On March 31st, the County opened another COVID-19 super vaccine site at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa.

Vaccine accessibility is crucial to our efforts to reopen as quickly possible. I’m proud of the work of the Orange County Health Care Agency, County staff, and our partners in creating yet another option for OC residents to get vaccinated.

Click here for more information on getting an appointment.

On March 10th, the County established a new mobile vaccine site at Christ Cathedral, which will provide priority access to residents in our Vaccine Equity Quartile zip code of 92844 in Garden Grove.

Thank you to the Diocese of Orange and Garden Grove City Hall for working with us in this important community partnership.

The County is constantly looking for ways to improve our vaccine distribution efforts. Adding drive-thru capabilities to our Disneyland POD site ensures increased accessibility for those living with disabilities. From the start, equity has been the guiding principle of our approach to getting Orange County vaccinated. This modification to our process was done with equity top of mind.

Click here to read the full press release.

On March 20, I stopped by the Second Baptist Church in Santa Ana to visit our COVID Vaccine Clinic in partnership with OC Black Churches— an important component of increasing health equity.

Thank you to all the community and faith leaders for working with the Orange County Health Care Agency to encourage vaccinations and build trust in our diverse communities. Thank you to the pastors for opening up their churches and sending a unified message of support. This is more than just serving people; it is letting them know through trusted voices that this vaccine is safe and will help us return to our lives.

Did you know there are other ways to receive the COVID-19 vaccination once you’re eligible other than at an Orange County Super POD site?

Click here to see a list of all the places you can access a free COVD-9 vaccine!

Orange County moved to the Orange Tier on Wednesday, March 31, easing restrictions for specific industries and activities.

Click here to read the full press release.

Read my statement on the senseless acts of violence perpetrated on March 16, 2021, in Atlanta, Georgia.

Since the start of the pandemic, inflammatory, racist language used by our elected officials and amplified on social media has led to an increase in crimes directed against Asian, Black, Latino, Indigenous, Middle Eastern, and other people.

During the March 23rd Board meeting, the Orange County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved two resolutions to reaffirm the County’s commitment to promote tolerance and eradicate racism in all its forms.

Click here to read the full press release.

The County of Orange is providing $2 million in economic support for struggling small businesses in Santa Ana, Garden Grove, Westminster/Midway City, and Fountain Valley.

I’m working directly with each city in my district to identify economic development zones that will benefit the most from an infusion of cash, making shopping at local businesses safer and more convenient as we reopen more of our economy. In Santa Ana, their $500,000 grant will be used for a Safe Dining project to benefit areas along or within 500 feet of 1st Street or 17th Street in the First District.

Click here to read the full press release.

Throughout the pandemic, our county social workers have tirelessly linked individuals to resources that have helped them during these incredibly difficult times. In times of crisis, social workers step up and show the community just how essential the services they offer are.

During the March 23rd Board Meeting, we presented the OC Social Services Agency with a proclamation in honor of Social Work Month, which was received by Director Debra Bates.

Thanks to all the incredible social workers across Orange County!

The CalOptima Board of Directors welcomed its newest member, Nancy Shivers, MSN, RN, CCM last month!

Nancy was appointed by the Board to serve as our Member Representative; a spot reserved for someone who is a member or is family of a member. With 24 years of nursing experience and a direct connection to CalOptima, she is a great addition to the Board!

We have reached an important point in our work at OCTA, and we need the public’s help in shaping the future of Orange County bus service. There are multiple ways for the public to share their comments and ideas in multiple languages.

Click here to read the full press release.

The 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games (LA28) may seem far away; but the planning has already begun. I had the pleasure to represent OCTA at a meeting of regional transportation leaders to discuss LA28 last month. We affirmed our commitment to strengthen transportation ties across county lines and to do our best to maximize long-term transportation benefits from investments made in support of the LA28 Olympics.

OCTA is recruiting a new member to be a part of their Taxpayer Oversight Committee representing the cities of the First District; Santa Ana, Garden Grove, Westminster, Midway City, and Fountain Valley. If you want to be involved in accountability and oversight related to OC transportation projects, this is a great way to get involved.

Click here to review the requirements and apply by May 2, 2021.

The combination of spring’s arrival and the community beginning to open up a little with eased COVID restrictions may inspire you to do some spring cleaning. The County’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Centers have remained open through COVID and continue to accept household hazardous waste, including such products and materials paints, cleaners, oils, batteries, and pesticides that contain potentially hazardous ingredients, as well as e-waste, like batteries, computers, old phones and TVs and more.

Click here for a fact sheet on the HHWs and what is accepted.  

The OC Community Investment Division is now mobile!

The new service will bring career training, hiring events, case management, and more to communities across Orange County. This is a great opportunity to get help finding meaningful employment, especially during these tough economic times.

Click here for more information.

Wifi On Wheels is rolling across OC offering free internet connectivity!

Check out their April schedule below to see where and when you can get online. Remember, you can also check out mobile hotspots at your local OC Public Libraries location!

Click here for more information.

I recently met with the California Retired Teachers Association to provide up-to-date information on COVID-19 vaccine eligibility and how our educators can get vaccinated. Thanks to all the members of the association for the invitation!

Last month, our community lost a tireless advocate, Mario Cuevas Zamora, who served as Consul of Mexico at Consulado de México in Santa Ana.

His time here was filled with positive contributions to our county, always pushing for greater access to services and educational opportunities. I was proud to work with him on a number of projects throughout Orange County. It was also an honor for me to accept on behalf of the County the donation of the statue of Miguel Hidalgo at Mile Square Park, a symbol of unity for the Latino Community in Orange County. My sincere condolences go out to Mario’s family, I will keep you in my prayers.

Santa Ana students are truly remarkable. The Speech and Debate Team at Santa Ana High School is now the reigning champion here in Orange County, taking first place at the Orange County Speech League Championships. They now hold a total of 6 championship titles. Congratulations to this incredible team of students and the dedicated educators, like Principal Jeff Bishop, that guided them to this monumental achievement!

In addition to Santa Ana High School’s first place finish at the OC Speech League Championships. Circulos- SAUSD’s Speech and Debate Team earned 2nd place! That means Santa Ana schools took the two top spots in the competition. Congratulations to the students and educators for your incredible accomplishment!

Last month, Birdwell Beach Britches celebrated their 60^th anniversary! The company, which was founded in 1961 by Carrie Birdwell, opened its first shop on West 1st Street in Santa Ana. Happy to highlight a longstanding small business with products made in Santa Ana.

Last month I was also happy to recognize the grand opening of Luxe by Lina at the Westminster Mall! Lina does lashes, brows, filler, and other personal services. Happy to see new Small Business opening in Westminster!

Small actions can lead to big results. Josh Mauras, a Santa Ana resident, and his two children have set a goal for themselves of picking up 30,000 pieces of trash in Santa Ana. Every morning they walk 45-60 minutes before school and together pick up about 150 pieces of trash at the park and surrounding area. They’re already approaching 15,000 pieces picked up. Proud to have someone as community minded as Josh serve as my office’s commissioner on the OC Visitors Association. Thanks for giving back, Josh!

Thank you to the incredible volunteers from Saddleback Church for making First District’s food distributions possible!

Last month, I recognized the contributions of over 300 Saddleback Church volunteers who have been organizing food distributions across Orange County since the beginning of the pandemic. The tireless efforts of these volunteers have made a difference in the lives of so many. Special thanks to Rana, Alexis, Dean, and the entire Mission Team at Saddleback for your leadership and service to the community!

I’m grateful to community leader, Tish Leon, for her many years of exemplary service, leadership, and commitment to the seniors of Santa Ana and Orange County. She has greatly improved the resources available for our seniors. I wish Tish well in her new endeavor. She will be leaving a lasting legacy with the individuals she has served. Thank you, Tish!

As we celebrate the accomplishments of all women this past International Women’s Day on March 8th, I highlighted two women in particular who have worked tirelessly in the service of others throughout the COVID-19 crisis.

Jennifer Wang, the CEO of Asian American Senior Citizens Service Center, has been an advocate for our seniors through a time that has left them more isolated than ever. She has run the gamut, first providing masks when they were scarce, then coordinating testing resources when those were needed, and now helping seniors register for their critical vaccinations.

Marta Ramirez-Rodriguez, a community volunteer, has kept active throughout the pandemic. She has been busy delivering meals to seniors, coordinating food distributions to those in need, and founded the Willard Neighborhood Association Task Force to help organize her neighbors into action.

These women have made meaningful impacts on their communities in ways that deserve recognition. Thank you, Jennifer and Marta, for your work helping others.