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I’m proud to announce that our office will be making a $1,500 contribution to Make-A-Wish® Orange County and the Inland Empire to help make a child from the 2nd District’s wish come true. This contribution underscores our commitment to supporting this incredible cause that transforms lives.
 We are partnering once again with Make-A-Wish® to remind residents and visitors how their generosity can make a meaningful difference for children and their families. The passion of Make-A-Wish® volunteers is truly inspiring. Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of meeting a family and celebrating a child’s wish come true. From his arrival at JWA to talking with him and his family, I was inspired by his resilience, courage, and compassion.
 I want to thank all the staff and the volunteers who made that day’s heart-warming event possible, and the media that attended for helping us spread the word about this important collaboration that touches the lives of so many families. You can find more information regarding the program.
Fiestas Patrias is a vibrant celebration held every year around Mexican Independence Day, September 16th, honoring the courage and spirit of those who fought for Mexico’s freedom and dignity. This tradition brings the community together in joy and pride.
This year’s Fiestas Patrias in Santa Ana was a powerful reminder of our rich culture and shared history. From lively parades to music and cultural events, the celebrations showcased our community’s strength and unity. However, we also recognize the challenges some face due to recent enforcement actions in our neighborhoods, which have impacted attendance and created concerns among many families. These raids affect not only individuals but the vitality of our community gatherings, as fear has kept some from fully participating.
 Despite these challenges, those who joined the festivities demonstrated resilience and hope. Celebrating our culture while standing together sends a clear message: we will preserve our traditions and protect our community. It is through events like Fiestas Patrias that we continue honoring the legacy of resistance and the fight for respect and justice.
 Let us keep celebrating our heritage with pride and unity, knowing that together we can overcome obstacles and ensure a future where everyone feels safe and welcomed.
I was humbled to join in this year’s remembrance of the fallen on 9/11. We gathered not only to remember, but to honor the courage and the sacrifice shown by our Firefighters in their service to others.
Our Country experienced tremendous loss on that tragic day. Not only did we lose amazingly brave firefighters and others who were in the towers, but we also lost a bit of our sense of security from foreign attack and the realization that we are not untouchable.
 We also learned some important lessons in the aftermath of the attacks. We came together as a nation, stronger than ever, and showed the world that the core American values most of us share are what give our country strength. We saw that when we come together as a nation and a people, anything is possible.
The conversation started early in the morning but quickly became engaging and insightful. I had the opportunity to join the Orange Chamber of Commerce on their Eggs & Issues Podcast for a lively, fast-paced discussion on topics related to Orange and other matters of interest to the business community and the general public.
 Our conversation covered a wide range of subjects of projects our office has supported, such as restoring the fountain at the circle and improving bike trails in Orange, to county budget issues, healthcare, housing affordability, and challenges directly affecting local businesses and residents.
 Presented by the Orange Chamber of Commerce, the podcast brings the community together in a live-audience setting to hear directly from business leaders, local officials, and community partners about the key issues shaping Orange. Recorded live at the Chamber’s monthly breakfast forum, each episode captures the energy of the room and the conversations that matter most to our city. To view the podcast, visit their Facebook page.
I was proud to present a County Resolution to the City of Orange in recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month.
 Special thanks to Councilwoman Ana Gutierrez for uplifting the legacy of the Lorenzo Ramirez Family of El Modena, whose fight against school segregation in Mendez v. Westminster paved the way for Brown v. Board of Education.
 As we honor the 2025 theme, “Collective Heritage: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future,” we celebrate the generations of Hispanic Americans whose courage, culture, and contributions continue to shape our nation.’
It was a special night to celebrate the legacy of Working Wardrobes and and the impactful and inspiring work that they continue doing, right here in our county.
The gala is not only a celebration of 35 years of service but was also a tribute to Jerri Rosen’s legacy. It began with one idea—Jerri’s vision to support survivors of domestic violence by hosting A Day of Self-Esteem. This life-changing event laid the foundation of Working Wardrobes and its mission to continue to transform lives.
This year’s theme, “The Power of One,” celebrates the profound impact a single individual can have in creating change. Whether as a volunteer, an employer, or by making needed donations, we all can make a difference.
I was so proud of the many County employees who generously donated suits and professional attire, expressing genuine excitement to contribute to such a meaningful cause, at the recent drive at the county offices.
 Our office has witnessed firsthand the impact Working Wardrobes has had in our community. We’ve seen clients from all walks of life receive services with dignity and rediscover the confidence they didn’t even realize they’d lost. At the event, we recognized their CEO, Bonni Pomush, for her inspiring leadership and for championing a cause that truly makes our County a better place to live and thrive.
Vision y Compromiso held its 23rd annual conference that empowers and celebrates the work of promotores, community health workers, who serve as liaisons between their community and social service providers.
It was an honor addressing the group and providing a word of thanks and encouragement for the great paid and unpaid work that these exceptional community members do every day to improve the health of our communities. I was so inspired by their commitment to our families.
 Because they share the same language, culture, ethnicity, status, and experiences of their communities, promotores are able to reduce the barriers to health education and services that are common for native-born and immigrant communities. The result is better health for more individuals, families, and communities. Read more about their inspiring work.
This month, our office hosted a group of local non-profit and community organizations who came together in a convening to share strategies and discuss the work underway on behalf of immigrant families. I was glad to be able to join the participants here at the Civic Center and encourage them in their ground-breaking efforts. The energy was palpable and the commitment clear.
 The over 20 nonprofits funded by the OC Immigration and Refugee Liberty Fund – a range of groups from legal services providers to community organizers and community empowerment groups gathered to learn from and encourage each other. These community organizations are continuing their work to empower the community and protect the rights of immigrants in what is expected to be a long-term struggle.
 Topics ranged from capacity building to data collection and tracking to how to work as partners to increase the reach and impact of the assistance being provided to families. The gathering was inspiring and high-lighted he importance of working together to support our family, friends and neighbors.
I had the honor of attending and speaking at the Small Business Diversity Network’s ProCon Event at the Delhi Center in Santa Ana. The event featured over 60 exhibitor tables and brought together 20 business associations, creating a space for networking and shared learning.
 The panels covered a wide range of industries and topics—from partnering with nonprofits to transportation, and collaborating with cities and schools.
I’m proud of the incredible work Jay Ungos and Tam Nguyen are doing with SBDN to create inclusive spaces where small businesses across Orange County can thrive.
Last week, I had the honor of joining with members of the Orange County Unity Bar Association in recognizing Justice Delaney with the Legacy Award. The award recognizes the Justice’s leadership, dedication, and commitment to protecting the rights of our individuals and working to ensure the law protects all communities.
 Justice Delaney provided words of encouragement and inspiration to the lawyers and judges gathered for the celebration to continue their efforts to fight for individual rights and protect communities. He reminded the group of the civil rights and the struggle for equality in housing and education that took place in Orange County and the importance of continuing that fight today.
 The Orange County Unity Bar Association is an affiliation of Orange County Specialty Bar Associations working together for a better world.
We continue to address public safety concerns related to people congregating along the riverbed and in flood control channels. We face the dual challenge of expanding access to bike paths while controlling these areas to prevent criminal activity and ensuring we provide services to those in need.
In August, the OC Operations and Maintenance completed 294 encampment cleanups along OC Flood Control District facilities. Of those, 159 locations were within boundaries of District 2. Nearly 72% of those encampments cleared on OCFCD facilities were located within the city boundaries of Santa Ana.
I also wanted to share some of the latest before-and-after images of those ongoing efforts. Thank you to OC Public Works for this great work. Click here to request services.
Before After
 Before After
TheOrange County Behavioral Health Advisory Board is an official community body that advocates for an accessible, appropriate, and effective behavioral health system that promotes prevention, intervention, recovery, and resiliency for individuals and families in need. It is composed of 14 community leaders who have an interest in the mission and delivery of mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) services and one Orange County Board of Supervisor.
The duties include reviewing, evaluating and making recommendations regarding the community's behavioral health needs, services, facilities and special problems in any facility within the county or jurisdiction where mental health and/or substance use disorder evaluations or services are being provided, including, but not limited to, schools, emergency departments, and psychiatric facilities.
The Board meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at the 601 N. Ross St, Santa Ana, CA 92701- County Conference Center. For a list of requirements and the application visit the Board’s website here.
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