LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell provided the following statement on today’s immigration protests following ICE raids is Los Angeles County:

“The escalated and targeted attacks on the fundamental rights of immigrant communities has forced this public cry for justice. People have a right to peacefully protest the violation of rights, denial of due process, and wrongful deportations. The Trump administration taking over the National Guard is an unnecessary intimidation tactic that further hurts public trust. My office is in contact with our Sheriff department that is on-site at Paramount and throughout the county to protect the right to peacefully protest. I am asking anyone who has taken to the streets to make their voice heard to do so peacefully because the real message is that our residents have had enough.”

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell provided the following statement on today’s ICE raids reported around the County:

“ICE raids disrupted the lives of many of our families, friends and neighbors today, cruelly spreading needless fear in communities across the County. No one should be in fear of violent assaults like the ones we witnessed as they go on about their daily lives.

The County will continue to stand with and protect our immigrant communities against these actions especially when there is excessive use of force. I urge all of us to know and assert our rights so that we can all be safer and stronger together. Our Office of Immigrant Affairs offers services for our immigrant communities including legal aid through RepresentLA and Know Your Rights Workshops in partnership with community organizations. If you or someone you know is in need of support, please visit https://oia.lacounty.gov/kyr/.”

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Today, Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell who also serves as on the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) Board of Directors, shared the following statement in response to the AQMD vote on air quality regulations aimed at holding manufactures accountable in helping to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from space and water heater appliances:

“Today at the South Coast Air Quality Management District, we had the opportunity to pass life-saving legislation that would have significantly reduced air pollution from home appliances sold in our region. I’m deeply disappointed in the outcome of today’s vote. I believe we missed a key opportunity to improve health, reduce medical expenses, and fulfill our job of bringing our region into compliance with the Clean Air Act.

Had Rules 1111 and 1121 passed, they would have aligned our region with others across the country that are adopting clean energy standards and phasing out polluting gas appliances—while also helping to improve health outcomes and our environment. Unfortunately, our board voted the measure down, despite the proposal already being heavily weakened by industry lobbying.

In Los Angeles County alone, over two thousand people die each year from air pollution — nearly four times the number of traffic fatalities. Many more residents – especially in my district – suffer asthma and life-altering respiratory illnesses. These statistics underscore why I will continue to fight for strong protections and accountability to reduce harmful emissions that have been well documented. We must do what we can, as quickly as we can, to attain the standards required by the Clean Air Act, to avoid federal penalties, and do what’s in the best interest of public health.”

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell provided the following statement in celebration of Earth Day:

“Today is Earth Day! In 1970 the first Earth Day was celebrated to raise awareness on pressing environmental issues like pollution. That same year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was created. 55 years later, Earth Day, the EPA, and our environmental justice organizations are needed more than ever to protect against climate change and other real threats to our environment and planet.

We have one planet that we all call home, and we can all do something to help lessen the environmental harm it faces. For my team, some of the ways we are taking action include putting forward the ordinance to phase out oil well drilling across LA County, launching the Interceptor 007 in Ballona Creek to collect hundreds of tons of trash before it reaches our waterway, working to make our public transit system more accessible to help lessen the number of cars on the road and supporting the County’s comprehensive sustainability plan and initiatives to protect our environment.

I encourage you to join us in the above initiatives and to celebrate Earth Day at your local LA County library. Today, libraries across the County will be hosting hands-on activities and events where you can learn how to protect the earth through recycling, waste reduction, gardening, and more. Also, check out a special Earth Day celebration on Friday, April 25, at Stoneview Nature Center in Culver City.

For a complete list of Earth Day events at your local library, visit https://lacountylibrary.org/earth-day-and-garden-month/.”

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell provided the following statement in response to the arrest of suspect alleged to have threatened Metro crew members with violence on the Metro C Line Extension project. 

“I take the concerns of my constituents seriously, which is why I’ve organized several community events focused on the Metro C-Line, including a walking tour with residents to discuss the proposed changes directly with Metro staff and my office. While we may not all agree on every aspect of this project, we can all agree that violence, or the threat of violence, will not be tolerated. 

Metro crew members are fulfilling their duties by collecting data to address the very concerns residents have raised. As both a Metro Board Member and County Supervisor, it is my responsibility to help ensure that our residents and employees feel safe in our communities. I want to thank the Sheriff’s Department and Metro for their prompt response to the threat. My office will continue to monitor the situation and remain engaged with the project.” 

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — This week the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a motion authored by Supervisors Holly J. Mitchell and Janice Hahn to reinstate and strengthen a pilot program by June 2025 to better serve unhoused residents at LA County libraries in need of mental health support. The motion directs the LA County Department of Mental Health and the Library Department to collaborate in providing an on-site clinician and/or licensed social workers at 10 libraries with the highest reported needs for support serving unhoused residents (libraries will be selected in each of the five Supervisorial Districts).  

“This motion is in response to the homelessness and mental health crisis and the skills it requires to properly address it that are outside the expertise of our library staff,” said Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, representing the Second District. “Over half of the incidents reported are at libraries in my district. It is our responsibility to ensure our libraries are safe for all residents and our staff.”  

Supervisor Janice Hahn, representing the Fourth District, shared, “The truth is that some people who visit our libraries are facing challenges, whether that is homelessness, mental health struggles, or addiction. Our librarians do incredible work, but they are not trained to address complex social or behavioral issues – nor should they be.  By bringing social workers into some of our libraries, we can better help people who are struggling, and our librarians can focus on their jobs.”  

84 County libraries serve over 3.4 million customers a year. From October 2018 to December 2024, over 19,000 security incidents that involved people experiencing homelessness were reported at County libraries, with over 54% happening in Los Angeles County’s Second District alone.  

“Public libraries have long been safe havens for those seeking refuge, resources, and support, especially for our unhoused neighbors,” said Skye Patrick, Library Director of LA County Library. “By bringing mental health clinicians back into those high-need spaces, we are not only providing immediate care to those who need it most but also sending a powerful message that mental health support belongs everywhere, including our libraries.” 

Today’s motion builds on steps taken by the County to make services more accessible to library patrons experiencing homelessness, including a 2018 pilot program to help de-escalate severe mental health crises at select libraries experiencing a high number of incidents. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the pilot was halted.   

This pilot iteration is the result of the 2024 motion by Supervisors Mitchell and Hahn that called for a plan from the Department of Mental Health (DMH) to enable County Libraries to Better  Serve their Unhoused Patrons. It re-establishes and expands access to on-site staff that consists of one master’s level clinician and a paraprofessional (Medical Case Workers or Community Health Workers) from the DMH Interim Housing Outreach Program. The on-site teams will have dedicated office hours that will be publicized.  

“The Department of Mental Health recognizes that public libraries serve as a refuge for many people experiencing homelessness, including those impacted by severe mental illness,” said La Tina Jackson, LCSW, Deputy Director, Countywide Engagement Division, LA County Department of Mental Health. “We look forward to our partnership with LA County libraries to connect patrons with mental health and other social service needs to the resources best suited to their unique needs.”  

Additionally, the motion calls for a quarterly update from DMH and the Library Department on program outcomes to the Board of Supervisors, including the number of patrons served, police diversion success, and potential expansion opportunities. To read the entire motion, click here. 

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, in partnership with the Reimagine LA Coalition, Participatory Budgeting Project, and Tres Lunas Consulting, announced the winning proposals in the 2nd District Community Budget, focused on the Florence-Firestone and Ladera Heights communities. This initiative marks the first-ever participatory budgeting process in Los Angeles County, allowing residents from both areas to decide how a total of $1.7 million in funds will be allocated to help improve their communities.

“Our unincorporated communities rely on the county for essential municipal services that directly impact their quality of life. That’s why it was important to pilot our community budget program in these areas. The diverse lived experiences and needs across Florence-Firestone and Ladera Heights have shaped every step of this pilot, with direct input from residents in both communities,” said Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, Second District. “I’m excited to see this landmark community budget program move into the implementation stage and watch these ideas turn into tangible results for our residents.”

Over 700 ideas were submitted by constituents in Florence-Firestone and Ladera Heights. An advisory committee, composed of 11 residents from both communities, helped select the top eight ideas to be voted on. The Office of Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell allocated $1 million—$500,000 each for Florence-Firestone and Ladera Heights. The Reimagine LA Coalition contributed an additional $420,000 to Florence-Firestone and $280,000 to Ladera Heights, based on population size, enabling more projects to be funded.

The final funding allocation resulted in three approved projects for Florence-Firestone and four for Ladera Heights.

Florence-Firestone Winning Proposals:

Nourishing Our Neighborhood: A Green Space Initiative ($250,000): A community initiative to plant more trees and install planters to enhance community health and quality of life through collaboration with residents and nonprofits.

Florence-Firestone is Home ($500,000): A program that will offer cash grants of $500 to support 200-600 residents facing rent increases and financial burdens, with options to renew up to three times.

Connection to Ready to Hire Jobs ($150,000): Connect residents to ready-to-hire jobs with family-sustaining wages through candidate pre-screening, soft skills training, and a potential local job fair. The program will be inclusive of all backgrounds and career stages, with a strong outreach plan for employers.

Ladera Heights Winning Proposals:

Tree & Common Area Improvement Project ($150,000 – $200,000): Beautify common spaces with community signs, climate-specific trees, and landscaping. Support underdeveloped areas by providing drought-tolerant plants, lighting, and outdoor art, requiring a strong community engagement plan.

Active Minds, Healthy Lives Initiative ($100,000-$150,000): Enhance programming at the Yvonne B. Burke Senior and Community Center by promoting digital literacy and physical activity. Digital classes will help seniors connect with family and access online resources.

Digital Literacy Empowerment ($175,000): Establish technology classes at a local community center for all ages. Includes expert-led sessions, certificates, and job placement assistance. The selected organization must ensure access for those in need and provide consistent programming for at least 12 months.

Youth Digital Workforce Development ($200,000-$300,000): Fund nonprofits for a year-long job training initiative, similar to LA County’s Youth at Work program, providing youth aged 14-24 with work experience, training, and support for paid jobs in high-growth industries.

The next phase of the 2nd District Community Budget is now underway. Community Implementation Partners are needed to help turn these community-driven projects into a reality. Organizations interested in implementing these initiatives are encouraged to apply here: https://mitchell.lacounty.gov/cb-2023/#CIPApp. The application deadline is Monday, March 10.

A virtual info session for organizations interested in becoming Community Implementation Partners will be held on Wednesday, February 19, at noon via Zoom. This session will guide organizations through the application process and address any questions. Organizations can register here: https://bit.ly/SD2-CIP-Info.

“I am incredibly excited to see the power of participatory budgeting come to life in the 2nd District. With Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell’s leadership and the Reimagine LA Coalition’s investment, we are making a historic commitment to community-driven decision-making. The Reimagine LA Coalition is proud to contribute an additional $700,000 to this effort, bringing the total to $1.7 million for the Florence-Firestone and Ladera Heights communities. This investment ensures that residents have a real say in shaping the resources and solutions that impact their daily lives. This is a major step toward equity, transparency, and true civic engagement,” said Megan Castillo, Reimagine LA Coalition.

“After years of advocating for participatory budgeting at the state and local level, Supervisor Holly Mitchell and her team, the Reimagine LA team, and the communities of Ladera Heights and Florence Firestone finally made this an implemented reality. It is a restorative gift to have $1.7 million equitably redistributed across these two communities of color,” said Diana Zúñiga of Tres Lunas Consulting & RELA. “Everyone involved should be so proud and excited to see how these seven projects bloom in the two neighborhoods.”

For more information on the 2^nd District Community Budget and the winning proposals, visit http://mitchell.lacounty.gov/cb-2023.