I hope our newsletter finds you well. 
I was happy to get out into the field this week to present our first Neighborhood Council Spirit Award this year to Studio City Neighborhood Council President John Walker on Wednesday. John is a member of the City’s Innovation and Performance Commission and was instrumental in EmpowerLA receiving a grant to build out a full service online portal for the Neighborhood Council Funding Program. We anticipate the completion of a more efficient and transparent application by the end of the fiscal year. We want to thank John for driving innovation with a program that will benefit Neighborhood Councils citywide. You rock, John!
Speaking of awesome innovations, I received an email from our Wonder Tech Twins of Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council, America and Penelope Lopez.They have made it to the semi-finals of the Global Mobile Innovators Tournament with their newest project, Beacon of Hope, which provides an I.O.T (Internet of Things) solution to battle human trafficking. Many victims reported the only time they have been alone was in the restroom so America and Penelope created a connected dispensary to take advantage of this short window of opportunity. The dispensary ejects a redesigned feminine hygiene product integrated with a beacon to assist in the rescue of women being trafficked. You can read more about it on Huffington Post. Congratulations to America and Penelope on their amazing accomplishment!
If I don’t see you at the Neighborhood Council Emergency Preparedness Alliance tomorrow, have a great weekend!
