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It is a privilege to mark the 40th anniversary of the Orangewood Children and Family Center, an organization whose dedicated team has transformed the lives of children in Orange County for four decades.
On this special occasion, we celebrated and honored the immense effort it takes to maintain a space that is not only safe but also welcoming. It was also an opportunity to thank the staff who provide the stability these children need during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. That is no small task, and we were able to let these dedicated professionals know that their commitment does not go unnoticed.
 The day was also an opportunity to recognize many of the organizations that support Orangewood, including presenting recognitions for Creating Pride, La Casa Auxiliary, and Orangewood Foundation. A special thank you to the staff and volunteers, and all the people who support the Mission of Orangewood Children and Family Center.
California has committed $5 million to fuel the Men’s Service Challenge, a powerful call for men to step up as mentors in our communities. I was proud to join the Governor’s office and California Volunteers to launch this bold initiative that inspires service, leadership, and community engagement across the state.
 The California Men’s Service Challenge aims to recruit 10,000 young men to become mentors, coaches, and tutors. By partnering with schools, nonprofits, and local organizations, these mentors will address urgent community needs while helping young people build a sense of belonging and purpose.
We need you to join this movement. Whether you are a potential mentor or lead an organization seeking support, your involvement can make a lasting impact. California Volunteers and the Office of the Governor are partnering with leaders like Improve Your Tomorrow, Big Brothers Big Sisters, MENTOR California, the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles, the Giants Community Fund, and the American Institute for Boys and Men to make this happen.
For information on grant funding and how to get involved, visit the CA volu.
At the October 14 meeting of the Board of Supervisors, we honored the many contributions and lasting influence of Hispanic Americans on our nation’s history, culture, and achievements. We were joined by invited guests from the community, including local elected representatives and leaders from education and the legal profession.
 The theme for this year’s celebration, “Collective Heritage: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future,” invites us to reflect on the rich histories, vibrant traditions, and diverse experiences within the Hispanic community, while recognizing its resilience and enduring contributions through challenging times.
In Orange County, Hispanic residents number over 1 million and make up approximately one-third of the population, according to the 2022 Census. In the Second District, Hispanic residents make up nearly two-thirds of the population - 413,617 people. Our guests reflected the diversity and strength in the community.
 As we honor the legacy of the Hispanic community, we must also acknowledge the current challenges it faces. Under the current administration, many Hispanic families are living in fear due to the recent increase in immigration enforcement across our state and county. The aggressive tactics employed by ICE are not only deeply concerning but, at times, dangerous.
Our office is working closely alongside local organizations, school districts, and community leaders to support the residents of District 2. This includes providing access to legal resources, distributing “Know Your Rights” information, and providing food and rental assistance through our Safe Access to Food and Essentials program.
I recently hosted a roundtable with hospital leaders from across the Second District to discuss the impacts of the administration's budget bill (HR1) and how this legislation shapes our health care system. I was grateful for the candor and insights from our providers and for their daily commitment to keeping our communities healthy.
 These are such important discussions as we continue to see such significant changes in federal funding and healthcare policy and see its immense impact on providers and patients. A special thanks to the participants for their leadership in prioritizing healthcare for the community.
This month, we proudly sponsored the Discovery Cube OC’s Annual Gala and had the opportunity to celebrate the terrific, enriching experiences that the Discovery Cube brings to Orange County families.
 My wife and I greatly enjoyed the evening. We believe in STEM education and the way this incredible facility inspires and transforms our youth.
 Thank you to all the supporters who attended and contributed to the Cube’s mission. Congratulations to all the honorees and awardees.
This year, at its annual gala event, the Cambodian Family of Santa Ana celebrated 45 years of service to the Orange County community. It was a terrific and joyous occasion, and I was happy to join in the celebration.
 The event marked so many years of service to the Cambodian and other immigrant communities here in Santa Ana and highlighted not only the work of the organization but the joy and resilience. I was humbled to be recognized with the Angkor Leadership Award.
 I want to send a special thank you to the leadership, staff, and volunteers who make the Cambodian Family such a great organization, and to those who support their mission to promote social health by providing refugee and immigrant families with opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills, and desires for creating health and well-being in their lives.
On September 18, hundreds of members gathered at the Santa Ana Zoo for United Domestic Workers of America’s Annual Resource Fair! We celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month and connected with dozens of incredible resources — from community colleges and immigration services to disability advocacy and beyond.
 I know how important it is to fight for and protect our most vulnerable in the community. I want to thank the caregivers who do this essential work every single day.
I was happy to be a sponsor of this year's Tustin Tiller Days! This annual festival, held from October 3–5 at Columbus Tustin Park, celebrates Tustin's rich agricultural heritage with a weekend full of family-friendly fun.
 It was wonderful to connect with the community and support this cherished tradition. Thank you to everyone who joined us.
Earlier this month, my Policy Advisor, Vasila Ahmad, and Operations Manager, Rosemary Contreras, had the honor of attending Community Health Initiative of Orange County’s 10th Annual Building a Legacy Celebration and presenting an award to their Executive Director, Georgina Maldonado.
 It was inspiring to celebrate CHIOC’s mission of expanding access to healthcare and to honor Northgate González Markets and Lestonnac Free Clinicfor their incredible impact on our community. Thank you to all who make this important work possible!
Over the last two years, I have worked to support small businesses in our district who face significant operating hurdles by working to streamline and improve the services the County provides, and by reducing unnecessary red tape or wait times.
Last June, my colleagues and I voted to approve 12 new staff positions in our Environmental Health Department, strengthening our ability to protect public health while helping local businesses streamline permits, inspections, and other health-related processes.
These staff positions and improvements within the department mean we are now offering new services such as electronic plan submissions, expedited and consultation-based reviews, and providing a new retail food construction guide
We have seen meaningful progress in assisting our businesses, and I am glad to be able to report the following improvements:
• plan check for new construction is now 40% faster,
• plan check for permit applications increased by 6.7%.
• food safety inspections increased by 2.4%, and
• food truck safety inspections increased by 30.7%.
To review the full services provided by Environmental Health, visit the department’s website.
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 September, OC Operations and Maintenance completed 324 encampment cleanups along Orange County Flood Control District facilities. Of these, 180 were within District 2, with 127 locations in Santa Ana and 24 locations in Orange. County contractors also installed 230 linear feet of 8-foot-tall high-security fencing along the Santa Ana River at North Fairview Street to enhance security.
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
We are seeking to fill two openings on the North Tustin Advisory Committee. That committee is responsible for reviewing and commenting on proposed land development projects within the geographic area of North Tustin, which is comprised of all the unincorporated areas as defined by the North Tustin Specific Plan (see map below).
The committee considers permit applications for new construction, zoning requests for new buildings, and improvements to residential and commercial properties in the area. These are projects that can have an impact on the daily quality of life and on the character of a neighborhood.
The committee meets on an as-needed basis, with meetings scheduled on the third Wednesday of the month at 7 pm. Applicants wanting to serve on the committee must reside in the area and need to submit their current resume to Manuel Escamilla in my office by email at manuel.escamilla@ocgov.com, and complete a short application.
Supervisorial District 2 areas of North Tustin.
You can make a real difference in your community by serving on County boards, commissions, and councils. We are currently seeking a veteran to serve as the Second District appointee on the OC Veterans Advisory Council.
In that role, you would help the Veterans Service Office advise the OC Board of Supervisors regarding all issues relevant to Veterans (including their dependents). The Council also promotes economic opportunity in such areas as health, housing, education, and employment for Orange County Veterans.
Keep abreast of legislation that affects veterans’ rights and provide recommendations and input to the Supervisors, and help promote the protection of the dignity and integrity of every Orange County Veteran.
Applicants must be 18 or older and be a veteran with an honorable discharge. If you are interested in serving, please submit a completed application to OCVSO@occr.ocgov.com. Visit the website for more information and for the application.
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