It was my pleasure to celebrate the Grand Opening of the Crossroads at Washington, an 86-unit community providing affordable and permanent supportive housing for extremely low-income families. Through a tenants-in-common partnership structure and a Joint Powers Agreement between the County and the City of Santa Ana, two adjoining parcels were merged into one parcel and ground leased to Related California to make this development possible.

This grand opening is the culmination of a collaborative effort between many agencies to support the overall goals outlined in the County’s Housing Funding Strategy Update to develop an additional 2,396 units of supportive housing throughout the County by 2029.

I am honored to support our city partners, the City of Santa Ana, in the development of affordable housing with a variety of innovative approaches and financial resources. The County is proud to have contributed $2,650,701 in HOME funds and forty-three (43) Housing Choice project-based vouchers (with a 20-year estimated value of $17.2 million) for the development of this project. The Orange County Housing Finance Trust contributions included a $1.3 million loan using the County’s Mental Health Services Act funds, which comes with 20 years of supportive services provided by the OC Health Care Agency.

Joined with members of the Santa Ana City Council, County partners, and the development community to celebrate.

We came together with legal organizations for a presentation to seniors regarding the importance of having an Advance Health Directive in place to make sure their wishes are known and respected. Advance directives are legal documents that provide instructions for medical care and only go into effect if a person cannot communicate their own wishes.

Hosted by my office and in conjunction with the Elder Law and Disability Rights Center and the Hispanic Bar Association of OC, the presentation provided general information before individual consultations with volunteer lawyers and law students that helped participants prepare their directives to meet their personal needs.

Also participating were the OC Office on Aging, Community Legal Aid SoCal, and Asian Americans Senior Citizens Service Center. The consultations were provided to participants at no cost and the event was hosted by the Second Baptist Church in Santa Ana. Thank you to all the participants, to our hosts, and to all the volunteers.

The general presentation helped set the stage for the individual consultations that followed.

Thank you to OC Grantmakers for inviting me to be a panelist in the “Public-Private Partnerships: From Inception to Impact” session at this year’s Grantmakers Summit. It was a pleasure to discuss how public-private partnerships can foster impactful community solutions through collaboration from a government perspective.

It was also an honor to share the stage with Elizabeth Andrade from OC Hunger Alliance and Christian Esteban from Store One. I enjoyed learning more about the vital work they are doing!

It was an exciting and high-energy evening as community and business leaders gathered to get a preview of the plans for OC Vibe, a development that seeks to transform 100 acres in Anaheim into a vibrant entertainment district.

The developer, of the 4-billion-dollar project shared potential economic impact this level of investment can have on the community, with the construction jobs to long-term opportunities in hospitality, dining, and entertainment, OCVibe is set to create thousands of jobs and fuel economic growth for years to come. This project is a game-changer for our region, and I’m grateful for the positive ripple effect it will have on local families and businesses.

Anaheim Mayor Ashley Aitken and Orange Mayor Dan Slater Joined the celebration.

The launch of the Anaheim First Street Medicine Program marks a vital collaboration between CalOptima Health, the City of Anaheim, and Healthcare in Action. This innovative approach delivers comprehensive health care directly to our unsheltered neighbors, offering medical, behavioral, and social services to those who need it most. With nearly 1,400 individuals experiencing homelessness in Anaheim, this program is a critical step in improving their health and wellbeing, while working towards stable housing for all. Together, we’re embracing new strategies to make a lasting impact in our community.

Proud to join Mayor Aitken, fellow Supervisor Chaffee, Cal Optima Health, and healthcare professionals at the exciting launch of the program.

Earlier this year, our office wrote a letter of support to Caltrans, advocating for this important recognition. These signs celebrate the rich cultural heritage and contributions of our Middle Eastern neighbors. I proudly joined the City of Anaheim for the unveiling of the Little Arabia signs. I want to thank all the advocates, the Arab American Civic Council, the Little Arabia District, and the Anaheim City Council for their leadership in making this milestone possible.

Members of the community and Little Arabia District advocates join with Anaheim Mayor Aitken in celebrating the occasion.

APAIT celebrated its anniversary and celebrated 25 years of work advancing health equity for marginalized groups in our county. It was a special privilege to accept the Community Impact Award on behalf of CalOptima Health.

As Vice Chair of CalOptima Health’s Board of Directors, I’m proud of the work we’ve done to support vulnerable populations across Orange County, especially our LGBTQ+ members. From expanding access to gender-affirming care to launching new mental health services, our efforts are focused on improving the health and well-being of the communities we serve.

Truly enjoyed a great evening at this special celebration at the Bowers Museum.

I was honored to join business leaders and college students at a special forum for Hispanic Heritage Month, alongside Mayor Hernandez, the Honorable Gaddi Vasquez, and Mayor Amezcua.

The conversation was an opportunity to share our stories, reflect on our heritage, and discuss how the next generation of Latino/a leaders can prepare for public service. Our stories matter- we must be authentic, resilient, and proud as we break barriers and create paths for future generations.

Thank you to the OC Hispanic Chamber, OC Forum, and sponsors for a great event.

During the Discovery Cube Annual Gala, I joined in honoring and thanking the outstanding individuals and organizations for their dedication to inspiring the next generation of innovators and explorers. This year’s honorees included Senator Tom Umberg and Farmers and Merchants Bank.

The event celebrates the educational wonders that the Cube provides to around 75,000 visitors every year. The future looks even brighter with their ever-increasing offerings education enrichment opportunities.

Elected and community leaders celebrated the Discovery Cube’s mission and honored the award recipients.

I had the privilege of joining my former council colleagues to unveil the Virginia and William Guzman Way signs in Santa Ana. These signs honor the Guzman family’s role in the historic Mendez v. Westminster case, which ended school segregation in California. Although the decision was local, it had a national impact leading to the desegregation of schools nationally.

We proudly acknowledge the Guzman, Ramirez, Palomino, and Estrada families for their contributions, which continue to inspire generations.

My team joined students, parents, district leaders, and community members for a fun neighborhood walk to campus. which helped bring awareness to the importance of pedestrian safety for kids attending local Santa Ana Unified School District schools. Afterward, students participated in a special assembly highlighting the importance of practicing safe walking habits.

Parents, staff, and kids practiced safe walking habits at this important event.

Team Sarmiento participated in the early morning run and I was proud to sponsor Northgate González Markets for the Día de los Muertos 5K at Angel Stadium! The event brought together runners from across Orange County and featured traditional food, altars, mariachis, families, and community groups. Proceeds benefited the Accelerate Change Together (ACT) Anaheim Collaborative, which includes over 15 nonprofits working to empower youth and families, foster healthy independence, and promote strong, equitable communities.

Spirits were high from all the teams and individual runners for a great cause.

I was happy to welcome students from Santa Ana’s Magnolia Science Academy student government team. The group visited the County Administrative Offices and joined me to learn about county services and operations. They met with our office staff and interns to learn more about working for the county. We discussed student challenges, shared project updates, and I urged them to get even more involved in their school and local government. It was great to meet the students and proud to support the next generation of potential leaders.

It’s always a pleasure to meet a new generation of students and encourage them to continue staying involved in government.

I enjoyed speaking with the young people participating in a listening session at the Cambodian Family. It was great to have the opportunity to listen to the students and thank the counselors for the incredible work they do in addressing substance use disorders. A special thank you to Vattana Peong for always including my office in these important efforts. I am very proud to support such an impactful program and the future leaders of our community.

Great conversation with a terrific group of young people.

The Second District has new openings for positions on various Boards, Commissions, and Committees (BCCs). These positions offer a unique opportunity to shape the future of our district, contribute to important local issues, and ensure your voice is heard on critical matters.

If you are interested in serving, please contact our office at 714-834-3220 or email Jonathan Rivas our Legislative Assistant at jonathan.rivas@ocgov.com.

Openings:

• Assessment Appeals Board
• Development Processing Review Committee 
• North Tustin Advisory Committee - Seat 1
• North Tustin Advisory Committee - Seat 2
• Octa - Accessible Transit Advisory Committee
• OC Cemetery District
• OC Emergency Medical Care Committee
• OC In-Home Supportive Services Advisory Committee
• OC Senior Citizens Advisory Council 
• OC Veterans Advisory Council
• OC Waste Management Commission 
• OC Workforce Development Board 
• Public Financing Advisory Committee

StayHousedOC.org is a joint project of the OC Eviction Diversion Collaborative, led by Orange County United Way. The Collaborative partner organizations provide services such as rental assistance, financial coaching, and job training. They also connect with local experts that offer free legal help and mediation services to eligible tenants who are currently going through the eviction process.

Lead is a toxic heavy metal that has been used in many products, including paint. Lead poisoning is one of the most common and preventable environmental diseases in children. CLPPP aims to reduce lead hazards where children live, play, learn, and spend time.

The Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP) is part of the services provided by the County’s Health Care Agency and is dedicated to eliminating childhood lead poisoning and providing a healthy, lead-safe environment where all children can achieve their full potential. 

For general questions or questions related to case management and/or environmental investigations, (714) 567-6220, Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm (except major holidays)

For questions related to abatement or complaints about unsafe lead practices, (714) 433-6000 (ask for an Environmental Professional), Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm (except major holidays)

Anaheim Fall Festival and Halloween Parade

Saturday, October 26

For Information Please Visit:

Location:
Anaheim

Join For Spooky Fun at the Garden Walk

October 25-227

Location:
Anaheim Garden Walk
400 W, Disney Way
Anaheim

Discovery Cube Orange County - Pumpkin Palooza

October 4 – October 27

Hours: Every Friday-Sunday starting at 10:00 am

To purchase tickets click here:

Location:

2500 N Main Street

Santa Ana

Chicano Art on Display - Free Admission 

August - December

Location:
211 W. Santa Ana Blvd.
Santa Ana