At the Board of Supervisors meeting, Chairman Wagner allocated funds to help those facing food insecurity and more April recognitions to raise awareness in our community |
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Chairman Donald P. Wagner directed the Board allocation of $3 million for OC Hunger Alliance. The funds will purchase emergency food to help mitigate an expected increase in demand for food assistance. In the early days of the pandemic, the United States Department of Agriculture increased benefits received by participants in the CalFresh program. However, allotments ended April 2023. The Board approved the Chairman’s request unanimously. “No family should go hungry, let alone in Orange County. Our food banks are strapped and looking for help. The sooner we can get the funds to the food banks, the sooner we can start relieving families of the unfortunate burden of not knowing where their next meal is coming from,” said Chairman Wagner. The OC Hunger Alliance consists of Second Harvest Food Bank Orange County, Community Action Partnership’s OC Food Bank, and Abound Food Care. Chairman Wagner requested the Board split those funds equally among the three organizations. The benefit received by the average CalFresh recipient household will be reduced by $261 per month. Combined, Orange County households will experience a $30 million per month reduction in food benefits. We are also experiencing the highest inflation in 40 years, further aggravated by the fact that inflationary costs of food are trending higher than that of other consumer goods. The OC Hunger Alliance is working on mitigating the upcoming increase in demand for emergency food assistance, partnering with the Orange County Social Services Agency to prepare emergency food providers and connect people with additional wrap-around services that may alleviate the impact of CalFresh reductions. The funds to the OC Hunger Alliance will provide food assistance to low-income and socially vulnerable communities, which have been severely impacted by the reduction in benefits received by participants in the CalFresh program. |
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APRIL 29th is WORLD WISH DAY Observed on April 29th each year, World Wish Day celebrates the anniversary of the wish that inspired the creation of Make-A-Wish. Since its beginning in 1980, Make-A-Wish has granted more than 520,000 wishes around the world. This year Make-A-Wish Orange County & the Inland Empire celebrates its 40th anniversary of granting over 7,800 wishes to children battling life-threatening medical conditions in Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties. Every 20 minutes, a child is diagnosed with a critical illness, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation has a mission to grant the wish of every eligible child; and
A wish come true helps a child feel stronger, more energetic, and more willing and able to battle their critical illness.Make-A-Wish reports that 95% of wish alumni felt more hopeful for their future after their wish.
90% of medical professionals said they have observed children increasing their compliance with treatment after learning they would receive a wish. Wish parents and families see their child’s wish as a turning point in their treatment, giving their child strength and a sense of empowerment.
We are proud to proclaim April 29th as World Wish Day throughout Orange County but we also want to congratulate Make-A-Wish Orange County & the Inland Empire on its 40th Anniversary and thank them for improving the lives of children with critical illnesses throughout our County. |
APRIL IS NATIONAL ARAB AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH In celebrating our diverse community, we acknowledged the many valuable contributions that Arab Americans have made in medicine, law, business, education, technology, government, military service and beyond. In Orange County, we are home to an area known as "Little Arabia" in the City of Anaheim, which is a cultural and business destination for Arab Americans and Americans of diverse backgrounds. We commend Arab Americans for their significant contributions to the success of Orange County. |
APRIL IS FINANCIAL LITERACY MONTH April is recognized as National Financial Literacy Month to highlight the value of high-quality financial education to improving Americans’ financial capability. The goal is to raise awareness and educate the public on ways to become more financially aware, independent, and free from any burdensome debt. During this time, financial institutions, nonprofits, and human service agencies will increase their focus on the importance of financial literacy through events, programs, and counseling. Skyrocketing inflation in the post-pandemic era has led to dramatic increases in the cost of living and interest rates, making it vitally important for consumers, prospective homeowners, and small business owners to have a better understanding of the costs associated with leasing, financing and shopping for loans. Resources on financial literacy are also provided by the Office of the Treasurer-Tax Collector and County Service Center staff and online at octreasurer.com/financialtips |
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APRIL IS COMMUNITY COLLEGE AWARENESS MONTH As a former trustee on the South Orange County Community College District, Chairman Wagner knows the essential role that community colleges play in serving both our students and the county’s civic and economic interests. Community colleges represent an accessible path for many, providing educational opportunities for students who wish to transfer to a four-year university and career education for students pursuing career technical training. Here in Orange County, South Orange County Community College District’s Irvine Valley College and Saddleback College bring higher education within students’ reach with open admissions, low enrollment fees, financial assistance for low-income students, academic and career guidance, outstanding teaching from experienced faculty, specialized support services for students, and promote lifelong learning with post-career courses for seniors in our community, through the Emeritus Institutes on both campuses. We are celebrating the success of the South Orange County Community College District and all our community colleges this month during Community College Awareness Month. |
APRIL IS SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH & VICTIMS RIGHTS WEEK National Crime Victims' Rights Week is a critical time when we reflect and strengthen our commitment to supporting victims of crime. Our responsibility is to do justice and to seek justice, ensuring that crime victims' rights are protected. On April 24, Chairman Wagner joined District Attorney Todd Spitzer's Office and several nonprofits, such as Crime Survivors, Waymakers, and Crime Victims United, in the 2023 Crime Victims' Ceremony supporting crime survivors. At the Board meeting, the Board recognized April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month as well. Chairman Wagner and District Attorney Todd Spitzer worked together to end the backlog of untested sexual assault kits in Orange County, and as of June of 2022 we successfully cleared a 30-year countywide backlog, resulting in hundreds of new DNA profiles being uploaded to law enforcement databases and criminal charges being filed in six cold cases. “I fought to secure money at the County so we could solve these crimes because every kit we test represents a human being who deserves justice,” said Orange County Supervisor Donald P. Wagner. “I want to thank District Attorney Todd Spitzer for coordinating with me in the fight to keep our community safe. When we test a rape kit, we tell every Orange County resident that we will not allow these atrocious crimes to go unchecked.” You can read more about ending the backlog of untested sexual assault kits here. |
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NEW SADDLEBACK COLLEGE STADIUM |
Chairman Wagner thanks Dr. Elliot Stern, President of Saddleback College, and Ryan Brook, Manager of President’s office, for the tour of its new $60 million stadium on campus. Construction began in 2018 and now the stadium features four regulation-size fields, a high-tech LED scoreboard nine-lane Olympic grade track, plus video display. The tour included viewing the 8,000-seat stadium complex is built for comfort, with upgraded field technology that helps absorbs impact on athletes’ bodies during games and practices. Chairman Wagner also toured his old stomping grounds of the board meeting room at the South Orange County Community College Board, where he served 12 years before getting elected to the State Assembly. Saddleback College is a beautiful campus nestled in one of California's top 10 safest cities: Mission Viejo. We are lucky to have such a wonderful amenity in the Third District. |
PET ADOPTION EVENT SUCCESS! |
Chairman Wagner was "pawsitively" thrilled to sponsor another year of the South Orange County Pet Expo with City of Lake Forest and The Pet Adoption Center of Orange County. Thanks to all the volunteers and sponsors who make the event happen — and for pouring love and dedication into helping animals find forever homes. Check out a local animal shelter or nonprofit to become an animal foster parent or see how you can help make a difference in the life of a family, one pet at a time. |
FIGHTING FENTANYL THREATS CONTINUES |
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Discussing deadly fentanyl. It is the meeting no one wants to have, but it has to be done. With over 100 people in attendance, Chairman Wagner hosted a fentanyl Town Hall discussion in Lake Forest to review the deadly poison in our community and steps we can take to keep our community safe. The event was in partnership with the Orange County Health Care Agency and the City of Lake Forest. As the leading cause of death for people age 18-45 in the United States, the opioid and fentanyl issue is one of the most urgent public health crises we face today. Chairman Wagner led the County in its commitment against the threat of fentanyl with a resolution calling for harsher penalties and raising awareness. He has hosted several town halls, with another one coming up in the City of Mission Viejo on May 10. The OC Health Care Agency will provide a brief training on how to administer Naloxone, a lifesaving opioid overdose reversal drug. All participants will receive a free box at the end of the training. Thank you to everyone who joins in the fight against fentanyl. |
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Team Wagner celebrates new business openings, business expansions, and grand reopenings in the Third District. We also recognize community leaders who build up others and welcome people to Orange County's vibrant business community. You may see us at ribbon cuttings around town or Chamber of Commerce Ceremonies because we root for the health, wealth, name and fame of our community doing good work. We see you! |
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Chairman Wagner is proud to serve approximately 630,000 diverse residents at the Board of Supervisors in the communities of Anaheim Hills, Irvine, Lake Forest, Tustin, North Tustin, Orange, Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Villa Park, Yorba Linda, the Unincorporated Canyon areas. |
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