With the demolition of 265 Anita Drive, construction of the first-ever countywide Regional Wellness Hub mental health facility has officially begun! Today is an exciting day! Services at the Regional Hub located in the city of Orange will include crisis triage, substance use disorder intake/referral and an integrated support center.

This project is a true Public-Private partnership, with the support of Orange County, the Orange City Council, Be Well OC and CalOptima. This shows what we can accomplish when we work together.

This Saturday, I will be hosting a FREE chalk zone for kids at the Civic Center in Santa Ana. The event will have a mini-mural workshop led by the Heritage Museum’s artists.

The event is from 4 PM to 7 PM with free parking available just across the street at the Old Orange County Courthouse. Come out for:

• Mini-Mural Workshop with Heritage Museum of Orange County Artists
  
• Face Painting by Beauty Glam Academy
  
• Family Friendly Music by DJ BEBO
  
• CHP – Santa Ana Car Seat Raffle Giveaway
  

Find out more details on our Facebook event page here.

Our County of Orange Social Services Agency staff did an incredible job assisting 200 members of the community apply for expanded CalFresh and other assistance programs. If you couldn’t make it today, join me next Monday at the Assistance League of Santa Ana for another opportunity. 
Thank you to everyone who attended today!

For more info, click here. 

Last week, I visited the Westy and Park Santiago Neighborhoods. We spoke on a number of subjects including illegal activity that is happening at homeless encampments along Santiago Creek. My hope is that the recent settlement agreement on homelessness in Orange County will provide solutions.

If you were not able to make it last week, I hope you can join us next week!

Westy Neighborhood 

Park Santiago Neighborhood 

I’ll be hosting 9 more neighborhood coffees and ice pop socials overs the next 2 weeks.

If you have any questions or would like to RSVP, don’t hesitate to contact me at (714) 834-3110 or First.District@OCgov.com

This Week:

What: Western Neighborhood Ice Pop Social

Where: Community Action Partnership OC  

When: August 7, 6 PM to 7 PM

Visit the Facebook events page here.

What: Golden West Grove Neighborhood Ice Pop Social

Where: Goldenwest Park

When: August 8, 6 PM to 7 PM  

Visit the Facebook events page here.

What: Westhaven Park Neighborhood Coffee

Where: OC Grace Church

When: August 9, 7:30 AM to 8:30AM 

Visit the Facebook events page here.

Next Week:

What: Near Civic Center Neighborhood Coffee

Where: Uncle Pete’s Café  

When: August 12, 7:30 AM to 8:30AM 

Visit the Facebook events page here.

 What: Magnolia/Bushard Neighborhood Ice Pop Social 

Where: Park West Park

When: August 15, 6 PM-7 PM   

Visit the Facebook events page here.

Two Weeks Out:

What: Goldenwest Estates Neighborhood Coffee

Where: Apogee International

When: August 19, 10:30 AM to 11:30AM 

Visit the Facebook events page here.

What: Westminster West Neighborhood Ice Pop Social

Where: Bolsa Chica Park  

When: August 19, 6 PM to 7 PM 

Visit the Facebook events page here.

What: Calespana Neighborhood Ice Pop Social 

Where: Cloverdale Park    

When: August 21, 6 PM to 7 PM 

Visit the Facebook events page here.

What: FV West of Mile Square Community Coffee 

Where: Glee Donuts & Burgers    

When: August 23, 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM 

Visit the Facebook events page here.

OC Sheriff Don Barnes awarded Jason Austin the Gold Star Award for his work on homelessness and mental health. Jason oversees many programs ranging from ‘Blue Shirts’ to OC Links and Veteran’s Services. His work was exceptionally helpful in connecting homeless individuals to behavioral health services and shelter. Thank you Jason for your hard work and contributions to the community!  

Faith leaders from different denominations individually blessed Santa Ana residents, city and county leaders, and our nation. Santa Ana High School Chamber Singers sang our national anthem beautifully and Orange County Fire Authority provided the American flag. Thank you, Orange County Parks staff for assisting in this important event.

Special thanks to the Sikh Center of Orange County, Vietnamese Catholic Center, Saint Joseph Catholic Church, Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, and Community Temple Baptist Church for leading the interfaith blessing!