|
On October 22nd, my Policy Aide Nick Kim and Intern Lia Moran represented our office at the Social Services Agency annual Trunk or Treat event in Santa Ana in partnership with Orangewood Foundation.
 This annual event includes 22 county departments that support our foster families and foster youth. It is a special event where the community can connect with the County and enjoy an evening filled with music, games, and opportunities to fill their bags full of candy!
 It was a wonderful way to connect with community members and the youth.
Visit their site for ways to get involved with the Orangewood Foundation.
We mourn the passing of Dolores Huerta, a trailblazer, mentor, and lifelong champion for working families and social justice.
I had the privilege of marching alongside Dolores and farm workers in Delano as a young college student and, years later, welcoming her to Santa Ana for the Women’s March. Losing her was personal and painful but also served as a powerful reminder of the lessons she left behind and the example she set for us.
 Dolores was more than a civil rights icon. She was a friend, mentor, and inspiration to generations of Latino leaders, including myself.
Her legacy of courage, service, and standing up for those whose voices often go unheard will live on.
Rest in power, Dolores. Your legacy lives on. ¡Sí se puede!
This October, I had the honor of attending CAIR-LA’s 30th Annual Gala, alongside more than 1,700 community members, faith leaders, elected officials, community partners, and supporters.
 It was a powerful evening celebrating three decades of CAIR-LA’s work serving and advocating for Southern California’s Muslim community. This year’s theme, “Upholding Liberty & Justice for All,” carries particular importance as people of different races, faiths, and backgrounds continue to face hate, discrimination, and attacks.
 The evening was a reminder that we must stand together to protect the dignity, rights, and freedoms of all. Coming together in unity also sends a message that we will not be silent in the face of injustice, prejudice, and expressions of hate.
A special thank you to Hussam Ayloush and the entire CAIR-LA team for their leadership, dedication, and tireless work on behalf of our community.
Congratulations on 30 years of service and advocacy.
For many families, accessing services is complicated by transportation challenges.
Our office was happy to assist a local nonprofit, Families Forward in Irvine to have a new bus stop installed in front of their facility to make it a little easier for their clients to get to the location and access needed services.
 The staff celebrated the stop and are already seeing families use it.
From providing food assistance, career coaching, mental health counseling, to financial literacy education, Families Forward is committed to strengthening overall well-being and ensuring everyone has a place to call home. Visit their website for more information.
My Senior Policy Advisor, Carlos Valenzuela, led our office as we joined with the Orange community to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Orange Dog Park.
 I was glad to be able to support the event, and we joined in the festivities as well as the effort by local pet owners and friends of the park to gather donations of food and supplies for OC Animal Care. It was a day to relax and play and take in a very serious pet costume event!
I recently had the opportunity to get together with Santa Ana Councilmember Benjamin Vazquez and Katelyn Brazer Aceves, President of the Board of SAUSD, to celebrate the transfer of a bikeway from the County to the City of Santa Ana.
 The transfer of the bikeway was the culmination of many years of working together to improve this important walking and biking route, which serves several schools and the residents of the area. This section of bikeway connects Jerome Park and Community Center to the Artesia Pilar neighborhood in Santa Ana.
 The work completed by the county improved the safety and usability of the bikeway, and the transfer to the city ensured its continued upkeep and maintenance.
It is working together and sticking to it that allows us to help connect neighborhoods and schools and provide amenities and recreational opportunities for residents.
We are now in the fall and winter season; respiratory viruses like the flu, COVID-19, and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) are spreading more easily.
These illnesses can cause serious complications, especially for vulnerable populations such as infants, older adults, pregnant individuals, and those with underlying health conditions. But there are steps you can take to stay healthy and to protect the community.
When you’re ready, you can schedule a vaccination appointment with your health provider or at California’s Vaccination Site: myturn.ca.gov.
The Orange County Business Council (OCBC)recently launched the LEA Podcast & Video Series. Leading Educational Attainment (LEA) for Families helps families access information and resources to support their children’s education and future opportunities.
Created in partnership with the Orange County Department of Education (OCDE), the series brings LEA’s 10 Education Essentials for Families to life through conversations with educators, experts and community leaders. Episodes provide families with practical information and resources on topics including learning at home, understanding the education school system, graduation requirements, college and career pathways, financial aid, resources for undocumented students, and more.
 The series is available in English and Spanish, which is especially important to us as we work to make these resources accessible to more families, including under-resourced and non-English-speaking communities.
You can learn more about LEA and access the series here: LEA webpage.
In October, OC Operations and Maintenance crews completed 250 mitigations throughout flood control facilities within District 2. This work is especially important in our flood channels and in the river, given the expected heavy rains this winter and the potential for flooding.
 |
|
Activity remained heavily concentrated within the City of Santa Ana. The City of Tustin recorded the second-highest level of activity, followed by Garden Grove. The significant disparity between Santa Ana and neighboring jurisdictions demonstrates activity continues to be concentrated within a relatively small geographic area of District 2. |
Below are some of the before-and-after images of the ongoing work. Thank you to OC Public Works for their great efforts. Click here to request services.
Before After
 Before After
|
