our 2nd District Arts & Culture Initiative, we brought over 400 residents from across the district to see the David Geffen Galleries at the LA County Musesum of Art (LACMA) People joined us from Baldwin Hills, Full Gospel Baptist Church, Willowbrook Senior Center, East Rancho Dominguez Community Center, and Roy Campanella Park.
The 2nd District Arts & Culture initiative focuses on connecting our unincorporated residents to the art, performances and cultural experiences that make LA County the vibrant global epicenter of creativity. If you’re a 2nd District resident interested in learning more about the program, sign up to get notified when new experiences come up here: https://mitchell.lacounty.gov/artscultureaccess/.
It’s Clear the Shelters month and we want to close out August strong. All adoption fees, spay/neuter fees, and microchip fees are waived through the end of the month. Bring home your new best friend today! To learn more and to find an animal care center near you visit, animalcare.lacounty.gov/.
Our office recently joined LA County Animal Care and Department Director Marcia Mayeda for a visit to the Carson Animal Shelter. Did you know that our County shelters do not turn away any animal? This is why your help is needed. Hear from the County’s Dept. of Animal Care team on how easy it is to adopt (all fees are waived) and the impact you can help make. Check out the video here.
Join me tomorrow evening at 6:00 pm for our monthly Sippin My Tea. I will be sharing the latest updates from our district and what’s coming up next. You can join on YouTube, Facebook, X, and TikTok.
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Apply to work as an Election Worker
Deadline: Rolling
Requirements:
✅ 18 years of age or older
✅ A U.S. citizen and registered to vote in California OR a Legal Permanent Resident
Bilingual election workers earn a bonus of $100.
Find more information at LAVOTE.GOV/ElectionWorker
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NEW JOBS posted by the LA County Human Resource Department
Deadline: Varies
Departments across LA County are hiring for qualified candidates for both hourly and annual paying positions.
For more details visit the sites below:
Interpretar Spanish - Apply HERE
Registered Veterinary Technician - Apply HERE
Supervisor Plumber - Apply HERE
Departmental Personal Assistant- Apply HERE
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LA County Arts & Culture Opens Grants and Internships
Organizational Grant Program
Application window: August 31 - October 5
Grant opportunity for nonprofit arts organizations so they can address needs and ensure cultural services to diverse LA communities.
More Information here.
Community Impact Arts Grant
Application window: August 31 - October 5
Grant opportunity supporting arts projects and programming at nonprofit social service and social justice organizations, and in municipal departments.
More Information here.
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Hello Kitty Blood Drive in Marina Del Ray
September 3, 2026
Thursday | 10 AM – 4 PM
Burton Chace Park, Community Room
Donating blood takes just an hour but can save up to 3 lives. Don’t forget to bring a valid ID!
Sign up today at RedCrossBlood.org.
Enter sponsor code: LACBH or call 1-800-RED-CROSS to schedule your appointment.
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Virtual Public Charge Rule Change Community Roundtable
Monday | August 31st
Thursday | September 3rd
Webinars in English and Spanish discussing public charge rule and guidance, following rules from the Department of Homeland Security. Reminder, the new public charge rule will be implemented on September 18, 2026.
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Free Snack Program
September 1 - May 21, 2026
Mon-Fri | 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Find a participating park near you: parks.lacounty.gov/snackprogram
Children and youth ages 18 and under receive free nutritious snacks that include vegetables, fruits, seeds and healthy dairy products like milk, string cheese and yogurt, at 49 LA County Parks.
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Virtual September CalFresh changes webinar
Wednesday | September 16, 2026
11AM - 12:30PM (English)
2PM - 3:30PM (Mandarin)
4PM - 5:30PM (Spanish)
Thursday | September 17, 2026
11AM - 12:30PM (Cantonese)
2PM - 3:30PM (Spanish)
4PM - 5:30PM (English)
Learn about new work requirements, exemptions, and how to keep your benefits active.
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FREE Financial Clinic for Small Businesses
Times and Locations Vary
In-person and virtual options!
Capital Options and Funding Strategy
September 2 | 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
MCS–Van Nuys Business Center
Becoming Loan Ready and Managing Your Credit
September 8 | 1:00–3:00 PM
Virtual workshop
Financial Health and Profitability + Debt and Credit Management
September 14 | 4:00–6:00 PM
Virtual workshop
Register/Learn more at emi.lacounty.gov/financialclinic
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Marina Move Nights
August 22 - September 26, 2026
Saturday | Movie start time 8pm
Burton Chace Park
13650 Mindanao Way, Marina Del Rey 90292
Find a variety of movies across age-ranges for a Saturday night screening!
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Our Spot Teen Center
Monday - Friday | 3:00 pm – 9:00 pm.
Our SPOT is a free high-energy after-school teen center initiative operating across 16 locations in unincorporated communities for youth aged 12-18.
- Academic support
- Sports
- Creative arts
- Leadership development
- Mental wellness services
culturally relevant programs.
A free supper program runs Monday thru Friday 5:30pm - 6:30pm.
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If you would like to share an upcoming event in the 2nd District, please email a flyer in PNG format, event title, description, date, time, and registration link to 2DS-Communications@bos.lacounty.gov using the subject line “SD2 Community Event.” Our communications team will review your submission and follow up if additional information is needed. Please note that submitting an event does not guarantee inclusion in the newsletter. Thank you!
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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, September 2. 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, September 1. View all public Board meetings live at: http://bos.lacounty.gov/Board-Meeting/Live-Broadcast.
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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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