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On February 21st, our office partnered with more than 30 organizations to provide free medical screenings, dental services, vision screenings and glasses on the spot, food and supplies. and application and renewals for CalFresh and Medi-Cal, all free to residents.
 Our host for the family-friendly event was Anaheim High School where over 500 people received services. I am very grateful for their support, the assistance of their principal, staff, volunteers, and students, who helped make the event a success.
 I also want to highlight a few of the partners involved, including the Lestonnac Free Clinic, Children's Hospital of Orange County, Central City Health Center, Second Harvest Food Bank, and Community Action Partnership of Orange County. Their willingness to help and their support for our residents is remarkable.
Starting this January and continuing through the end of March. We have launched a campaign that informs residents and bus riders along busy transit routes about their constitutional rights and resources available.
I’m grateful to partner with the City of Anaheim and Mayor Pro Tem Carlos Leon to ensure our immigrant community understands their rights and what resources are available to assist them.
As Orange County Transportation Authority Directors, Mayor Pro Tem Leon and I remain committed to keeping our community informed, empowered, and protected. These bus shelter ads are placed at high-traffic bus stops along busy routes to make sure trusted information is accessible to all. View video.
 Our office continues to provide resources and assistance to District two residents and many of our cities have taken action to support immigrant residents with information and assistance for families directly affected, including the City of Anaheim, with its Anaheim Contigoeffort.
During a time when fear is affecting many in our community, all residents must be aware of their rights and what resources are available to assist them.
I was honored to join the conversation at the inaugural Orange County Funders Summit, a half-day convening of funders from across the state who invest in the Orange County community.
 Michael Hunn, the CEO of CalOptima Health, and I had the opportunity to engage with the group regarding healthcare here in Orange County and provide insight regarding the challenges faced by our members in the current healthcare climate.
Organized by Orange County Grantmakers, the convening was designed to explore how funders can deepen collaboration, align resources, and better understand the landscape of need in Orange County.
 The discussion was wide-ranging, including key issues such as immigration, and speakers included Joanna S. Jackson, President & CEO of the Weingart Foundation, and Julián Castro, CEO of the Latino Community Foundation.
More than 31,000 Kaiser Permanente healthcare workers, including registered nurses, pharmacists, therapists, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants, ended their historic strike following progress made toward a fair contract.
They stood united in demanding fair wages, safe staffing, and the respect they deserve.
I’ve been on the picket line many times supporting our nurses and frontline workers because when they fight for better conditions, they are fighting for better patient care for all of us.
Congratulations to every healthcare professional who raised their voice and stood in solidarity
I was honored to attend the 2026 SoCal Suhoor Fest at Santa Ana Stadium. It was inspiring to see so many families gather, and I am grateful the City of Santa Ana could be the host city for this meaningful regional event.
Suhoor Fest is a community gathering during the month of Ramadan, where families and the community come together to enjoy food, culture, and connection late into the night before the day’s fast begins from sunrise to sunset.
 This year’s event featured over 50 local food vendors, nonprofit organizations, and cultural activities, creating a vibrant space for residents to celebrate and share in their traditions.
 I want to thank Councilman Hernandez for welcoming Suhoor Fest to his district and for his support of these important community festivities.
I visited a mobile home park in Santa Ana, where many residents gathered to share their concerns about the park’s ownership and the ongoing mismanagement they are experiencing.
Residents spoke with me about the emotional toll these issues and the tragic loss of one of their neighbors have taken on them and their families. Our office is working closely to elevate their voices and, where possible, connect them to resources.
 We know that many mobile homeowners across the region are facing similar challenges with park management. I want to thank Santa Ana Councilmember Hernandez and City Manager Nunez for joining my office during this visit and for their commitment to working together to address the needs and concerns of our residents.
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.
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
The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is conducting a recruitment to fill a vacancy on the Environmental Oversight Committee, which oversees the protection of preserved open space and restored lands in Orange County under OCTA’s Environmental Mitigation Program.
OCTA is seeking individuals with demonstrated interest and/or expertise in transportation, conservation, and environmental mitigation of infrastructure projects. Interested applicants must submit an application and resume by Friday, March 20, 2026. To learn more about the position, click here.
The Southern California Water Coalitionhas teamed up with a top video production agency to produce a new informative video that examines how water is purified for reuse. While the organization’s focus is on solutions taking place in Southern California, the science and solutions in this video are relevant to communities everywhere that are facing drought, climate extremes, or growing demand for safe, reliable drinking water.
Renewed: The Journey to Safe Drinking Water is a short and informative animated video that tells the story of how communities are safeguarding a reliable, affordable water future by using advanced purification that meets or exceeds drinking water standards.
In 1788, textbook pioneer Noah Webster wrote, “Every child in America should be acquainted with his own country. He should read books that furnish him with ideas that will be useful to him in life and practice.”
During this year, the 250th anniversary of the founding of the nation, there continue to be opportunities for young people to learn, to share what they know. And to show their creativity and win prizes.
Opportunities for Youth:
America’s Field Trip – writing or artwork competition for students in grades 3 – 12. Cash awards and historic field trips for winners. Deadline – March 30.
Design a Bookmark – creative design for kids in grades K – 6. Winners go to Washington, D.C. during 250th celebration and have their bookmark published and distributed! Deadline – March 31.
My Impact Challenge – community service project competition for middle and high school students. Awards of up to $10,000. Deadline – May 3.
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The Orange County Behavioral Health Integrated Plan has been posted for a 30-Day Public Comment Period. You can review the plan online and submit comments. The 30-day Public Comment period will close on Friday, March 27, 2026.
The grant is a multi-year funding opportunity that aims to strengthen edible food recovery programs to benefit residents, promote recycling efforts, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This grant is made possible with AB 939 funds and will provide a much-needed resource to County jurisdictions and non-profits tasked with supporting edible food recovery under SB 1383.
Eligible organizations include edible food recovery organizations, nonprofits, cities, and other qualified partners. The application Deadline is April 10 at 4:59 p.m. A live, virtual question-and-answer session will be held on Thursday, March 19, 2026, to walk through the program and answer questions from potential applicants.
For full program information and application instructions, applicants can visit: oclandfills.com/grants.
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