Stay informed on the issues shaping our region through the latest open letters from CCF President and CEO Miguel A. Santana. In these public updates, he shares his perspective on our community’s most pressing challenges and highlights inspiring stories of impact across California. Explore his recent messages below to see how our collective efforts are making a lasting difference.
Eighteen months ago, Los Angeles County experienced one of the most devastating disasters in our region’s history. In the aftermath of the fires, people from across California, across the nation and around the world came together with an overwhelming message: You are not alone.
The warehouse fire affecting Boyle Heights, East Los Angeles, and surrounding communities is a stark reminder that even as one crisis fades, another can quickly emerge. For more than a week, families have endured smoke-filled skies, school and business disruptions, lost wages, and serious concerns about the long-term health impacts of poor air quality.
In 1994, I experienced a moment of political awakening. That’s when Californians passed Proposition 187, a measure that sought to deny education, health care and other public services to undocumented immigrants. I joined efforts — including legal action and community organizing — to fight against enacting the law, and our activism ultimately ended efforts to implement it.
The UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs released its latest Quality of Life Index (QLI) earlier this month, and the findings reflect the daunting challenges facing Angelenos today. In a year marked by wildfires, intensified ICE raids and rising costs, the index found Angelenos have record low levels of satisfaction with their quality of life.