It is important to me that we protect vulnerable populations from the devastating effects of COVID-19. I have been working with California leaders, local elected officials, and organizers to bring our community the resources and protection they need.
Find out how the legislature focused on mitigating the effects of the COVID-19 virus and found creative solutions to support working families in overcoming the challenges of the pandemic.
From writing legislation to hosting events, my office worked and continues to work diligently to make sure constituent needs are met. Learn about the events my office and I hosted last year for the 47th Assembly District.
Senior Advocacy Week
In September 2021, my office continued our Senior Advocacy Week in a limited way. We visited nine senior living facilities for our fifth Annual Senior Advocacy Week from September 27 to October 1, providing seniors with face masks, hand sanitizer, and food resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. The mission of Senior Advocacy Week is to listen to the issues that are affecting our seniors and provide resources to help them. The last two years have been different due to the pandemic but we continued to take a proactive approach to address the issues that affect their daily lives.
Earlier this year, my office hosted a Senior Check-in Project where my staff and I called to check in on seniors and encouraged them to reach out to others. To complement the check-in calls, we sent out postcards to seniors across the 47th district expressing appreciation and to remind them of the constituent services my district office provides. Senior Advocacy Week would not have been possible this year without valuable partnerships with local nonprofits and community organizations.
Cash for College
On November 17, we collaborated with San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC) and the San Bernardino Community College District in order to inform students and potential students about financial and academic resources. Our amazing co-host, Chancellor Diana Rodriguez, welcomed the students with a beautiful message recounting her personal experience and provided our audience with a sense of inclusion and appreciation. Our panelist included SBVC Interim President Dr. Scott Thayer, Rocio Delgado from Financial Aid, Joanne Hinojosa from Extended Opportunities Programs and Services (EOPS), as well as Sadia Khan, the Early Childhood Education Liaison and Student Advocate for the Student Parent Center of UC Berkeley. Information covered departments that focused on additional resources for nontraditional college students. A recording of the event is available below.
Cash for College recorded event
Turkey Giveaway
Fontana- On November 20, our office collaborated with New Life Church, COPE, PepsiCo, Blue Shield, GM Motors, For the People Task Force, and Cardenas, as well as our wonderful volunteers, to provide 200 families with Thanksgiving meals. I also want to take this time to personally thank Pastor Casey and Bobbie Casey for their great coordination, which made the event as smooth as possible. A big thank you to Fontana City Councilmember, Sandoval for coming out and providing support. Helping our community is something we will continue to work towards in order to serve our constituents.
Halloween Stroll
Colton - My office was invited to participate in the City of Colton’s Halloween Stroll this year. It was great to be out with the residents of Colton in a safe outdoor activity. I loved seeing everyone’s costume; my favorite was definitely my staff, Daissy Arteaga and Prince Ogidikpe who dressed up as Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum. Our table distributed great prizes and candy to everyone who attended. Thank you to everyone at the City of Colton and Colton Community Services District for having us participate in such a wonderful event.
Red Ribbon Week
Last year, we celebrated Red Ribbon Week on October 23 through October 31. My team delivered 50,000 Red Ribbon Week bookmarks to elementary schools throughout the 47th Assembly District. Red Ribbon week is a nationally recognized prevention program that promotes leading with a positive, healthy, and drug-free lifestyle. My office is taking a stand against drugs and celebrates having drug free communities. I want to say thank you to all of the young legislators and school staff who assisted in preparing and passing out all of the bookmarks to our students.
State of the 47th
The State of the 47th event provides an opportunity to share with our community and stakeholders the important work that we completed in 2021. Last year’s event focused on the challenges of the pandemic and the response my office provided the community. In addition, we created a video gallery of local Mayors, School Board Presidents, and your County Supervisor to inform you on the response and resources they have been providing through their agency.
One of the highlights I am most proud of is the millions of dollars’ worth of local funding measures that stakeholders and I advocated for, and I am excited to see those included in last year’s budget and going to the Inland Empire.
Senior Advocacy Week and Veterans Day event in Grand Terrace
Grand Terrace - Engaging in person is an important aspect of our outreach efforts to ensure the community gets the resources and information they need. Last year, we visited Grand Terrace on multiple occasions –Senior Advocacy Week and Veterans Day Event – including the Purple Heart ceremony.
For Senior Advocacy Week, we visited Blue Mountain Senior Villa. The seniors were very happy to see all of the resources we brought them. We also got to celebrate constituent Micaela Barajas 72nd Birthday.
During last year’s Veterans Day my staff member, Daniel Peeden joined the city of Grand Terrace at their annual Veterans Wall of Freedom ceremony. The community came together to honor Veterans who shared their story of commitment and sacrifice. The Veterans who were honored included Chief Master Sergeant, USAF (Ret)., Josephine 'Jo' Keller; Region 6 Commander, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Charles Anderson; Master Sergeant, United States Marine Corps (Ret), Beverly J. Babauta; United States Marine Corps (Ret)., Charles 'Chuck' Johnson.
COVID-19 Vigil
As of January 20, 2022, San Bernardino County has lost over 6,200 lives to COVID-19. To honor those we have lost, we offered our support and prayers to their families at a Candlelight Vigil on March 26, 2021. The Candlelight Vigil was held in a virtual setting and included the participation of many local elected officials and community members. If you or your family has lost a loved one from COVID-19, we offer our condolences. Through this candlelight vigil, we hope you and your family find peace and love during this difficult time. View the FB LiveStream here [https://fb.watch/4uYSiXq-Ld/].
Assembly Inland Empire Housing Tour
There is a clear housing shortage in California and my colleagues and I have traveled California to see the distinct needs in each region. In October of last year, the Assembly Housing Working Group was in the Inland Empire to hear our experts and our community share their challenges, successes, and suggestions. Affordable housing is an issue we must tackle. It’s not a partisan issue- it’s a California issue, it’s a humane issue. Let’s get it done together.
Thank you to my colleagues for traveling to the Inland Empire to participate in this housing tour & panel, as well as the community-based organizations and stakeholders that provide services to increase affordable housing options in our community.
Thank you to Assemblyman Tom Lackey, Assemblymember Robert Rivas, Assemblymember Chris Ward, Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, Assemblymember Mia Bonta, Assemblymember Marc Levine, Assemblymember Laura Friedman, Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes, Assemblymember Tim Grayson, and Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez.