Official newsletter of Santa Ana Mayor Valerie Amezcua.
Keeping the community informed about local events, City news, and resources.
Happy Holidays,
November to Remember: Celebrating Community and Reelection
November was a whirlwind here in Santa Ana, filled with gratitude, celebration, and community spirit. I’m excited and humbled to share that I have been re-elected as Mayor of our beloved city! It is truly an honor to continue serving this vibrant community, and I remain committed to working alongside all of you to ensure that Santa Ana is a place where every family can thrive. Together, our unity and strength will lead us to a brighter future.
Giving Thanks and Giving Back
There were two memorable moments I would like to share from November:
First, I had the privilege of co-hosting my 2nd Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway in collaboration with SEVA Collective, OC Food Bank, Serve the People, Councilmembers David Penaloza, Phil Bacerra, and many other dedicated local organizations and volunteers. Together, we distributed over 600 turkeys and 800 food boxes to families in Santa Ana. I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who contributed, whether through volunteering, donating, or spreading holiday cheer. Your efforts helped make this season brighter for so many families.
Second, I am proud to announce that the proposed needle distribution program will NOT operate in Santa Ana. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has informed City officials that the Harm Reduction Institute (HRI) has withdrawn its application to the Office of AIDS to run a needle distribution program in our city.
“This is a victory for our families, our children, our businesses and our City employees. Thanks to the unified opposition and hard work of the Santa Ana City Council, the City Manager’s Office and City staff, and many other local elected officials, we were able to do something that few cities have when faced with similar needle program proposals – ensure that the health and safety of our community comes first.” – Mayor Valerie Amezcua.
As we move into December, I invite you to join me at the following holiday events:
Fiesta del Mariachi 2024
Celebrate the beauty of mariachi with stunning live performances. Food and drinks available — grab your tickets today!
📍 Sunday, Dec. 8 | 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.
📍 Santa Ana Stadium, 602 N. Flower St.
The City Council will meet on the second Tuesday of December at Santa Ana City Hall – Council Chamber, located at 22 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, to declare the results of the 2024 General Municipal Election and administer the Oath of Office to the newly elected members.
📍 Tuesday, Dec. 10 | 5 p.m.
📍 Santa Ana Council Chamber, 22 Civic Center Plaza
Senior Luncheon
In collaboration with the long-time Santa Ana nonprofit organization, Asian American Senior Citizens Service Center (AASCSC), I’m happy to invite all Santa Ana seniors to this wonderful event. RSVP with Irene Chiu at Irene.chiu@aascsc.org.
📍 Thursday, Dec. 12 | 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
📍 Santa Ana Senior Center, 424 W. 3rd St.
The 5th Annual Downtown Santa Ana Tamal Fest and 3rd Annual Mayor Valerie Amezcua’s Toy Giveaway.
📍 Sunday, Dec. 14 | 3-8 p.m. (for Mayor Amezcua’s toy distribution)
📍 Downtown Santa Ana
Wishing you all moments filled with laughter, love, and the simple joys that make our community uniquely special. May this season be a reminder of the strength and spirit of our city.
Toy Giveaway registration opens at 12 p.m. Dec. 4. Register for the Toy Giveaway.
Sincerely,
Mayor Valerie Amezcua
Email: vamezcua@santa-ana.org
Mayor on the Move
I am always happy to be invited to join in all the wonderful events happening in our city. Here are a few highlights:
Thank you, Congressman Lou Correa, for awarding $963,000 in federal funds to the City of Santa Ana’s Multi-Disciplinary Response Team.
I was honored to welcome everyone and lead the countdown at the tree lighting ceremony at the annual Plaza Navideña event.
My 2nd Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway and Drive Through Pantry!
Thank you to Franklin Elementary teachers Mr. Ramirez and Mrs. Escobedo for inviting me to speak to your 3rd-grade classes.
Honored to have been invited to the Kingdom Group meeting. This is a wonderful network of pastors, churches, and community leaders united to be a prophetic voice engaging in ministry among the families in Santa Ana.
Wonderful meeting with the Taipei Economic Cultural Center in Santa Ana.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHTS
Nonprofit Spotlight: Encompass
Their mission is to assist individuals or families that are homeless or at risk of homelessness in locating and securing housing, covering housing deposits, and providing support to ensure that housing is retained.
I invite you to learn more here: https://www.encompasshousing.org/
Small Business Spotlight: Taqueria Los Grandes
1736 W. 5th St., Santa Ana
https://www.taquerialosgrandes.com/
Opened in 1989, Taqueria Los Grandes restaurant serves high-quality meals using the freshest ingredients and offers a wide variety of North Mexican dishes, including the very popular menudo, tacos dorados, and tacos de asada. I invite you to go and enjoy a wonderful meal.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
The City of Santa Ana Human Resources Department Talent Acquisition Division works with City agencies and departments to identify staffing needs and hire the best talent to serve the city. The City of Santa Ana is looking for individuals who are results-oriented, possess great attitude, demonstrate creativity and innovation, work efficiently, show a record of success, and have a passion for public service.
Apply to work for the City of Santa Ana
CITY NEWS AND RECOGNITIONS
Request for Qualifications (RFQ): Sahuayo Sister City Mural
We will be creating and painting a mural with our Sister City from Sahuayo, Mexico! This is an application for QUALIFICATIONS, not for the actual mural design.
APPLY HERE: https://www.santa-ana.org/request-for-qualifications-rfq-sahuayo-sister-city-mural/
DEADLINE: Tuesday, January 7, 2025 @ 11:59 p.m.
City Spotlight:
The City of Santa Ana was featured in the Orange County Business Journal’s ‘Best Places to Work, Live & Play’ city spotlight article alongside four other Orange County cities. With a population of 308,189, Santa Ana remains one of the top leaders for key industries like manufacturing, aerospace and defense, healthcare, retail and service, education, and more. Article highlights:
📌 How Santa Ana differentiates itself from others in the region
📌 Opportunities for businesses looking to relocate or expand in the city
📌 Reimagining where residents live, work, and play following the pandemic
📌 Evaluating key factors when attracting new businesses to the city
New video series
We are excited to introduce “Made in Santa Ana”, a new video series dedicated to highlighting the products and services that our diverse business community has to offer! This series aims to celebrate the innovation and economic contributions of our businesses, beginning with Behr Paint Company, headquartered here in Santa Ana.
Through these stories, we will showcase our local business leaders and the products that shape our community. This is an exciting opportunity to learn more about the Santa Ana businesses that contribute to our local economy.
Student Resources
The 2025 HEEF Scholarship Application is Now Open!
The Orange County Hispanic Educational Endowment Fund (HEEF) serves students who live in Orange County, California. Their mission is to improve access to higher education for OC Hispanic/Latino students. HEEF offers competitive academic scholarships for OC high school and community college transfer students, awards tuition grants for students at selected Santa Ana Catholic grammar schools, and provides scholarships for OC college graduates to attend law school.
To learn more or apply for a scholarship: https://oc-cf.academicworks.com/
City Resources
Need help with:
- Small business grant
- My First Home Program
- Affordable housing
- Sign up for Medi-Cal regardless of immigration status
- Santa Ana Work Center
Starting a small business?
Need help with Utility bills?
- Southern CA Edison: 800-447-6620
- Southern CA Gas: 800-207-8567
- Trash pickup: 877-328-2074
- Energy Bill & Water Bill Assistance:
City Hall main line
Code Enforcement
Emergency Water Services
Graffiti Hotline
mySantaAna app
Public Works dispatch (street sweeping, trees)
Santa Ana Police Athletic & Activity League (SAPAAL) |
Homeless Services
The city will offer down payment assistance loans to first-time home buyers to aid in the purchase of a home within Santa Ana. Employment Opportunities
Find more phone numbers for all City services Starting a small business |
Have you downloaded the mySantaAna app?
Report issues like:
- illegal dumping
- graffiti removal
- homeless encampments
- trash and recycling missed pickups
- park issues
- potholes
- and more!
Community Resources
|
Homelessness support for families and children. Provides assistance with housing placement. |
Provides and ships nutritious, farm fresh produce to communities who need it most. LIHEAP is a federally funded program that helps low-income households pay for heating or cooling in their homes. |
OCTA
Youth Bus Program
Though many use the free pass to travel to school, it can also be used to access jobs, libraries and summer activities. Learn more here.
Upcoming Community Events
City of Santa Ana Holiday Events
You can look forward to several holiday events and programs offered at our recreation centers throughout the season. Whether you’re looking to break a sweat with aerobics, start your mornings with a fun toddler music class, or explore your artistic side through yoga, dance, drawing, painting, and much more, we’ve got something for everyone!
There’s so much to explore! To view all classes offered and register, visit https://secure.rec1.com/CA/santa-ana-ca/catalog
Down Payment Assistance Program Workshop – December 5
The City of Santa Ana invites the public, interested home buyers, realtors and lenders to join us for an informational workshop to learn about the My First Home down payment assistance program. By taking advantage of this remarkable initiative, you can transform your aspirations of homeownership into a tangible reality with an interest-free loan.
We’ll provide an overview of the program, including income guidelines, qualifications, and the application-approval process. We’ll also highlight an incentive for Santa Ana high school graduates, U.S. military veterans and active duty personnel.
- Thursday, Dec. 5
- 6-7:30 p.m.
- Garfield Community Center, 501 N. Lacy St.
An account is required to register.
For more information about the My First Home program, please visit www.santa-ana.org/my-first-home/.
Spanish and Vietnamese translations will be available at the event.
We look forward to seeing you there!
December Garage Sale Weekend – December 7 & 8
Residential garage and yard sales are allowed the weekend of December 7 and 8, 2024. Sales may begin at 8 a.m. and must end at 5 p.m. each day. Garage and yard sales for residential properties are permitted in Santa Ana on the first full weekend of March, June, September and December each year. No permit is required. Please follow the rules and regulations at the link below.
Conquer the Canvas – December 7
Join us at the library for a fun and inspiring canvas painting program, designed to help you explore and develop your artistic talents. Perfect for all skill levels! Space is limited while supplies last.
- Saturday, Dec. 7
- 2-3:30 p.m.
- Newhope Library, 122 N. Newhope St.
Fiesta del Mariachi – December 8
Enjoy a fun-filled day of music and entertainment at the Santa Ana Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024. ALR Productions in collaboration with City of Santa Ana and Power of One Foundation is proud to present the much-anticipated Fiesta del Mariachi, a musical extravaganza set to captivate audiences with the soul-stirring rhythms and vibrant melodies of traditional mariachi styles and sounds. The event includes a free youth showcase earlier in the day, and a ticketed concert at night.
- Sunday, Dec. 8
- 9 a.m.-10 p.m.
- Santa Ana Stadium, 602 N. Flower St.
Get tickets to Fiesta del Mariachi
Gerardo Mouet Park Ribbon Cutting Ceremony – December 11
Join us for the official ribbon cutting ceremony of our newest Santa Ana park, Gerardo Mouet Park. Honoring Santa Ana’s former Parks and Recreation director who passed away in 2023, the park will provide a much-needed recreational and outdoor space on the cross streets of South Standard Avenue and McFadden Avenue. Park amenities include a skate area, basketball court, playground, green space, and more.
- Wednesday, Dec. 11
- 3 p.m.
- Gerardo Mouet Park, 1125 S. Standard Ave.
To learn more on this project visit the Gerardo Mouet Park project page.
*Please note this park location does not have restroom facilities available.
City Hall
Upcoming Holiday and Closed Friday schedule: (City Hall non-essential offices are closed on alternating Fridays throughout the year)
- Friday, December 6 – City Hall closed
- Friday, December 20 – City Hall closed
- December 24, 2024, through January 1, 2025 – Holiday closure
The next regular City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 17, in the City Council Chamber, 22 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana. The open meeting session begins at 5:30 p.m. Official City meetings are open to the public and I encourage you to participate. Council agendas and minutes may be accessed here.
Invite me
If you’d like to invite me to attend an event in your neighborhood or in connection with your organization, please feel free to make that request via email: vamezcua@santa-ana.org
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