I hope our newsletter finds you well. It was great to join in with some of our Neighborhood Council Civic University on Homelessness participants to tour Los Angeles Family Housing’s permanent housing with supportive services in Sun Valley on Saturday. I remember when Sun Valley Area Neighborhood Council was reviewing the proposal to turn the Sun Valley Car Wash into the amazing permanent supportive housing that it is today.  LAFH’s Palo Verde location still honors the car wash with the original sign in its lobby. Mayor Eric Garcetti joined the other Civic University participants at the 28th Street YMCA Apartments in South Los Angeles. We have one more session for this Civic University on Monday, and I think our graduates will be leaving with a lot of inspiration and energy to support efforts citywide to end homelessness.

The City Council Budget and Finance Committee has started reviewing Mayor Garcetti’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2017 -2018. Our department’s budget request will be on their agenda on Monday, May 1st, just before the presentation of the Neighborhood Council Budget Advocates white paper (click here). If you haven’t filed a Community Impact Statement on the City’s budget, please take the time to weigh in it via Council File 17-0600.

We ended the week today remembering several important events in history.  City Councilmember Paul Krekorian, along with Mayor Garcetti and Controller Ron Galperin, held a commemoration marking the 102nd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in City Council this morning by honoring the makers of the movie, “The Promise.” Afterwards, our staff joined hands with Council President Herb Wesson and other City staffers for “Hands Around City Hall,” to remember the 25th Anniversary of Los Angeles’ Civil Unrest with a symbolic gesture of cross-cultural support and understanding. Thanks to Ann Job from Sylmar Neighborhood Council and Corinne Ho from Canoga Park Neighborhood Council for being a part of the event!

Don’t forget that the Neighborhood Council Emergency Preparedness Alliance meets tomorrow and that the Board of Neighborhood Commissioners will be having their regular meeting next Tuesday evening in Canoga Park. Have a wonderful weekend!