COVID-19 testing is crucial to a safe reopening of Orange County.

To see how smoothly our testing process works, I booked an appointment to get a drive-thru test myself at our second COVID-19 Testing Super-Site at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa. Testing instructions were straightforward, staff adhered strictly to safety guidelines, and I finished my test quickly.

Thank you to the Orange County Health Care Agency team and our partners 360 Clinic and Fulgent Genetics for helping provide critical testing capacity for our communities.

Click here to book your appointment.

Orange County families in need of food assistance can access fresh produce and other essential pantry items every month at the First District’s Drive-Thru Food Bank, hosted in collaboration with Saddleback Church.

As of today, our drive-thru food banks have served more than 4,500 families – and counting.

Click here for more information.

COVID-19 is not only a public health crisis, but also a mental health crisis.

Last week, the Orange County Board of Supervisors accepted a $6 million Mental Health Student Services Act grant. The Orange County Health Care Agency will use this funding to pay for seven regional Mental Health Student Services Coordinators who will work closely with school districts and Behavioral Health Services to coordinate a variety of mental health services for students and families, among other programs. This grant will go a long way in supporting our youth in these challenging times.

Nurses have been on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic from the very beginning. They stepped up and served our communities in a time of great danger and uncertainty. In May, I asked nurses from across the First District how COVID-19 affected their lives and families. Months later, their answers are still relevant now.

We cannot let progress against the virus take away from our appreciation and support of our frontline heroes. Listen to what they had to say.

Latino Health Access has been an indispensable partner throughout the COVID-19 crisis.

Their work bringing COVID testing to hard-hit areas in Santa Ana and Anaheim as part of the County’s Latino Health Equity Initiative has drastically increased access in our underserved communities.

On Monday, I donated 2,200 masks for use by their promatoras and other staff on the frontlines providing critical resources to our neighbors. Thank you to CEO America Bracho and your team!

Last week, the District 1 Team donated 500 N95 masks to Santa Ana High School.

Staff at Santa Ana High School (SAHS) are busy making sure students have everything they need for remote learning and continue to provide pick-up meals for students and their families.

Thank you SAHS Principal Jeff Bishop and Wrestling Coach Mario Munoz, who serves on our Orange County Veterans Council, for accepting this donation and working hard for our kids!

Last week, the District 1 Team also donated 200 N95 masks to the staff of Lampson Elementary in Garden Grove and Lowell Elementary in Santa Ana.

Community Aide, Marisol Lagunas, works at Lampson and has two boys who attend Lowell, so she helped us coordinate the donation getting masks to frontline staff at both schools.

Thanks for all you do, Marisol!

Would you like to earn $13/hr. to learn useful business skills?

Orange County youth ages 14-21 can apply to be enrolled in a 10-week Entrepreneurship Academy delivered online from the Orange County Community Investment Division. Live instructors with professional business experience will guide students through the process of turning a skill or idea into a business venture.

Sign up so you can learn the fundamentals of business and graduate with a prototype, business plan, and venture pitch.

For more information on how to sign up, click here.

Latino Health Access has helped Orange County ramp up COVID-19 testing in our vulnerable communities.

Now, they’re connecting residents to critical services at their Downtown Family Resource Center where they offer information and referral services, family support, therapy, parenting classes, and so much more. If you or someone you know is in need, check out the flyer and reach out today!

Click here for more information.

Last Wednesday, the District 1 Team had a successful day of serving Orange County residents with Saddleback Church! Together we helped provide 150 families with critical food assistance at the French Park Plaza Apartments.

Thank you to all the dedicated volunteers, many of whom have been serving at each of our food distributions!

Early in the pandemic, we realized the outsized need for food assistance brought on by the COVID-19 crisis.

In June, I partnered with Saddleback Church to bring nutritious food to the residents of the First District.

We continue to partner with them every month, serving thousands of families. Thank you to Mayor Tri Ta for bringing this same assistance to the people of the City of Westminster next month at the Westminster Mall.

Check out the flyer below to follow the link for more details:

Nanook's Design has been in business in Garden Grove for over 20 years. Nancy, owner-operator, started out by embroidering uniforms for her children’s sports teams when they were young. She has since turned her skills into a successful small business.

Check out her handiwork on the First District Team’s new polo shirts! Thanks for the great work, Nancy!

Last Friday, I enjoyed delicious food at the kickoff of new outdoor dining and shopping in Little Saigon!

The Asian Garden Mall (Phuoc Loc Tho) and its vendors have worked with the Orange County Health Care Agency Director and Public Health Officer, Dr. Clayton Chau and his team, to ensure strict adherence to COVID-19 guidelines.

It is essential that we support small businesses like these when we can do it safely. Thank you, Mayor Tri Ta for joining me in celebrating our community!

Afterschool Program Winner

Toyama Karate-Do keeps Santa Ana students active and engaged through remote classes. They’re also making sure their future karate-masters stay safe by providing them with masks.

OC Style Winner

Here’s an amazing shot of a Santa Ana inspired mask featuring the city’s iconic water tower and transit center. Thanks, @hi5baby, for creating such a fun way for people to show their OC pride while staying safe.