Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Category Archives: Working Families

SAUSD’s unionized school bus drivers still driving, but for how long?

Posted on by Posted in Education, Labor, Santa Ana, SAUSD, Working Families, Youth Activities 3 Comments

I don’t know why unionized school bus drivers are allowed to go on strike – all that does is hurt working families and kids.  But the good news is that so far the SAUSD has been able to avoid a bus driver strike with negotiations ongoing.  Here is there latest update on the matter:

SAUSD NEWSBRIEF-March 5, 2012

Transportation

The Santa Ana Unified School District has been informed that Durham School Services, will provide bus services to your student through Wednesday, March 7, at the regular time and regular route.  Continue reading→

Solorio trying to fund college scholarships by ending corporate tax loophole

Posted on by Posted in Education, Jose Solorio, Santa Ana, Taxes, Working Families, Youth Activities 9 Comments

For Immediate Release: February 9, 2012
For More Information Contact: Carol Chamberlain – office: (916) 319-2069, mobile: (916) 804-5355

State Assemblyman Solorio Helps Unveil Middle Class Scholarship Program
Legislation will end unfair burden on middle class from rising public college fees

SACRAMENTO – State Assemblyman Jose Solorio (D-Anaheim) announced today that he is co-authoring new legislation to create California’s Middle Class Scholarship program. Introduced by Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez, the proposal is designed to keep more money in the pockets of middle-income families whose students attend the state’s public colleges and universities. Continue reading→

SAUSD student Espinoza interviewed by NBC, about his law firm internship

Posted on by Posted in Education, Latinos, Lawyers, Santa Ana, SAUSD, Working Families, Youth Activities 73 Comments


View more videos at: http://nbclosangeles.com.

Segerstrom High School senior Jonathan Espinoza has done it again – even as he struggles to collect enough donations to pay for his registration fee at Georgetown University, he has landed an interview with NBC reporter Colleen Williams, to talk about Project SELF – “a program that helps low-income minorities in Orange County with internships at legal firms and how it has helped him pursue his future career,” according to NBC News. Continue reading→

Moorlach wants to house the homeless in the old Santa Ana bus station

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Development, homeless, Housing, Orange County, Republican Party, Santa Ana, Seniors, Transportation, Working Families 8 Comments

New Orange County Board of Supervisors Chairman John Moorlach has challenged “officials from the city of Santa Ana over his plans to use a defunct bus station in the midst of Santa Ana’s downtown to feed, and potentially house, homeless people,” according to the Voice of OC.

Our County government has done a poor job of serving the homeless.  They freeze at night for lack of beds and four of them were killed in recent weeks by a serial killer.  But hasn’t the City of Santa Ana been impacted enough by this? Continue reading→

Orange County Rental Assistance waiting list to open on Feb. 15

Posted on by Posted in Disabled, Family, homeless, Housing, Orange County, Seniors, Working Families Leave a comment

Orange County Rental Assistance Waiting List to Open
Opportunity for Section 8 Housing Assistance for Very Low-Income Individuals, Families, Seniors, and Disabled in Orange County
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 11, 2012
CONTACT: Karen Roper (714) 480-2805

(Santa Ana – CA) The Orange County Housing Authority (OCHA) will open its Waiting List to accept pre-applications for housing assistance from February 15, 2012 until February 29, 2012. The Section 8 Waiting List is the only opportunity for very low-income families, seniors, disabled persons, and individuals to obtain a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher. Due to the limited number of vouchers and the large number of people that applied, the last time OCHA’s Waiting List was last opened was November 2005. The February 2012 Waiting List opening may be the only opportunity for Orange County residents to apply for many years to come. The Housing Choice Voucher Program is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and enables OCHA to subsidize monthly rent payments for qualified applicants who live or work in 31 cities in Orange County. The Cities of Anaheim, Garden Grove, and Santa Ana operate their own housing authorities and have separate waiting lists for their residents. Continue reading→

Riverview families join in celebrating the Posadas and Los Reyes Magos

Posted on by Posted in Arts and Culture, Churches and Religion, Latino Leaders, Latinos, mexico, Neighborhood Associations, Santa Ana, Working Families 1 Comment

Latino residents in Santa Ana’s Riverview Neighborhood have been making a difference in their community by celebrating the Posadas Navideñas for the past four years. The Posadas Navideñas is a traditional Mexican reenactment of the search for lodging that Mary and Joseph did nine days before the birth of Jesus.

The Gallardo family in Riverview schedules a night for the Posada to be held at their home, starting on the 16th of December and finishing on the 24th of December, which we call Noche Buena.  They do this without help from the City of Santa Ana – entirely on their own, unlike the Neighborhood Associations who lean on the City’s Community Development Agency for support. Continue reading→

Christmas toy giveaway today at Original Mike’s from 11 am to 1 pm

Posted on by Posted in Charities, Entertainment, Santa Ana, Working Families, Youth Activities 1 Comment

Check out the Bordeaux Community Center Community Christmas Toy Drive & Giveaway today, Saturday, Dec 24, from 11 am to 1 pm, at Original Mike’s @ 100 S. Main St., in Downtown Santa Ana, in the outdoor patio.

The first 500 kids in line will get a chance to sit on Santa’s lap and receive one free present from Bordeaux Community Center! Hope to see you!

Your support is more than appreciated and thank you for helping us shine light on those that are need of a helping hand this holiday season!

Derek J. Bordeaux

OneOC Holiday Directory highlights volunteer opportunities in Orange County

Posted on by Posted in Charities, homeless, Orange County, Santa Ana, Working Families Leave a comment

OneOC and 2-1-1 Orange County are pleased to collaborate on the 2011 Holiday Directory, a comprehensive guide to volunteer opportunities and agency wish lists during the holiday season.

The Holiday Directory is designed to provide volunteers with an easy-to-use resource guide of volunteer opportunities throughout Orange County during the holiday season. Additionally, the directory lists agencies’ wish lists so community members can provide donations to organizations in need of additional support. Continue reading→

Solorio Scholars awardees celebrate end of college application process

Posted on by Posted in Education, Jose Solorio, Santa Ana, SAUSD, Working Families, Youth Activities Leave a comment

Assemblyman Solorio (center) with the Solorio Scholars, Class of 2012

For Immediate Release: December 21, 2011
For More Information Contact: Carol Chamberlain – office: (916) 319-2069, mobile: (916) 804-5355

“Solorio Scholars” Awardees Celebrate End of College Application Process
Outstanding seniors received financial help and acquired additional writing skills for college application process

SANTA ANA – On a Saturday evening this holiday season, 25 outstanding high school seniors were recognized as “Solorio Scholars” at the Delhi Center in Santa Ana. The evening capped an intense college application season made easier for the Solorio Scholars through personalized help with their college applications and up to $250 for college application fees. The Solorio Scholars program was created in 2009 to inspire more high school students in central Orange County to apply for college. Continue reading→

Solorio and Santa Ana to celebrate new water improvements in Diamond Park

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Jose Solorio, Neighborhood Associations, Santa Ana, Water, Working Families Leave a comment

MEDIA ADVISORY, For Immediate Release: December 13, 2011
For More Information Contact: Carol Chamberlain – office: (916) 319-2069, mobile: (916) 804-5355

State Assemblyman Jose Solorio and the City of Santa Ana to hold groundbreaking ceremony for long-awaited water pipeline improvements to Santa Ana’s Diamond Park neighborhood

Construction to connect small community to City of Santa Ana’s water system will finally bring community safe, clean drinking water

SANTA ANA – State Assemblyman Jose Solorio (D-69) and officials from the City of Santa Ana will hold a groundbreaking ceremony in the Diamond Park neighborhood of Santa Ana to kickoff the long-awaited water pipeline project that will finally connect this small neighborhood to the City of Santa Ana’s water system. Continue reading→

Donate to this year’s Santa Ana Cambodian Families holiday toy drive

Posted on by Posted in Asians, Cambodians, Charities, Entertainment, Santa Ana, Working Families, Youth Activities Leave a comment

It’s that time of year!!!  The Cambodian Family Youth Program is hosting a toy drive! We are short some toys this year. If you would like to donate to our program, drop by our Youth Program.  This year’s Goal: 70 toys,

Here’s what we’re looking for: Continue reading→

Free Thanksgiving meal today for the needy, at the Santa Ana Salvation Army

Posted on by Posted in Entertainment, Food, homeless, Santa Ana, Working Families Leave a comment

The Salvation Army of Orange County is hosting a Community Thanksgiving Dinner at 11 AM today, Nov. 24, at their Santa Ana Temple, located at 1710 W. Edinger, in Santa Ana.  Call 714.545.2937 if you have any questions.

Click here to sign up to volunteer with the Salvation Army of Orange County.

Click here to join the Salvation Army Santa Ana Temple Facebook Group. Continue reading→

Southwest Community Center to host a Thanksgiving meal for the needy

Posted on by Posted in African Americans, Charities, Churches and Religion, Entertainment, Food, homeless, Santa Ana, Women, Working Families Leave a comment

Santa Ana’s Southwest Community Center is hosting a free  Thanksgiving Day Dinner Dinner for the needy on Nov. 24.  It will be served from 11:00 am – 3:00pm.  Volunteer Hours run from 8:00am—5:00pm.  Set-Up runs from 8:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.  The Dinner Service will run from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. And clean up will run from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

The mission of the Southwest Community Center is to provide food, clothing, shelter, guidance, health, and referral services to economically disadvantaged individuals and families, and assist and encourage those whom they serve to achieve self-sufficiency. Continue reading→

Santa Ana residents can visit the Santa Ana Zoo for free this Sunday

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Entertainment, Nature, Santa Ana, Working Families, Youth Activities Leave a comment

Check out the baby anteater at the Santa Ana Zoo, for free this Sunday!

This Sunday, November 20, is the third Sunday of the month and you know what that means… Free Santa Ana Resident’s Day at the Santa Ana Zoo, at Prentice Park.  Click here for directions.  Click here to visit the Zoo’s Facebook page.

If you live in the city of Santa Ana, get free admission to the Zoo on Sunday, November 20.

The third Sunday of each month is a free day for residents, and one of the perks of living in the city. Come and see what’s new at the Zoo!  (Up to 4 per household, proof of address required). Continue reading→

Occupy Laundry Love Santa Ana – this Thursday

Posted on by Posted in Charities, Entertainment, homeless, Santa Ana, Working Families 1 Comment

Finally a useful Occupy event!  Occupy Laundry Love Santa Ana this Thursday, Nov. 17, from 5:30pm until 8:30pm, at Lavaderia Santa Ana, 406 East Santa Ana Blvd, Santa Ana. 

Political action is one thing, but great change can happen when we rally together to meet tangible needs too!  Continue reading→