Posted on 02/20/2024
ONE BIG THING: SPREADING THE LOVE IN DISTRICT 13
As we celebrate Valentine’s Day and la temporada del amor, we wanted to spend this week spreading some love across the district.
Honoring Legendary Black Architect Paul R. Williams
We were proud to unveil Paul R. Williams Square in Hollywood yesterday in honor of the barrier-breaking Angeleno architect.
Despite facing relentless discrimination, Paul R. Williams left an incredible impact on Los Angeles. Just in LA, he designed the historic First AME Church, the iconic Beverly Hills Hotel, the County’s Hall of Administration, and so much more.
Williams started working in the 1920’s, and as the first Black member of the American Institute of Architects, he had to learn to draft and go over blueprints upside down because his white clients would refuse to sit on the same side of the table as him.
Paul Williams would have turned 130 this weekend, and that made it even more special to honor his legacy with our office’s first square designation. Special thanks to the neighbors near De Longpre Ave and N. Saint Andrews Pl who have been advocating for years to honor this important history.
Recognizing Long Term Caregivers
On Friday for National Caregivers Day, we joined Councilmember Imelda Padilla to recognize the in-home caregivers with SEIU Local 2015 and across LA who work tirelessly everyday to care for our most vulnerable family members.
Care workers are some of the most essential, yet under-appreciated workers in our society. 58% of home care workers rely on public assistance to get by, and the average home care worker spends 50% of their income on rent, which classifies as “extremely rent-burdened.”
We want to celebrate these amazing workers for National Caregivers Day, and we also want to bring to light the basic wages and benefits they have to fight for even given their essential work.
Giving Thanks to Our FamilySource Centers
Last year, 16 FamilySource Centers across the city assisted over 50,000 families with issues like housing insecurity, immigration services, tutoring, and financial assistance.
Our team has been working closely with our district's FamilySource Centers to help working families get thousands of dollars in tax credits through their free tax services, access Emergency Rental Assistance, and so much more.
Thank you Bresee Foundation, El Centro del Pueblo, Koreatown Youth + Community Center, and all of our city’s amazing FamilySource Centers!
Two More Quick Hits
1. Our Team is Hiring a Legislative Aide!
We’re looking for a collaborative and hardworking new team member to help shape policy in LA and push our city in a more progressive direction.
2. CicLAvia Next Sunday, 2/25 on Melrose Ave!
Join us for the 50th(!) Los Angeles Open Streets Event: CicLAvia—Melrose on February 25 from 9am-3pm!
We are so excited to help host this amazing event that will bring safe, open streets to our community, and hopefully we’ll see you there.