Last month, I had the pleasure of attending the grand opening of the Central Cities Navigation Center in Garden Grove. Back in 2022, I had the distinct honor of kick-starting this project by helping secure an allocation of $5.3 million from the Board of Supervisors for its construction, plus an annual supplement of $625,000 for the facility’s operation and management for its first ten years.

The County of Orange, in partnership with the Cities of Fountain Valley, Westminster, and Garden Grove, has worked to open this center to aid unhoused residents with a path toward supportive and affordable housing. We are helping our residents become more productive members of our communities.

This Center will further add capacity to our existing System of Care and efficiently address homelessness, substance abuse, and mental health issues within Orange County. The Center will also assist with continued education, training, and employment coaching to achieve self-sufficiency.

I commend the city councils and their respective staff as we work together to make Orange County a better place to live.

There are countless unsung heroes in our community who go above and beyond to help others. Today, we’re highlighting Kathy Faith, a Huntington Beach resident with a heart of gold.

After noticing many fruit trees going untouched and unpicked in her neighborhood, Kathy posted on social media, calling on her neighbors with fruit trees to consider donating their unwanted fruits to a local food bank. Soon thereafter, she was flooded with messages offering help.

Kathy didn’t know much about harvesting, but got to work by launching Happy Harvesters.

Happy Harvesters is a community volunteer initiative that collects backyard fruit and donates it to local food banks and organizations throughout Orange County. Most recently, Kathy partnered with Food Finders, a food rescue non-profit in Los Alamitos, to help transport the harvested food to local food banks, college pantries, and other charities in need.

If you have a fruit tree with that you would like to donate, or are interested in volunteering, email Kathy at faithkathy13@gmail.com.

Fruit harvested and donated by Happy Harvesters:

2021-22: More than 5,000 pounds of fruit

2022-23: More than 18,000 pounds of fruit

2023-24: More than 47,000 pounds of fruit and counting…

Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAJSlTEPb24

In the month of May, I joined Vice Chairman Doug Chaffee to celebrate the completion of a second County Community Service Center (CCSC) in the City of Brea.

Back in 2007, when I served as Chief of Staff on the Board of Supervisors, the first CCSC opened in the City of Westminster with only a few employees from the OC Health Care Agency. A decade later, the center expanded its services and increased efficiency with the opening of an Annex, where we added services from the OC Social Services Agency, OC Office on Aging, OC Housing Authority, and community partners such as CalOptima. Seeing the demand, the County expanded the CCSC to a second floor in July 2022.

Whether someone is looking for assistance applying for CalFresh, looking for the nearest food distribution center, seeking senior or affordable housing, making a DMV appointment, looking for childcare services, or searching for legal services, staff at both CCSCs are available, in various languages, to help guide residents to the right person or agency.

In 2015, through the OC Board of Supervisors Mental Health Ad Hoc Committee, we began examining mental health services in Orange County, working tirelessly to help build a better System of Care. This led to the creation of the first Be Well OC Campus in Orange.

In May, I had the privilege of attending the beam signing ceremony for the second substantially larger Be Well OC facility in Irvine. It was an honor to join Dr. Richard Afable, President and Board Chair of Mind OC, and Phillip Franks, CEO of Be Well OC.

Now, the work begins. We will soon be able to integrate more services countywide: data integration, navigation for the communities, the 211 concept, the OC warm line, and even the 988 lifeline. In the future, we plan to incorporate all of these services into one cohesive system.

Be Well OC has not only established itself as a beacon of hope for Orange County but also as a shining example of a successful public-private partnership model, serving as an example for our state and the rest of the country.

In the month of May, Orange County Procurement hosted the third annual Vendor Outreach Event at Mile Square Park, which over 200 suppliers, 40 public agencies, and more than 900 individuals attended.

If you missed it, check out this recap video at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHPSTrkuTuQ

For more information on securing a contract with the County, visit cpo.ocgov.com.

The Orange County Procurement Alliance meets quarterly to foster collaboration, share best practices, and optimize contracting strategies. This initiative exemplifies our dedication to enhancing efficiency and realizing cost savings through regional cooperation.

For more information, visit https://cpo.ocgov.com/oc-procurement-alliance.

Check out this video put together by the OCTA Teen Council: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9XVJ7V_XjU

Soto and Adam from the OCTA Teen Council are riding OC Bus all over Orange County with the Youth Ride Free Pass. Biking in Huntington Beach, pedaling swan boats at Mile Square Park, and shopping at the Asian Garden Mall - which activity is first on your list?

Check out OCTA website for more information with this link: https://www.octa.net/getting-around/bus/oc-bus/fares-and-passes/youth-ride-free/

The annual Summer Concert and Sunset Cinema series hosted by Orange County Parks returns with 9 free concerts and 12 free movie nights. Check out the exciting lineup:

Concerts:

7/11: Flashback Heart Attack at Mason Regional Park

7/18: A Thousand Horses at Irvine Regional Park

7/25: No Duh at Irvine Regional Park

8/1: Ozomatli at Mile Square Regional Park

8/8: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy at Mile Square Regional Park

8/15: The FABBA Show at Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach

8/22: Jimmy's Buffet at Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach

Movies:

7/12: Trolls Band Together (PG, 2023) at Mason Regional Park

7/19: Barbie (PG-13, 2023) at Yorba Regional Park

7/26: National Treasure (PG, 2004) at Yorba Regional Park

8/2: Frozen II (PG, 2019) at Irvine Regional Park

8/9: Napoleon Dynamite (PG, 2004) at Irvine Regional Park

8/16: The Super Mario Bros. Movie (PG, 2023) at Laguna Niguel Regional Park

8/23: 13 Going on 30 (PG-13, 2004) at Laguna Niguel Regional Park

8/30: The Goonies (PG, 1985) at Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach

Looking for a career change?

Stop by the newly expanded OC Workforce & Economic Development Division office in Brea. You will find everything you need to propel your career forward, from high-tech computer workstations and essential office equipment to a vast array of career-building tools. Dedicated staff is ready to assist with job information, résumé building, and more. Plus, you can stay informed with updates on job fairs and workshops displayed right in the room.

For more information, visit www.ocworkforcesolutions.com, send an email to info@ocworkforcesolutions.com or call 866-500-6587.

In case you missed it, the Orange County Clerk-Recorder’s office can now livestream your wedding!

As of May 17, couples getting married at the OC Clerk-Recorder's Old Orange County Courthouse location will be offered the option to have their civil ceremony privately live-streamed. Couples will be provided a private Zoom link that they can share with loved ones, allowing them to view the ceremony in real-time.

Visit OCRecorder.com to learn about our marriage license and civil ceremony services.

Summer is here!

The Los Alamitos Recreation and Community Services Department has released its 2024 Summer Recreation Brochure, filled with plenty of new and exciting summer classes and activities.

Check it out:  cityoflosalamitos.org/SummerRecreationBrochure2024

From soccer to chess, the City of Cypress offers plenty of activities and classes this summer.

Check out their Summer Guide for more information. 

cypressca.org/activityguide

Youth Investors Corp is offering a free Financial Literacy Summer Program for youths ages 16-21.

Space is limited so apply today at bit.ly/OC-2024-Financial-Literacy