Chris Jones knows the power of a seed. From the readying of the soil, to the planting, to the ongoing care needed throughout the year, a number of schools within his district have seen firsthand the bountiful harvest a garden can bring.

“When the kids see vegetables growing and then discover them on their salads, they make a connection. It really comes full circle,” said Jones, the deputy superintendent for the Wiseburn School District. “I’ve seen the students learn about nutrition, science, conservation and life skills – all from the experience of planting and caring for a garden.”

To make the school garden a reality, Jones has relied on the services and support of GrowingGreat, a nonprofit school garden and nutrition education organization dedicated to inspiring children and adults to adopt healthy eating habits. The Manhattan Beach-based organization partners with schools and communities throughout California, providing a subscription-based education portal filled with scripted lesson plans, activity sheets and resources designed to help grow gardens and care for the environment.

In schools like the ones Jones serves, the PTA has typically picked up the membership fees for the portal, allowing science teachers and parent volunteers access to lessons centered on gardening. GrowingGreat has additionally offered assistance to connect schools with grant money, helping select schools purchase the materials needed to start and care for a garden. In December, the Adopt-A-School program encourages year-end donations that allow low-income schools from their waiting list to participate.

“When I worked in downtown Los Angeles, I saw schoolyards that didn’t have any green space at all – only cement and fences with locked gates,” said Jennifer Jovanovic, the nonprofit’s executive director who joined the team in 2014. “I see a GrowingGreat garden in one of those schools as a tiny oasis for children who may not experience living, growing plants in any other way.”

Today, GrowingGreat curriculum is leveraged in 60 schools, with 19 offering active outdoor gardens. The latest garden planting took place at Longfellow Elementary in Long Beach this fall.

The garden curriculum is geared toward students in kindergarten through fifth grade, while older elementary students receive advanced lessons on nutrition. Throughout the year, students learn about the right seasons to grow and harvest food, and everything involved with ongoing maintenance.

“I’m proud of the impact that GrowingGreat has had throughout Los Angeles County,” said Supervisor Don Knabe. “Children, who may have never had access to healthy, natural foods are learning the importance of nutrition and developing a skill that will positively impact their community.”

Most recently, the GrowingGreat team has worked to integrate new material and hands-on science education focused on using less water, given California’s severe drought conditions.

“In December we’re launching a series for families called ‘A Drink of Water/Un poco de agua’ which helps children understand what plants need to grow, even during a drought,” said Jovanovic. “We are building the next generation of Californians and teaching them to be water-smart at a young age.”

Under Jovanovic’s leadership, GrowingGreat plans to expand their programming beyond schools to museums and science centers nationwide. To learn more about GrowingGreat and discover how you can donate to Adopt-A-School or bring a garden to your community, visit growinggreat.org.

Sheri Schrier is sadly no stranger to cancer. Years ago, she lost her younger brother, mother, father and grandmother to the disease, witnessing the physical pain and emotional trauma her family members endured as a result of sickness and chemotherapy.

“I needed to do something to uplift the spirits of cancer victims – especially the children,” said Schrier. “The hospital, the process, the entire experience can be so scary for kids. I wanted to come up with a way to bring some light into their lives.”

So the skilled hat maker, known for her beautiful designs and apparel in the golf and tennis industry, channeled her creativity and resources into a colorful, whimsical collection of hats for kids battling cancer, and all children spending time in the hospital for other life-threatening and various illnesses.

Happy Hats for Kids in Hospitals, based in Torrance, was born in 1991 and has since delivered over 830,000 hats and books to kids in LA County hospitals and throughout the country, even as far as Israel. The nonprofit is best known for its two core products: Hero Club and Happy Hat Holiday Programs.

The Hero Club Program provides each hospitalized child, upon admission, a gift package containing a colorful felt Hero Hat and a coordinating Hero Club bilingual, educational story/activity coloring book. The story helps the kids and their families learn together about hospital procedures in a gentle and humorous manner.

The Happy Hat Holiday Program delivers fun and colorful hats to hospitalized children unable to enjoy Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, Passover, 4th of July, Halloween, Chanukah and Christmas at home with their families. Each child, their siblings, family members and hospital staff receive a whimsical holiday-themed Happy Hat.

“It’s a heartwarming experience to see a sick child smiling,” said Schrier. “I was chatting with a mother of a child spending time in the hospital and the little girl hadn’t spoken a word in six months. When she received her little blue hat, she was so delighted – she lit up.”

To meet the delivery of nearly 30,000 hats a year, the Happy Hats organization relies on a diverse group of volunteers.

Schrier established a relationship with state and federal prisons, training inmates to help sew the hats, and she coordinates with developmentally disabled young adults to press, decorate and package them for shipment.

“This has been a wonderful opportunity for our special education kids to acquire new skills,” said Tim Smith, career education teacher with the Los Angeles County of Education. “Our students come twice a week and spend two hours at a time volunteering – we have a really solid crew, and the kids enjoy contributing and learning.”

Additionally, students, Girl Scout troops, corporations and senior citizens reach out to glitter, cut ornaments and add sparkle to hats throughout the year – all in a quest to bring smiles to children fighting cancer and other serious illnesses.

As the organization depends solely on monetary donations, Schrier and her small team of three continually reach out for donations and grants in order to continue serving all the children in 57 hospitals and expand to help kids in 100 hospitals nationwide.

“Happy Hats has brought joy to thousands of sick children throughout Los Angeles County, and across the world,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe. “Now, especially around the holiday time, a bright smile and a colorful hat can really change a child’s life.”

To learn how to volunteer or donate funds to Happy Hats for Kids, visit www.happyhatsforkids.org or call (310) 787-0970.

Thank you Sheriff-Elect McDonnell.  Can’t wait for you to join the County family!

Thank you Honorary Commodore Everette Hoard and John Jenkins of the Queen Mary for supporting today’s event.

Thank you Dr. Brad Fieldhouse.  Brad is the Founder of Bedrock Creek, Founding Partner of Barnabas Group and the Executive Director of City Net.  These organizations share a common goal of blending faith-based communities with civic partners to support those in the community who need help most.

Thank you Captain Braden Phillips.  Captain Phillips is the Administrative Bureau Chief for the Long Beach Police Department.  He is a veteran of the US Navy and served in Desert Storm.  He was recently named the 70^th Assembly District Veteran of the Year by Assemblymember Bonnie Lowenthal.  He is very active in support of local organizations and I really appreciate his being with us today.

I would like to recognize Long Beach Chamber Board Chair Diana Hendel, and the Chamber’s Board of Directors.

The Chamber staff for making today’s event possible.

My staff…

And of course, my family ….  My wife of 46 years, Julie…

Thanks to all of you for being here today – our 8^th annual event.  I really appreciate that you keep showing up!

Since we last saw each other, a lot has changed in the world. The new threats of ISIS and Ebola… the Republicans took the Senate in last week’s election…. Derek Jeter retired… and of course… George Clooney got married.

Closer to home, we’ve seen significant changes here in Long Beach and around the 4^th district.

And I must say, nowhere are we seeing more change than at the County.  In a few weeks, Hilda Solis will replace Gloria Molina and Sheila Kuehl will replace Zev Yaroslavsky.  We’ll also have a new sheriff in town – Long Beach’s own Chief Jim McDonnell, and a new Assessor.  We recently appointed Mark Saladino as our County Counsel and we’ll be replacing our retiring CEO Bill Fujioka, and several new Department heads.

In all the time I have been with the County, in my nearly 18 years as Supervisor and 14 years as Chief of Staff to Deane Dana, there has been nothing like it.

And let me be clear: change is not a bad thing.  At all.  It’s been said, and I agree: “Change makes you flexible. Change makes you smarter.  Change reminds us that anything is possible.”

In fact, I think fresh perspectives are good.  But this is a huge amount of change in a short period of time for one organization. Especially for one with a $27 billion budget and over 100,000 employees.

With these departing leaders go volumes of institutional knowledge.  The County, like any organization of its size, is hugely complicated.  Having some history and understanding of how things work is invaluable to keeping operations running smoothly.

Some of the changes we are experiencing are a result of term limits.  We can argue all afternoon about term limits.  You probably know I don’t support them for many of the reasons I just mentioned.  Just look at the City Council in Los Angeles.  Of the SIX new members of the LA City Council that were sworn in this year, FOUR had termed out in the state legislature.  That’s just not how you want to elect people to office.  They don’t make long-term decisions because they don’t have to live with the impact of their decisions.

From the County perspective, perhaps my biggest concern is the budget.  The Board, our CEO, department heads, unions and staff pulled together through the really tough economic times to keep programs and services in place, and to avoid lay-offs and furloughs.  Our efforts were rewarded with two credit rating increases, to the highest levels the County has ever achieved.  This is unheard of in municipal governments across the United States.

This matters because the County has funding to continue the programs and services our residents expect, and to make long-term investments in our infrastructure.  The improved ratings also allow us to re-finance some long-term debt at better rates.  This could potentially save the County around $100 million over the next 20 years.

While I have concerns about the loss of institutional knowledge and questions about commitments to prudent budgeting going forward, we also have a new generation of younger folks moving into leadership positions. This is something I am really excited about.

There is so much negativity in politics right now – on both sides of the aisle.  We’re not immune to that at the County, I’m not suggesting that.  But some of what we see, particularly at the national level, is just plain silly.  With so much negativity in politics, I fear we will lose a whole generation of young people interested in running for office or seeking administrative roles.  Public service is a great career.  There are few other jobs where you can really see the difference you are making in others’ lives.

As my own public service career winds down, I am asked more and more about lessons learned and what advice I would give people entering the political arena.  When you are asked this, it’s kind of like getting Lifetime Achievement awards – it really just means you’re old!

Focus on Solutions, Not Problems 

What I thought I would do today is share some of those learnings in the context of what is going on around the County.

I think the most fundamental thing I have learned about leadership – particularly during times of upheaval and change – is the importance of staying true to your values.  No matter what environment you lead in – government, business, non-profit – there will be people and circumstances that will encourage you to take the easy way out.

But you cannot run from the problems, you have to solve them.  In our case, that means figuring out how we can best serve the people who have reached the end of their rope – financially, mentally, or physically.  Or helping those who have no voice, like young victims of abuse.  These are extremely tough and complicated issues.  The temptation can be to stall or avoid tough decisions.  I’m sure you see this in your own organizations.  Some people will say that the problem needs more “study” or “analysis” – or my favorite, we should establish a committee!  We’ve all heard the line on how effective these can be: “A committee is a group of people who keeps minutes … and wastes hours.”

Anybody ever been in a committee meeting like this one?   (Run video)

Let me give you some real-life County examples.  As you know, we have had some problems in our jails.  Last year, we created a Citizen’s Commission on Jail Violence because we weren’t seeing a strategy for change or a commitment to turn things around.  In this case, we had no choice because the Board doesn’t have day-to-day management responsibilities.  But we needed change to happen.  This Commission did a terrific job.  And I’m pleased that my appointee to that Commission, Jim McDonnell, is our new Sheriff!  To date, 45 of their 60 recommendations have been implemented.

On the other hand, we’ve also faced some challenges in our Department of Children & Family Services.  What some children face at home each day is just horrific.  They have no one else but us to protect them.  I don’t think there is a more important job we have as a County.  I’ve gone out with our social workers and seen what they face every day.  They are often at risk themselves, and have to make a decision at 2 o’clock in the morning on whether a child stays with his family.  I honestly don’t know how our social workers do their job every day.

Sadly, sometimes things go wrong and children are hurt, or worse, killed by those who are supposed to care for them.  Unfortunately, that’s when the fingerpointing begins.  Earlier this year, following pressure from the media, the majority of the Board decided that we should establish a Blue Ribbon Commission to find a solution. After months of hearings and study, they basically came back with a set of recommendations that the department was already addressing.

An aggressive strategic plan is being executed by our Director Philip Browning, and more social workers are being hired.  But as you know within your own organizations, change takes time.  Particularly when you have to hire highly skilled employees like social workers.

We’re now spinning our wheels on another one of their recommendations which is to hire a “Czar” of Child Protection.  A “czar.”  I think the resources would be better allocated to our social workers on the ground.

Creating committees, commissions, and task forces is very often NOT about solving problems.  It’s about avoiding the tough decisions or having the patience to see it through, even when critics are everywhere, making headlines.  As Henry Ford once said, “Most people spend more time and energy going AROUND problems than actually trying to SOLVE them.”

Fight Your Fight, Then Get on Board: 

Another excuse for stalling tough decisions that I have witnessed countless times over the years is what I would call the “boots in cement” mentality.  I don’t think there is a better example for this than the Affordable Care Act.  In Washington, The House has taken up the ACA 54 times.  54 times!

Here at the County, we don’t have that option.  Whether you rallied for or against it, it’s here and we have to get on board.  In the last year, the County has been undergoing massive changes to our healthcare system to implement the ACA.

A lot of these changes are, frankly, really good for our system.  We have now re-envisioned how we deliver primary care by creating patient-centered medical homes. A team of physicians, medical assistants and nurses gets to know a patient and focuses on their wellness and preventive care.

We’re adding new systems and technology to help doctors share information better.  We also just launched a new electronic records system at Harbor UCLA on November 1^st.  Most of our other facilities will be underway next year and all are scheduled to be completed by the beginning of 2016.

Perhaps most importantly are the culture changes we are making.  For decades, many people came to our facilities because we were their only source for healthcare.  Now, with many of those individuals eligible for coverage, we need to prove that our service is high-quality and patient-centered in order to maintain patients.  This customer-driven system is a complete culture shift for us.

So while Washington continues to bicker, we’re making things happen on the ground.   Our job at the County, as the ultimate safety net, is to solve problems.  We can’t engage in partisan bickering, impart executive orders or point fingers. The buck stops with the five members of the Board of Supervisors.  While every day is not a picnic, we put aside politics and work to find solutions.  In the end, you will have found that most votes were 5-0 or 4-1. Frankly I don’t know why “Compromise” has become such a bad word.  “My-Way-or-the-Highway” simply doesn’t work when you are managing the largest county in the nation!

Build Bridges

Perhaps the biggest leadership lesson I have learned in this job is the importance of maintaining good relationships and building bridges.  Nowhere have I seen this come to life more than the County’s budget.

People talk about bridges to nowhere – well this one has been a bridge to everywhere!  The Board, technically made up of three Democrats and two Republicans, has debated – let’s be honest: argued – over nearly every line of this over-1000 page budget.  But we have negotiated and compromised and then held strong, despite pushback and demands from every corner.

We built bridges with our unions – nearly 90% of the County’s 100,000 employees are members of one of our over 60 bargaining units.  That’s a lot of bridges to build!   We asked our department heads to find ways to cut costs, and many achieved nearly 20%, despite increased demands for our programs and services.  While you wouldn’t expect members of different political parties, and labor and management, to be able to come together, particularly during tough times – it happened, because everyone realized we were in it together.  I’m really proud of what we have accomplished here because it has such an impact on the quality-of-life for our constituents.  Some jurisdictions can’t even fill potholes – and we’re able to make huge investments in our infrastructure.  Let’s take a look at some of the results of this bridge building this past year:

Walk Your Talk

During election season, we hear a whole lot of promises being made in the endless television ads and in our stuffed mailboxes.  But what really happens?

I’ve always believed that it’s important to walk your talk – to embody your values and to do what you say you are going to do.

So I’d like to give you a little scorecard on something I told you about last year – my Bucket List.  These are the projects I told you I intend to complete by the time I leave office.

Community Centers

First up, I’m very pleased to update you on three new community centers in the 4^th district… We opened one in Hacienda Heights just a few weeks ago – and it is spectacular!  The Rowland Heights and unincorporated Whittier centers are scheduled to open on-time and on-budget early next year.  Each is very unique, as we had the community involved from the get-go, telling us what made sense for them.

Community Health Clinic

When I was talking earlier about the Affordable Care Act, I mentioned how important it is that we move to a patient-focused model that focuses on preventive care.  People showing up at our emergency rooms is the most expensive way to deliver healthcare.  However, access to preventive care has been too limited in the eastern part of my district.  But we knew we can’t do it alone.  So we recently partnered with John Wesley Health Centers for a community health clinic in Hacienda Heights. They have done a terrific job with us elsewhere in the County.  The lease for this clinic is signed, equipment is being purchased and the doors will be open in early 2015.

Rancho

As you know, one of the facilities in the County I am most proud of is Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center.  For more than two decades, it has been named one of the top rehabilitation hospitals in the country by US News and World Report.  They were recently named an LGBT Healthcare Equality Leader by the Human Rights Campaign, and one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Patient Experience by the Women’s Choice Award.

The place is amazing.  If you ever feel like you are having a bad day, head over there and see the miracles the patients are able to accomplish.

More area hospitals are referring their patients to Rancho and we also have more wounded veterans coming back.  The Board recently approved $450 million for new outpatient buildings and a rehabilitation pool. We will also be dedicating $1 million for public art and Rancho’s art programs.

Oxford Basin

On the other side of my district, in Marina del Rey, we will be refurbishing Oxford Basin, a water retention basin in Marina del Rey.  This is a great example of doing a good environmental project and providing recreation for the community.  I wish I could tell you we were further along, but as sometimes happens with this type of project, we had a legal issue with one of the neighbors, who wanted to keep it as it was. That has recently been resolved.  The funding is in place and construction will begin early next year.

LAX Connector

And of course, one of my all-time favorites – how about some public transportation going directly into LAX?  Not a mile away; right to the front door!  On Metro’s list of Measure R priorities, the LAX Connector was scheduled to be completed in 2028.  Frankly, I can’t wait that long!  

I did a motion in July with Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas to accelerate the project to 2019 to complement the Crenshaw/LAX rail project. All of this should be coordinated.  We’ll be hearing back from Metro later this month on what it will take to move the project forward on an accelerated timeframe.

Junior Golf

Over the years, we’ve held 29 Knabe Cups for local boys and girls high school teams.  As I said last year, I would like to establish a Junior Golf Academy to encourage young people from all walks of life to start playing golf.  The County recently reached an agreement with the City of Norwalk to lease their 9-hole course.  In 2015, we will shut it down, renovate the course and community room and re-open it as an LA County Junior Golf Center.  We would like to offer after-school programs to provide extracurricular activities for young people who might not normally have access to a golf course – or have never thought about trying it. 

Libraries

The last construction project I would like to discuss is an update on some news I announced last year – that we are investing $45 million to upgrade county libraries in my district.

We currently have four projects underway – in South Whittier, Lomita and Artesia.  We’re also making investments in La Mirada, Los Nietos, Hacienda Heights, Rowland Heights and on Catalina Island.  I’m really pleased with how things are moving along.  Some of our current facilities are inadequate and we have kids waiting in line to get in after school.  We have a real opportunity to create state-of-the-art learning centers for people of all ages.  I want these projects finished by 2016.

Small Business Concierge

Another area I have been focused on is jobs.  A few years ago, during the height of the Great Recession, we launched a 10,000 Jobs Program which was one of the most impactful uses of stimulus dollars in the nation.  It led to thousands of permanent jobs and part-time opportunities for young people.

What we see today is that despite improvements in the economy, there is still a lack of good middle-class jobs being created. Pundits call it a “jobless recovery.” Everybody makes promises about creating jobs, but frankly, I don’t see much WALK matching the TALK!  What we do know is that nearly two-thirds of all jobs created in Los Angeles County are a result of small businesses.

The problem is that we sure don’t make it easy to open a business!  A couple months ago, I made a motion to create a “small business concierge” – to help people navigate the county and figure out what permits and inspections they need to open their doors.  People in this situation are already stressed out, with a whole lot on their plate.  I want to make our role in achieving their dream easier.  I don’t like excuses like, “well, that’s government red tape.”  Our goal should be making dealing with the County like dealing with Amazon.

TV Show

I mentioned to you last year that I had started a monthly public affairs television show with Charter Communications.  Our goal is to educate viewers about County operations and regional politics.  We had some terrific guests this year and looked at the County museums, beaches, senior services, transportation and the election.  My most recent guest was Dr. Jane Conoley, the new President of Cal State Long Beach.

The final two areas of my bucket list don’t have “due dates” on them – because our aggressive work on these issues will continue:

Child sex trafficking

First is child sex trafficking.  In all my years in government, I don’t think there is an issue that is more horrific to me.  Girls as young as 10 being bought and sold by scumbag pimps right here in our community.  Many of these girls are already part of our system – they were abused at home and entered foster care.  It is our job to protect them.

Earlier this year, I spoke at the National Press Club in DC with Congressman Ted Poe of Texas.  to raise awareness and lobby for federal help.  At the state level, I joined several legislators advocating for tougher penalties for those who exploit young girls for money.  On the tile in front of you, you will see a photo from one of our events in Sacramento.

Here locally, we launched a new awareness campaign for Metro stations, buses and bus stops. Clear Channel joined us again with free billboards in targeted areas.

At the County level, we launched new protocols for how employees and law enforcement handle a victim.  These are the people on the front lines.  Before girls were arrested and their pimps went free.  Today, we are doing everything possible to give the girls the services they need to move on to the life they deserve – and we are putting the pimps where they belong – behind bars for a long time.

I want to take a moment and thank Chief Jim McDonnell –Sheriff-Elect McDonnell– for his incredible support on this issue. I know the City Council here in Long Beach has also provided resources to help Jim and his officers work with these girls.

And I would like to ask each and every one of you in this room for your help too.  Help me change the stigma surrounding this issue.  I know it is not a comfortable thing to talk about.  But these are children who need us.  Let’s start with the language:

Remove the word “Prostitute” from your vocabulary.

STOP referring to these children as “Prostitutes” or “Child Prostitutes.”

Kids who are forced to sell themselves night after night on a street corner are not prostitutes.

Kids who are brutally beaten by their pimp for not making a quota are not prostitutes.

Kids victimized and sexually exploited by grown men are not prostitutes.

No child grows up dreaming of becoming a prostitute and living this life.

They are victims—manipulated emotionally and physically into a hellish life.

And we need to be there to protect these victims. We need to wrap our arms around them and get them everything they need to get on the road to recovery and the path to a better life.

Safe Surrender

Finally, a program that you know has meant so much to me over the years – Safe Surrender.  Last year I told you that we had saved 112 lives – this year I’m so proud to say that we have saved 124 lives!  I told you last year that I wanted to launch a Safe Surrender Scholarship program for the children.  Thanks to the Long Beach Community Foundation, we were able to set that up!  We’ll be notifying the families of the Fund shortly.

I want to thank the Chamber for its support — $40,000 of today’s proceeds will help fund the Scholarship Program.

Again this year, the Chamber will also continue supporting local non-profits through this event, two which are very important to me – US Vets and Ronald McDonald House.

US Vets is the nation’s largest non-profit provider of services to veterans facing challenges in their transition back to civilian life. US Vets helps those struggling by providing housing, counseling, career development and other support, to help veterans and their families get back on their feet.  Earlier this week, we made a huge announcement that US Vets has moved in to the historic Bob Hope Patriotic Hall in downtown Los Angeles.  US Vets joining us makes the Hall truly a one-stop service center for LA County’s military, veterans and their families.

I would like to recognize Jim Hansen, the Executive Director of US Vets…(stand)

And Ronald McDonald House, which provides low-cost temporary housing for families of seriously ill children who are receiving treatment at Miller Children’s Hospital and other local medical facilities.  Would Cheri Bazley from Ronald McDonald House please stand?

I’ve spoken today about leadership, and what has motivated me throughout my time as Supervisor.  I think what has struck me most about this position has been the “power” to help people and make a difference in someone’s life.  As I said, I’m asked a lot about how I got to this job.  I never had a plan to be in this role and I certainly never dreamed of it.

Frankly, it can be tough to chase 2 million people around.  And I’m not complaining about that at all – I am incredibly honored to have this job.  But sometimes when you look at the millions of people we serve and the $27 billion budget and the 100,000 employees– you wonder what the impact of one person can be.

And then I see the difference a community center can make to an older person who may be lonely…

Or the difference a library can make to a child without a quiet and safe place to study…

Or the difference a free concert in the park can make to a family who can’t afford a night out.

Or the difference we can make to a young entrepreneur who is opening her dream business.

I’m inspired by a young lady whose life has been hell, beaten if she doesn’t make a quota.  And she is finishing high school, moving on to college and finally, because of the County, able to have the life she deserves.

I’m inspired by the family created by a Safe Surrender, in seeing the love in a new parent’s eyes. Or the sweet sounds of new siblings bickering, as all brothers and sisters do.

I guess when I consider leadership I want to think about what really matters.  How can I help someone who needs it most.  I think a Nobel Prize winner said it best: “I never thought in terms of being a leader. I thought very simply in terms of helping people.”

From my family to all of you, however you celebrate the holidays, may you enjoy a beautiful season of blessings, and a prosperous and healthy New Year.

May God bless you, may God bless our troops, and may God continue to bless the United States of America!

Between the refurbishment of Patriotic Hall and the final move-in of U.S. Vets, this one stop shop for our military veterans is a long time coming.

Using the resources of 10 different County departments and 15 veteran and non-profit organizations, this Patriotic Hall One Stop Service Center is a collaborative and innovative way to serve those who serve their country.

Now veterans can get the assistance they need to solve each of their issues in one central location.

Whether it’s assistance with housing, job training, resume building, mental health services, or benefits—every single member of our military can get the help they need.

Our military men and women sacrificed so much for their country. Some missed the birth of children. The passing of beloved family. Birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, graduations, and other milestones. It’s time that we give something back to those who have given so much for us.

A veteran should not fall into homelessness because of technicalities in paperwork. A veteran should not remain jobless because of specified training. A veteran should not suffer the effects of combat and post-traumatic stress disorder alone with no one to talk to. It’s time to give our veterans a hand up instead of a hand out, and that is exactly what this service center does.

It gives our veterans the resources and services they need to better acclimate into civilian life, easily and efficiently.

Each week, 72-year-old Anita Villalvazo arrives to Heart of Compassion’s distribution center in Montebello to pick up a small package of groceries. She parts with fresh fruits, vegetables, pasta, toiletries, and a sense of hope.

“My social security check only stretches so far,” said Villalvazo, who has been relying on Heart for the past five years. “Between rent and my basic utilities, the dollars go quickly. Heart of Compassion helps me make ends meet, and gives me emotional support when I need it most.”

Known primarily for its food distribution, Heart of Compassion has been serving the needy for over 15 years, handing out food, available furniture and clothing, to over 100 organizations, including local food banks, shelters and school programs throughout Southern California. Additionally, the warehouse opens its doors three times a week to nearly 500 families to pick up food for their respective households.

“We run very lean,” said John Velasco, one of Heart of Compassion’s leaders and a local minister in Whittier. “We have no paid employees and are simply fueled by volunteers and the donations from individuals giving food, time and money.”

In 2013, Heart served 35.4 million dollars worth of food and goods to individuals and families on an operating budget of just $340,000.

“We’re first and foremost known as a food bank, but over the past few years we’ve really started to evolve into a full social services agency,” said Velasco, who sits on the organization’s board of directors. “The people come to us because we’ve built trust with them.”

As a result, Heart has grown to help people find jobs, complete their GED, provide access to transitional housing and lift individuals up with motivational sessions and counsel.

“We’ve seen people transform, find work and come back to volunteer,” said Velasco. “The ultimate goal is to deliver a program that leads to self-reliance and independence.”

Heart is entering one of its busiest seasons with the upcoming Thanksgiving Brunch, scheduled for Nov. 22. An estimated 450 families will receive a turkey, trimmings, and pie and be able to shop for some additional goods and clothes. The group is also partnering with Montebello High School to bring in more than 200,000 canned goods to support local families.

“Food is central to the upcoming holiday, and we often take for granted the blessing of sitting down for three meals a day,” said Supervisor Knabe. “Sadly, many individuals within our County borders go hungry every day. I am grateful that organizations like Heart of Compassion for bring a little bit of holiday joy to those who are less fortunate.”

In December, Heart of Compassion will feature a special food and toy distribution day, set for Dec. 20, aiming to bring a little holiday cheer to individuals and children who have so little.

Volunteers, food donations and monetary contributions are welcome.

“We receive no guaranteed federal funding,” said Velasco. “We really rely on the contributions of individuals, local business and ministries.”

To learn more about Heart of Compassion, visit http://www.heartofcompassionca.org. Additionally, this video illustrates the amazing impact this special nonprofit is having in LA County.

 

Last week, the Metro Board of Directors was informed by Kinkisharyo International, who was contracted to build new Metro rail cars, that the company was withdrawing plans to construct a manufacturing plant in Los Angeles County. Instead, the firm is looking outside of California to build their new facility—taking thousands of long-term, well-paying jobs with them.

Kinkisharyo’s decision to abandon Los Angeles County stems from a dispute with a local labor union group over the unionization of new workers and a frivolous lawsuit that has put the company’s reputation of delivering projects on-time in serious jeopardy.

Once again, California and Los Angeles County are left out in the cold due to the State’s anti-business climate.

Just this year, Los Angeles County has lost major investments from Toyota, Nestle, Sunkist and other corporations. Thousands of individual jobs have been lost, and the impact on small business has been significant.  But, thanks to this latest nonsense, I fear that Kinkisharyo’s departure could be the most damaging of all.

It’s been said time and again by business interests and labor alike: for our State to be strong, we must all work together to retain jobs and create new jobs.  This cannot be done with petty lawsuits and infighting. It’s done through partnership and dialogue.

The loss of Kinkisharyo to the County is disastrous, and pulls the chair out from under a region that is still recovering from the crippling recession. The debacle between an international firm and a local union is representative of the State’s inability to cut the red tape of regulations and lay out the welcome mat. Instead, it’s a red flag to anyone considering California as a land of opportunity for business.