Dear Ward 5 neighbors,
As your Councilmember, I am happy to announce the return of my monthly newsletter where my team and I will be sharing news and events happening in our beautiful city of Santa Ana. Since being re-elected last November, I realize we are in an uncertain time, so I will do my utmost in supporting my constituents and sharing all the resources the City of Santa Ana has to offer. Please know you are valued and respected under my leadership.
For this first newsletter of 2025, I want to highlight some of the impressive work my office and our local residents have accomplished, such as the La Raza Mural Restoration with the Artesia Pilar Neighborhood Association and the ongoing renovation of the Main Library. I believe that arts and education are key components to our residents’ well-being, so I am proud that we have accomplished this rejuvenation of public amenities. I also personally believe that access to green space helps our neighbors thrive, so I am excited that we are underway with the new park at 10th and Flower near the Willard Neighborhood, which is estimated to be completed by next spring.
Another important issue I’ve advocated for recently is the expansion of the Street Medicine Program by CalOptima into the City of Santa Ana. I spoke at the CalOptima meeting in March asking for approval of this program to bridge the healthcare gap for our unhoused neighbors. I’ve also advocated for increased police accountability since being in office and plan to continue doing so, along with protecting our undocumented community every chance I get.
Lastly, through the wonderful work of my Council Aides, Krystal Gallegos and Anthony Medina, my office has held a variety of events in less than a year including: the Annual Toy Giveaway at Placita Cinco, a Town Hall in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity OC to inform residents of their new affordable homeownership opportunities coming to Washington, a first-of its-kind “Walk and Talk” with Black leaders for Black History Month, and my office’s first Viva Bien: Health and Wellness fair held less than two weeks ago.
Believe me, vecinos, we have a lot to celebrate and there’s only more to come.
Your councilmember and neighbor,
Johnathan Ryan Hernandez
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Building Community through the Arts
La Raza Mural Restoration
Through the steadfast leadership of the Artesia Pilar Neighborhood Association (APNA), a beloved mural was restored and celebrated at the heart of Artesia Pilar in September 2024. The La Raza mural is a reminder to the community of the cultural roots that built Santa Ana, and of the families that defined the neighborhood since the ’90s. In this project, APNA applied for an arts grant and the original artists came out to restore their work: Steve Martinez, Gilly Rodarte, Roger Montenegro, Jaime Varella and Jorge “Georgie” Ruiz.
If you would like your art to be featured in future newsletters, please submit it to ycruz5@Santa-Ana.org.
Finding Art Near You
Everyone should be able to create and be creative in their own way. Below are a few Santa Ana resources for art and arts education:
- Orange County Children’s Therapeutic Arts Center
- Media Arts Santa Ana (MASA)
- The Wooden Floor
- Academy of International Dance
- Segerstrom Center for the Arts
- Arts and Learning Conservatory
Community News
$34 million in Library renovations: Main Library and Jerome Park Outdoor Library
Through the advocacy of Councilmember Hernandez and his colleagues, the Main Library, is currently closed, for a $34 million renovation project set to add new amenities, including:
- New children’s interactive learning area
- Improved and reimagined Teen and Maker Space on the 2nd Floor
- Reimagined east patio with amphitheater seating and reading areas
- Enhanced and expanded History Room on the 2nd Floor
- Restoration of the Italian marble façade
- Upgraded building mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems
These upgrades are expected to be completed by spring 2026.
Read more about the Main Library transformation
Councilmember Hernandez advocated for expansion of Street Medicine Program at the CalOptima meeting
Santa Ana is the latest city to be included in CalOptima’s Street Medicine Program, which has so far been active in Anaheim and Garden Grove. This program will benefit the unhoused population and bring medical care to them, bridging the gap that has allowed too many to go without medical care. Councilmember Hernandez attended the March 6 CalOptima meeting to speak about the program and how it will serve the community.
“If we are given the privilege of having a street medicine program in our city, I know that Santa Ana would greatly benefit in allowing us to be able to treat our neighbors who are experiencing homelessness and be able to closer connect them with services that can help them, services like our partnered agencies that focus on serving foster youth or serving the formerly incarcerated We can have a collaborative approach to a public health crisis.” said Councilmember Hernandez.
Watch the full public comment here (5:40)
Read more about the Street Medicine Program on our COSA website
Ribbon cutting for Angels Park UCI Playful Learning Landscapes
Learn more about the Playful Learning Landscapes
Low-Cost Home Ownership Options
TeenTime by SAPL offers alternative for youth
Chill out, grab a snack, and connect at TeenTime by SAPL. Both locations offer free wi-fi, study stations with charging ports, Chromebooks and iPads, video games, craft supplies, and creative workshops! Come to TeenTime at Santa Ana Public Library and make it yours. Open to ages 12 to 17. Visit our website to see what’s happening today.
Monday – Friday
- El Salvador Community Center, 1825 W. Civic Center Drive
- 2-6 p.m.
- Garfield Community Center, 501 N. Lacy St.
- 3-6 p.m.
Love Santa Ana? Become a Santa Ana Enthusiast!
Travel Santa Ana has a new program where residents can learn about Santa Ana and receive recognition as an official “enthusiast.” Learn how at the link below!
Community Building
Save the Date for the 4th annual Chicano Heritage Festival: August 24, 2025!
The Chicano Heritage Festival is back this summer! Save the date on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2-7 p.m. at Centennial Park, as we celebrate Santa Ana’s rich Mexican-American history. Guests can look forward to live musical performances, food, community art, a kids’ zone, cultural exhibits, and much more. This celebration will be free, family-friendly, and open to all.
Check out a video of the 2023 Chicano Heritage Festival.
New affordable homeownership opportunities coming: Councilmember Hernandez hosts Washington Town Hall with Habitat for Humanity OC
Early this year, the Ward 5 team partnered with Habitat for Humanity OC to host an informational session on the new properties on Washington Street. If you’d like to learn more, check out their website to see the homes they need families to fill!
New Street Toppers of 2024: “Virginia & William Guzman Way” and “Warren Bussey Square” commemorate Santa Ana history makers
Did you know that in the court case Westminster v. Mendez of 1947, local Santa Ana parents challenged and effectively ended segregation in schools? Or that Warren Bussey, upon passing at the age of 108, left a legacy of entrepreneurship and service in Orange County? In 2024, Councilmember Hernandez had the honor to lead the establishment of street toppers commemorating Virginia & William Guzman, who were plaintiffs in the Westminster v. Mendez case, and Warren Bussey, who made valuable contributions as a Black business owner and freemason. Read more about their contributions at the links below.
Councilmember Hernandez hosts first Black History Walk and Talk with Santa Ana Active Streets and local Black leaders
On February 22, Councilmember Hernandez teamed up with local organization Santa Ana Active Streets to host a first-of-its-kind “Walk and Talk” for Black History Month with local Black leaders. Graced by the presence of Dorothy Mulkey (local housing rights activist), Daniel Michael Lynem (former Santa Ana Black Panther), Dwayne Shipp (OC Black Parade and Festival organizer), and Ed Caruthers (silver Olympic medalist), participants were led on a walkthrough the Little Texas Neighborhood and were given firsthand accounts of history by the legends themselves.
First ever Viva Bien: Health and Wellness Fair brought together local health organizations and talented youth
Earlier this month, Councilmember Hernandez and his team highlighted the importance of health and wellness by collaborating with local health organizations to provide resources to the community. Students from Lydia Romero-Cruz Academy also took part in the event, performing songs they had personally chosen under the guidance of Ms. Ramirez. The day was a vibrant celebration of community connection and empowering Santa Ana’s youth to express themselves.
Take the City’s Community Budget Priorities Survey
Which City of Santa Ana services and programs are important to you? Take our Community Budget Priorities Survey to share your ideas! Your responses will be shared with the Santa Ana City Council as we work to set spending priorities and approve the new budget for the coming year. The budget survey is available in English, Spanish and Vietnamese. You can also join upcoming community meetings to learn about the budget.
📅 Deadline to submit: April 30, 2025
Take the Community Budget Priorities Survey
Events & Meetings
Saturday, April 26 – Free Compost Giveaway and Paper Shredding Event
The City of Santa Ana Public Works Agency is hosting a free compost giveaway and paper shredding event for Santa Ana residents on Saturday, April 26, from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Centennial Park, 3000 W. Edinger Ave., Santa Ana. Please join us! Guidelines for the event are at the link below.
Compost Giveaway and Paper Shredding Event
Saturday, April 26 – Santa Ana Public Library’s Dia de los Ninos, Dia de los Libros
Santa Ana Public Library will hold its 17th annual Día de los Niños, Día de los Libros (Children’s Day, Book Day) celebration on Saturday, April 26. The free event will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Plaza of the Sun, 20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, which is located between the Main Library and Santa Ana City Hall.
The free festivities will include a book giveaway for children, trackless train rides, an inflatable Fun Derby, activity stations, 8-track slot car racing, face painting, and a presentation featuring award-winning author Naibe Reynoso and author and songwriter Heidi Rojas featuring their books “How to Stuff a Piñata” and “I Am Enough.”
Wednesday, April 30 – SAUSD Mariachi Festival at Santa Ana High School
SAVE THE DATE: On April 30, join SAUSD for their annual Mariachi Festival and listen to the wonderful talent of our Santa Ana youth represented by five wonderful schools.
Check out the SAUSD Arts page for more events
Need help with an ongoing problem? Report it on the mySantaAna app!
Free Santa Ana Days
Resident Days at the Zoo • Third Sunday of each Month
Bowers Museum free Sundays • Santa Ana residents get in free each Sunday
Discovery Cube Waste Free Days • Santa Ana residents get free admission to the Discovery Cube on the first Tuesday of the month