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Hello Lydia,
The hard work of responding to and recovering from San Diego’s flood disaster continues. The heartbreaking stories of the impact of the flood continue to be told and felt. Thankfully, heartwarming stories are also being written through the work of courageous and generous community members and city workers.
This week at City Council, we heard from a group of leaders from the Southeastern Disaster Response Team and from the San Diego Housing Commission. The community team shared how they were able to quickly spring to action in the immediate aftermath of the flood and provide food, shelter, and cleanup support. The Housing Commission shared how we’ve been working from the government side to meet folks’ needs. As of today, the San Diego Housing Commission is providing 195 households and over 600 people who were displaced by flooding with hotel rooms so they can have a safe, warm place to sleep at night and begin picking up the pieces of their lives.
While the need for housing is likely to continue to grow and there is ample room for improvement, I’ve had great pride in how the Housing Commission has embraced the responsibility of housing those in need with compassion, creativity, and agility. From picking up a mother and her newborn from a disaster shelter and getting them into a hotel to taking less than a week to turn a newly acquired property into a dignified and safe temporary home for 35 households, the Housing Commission is proving government can work quickly and effectively to meet the community’s needs.
The road ahead is long and steep, but the good work I am seeing is providing me with hope that we can arrive at a better future.
With gratitude,
Sean
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View the Update from the Southeast Disaster Response Team HERE
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Storm Response & Recovery Updates | |
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It is forecasted to rain until Friday of this week. With the unusual frequency and intensity of storms hitting the City of San Diego recently, residents are encouraged to remain prepared and vigilant through the remainder of the rainy season. For residents citywide, sand and empty sandbags will be available at 10 City recreation centers. The City will continue to monitor weather conditions and advise residents of necessary preparations.
The City’s temporary shelter at the Balboa Park Municipal Gym, which has provided a safe, dry place for residents to stay, remains open to assist those who have been displaced by the recent storms.
The United Taxi Workers of San Diego continues to offer rides for impacted residents get to the temporary shelter and LAC at no charge. To schedule a ride, residents can call 619-280-4444 or download the Ride United (passenger) application on a mobile phone. Residents should then provide their pick-up location address and select “Balboa Park Municipal Gym” or “Mountain View Community Recreation Center” as their drop-off location.
For updates, storm preparedness tips, safety info, road closures and flooded areas, and locations for shelter and sandbags, visit sandiego.gov/storm
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MTS Transit Passes
The District 9 Office was happy to lead and collaborate with MTS to begin providing free transit passes for our flood impacted community members. If the flood affected your primary mode of transportation for you and your family, you can pick up a free pass by visiting the Mountain View Local Assistance Center at 641 S Boundary St, San Diego, CA 92113.
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San Diego Humane Society Emergency Updates
The San Diego Humane Society has partnered with the American Red Cross to set up and operate a temporary shelter for pets at the San Diego Municipal Gymnasium in Balboa Park (2111 Pan American Plaza).
This shelter location offers pet food and limited supplies, temporary shelter for displaced pets and additional resources. The site is staffed 24 hours a day. Please note, you must check in to the Red Cross emergency shelter assisting people, in order to check in your pet with us. Owners are responsible for the care of their animals, and it is important that they are close by to provide walks and bathroom breaks for their pets.
For more information, and updates, visit www.sdhumane.org/about-us/news-center/emergency-updates
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Council District 9 Updates | |
State of the District Honorees | |
At the 2024 D9 State of the District celebration, we recognized individuals, businesses, and organizations for their outstanding work in the community over the last year. We know that some of these honorees have been doing great work in the District for years, and we’d like to make sure we thank them for their passionate involvement in making our District (and city) a better place to live. | |
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Community Partner of the Year:
Ocean Discovery Institute
Ocean Discovery Institute is an organization that has made a multigenerational impact in our community by expanding opportunity for City Heights youth through education and exposure to career and recreational pathways. We are grateful for their leadership and investments in our young folks.
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Volunteer of the Year
Marlyn Gonzalez
Marlyn has a magnetic enthusiasm that has empowered community members to come together for clean ups in the Talmadge neighborhood, where her business Gem Coffee is located. Her positive impact is also felt in the City Heights neighborhoods of Teralta East and Colina del Sol, where she collaborates with residents, students, and businesses to improve our community for everyone.
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Volunteer of the Year
Brisa Layana
Brisa is a lifelong resident of Stockton and a tremendous asset to the community. For years, Brisa has led Stockton residents in coordinating community clean-ups, advocating for safer streets, and recruiting neighbors to join the Stockton Community Group.
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Volunteer of the Year
Lynn Edwards
Lynn currently serves as the chair of the Eastern Area Communities Planning Committee and Rolando Park Community Council. Lynn has spent many years working in the community, including leading projects to improve infrastructure, invest in community beautification, and highlighting Eastern Area's needs.
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Business of the Year
Megan Beauvais & Associates
Our Business of the Year doesn’t just show up for community events, they support and initiate opportunities to build community. If you're looking for a real estate professional that works diligently and with your best interest in mind, checkout Megan Beauvais & Associates!
For more information, visit meganb.com
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Non-Profit of the Year
Normal Heights Community Association
The Normal Heights Community Association truly lives out their values of fostering local engagement and building connections between our diverse community. Through their monthly mixers, annual events, and community leadership, the Normal Heights Community Association has cultivated neighborhood pride, belonging, and inclusion.
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Youth Leader of the Year
Mid-City CAN Youth Council
Mid-City Community Advocacy Network's Youth Council was instrumental in securing $750,000 for improvements to Office Jeremy Henwood Park. It was a significant win for a City Heights community that is desperate for investments in parks and green spaces, and that win would not have happened without commitment and dedication of the young people involved in the Youth Council, with the support of MCC’s staff Victor Ponce and Belen Hernandez.
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Artist of the Year
ArtReach San Diego
ArtReach does incredible work with our young artists, partnering with students across different schools. We’ve been fortunate to have some of their amazing efforts occur in our District, with some examples of noteworthy their murals being located at Little Flower in the College Area, at the Copley-Price YMCA in Talmadge, and at one of the new affordable housing projects in City Heights. Their murals bring our community together through community painting days and provide opportunities for our youth to explore their artistry.
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Hero of the District
Northern: Kim Emerson
Kim Emerson, a Normal Heights resident that has created and stewarded the mosaic mural, entitled “KALEIDOSCOPE OF BUTTERFLIES“, on the corner of the Adams Recreation Center building in Normal Heights. She has been a champion for activating the Adams Community Recreation Group and encouraging her fellow neighbors to get involved.
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Hero of the District
Mid-City: Rahmo Abdi
A mother, a community leader driven by justice, and a champion for immigrants and refugees – Rahmo has been the heart for many in the City Heights community. Whether in her efforts to fight for tenants, support and empower our young folks, or create cultural celebrations that honor her community – she is always there when people need her.
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Hero of the District
Southern: Juan Cruz
As someone who was born and raised in Mt. Hope, Juan has seen the many injustices that residents face in his neighborhood have faced for generations. He has been a key advocate alongside Mt. Hope community members, fighting for investments in their neighborhood, such as in the restoration of infrastructure and funding to their local park.
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Safe Streets for All Survey
Council District 9 is committed to having clean, safe, and healthy communities for all. A cornerstone of a healthy community is Safe Streets. Safe Streets promote walkable neighborhoods and increased accessibility for everyone.
Traffic safety concerns are among the topmost issues that our office has heard from our communities. Council President Elo-Rivera takes all traffic safety concerns seriously and advocates on behalf of all of District 9 residents for safer streets.
Please take the quick survey down below to share with us what you believe are the most important aspects of street safety are for you. This will provide our office the best insight on how to approach making streets in District 9 safer for everyone.
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Voices for Children:
Become A CASA Volunteer
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Today, there are hundreds of children in foster care in San Diego and Riverside Counties waiting for a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer to speak up for them. Tomorrow, more youth will enter the foster care system.
You can help create a brighter future for them, today! Help move 150 vulnerable youth off of the Voices for Children waitlist now until May, which is National Foster Care Month.
As a supporter of Voices for Children, we know the profound impact a CASA can make on a child in foster care. We invite you to take five minutes and recommend a caring friend, family member, or co-worker to become a CASA volunteer.
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San Diego Tourism Authority Community Survey | |
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Mattress Recycling Resource
If you are planning to be one of the many mattress shoppers on Presidents Day weekend (February 17-19), remember that there are some no-cost, easy ways to keep your unwanted one out of the landfill or from becoming illegally dumped in our community.
Learn more about retailer take back, recycling options and more at ByeByeMattress.com
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