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Harris shines in debate, but racial issues haunt Buttigieg, Biden

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Kamala Harris pulled off an impressive performance Thursday night during the Democratic presidential candidates debate as racial issues haunted Pete Buttigieg and Joseph Biden.

When the smoke cleared after the debate concluded in Miami, Harris came out as a favorite based on her responses throughout the evening that served a combination of steak and sizzle, appealing to emotion as she laid out policy.

Touting the importance of a universal health care plan, Harris pulled heartstrings when she talk about hesitation a mother endures if she wants to take a child to an emergency room because of the child’s high fever, but is worried about the cost.

“And they say, take the child to the Emergency Room,” Harris said. “And so they get in their car and they drive and they are sitting in the parking lot outside of the Emergency Room looking at those sliding glass doors while they have the hand on the forehead of their child, knowing that if they walk through those sliding glass doors, even though they have insurance, they will be out a 5,000 deductible, $5,000 deductible when they walk through those doors. That’s what insurance companies are doing in America today.”

When moderators momentarily lost control of the debate, Harris was the one issuing a call to order.

“Hey, guys, you know what?” Harris said. “America does not want to witness a food fight, they want to know how we are going to put food on their table.”

But the moment of greatest contention among the candidate was when moderator Rachel Maddow asked Mayor Pete Buttigieg, who made history that night by being the first openly gay person to participate in a major party presidential debate, about a recent shooting in South Bend, Ind., under his watch by a white police officer who killed a black man.

Citing a statistic that 26 percent of South Bend is black, but only 6 percent of its police force is black, Maddow asked him why that hasn’t improved.

“Because I couldn’t get it done,” Buttigieg replied. “My community is in anguish right now because of an officer-involved shooting, a black man, Eric Logan, killed by a white officer. And I’m not allowed to take sides until the investigation comes back. The officer said he was attacked with a knife, but he didn’t have his body camera on. It’s a mess. And we’re hurting.”

Recognizing the issue as a national problem, Buttigieg said this is an issue “facing our community and so many communities around the country,” calling for a moving policing “out from the shadow of systemic racism.”

“And I am determined to bring about a day when a white person driving a vehicle and a black person driving a vehicle, when they see a police officer approaching, feels the exact same thing a feeling not of fear but of safety,” Buttigieg said.

But Buttigieg’s competitors on the debate stage weren’t letting him off the hook that easily.

Directly questioning the South Bend mayor, former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper said “the question they’re asking in South Bend and I think across the country is why has it taken so long?”

“We had a shooting when I first became mayor, 10 years before Ferguson,” Hickenlooper said. “And the community came together and we created an Office of the Independent Monitor, a Civilian Oversight Commission, and we diversified the police force in two years. We actually did de-escalation training. I think the real question that America should be asking is why, five years after Ferguson, every city doesn’t have this level of police accountability.”

Buttigieg insisted he’s taken steps to increase police accountability and “the FOP just denounced me for too much accountability.”

Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) weighed in, telling Buttigieg, “If the camera wasn’t on and that was the policy, you should fire the chief.”

Buttigieg said under Indiana law “this will be investigated and there will be accountability for the officer involved.” But Swalwell continued, “You’re the mayor. You should fire the chief — if that’s the policy and someone died.”

Marianne Williamson, an author whose unconventional responses drew attention throughout the debate, jumped in with a call for slavery reparations.

“All of these issues are extremely important, but they are specifics; they are symptoms,” Williamson said. “And the underlying cause has to do with deep, deep, deep realms of racial injustice, both in our criminal justice system and in our economic system. And the Democratic Party should be on the side of reparations for slavery for this very reason.”

Biden was next in the hot seat. Harris said she agrees with Williamson the issue of race is still not being talked about truthfully and said “there is not a black man I know, be he a relative, a friend or a coworker, who has not been the subject of some form of profiling or discrimination.”

That’s when Harris delivered the blow against Biden, who recently took heat for being nostalgic of the days when he reached out to others he disagreed with to get things done, including senators who built their careers on racial segregation.

“I’m going to now direct this at Vice President Biden, I do not believe you are a racist, and I agree with you when you commit yourself to the importance of finding common ground,” Harris said. “But I also believe, and it’s personal — and I was actually very — it was hurtful to hear you talk about the reputations of two United States senators who built their reputations and career on the segregation of race in this country.”

Harris said she also took issue with Biden’s opposition to bussing because “there was a little girl in California who was part of the second class to integrate her public schools, and she was bussed to school every day, and that little girl was me.”

But Harris concluded with a blow to Buttigieg, saying “as attorney general of California, I was very proud to put in place a requirement that all my special agents would wear body cameras and keep those cameras on.”

Biden wouldn’t stand for the suggestion he was a racist.

“It’s a mischaracterization of my position across the board,” Biden said. “I did not praise racists. That is not true, number one. Number two, if we want to have this campaign litigated on who supports civil rights and whether I did or not, I’m happy to do that.”

Biden delivered a counter-punch, referencing Harris’ career as a prosecutor, a career for which she has taken criticism in progressive circles.

“I was a public defender,” Biden said. “I didn’t become a prosecutor. I came out and I left a good law firm to become a public defender, when, in fact — when, in fact, when, in fact, my city was in flames because of the assassination of Dr. King, number one.”

Biden said under his policy, Harris would have been able to go to the school “the same exact way because it was a local decision made by your city council.” Asked by Harris if he was wrong to oppose bussing, Biden said, “I did not oppose bussing in America. What I opposed is bussing ordered by the Department of Education.”

Harris came back by asserting action by the federal government was the point.

“Well, there was a failure of states to integrate public schools in America,” Harris said. “I was part of the second class to integrate Berkeley, California, public schools almost two decades after Brown v. Board of Education. So that’s where the federal government must step in.”

The issue of race proved the most contentious in an evening where, like the previous night, health care and immigration were major topics.

Candidates made frequent references to LGBT people even though no question on LGBT issues was asked Thursday night.

Bernie Sanders mentioned LGBT people when asked whether he values diversity as a member of the Democratic Party.

“But in addition to diversity, in terms of having more women, more people from the LGBT community, we also have to do something else,” Sanders said. “And that is, we have to ask ourselves a simple question, in that how come today the worker in the middle of our economy is making no more money than he or she made 45 years ago, and that in the last 30 years, the top 1 percent has seen a $21 trillion increase in their wealth?”

Kirsten Gillibrand made a reference to her efforts leading the fight to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” saying she helped make it happen, despite opposition from the Pentagon. (In 2010, Defense Secretary Robert Gates came out for repeal before the final vote in December.)

Biden called for advancements in civil rights to “include not just only African-Americans, but the LGBT community.”

Harris enumerated the Equality Act as part of her goals to advance civil rights.

There were debate watch parties across the country, including at Beaches in West Hollywood. What was particularly interesting about the WeHo watch party is that organizers Team Kamala Harris invited other Democratic presidential campaigns to participate but only Team Pete Buttigieg responded.

Longtime Los Angeles gay politico Nelson Melegrito, founder of Kamala Nation and co-founder of Bros 4 America (formerly Bros 4 Hillary), organized the debate watch party.

“We are genuinely thrilled by the successful turnout at our hosted DNC Debate Watch Party at Beaches in West Hollywood last night,” Melegrito tells the Los Angeles Blade. “From the offset, I planned this event to be as inclusive as possible to other candidate supporters and Los Angeles for Pete (Buttigieg) was gracious enough to sign in as one of the community sponsors. Bernie supporters were represented, as well as undecided voters.”

“We had approximately 125 people attend a joint viewing party thrown by Bros4America (formerly Bros4Hillary), Kamala Nation, and Pete for America. The vibe of the night was supportive, knowing we all had a mutual goal in getting the best candidate put forth to take back the White House, entertainment attorney Patrick Ryan Blood, 31, a volunteer for the Harris campaign, tells the Los Angeles Blade. “For me, the night was a brilliant showing of how people in LA or specifically West Hollywood are able to get together and support our Democratic candidates and find our common ground.”

“There is a refreshing feeling to have this much civility among Democratic supporters under one roof because we all know in the end, we are in unison to support our candidate to end Donald Trump in 2020,” says Melegrito. “In addition, this being the weekend to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, we cannot simply ignore the fact that on that stage last night, we had a gay Presidential candidate.”

Speaking on behalf of the Kamala Harris campaign, Melegrito says the senator’s “outstanding legacy fighting for the LGBTQ community” is a matter of record.

“When many Democrats were talking about civil unions, Kamala was fighting to make marriage equality the law of the land, refusing to defend the unconstitutional Prop 8,” he says, as well as banning the gay/trans panic defense and officiating at same sex marriage ceremonies as District Attorney in 2004 and then again in 2013 after the Supreme Court’s ruling on marriage equality.

Harris had “several big moments” which will increase her momentum,” Blood says.

“I could not be more proud of her,” Blood said. “Kamala first came onto my radar when I was an undergrad student at UC Santa Cruz and she was elected DA in San Francisco. As a proud gay man, seeing her marrying same sex couples as DA immediately put her onto my radar. From there, I followed her career and during my 3rd and final year of law school, she was elected Attorney General,” he says

“I was always a defense-oriented person but I could not help but be amazed with then AG Harris’ efforts in performing her job, which was to uphold the laws on behalf of the state,” Blood says. “And in that role, she certainly showed that a woman of color not only can do the job but could do it well. When she ran for Senate, my excitement only grew as I knew she was going to make California proud and she certainly has. Her line of questioning in hearings is always spot on, direct, and she knows how to hit the point home.”

Blood believes Harris changed the trajectory of the campaign season with her performance in the debate.

“She not only proved herself to be someone who understands Americans and cares about their day-to-day lives,” he says. “Every answer she gives comes from the heart and the ‘that little girl was me’ moment will resonate with Americans, even those who are not people of color.”

Blood says his personal Facebook page has been filled with positive responses, showing that people are becoming engaged in this important political process.

“2020 will be a real test of these candidates’ record on civil rights that include LGBT legislation,” Melegrito says.

That so many Democratic candidates included LGBT rights during their debate remarks was a huge sign of progress 50 years after the Stonewall Rebellion. – Karen Ocamb contributed to this story.

Democratic Debate Watch photos courtesy Rebecca Brubaker.

 

 

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Community Services - PSA

Youth Baseball & Softball Leagues for the Spring 2023 are back!

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Photo Credit: County of Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES – As the world gets a little warmer and we settle into the Spring season, the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation is proud to announce the return of our Youth Baseball and Softball Leagues for the Spring 2023 season.

BASEBALL & SOFTBALL ARE BACK!

Sign up for our Spring Sports Leagues, Coming to an LA County Parks Near You!

REGISTER FOR YOUTH SPORTS LEAGUES TODAY!

YOUTH BASEBALL 

Photo Credit: County of Los Angeles

Baseball season is right around the corner, now’s the perfect time to sign up your young athletes for our Youth Baseball Leagues! Our Baseball Leagues will provide an emphasis on learning fundamentals of Baseball, skill development, sportsmanship, teamwork, and fun. League will run for 10 weeks and consist of one weekday practice and one game every Saturday. Game score and league standing will be kept. Rules will be enforced. Registration fee will include uniform, award, and umpire. Qualifying teams will advance and participate in the playoffs.  

Divisions & Dates:
D3-D6: April 15 – June 12

AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING PARKS
Divisions 3 – 6

NORTH AGENCY

Castaic Sports Complex: 31230 N. Castaic Rd., Castaic 91384  | (661) 775 8865

George Lane Park: 5520 W. Avenue, L-8, Quartz Hill, 93534 | (661) 722 7780

Jackie Robinson Park: 8773 E. Avenue R, Littlerock, 93543 | (661) 944 2880

Stephen Sorensen Park: 16801 E. Avenue P, Lake Los Angeles, 93591 | (661) 264 1249

El Cariso: 13100 Hubbard Street, Sylmar, 91342 | (818) 367 5043

Loma Alta: 3330 North Lincoln Avenue, Altadena, 91001 | (626) 398 5451

Pearblossom Park: 33922 North 121st St East, Pearblossom, 93553 | (661) 944 2988

Val Verde Park: 30300 Arlington St Castaic,  91384 | (661) 257 4014

EAST AGENCY

Arcadia Park: 405 S. Santa Anita Ave. Arcadia 91006 | (626) 821 4619

Allen Martin Park: 14830 E. Giordano St. La Puente 91744 | (626) 918 5263

Bassett Park: 510 Vineland Ave. Bassett | (626) 333 0959

Charter Oak Park: 20261 E. Covina Blvd. Covina, 91723 | (626) 339 0411

Dalton Park: 18867 E. Armstead St., Azusa, 91702 | (626) 852 1491

Manzanita Park: 1747 S. Kwis Ave., Hacienda Heights, 91745 | (626) 336 6246

Pathfinder Park: 18150 Pathfinder Rd., Rowland Heights, 91748  (562) 690 0933

Pamela Park: 2236 Goodall Ave. Duarte, 91010 | (626) 357 1619

Rimgrove Park: 747 North Rimgrove Dr. La Puente 91744 | (626) 330 8798

Rowland Heights Park: 1500 Banida Ave. Rowland Heights, 91748 | (626) 912 6774

San Angelo Park: 245 S. San Angelo Ave. La Puente 91746 | (626) 333 6162

Sunshine Park: 515 S. Deepmead Ave. La Puente, 91744  | (626) 854 5559

Steinmetz Park: 1545 S. Stimson Ave. Hacienda Heights, 91748 | (626) 855 5383

Valleydale Park: 5225 N. Lark Ellen Ave., Azusa, CA 91702 – (626) 334-8020

SOUTH AGENCY

Amigo Park: 5700 Juarez Ave. Whittier, 90606 | (562) 908-4702

La Mirada Park: 13701 South Adelfa Ave. La Mirada, 90638 | (562) 902-5645

Mayberry Park: 13201 East Meyer Rd, Whittier, 90605 | (562) 944-9727

Sorenson Park: 11419 Rosehedge Dr. Whittier, 90606 | (562) 908-7763


GIRLS SOFTBALL 

Girl’s Softball League will provide an emphasis on learning fundamentals of Softball, skill development, sportsmanship, teamwork, and fun. League will run for 10 weeks and consist of one weekday practice and one game every Saturday. Game score and league standing will be kept. Softball rules will be enforced. Registration fee will include uniform, award, and umpire. Qualifying teams will be advance and participate in the playoffs.

Divisions & Dates

D3 – D6: April 15 – June 12

AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING PARKS
DIVISIONS 3 – 6

NORTH AGENCY

George Lane Park: 5520 W. Avenue, L-8, Quartz Hill, 93534 | (661) 722 7780

Jackie Robinson Park: 8773 E. Avenue R, Littlerock, 93543 | (661) 944 2880

Stephen Sorensen Park: 16801 E. Avenue P, Lake Los Angeles, 93591 | (661) 264 1249

El Cariso: 13100 Hubbard Street, Sylmar, 91342 | (818) 367 5043

Loma Alta: 3330 North Lincoln Avenue, Altadena, 91001 | (626) 398 5451

Pearblossom Park: 33922 North 121st St East, Pearblossom, 93553 | (661) 944 2988

Val Verde Park: 30300 Arlington St Castaic,  91384 | (661) 257 4014

EAST AGENCY

Arcadia Park: 405 S. Santa Anita Ave. Arcadia 91006 | (626) 821 4619

Allen Martin Park: 14830 E. Giordano St. La Puente 91744 | (626) 918 5263

Bassett Park: 510 Vineland Ave. Bassett | (626) 333 0959

Charter Oak Park: 20261 E. Covina Blvd. Covina, 91723 | (626) 339 0411

Dalton Park: 18867 E. Armstead St., Azusa, 91702 | (626) 852 1491

Manzanita Park: 1747 S. Kwis Ave., Hacienda Heights, 91745 | (626) 336 6246

Pathfinder Park: 18150 Pathfinder Rd., Rowland Heights, 91748  (562) 690 0933

Pamela Park: 2236 Goodall Ave. Duarte, 91010 | (626) 357 1619

Rimgrove Park: 747 North Rimgrove Dr. La Puente 91744 | (626) 330 8798

Rowland Heights Park: 1500 Banida Ave. Rowland Heights, 91748 | (626) 912 6774

San Angelo Park: 245 S. San Angelo Ave. La Puente 91746 | (626) 333 6162

Sunshine Park: 515 S. Deepmead Ave. La Puente, 91744  | (626) 854 5559

Steinmetz Park: 1545 S. Stimson Ave. Hacienda Heights, 91748 | (626) 855 5383

Valleydale Park: 5225 N. Lark Ellen Ave., Azusa, CA 91702 | (626) 334 8020

SOUTH AGENCY

Adventure Park: 10130 Gunn Ave. Whittier, CA – (562) 698 7645

Amigo Park: 5700 Juarez Ave. Whittier, 90606 | (562) 908 4702

Mayberry Park: 13201 East Meyer Rd, Whittier, 90605 | (562) 944 9727

Sorenson Park: 11419 Rosehedge Dr. Whittier, 90606 | (562) 908 7763


DODGERS DREAMTEAM BASEBALL & SOFTBALL 

Photo Credit: County of Los Angeles

Through an exciting partnership with the Dodgers Foundation, Dodgers Dreamteam (formerly Dodgers RBI) brings the sport of Baseball and Softball at a lower price! The goal of DDT is to provide an inclusive, barrier-free sports-based youth development program for communities that have historically been left out of consideration. 

Divisions & Dates:

April 15 – June 12

Divisions 3 – 6

AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING PARKS

EAST AGENCY

Belvedere Park: 4914 E. Cesar Chavez Ave. Los Angeles, 90022 |  (323) 260 2342

Obregon Park: 4021 E. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90063 | (323) 260 2344

Salazar Park: 3864 Whittier Blvd. Los Angeles, 90023 | (323) 260 2330

Saybrook Park: 6250 E. Northside Dr. Los Angeles, 90022 | (323) 724 8546

SOUTH AGENCY

Alondra Park: 3850 W. Manhattan Beach Blvd. Lawndale, 90260 | (310) 217-8366

Athens Park: 12603 S. Broadway Los Angeles, 90061 | (323) 241 6700 

Bethune Park: 1244 E. 61st St. Los Angeles, 90001 | (323) 846 1895

Bodger Park: 14900 S. Yukon Ave. Hawthorne, 90250 | (310) 676 2085

Campanella Park: 14812 S Stanford Ave, Compton, 90220 | (310) 603 3720

Carver Park: 1400 E 118th St, Los Angeles, 90059 | (323) 357 3030

Del Aire Park: 12601 Isis Ave, Hawthorne, 90251 | (310) 643 4976

Helen Keller Park: 12521 Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, 90044 |  (323) 241-6702

Lennox Park: 10828 Condon Ave, Lennox, 90304 | (310) 419 6712

Mona Park: 2291 E 121st St, Compton, 90222 | (310) 603 3729

Franklin D. Roosevelt Park 7600 Graham Ave. Los Angeles, 90001 | (323) 586 5888

Ted Watkins Park: 1335 E 103rd St Los Angeles, 90002 | (323) 357 3032

Victoria Park: 419 M.L.K. Jr. St, Carson, 90746 | (310) 217 8370


REGISTER NOW!


For questions, contact LA County Parks at [email protected] or (626) 588-5364.

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Community Services - PSA

New on the LA County Channel

You can watch on Channel 92 or 94 on most cable systems, or anytime here. Catch up on LA County Close-Up here

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Photo Credit: County of Los Angeles

New on the County Channel

homeless count

Volunteers fanned out across the region for the 2023 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count. The point-in-time count enumerates the number of unsheltered people living on the streets and in cars to inform the deployment of resources and services needed to move people indoors.

You can watch more stories like this on Channel 92 or 94 on most cable systems, or anytime here. Catch up on LA County Close-Up here.

In Case You Missed It

Can the Trash! Clean Beach Poster Contest

canthetrash

SEEKING YOUNG ARTISTS! 👩‍🎨🎨👨‍🎨👩‍🎨  

Your child’s artwork could win a $100 gift card and be displayed on beach trash barrels this summer!

For a chance to win, 3rd–5th graders in LA County are encouraged to enter the CAN THE TRASH! Clean Beach Poster Contest.

Find details below:

Extended Deadline: Tuesday, February 14, 2023

  • Open to 3rd–5th graders in LA County
  • 15 winners will be selected
  • $100 gift card to all winners!
  • More at beaches.lacounty.gov/postercontest
  • HURRY! All entries are due February 14, 2023!

Enter Now!

At Your Service

State of Emergency on Homelessness: Our Missions

Los Angeles County is mounting an urgent and strategic response to the declaration of a state of emergency on homelessness, focusing initially on three key missions:

  • Reducing encampments to bring unsheltered people indoors
  • Increasing interim and permanent housing placements
  • Ramping up mental health and substance use disorder services for people experiencing homelessness

To support these missions, the Board of Supervisors yesterday (Feb. 7, 2023) approved a record $609.7 million budget for the Los Angeles County Homeless Initiative for fiscal year 2023-24, the largest investment in any given year to date to prevent and address homelessness. They also approved an additional $76.9 million to expand housing and services that the County provides in collaboration with local cities, as well as for innovative new programs.

Creative Recovery LA Application Workshops Available

Join the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture and Community Partners to learn how to apply to Creative Recovery LA, a new grant program created to address pandemic impacts on the nonprofit arts sector.

Through this new initiative the Department of Arts and Culture will award over $26 million in American Rescue Plan funds to deliver financial relief and recovery to the nonprofit arts and culture sector. Arts and Culture is partnering with LA County Libraries to host in person workshops. 

Workshops will include information about the program, guidelines, eligibility requirements, and tips on submitting strong proposals—everything 501c3 nonprofit and Model A fiscally sponsored organizations will need to prepare to apply online when the application is open through February 15, 2023.

#FoodEquityLA

We’re setting the table for our neighbors struggling with hunger. The Board of Supervisors just adopted an action plan to address food insecurity, which affected more than 2 million County residents in 2022. First step is designing a new Office for Food Equity and identifying how to best implement the plan, from streamlining benefit enrollment to creating food-as-medicine programs.

Out and About

Family Storytime – Decorate a West African mask and Egyptian Collar Necklace

Celebrate African American and Black History Month with LA County Library! Join us for a story time celebrating African American and Black History Month. Learn about traditions of the African diaspora with stories, songs, and dance. Decorate a West African mask and Egyptian collar necklace. To register for this event, click here.

Find more events hosted by LA County Library here.

A Healing Space

healingevent

LA County invites you to A Healing Space: Well Being, Creative Expression & Connection as Acts of Resistance on Friday, February 19, 2023. Join us for food, music, social services, mental health support, art, healing circles, dance classes, benefits enrollment, animal emotional support, poetry, expungement, kids activities, pet adoption and much more. 

Learn more by visiting jcod.lacounty.gov/event/a-healing-space/.


Photo Finish

Downtown Los Angeles from Boyle Heights
(Photo: Los Angeles County / Mayra Vasquez)

Click here to access more photos of LA County in action.

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Community Services - PSA

Work where you play! Apply for the Youth @ Work Program today!

Key programs that Youth Workers will be eligible to work this season include Spring Parks After Dark & Every Body Plays after school program

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Photo Credit: County of Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES – LA County Parks is HIRING! This Spring, we are looking to employ our local LA County Youth with an excellent entry level job that pays more than minimum wage ($16.04) and allows them to work at their local LA County Park.

Our Youth @ Work employees assist in leading recreational activities for persons of all ages, helping support event setup and takedown, and interacting with the public.

Key programs that Youth Workers will be eligible to work this season include Spring Parks After Dark (PAD) and the Every Body Plays after school program. Spring PAD is set to be held this Spring Break season (March 23 – April 8) and will be featured at 34 LA County Parks from 6 – 10pm on Thursdays and Saturdays. Youth @ Work employees are also able to work during the Every Body Plays program, which runs from 2:30 – 5:30pm Monday through Friday at 58 LA County Parks until May 26.

Prospective applicants can apply today at https://bit.ly/40DwWBP.
Applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • Be ages 14 -24
  • Posses a current work PERMIT (for those 17 years old and younger)
  • Have the right to work documents
  • Be a  current resident of LA County

APPLY TODAY!

All those interested are encouraged to apply today! Youth workers will learn how to lead programs and build customer service skills while making a difference in their local communities! For more information, join us at one of our upcoming outreach events this month!

Friday, February 17 (5-7pm)

Saturday, February 18 (12-2pm)


APPLY TODAY!

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Community Services - PSA

New on the LA County Channel

You can watch on Channel 92 or 94 on most cable systems, or anytime here. Catch up on LA County Close-Up here

Published

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Photo Credit: County of Los Angeles
ericchanginglives

The County of Los Angeles and its partners are making a difference in the lives of people like Eric who has left prison behind and gone from homeless to housed.

You can watch more stories like this on Channel 92 or 94 on most cable systems, or anytime here. Catch up on LA County Close-Up here.

In Case You Missed It

Deadline Extension: Childcare Providers Recovery Grants

Are you a childcare provider located in Los Angeles County recovering from the pandemic? Grants starting at $15,000 are available to assist. Visit our lacountycprgrant.submittable.com to see how you can qualify.

At Your Service

Creative Recovery LA Application Workshops Available

Join the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture and Community Partners to learn how to apply to Creative Recovery LA, a new grant program created to address pandemic impacts on the nonprofit arts sector. Through this new initiative the Department of Arts and Culture will award over $26 million in American Rescue Plan funds to deliver financial relief and recovery to the nonprofit arts and culture sector. Arts and Culture is partnering with LA County Libraries to host in person workshops.  Workshops will include information about the program, guidelines, eligibility requirements, and tips on submitting strong proposals—everything 501c3 nonprofit and Model A fiscally sponsored organizations will need to prepare to apply online when the application is open through February 15, 2023.

Mental Health Resources for those Impacted by Recent Mass Shooting Incidents

If you or your loved ones are experiencing mental health distress related to the mass shooting incidents at Monterey Park, Goshen, Oakland, and Half Moon Bay, do not hesitate to ask for help. 24/7 support and resources are available through our Help Line at (800) 854-7771 and through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Out and About

MVA Honors African-American Military History Month 

Join the Department of Military and Veteran’s Affairs for an African-American Military History event on Friday, February 3rd, 2023 from 10am-1pm. Register for this event by scanning the QR code on the flyer. 

Learn N Make: African American and Black History Month Event

Celebrate African American and Black History Month with LA County Library! February spotlights African Americans. Learn about how African American and Black History Month is celebrated and what current Black leaders are making waves today.

The first in a series of events honoring Black History Month is today! The Learn N Make African American and Black History Month event is today from 3-4pm at Graham Library. To register for this event, click here.

Find more events hosted by LA County Library here.

Photo Finish

Photo: Los Angeles County / Mayra Vasquez

Star Party at Griffith Park Observatory.

Click here to access more photos of LA County in action.

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Community Services - PSA

New on the LA County Channel

You can watch on Channel 92 or 94 on most cable systems, or anytime here. Catch up on LA County Close-Up here

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Photo Credit: County of Los Angeles
reunion

It’s been 50 years since Alycia Hernandez, then two years old, fell into a shaft while playing with her brother. For the firefighters who rescued her that day, the passage of time has not erased memories of the heroic struggle to bring her to safety.

Did you know LA County has a weekly news magazine that takes viewers behind the scenes to showcase people and programs making a difference in Los Angeles County and its communities?

You can watch more stories like this on Channel 92 or 94 on most cable systems, or anytime here. Catch up on LA County Close-Up here.

In Case You Missed It

Volunteer for LAHSA Homeless Count

The Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count is the annual census that counts our neighbors experiencing unsheltered homelessness. Through the Count, we’re better able to direct and advocate for vital services to support the needs of our unhoused neighbors. The Count is coming up, taking place January 24-26, 2023. To join, please visit www.theycountwillyou.org/.

At Your Service

Get Vaccinated at Home
homevaccination

If you or a loved one have difficulty leaving the home to get vaccinated against COVID-19, you can request in-home vaccination by calling 2-1-1 or the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Vaccine Call Center at 833-540-0473 (8am-8:30pm; 7 days a week).

Residents can also fill out the online request form (multiple language options available) or visit ph.lacounty.gov/vaxathome for more information. Referrals from caregivers, loved ones, organizations, agencies, providers (among others) are welcome. All doses are available for eligible individuals ages 6 months and older at no cost.

The Fall 2022 booster is also available for eligible individuals. Other family members or caregivers can be vaccinated during the same visit. For resources related to paratransit and free rides for vaccination, call the Public Health Vaccine Call Center or visit the How To Get Vaccinated page.

CalFresh Market Match Program

calfresh

There are over 30 farmers’ markets in L.A. County where you can shop with CalFresh AND get between $10-$15 worth of market match vouchers to buy even more fresh and healthy produce. To find your local Certified Farmers’ Market, visit Farmers’ Market Finder by the Ecology Center and enter your zip code in the search bar.

Out and About

Lifeguard Ready Training
lifeguardtraining

LA County Beaches and Harbor Lifeguard Ready Training prepares youth and young adults ages 16 to 24 with the skills necessary to become a Los Angeles County Swimming Pool Lifeguard. Swimmers of all abilities welcome. Sign up today at one of our nine training facilities located throughout LA County. The LRT program will provide participants with all the equipment necessary to complete the program.

For more information, visit: parks.lacounty.gov/lrt

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Photo: Los Angeles County / Mayra Vasquez

Los Angeles based fabric artist, London Kay, is installing the one of a kind “yarnbomb” at Westminster Avenue Elementary School.

Click here to access more photos of LA County in action.

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New on the LA County Channel

You can watch on Channel 92 or 94 on most cable systems, or anytime here. Catch up on LA County Close-Up here

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changinglives

The County of Los Angeles and its partners are making a difference in the lives of people like Amalia who has gone from homeless to housed.

You can watch more stories like this on Channel 92 or 94 on most cable systems, or anytime here. Catch up on LA County Close-Up here.

In Case You Missed It

Happy Mew and Lunar Year

Adoption fees are waived for cats and rabbits all throughout January 2023. For cats, this also includes microchips and vaccinations. It does not include licenses, pain meds, spay/neuter, or trust deposits. For rabbits, this includes microchips, spay/neuter, and vaccinations. It does not include licenses, pain meds, or trust deposits.

You can visit during public hours (2pm-7pm Wed, 2pm-5pm all other days) or schedule an appointment here. 

View all of our amazing animals currently available for adoption here

At Your Service

Creative Recovery LA
creativerecovery

The Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture is launching Creative Recovery LA! 

Creative Recovery LA is a new grant initiative to address pandemic impacts on the arts and the creative economy, one of the most economically significant and hardest-hit sectors, while leveraging the unique capacity of arts and culture to catalyze our region’s economic recovery, civic connectivity, and community wellbeing. Through this initiative the Department of Arts and Culture will award over $26 million in American Rescue Plan funds to deliver financial relief and recovery to the LA County nonprofit arts and culture sector.

Creative Recovery LA includes five grant opportunities:

  1. Arts Relief and Recovery Grant
  2. Creative Works and Jobs for Artists Grant
  3. Reopening Culture, Tourism, and Marketing Grant
  4. Creative Career Pathways for Youth Grant
  5. Arts for Justice-Involved Youth Grant

Applications open January 18th, 2023. For more information on eligibility click here. For Creative Recovery application guidelines, workshops, and the online application portal, visit Community Partners’ webpage.

Delete the Divide: Youth Internships & Job Training

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The Youth Internships & Job Training initiative helps young LA County residents explore opportunities in computer and information technology industries and prepares them with the skills and networks they need to pursue a career in those fields. The initiative provides members direct access to job opportunities, mentorships, and hundreds of training courses offered through our partners.

For more information, visit: deletethedivide.org/youth-internships-job-training.

Out and About

Car Seat Safety Workshop
carseatsafety

Antelope Valley Wellness Community is hosting a NO-COST Car Seat Safety Workshop!

This no-cost class, taught by a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician will cover current California laws regarding restraining children in the car. Each type of seat will be reviewed (from infant seats to booster seats) to help parents/caregivers choose the appropriate seat for their child. How to use and correctly install different types of seats using vehicle safety belts and LATCH system will be explained and practiced!

Information:

Friday, January 20th, 2023

2:00pm-3:00pm

Antelope Valley Wellness Community

335-B East Ave K-6, Lancaster CA 93535

Click here for more information. 

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Photo: Los Angeles County / Mayra Vasquez

Delete the Divide laptop giveaway event at East Los Angeles Library.

Like this shot? Then you’ll love our photo library! Click here access more beautiful pictures.

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LA County Close-Up: New on the County Channel

New on the County Channel, In Case You Missed It, At Your Service; You can watch stories on Channel 92 or 94 on most cable systems

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New on the County Channel

yearinreview

Take a look back at some of this year’s most impactful stories. 

You can watch more stories like this on Channel 92 or 94 on most cable systems, or anytime here. Catch up on LA County Close-Up here.


In Case You Missed It

Celebrate Safely

LA County Department of Public Health reminds you to take precautions as you prepare for holiday festivities. Headed to a Holiday Party? Get tested before the event and stay home if you’re sick.  

For more resources, visit publichealth.lacounty.gov.


At Your Service

DPSS District Offices Are Now Safe Youth Zones

If you, or a youth you know, needs help to get away from an abusive situation that involves human trafficking, exploitation, or abuse, just step inside any DPSS office for immediate assistance from trained DPSS Safe Youth Zone Liaisons. Look for the Safe Youth Zone signs outside DPSS offices. Click here for a list of DPSS offices.


Out and About

New Year’s Eve with Marina del Rey

Celebrate New Year’s Eve 2022 in Marina del Rey with a Glow Party & Fireworks Show!

For more information, visit beaches.lacounty.gov/.


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Photo: Los Angeles County

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LA County Close-Up: New on the County Channel

New on the County Channel, In Case You Missed It, At Your Service; You can watch stories on Channel 92 or 94 on most cable systems

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New on the County Channel

Meet Kipp, who is using the Breathe program to further her business! Breathe is a guaranteed income pilot program that provides 1,000 county residents some breathing room with $1000 a month for three years to help establish financial stability. For those enrolled, it’s more than a check; it’s a path forward that’s changing lives.

You can watch more stories like this on Channel 92 or 94 on most cable systems, or anytime here. Catch up on LA County Close-Up here.


In Case You Missed It

Public Health Asks Residents to Mask, Get Boosted

Increased transmission of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County means there is a higher likelihood of catching COVID during routine activities, such as grocery shopping, eating out at restaurants, running errands, or attending a concert or large holiday party. Los Angeles County moved into the CDC High Community Level last week, prompting Public Health officials to ask all residents to layer in sensible health protections including indoor masking and getting vaccinated and boosted.

One of the most effective ways to reduce COVID-19 transmission, along with transmission of other respiratory illnesses like flu and RSV, is to wear well-fitted, high-filtration masks indoors. Everyone ages 2 and older is asked to wear a mask in indoor public spaces, such as transit, retail, event venues, schools, and worksites when around others.

A wide range of data and dashboards on COVID-19 from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health are available on the Public Health website at publichealth.lacounty.gov.


At Your Service

#FoodEquityLA

We’re turning the tables on food insecurity in LA County! More than 70 community-based organizations and 100 food-system experts have just released an ambitious blueprint for fixing LAC’s broken food system: lacountyfoodequityroundtable.org


Out and About

Winter Events with Beaches & Harbor

The Department of Beaches and Harbors has several fun activities lined up through this winter season. Whether it’s a stroll through the Marina Lights, catching the holiday boat parade or ringing in the new year – there’s lots to do!

To learn more about upcoming events, click here.


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Aztec Dancers at Belvedere Regional Community Park. (Photo Credit: Mayra Beltran Vasquez / Los Angeles County)
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Free toy giveaway hosted by Assembly Member Miguel Santiago

Hundreds of families will be invited to receive free toys to help celebrate the holidays. Additionally, there will be a DJ & a Santa on-site

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LOS ANGELES – Assembly Member Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles) announced Thursday that he and his staff will be hosting a free toy holiday giveaway at the Boys & Girls club gym at Estrada Courts in Boyle Heights.

Hundreds of families  will be invited to receive free toys to help celebrate the holidays. Additionally, there will be a  photo booth, a DJ and a Santa on-site. Other organizations coordinating the toy giveaway  include the Little Tokyo Service Center (LTSC) and the Housing Authority of the City of Los  Angeles (HACLA).  One toy will be given per child and each child must be present to receive each toy.  

The Boyle Heights community and the surrounding areas are on the road  to recovery after the worst of the economic downturn, many families are still  unable to afford toys for their children for the holidays.

The toy giveaway will  help bring the holiday spirit to these families which is important because during  the last two holiday seasons, Boyle Heights was hit extremely hard by COVID-19.

WHEN:

Saturday, December 17 

Event: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM 

WHERE:

Boys & Girls Club of Estrada Courts 

3232 Estrada Street 

Los Angeles, CA 90023 

Parking:

Parking lot next to the gym. 

 

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New on the LA County Channel

You can watch on Channel 92 or 94 on most cable systems, or anytime here. Catch up on LA County Close-Up here

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Photo Credit: County of Los Angeles

The annual tree lighting ceremony at Jerry Moss Plaza marks the beginning of the Holiday Season.

You can watch more stories like this on Channel 92 or 94 on most cable systems, or anytime here. Catch up on LA County Close-Up here.


In Case You Missed It

Laptop Giveaway Event

The County of L.A. is hosting special Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) enrollment and FREE laptop giveaway events at seven library locations on Saturday, December 10, 2022.  The ACP is a federally funded program offering up to $30 off your monthly internet bill.  One hundred laptops will be given away at each location for new enrollments.

To learn more and see a list of locations, visit ACP Enrollment & FREE Laptop Giveaways – Delete The Divide.


At Your Service

Grant Opportunity: Childcare Providers Recovery

childcare

Are you a childcare provider located in Los Angeles County recovering from the pandemic? Grants starting at $15,000 are available to assist. Visit our lacountycprgrant.submittable.com to see how you can qualify.


Out and About

Howly Jolly Adoption Event

adoptionevent

This weekend at the Carson Gardena Animal Care Center, adoption fees will be waived for all adoptable dogs that have been in care for 60 days or longer. The waived fees include adoption, vaccination, spay/neuter and microchips. It does not include medication, licenses or trust deposits.

For more information, visit animalcare.lacounty.gov.

Winter Events with LA County Parks

It’s Park Time L.A. County! Parks After Dark returns with an enchanting Winter Wonderland experience that will bring holiday cheer and 40 to 80 tons of snow to 34 L.A. County Parks in the month of December. This holiday action packed celebration is for the entire family and is bigger and better than ever before, with more snow, more toys, more craft activities and more fun! All for free!

For more information on Parks After Dark Winter Wonderland, visit parks.lacounty.gov/winterpad.


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winter wonderland
Photo: Mayra Beltran Vasquez / Los Angeles County

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