Council District 9 News
October 18, 2023
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Hello Lydia,
As I’ve often shared, I believe the ideal community is one that acts like a family in how we care for one another. A strong family ensures everyone is being cared for and takes special care to the needs of its elders, children, and youth. This week email highlights a few of the ways we are trying to make the San Diego community a tighter and healthier family. Paid internship opportunities for youth provide young San Diegans an avenue to gain work experience and give back to their communities. Small subsidies for seniors, funded by the City Council and philanthropy, protect our elders from the ever-increasing risk of homelessness. And library programming specifically tailored to young children provide parents a free opportunity to entertain and educate their little ones while strengthening relationships amongst neighbors. None of these items can single-handedly make our City the strong, family-like community I hope for, but they each make us a bit stronger, a bit more compassionate, and a bit more like a family.
With gratitude,

Sean
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Council District 9 Updates | |
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2023-2024 Intern Cohort
Last month, our office welcomed our second cohort of District 9’s Field Representative Internship Program! We are honored to have 5 young leaders join our team to enhance our service to our constituents while giving our youth opportunities in public service.
We’re excited to have this group share their wisdom, passions, and talents with our office and district. Please join us in welcoming our wonderful Field Representative Interns!
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Seniors Safe at Home
Seniors need and deserve the safety and security of a stable home. Tragically, more and more seniors are falling into homelessness for economic reasons. Government, nonprofits, and private citizens must do all we can to prevent this.
That’s why our office has been working with the Lucky Duck Foundation, which recently made a generous donation of $500,000 to the San Diego Housing Commission for the Senior Safe at Home program. The program supplements a program initiated by the City Council in 2022 and provides a monthly subsidy of a few hundred dollars a month to seniors at risk of losing their homes and provides them with job search and other social services.
Preventing vulnerable seniors from becoming homeless saves them from experiencing the trauma of being forced onto the streets and having to search for services and housing. This vital contribution is a great example of how every member of our community can make an impact in preventing homelessness and help solve this crisis.

If you are able, please donate to help keep seniors in their homes.
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Storytime at the College-Rolando Library
Last Wednesday, Council President Elo-Rivera joined the College-Rolando Library during their Stay & Play Storytime. He met with families, read “Thank You Neighbor!”, and discussed with parents and children this week’s theme, “What makes a Community?”
Council President believes in the importance of the City providing families safe, fun, and enriching opportunities and had a great time joining College & Rolando families and engaging in light-hearted song and dance.
The College-Rolando Library hosts regular “Stay & Play Storytime” on Wednesdays from 10 am – 12pm. Open to all ages, every Storytime has a different theme. Learn more about your local library’s upcoming events here: sandiego.librarymarket.com
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Small Business Highlight
Do you have a favorite restaurant, shop, or spot you love to visit in District 9? We want to hear from YOU!
Don't be afraid to be specific. What's your go-to order? What's your favorite thing they have in stock? What can't you live with out? Share your favorite small business with us! We are looking to highlight them for #SmallBusinessSaturday.
To submit one (or more) businesses, visit sdd9.info/shop
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District 9 Community Cleanups
Over the past few months, our office conducted several Community Cleanups across various communities. The one thing that I commonly hear is the need for these types of cleanups to occur. Many marginalized communities don’t have the time, nor the resources to take bulky items to the landfill. These Cleanups provide opportunities for residents to get rid of bulky items for free and provides an opportunity to interact with their local community representative.
The past three months, we collected over 14.25 tons of trash from four separate Community Cleanups. So, the next time we have a Cleanup in your area, be sure to contact your Community Representative to volunteer or simply participate in.
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Community Safety
Central to our vision for community safety is the safety that community creates — the feeling that comes when you’re surrounded by friends, family, and people you trust to look out for you. Our office initiated some of these activities, such as the Castle and City Heights community walks, and we are looking to plan even more with YOUR help!
We are looking for community members who would be interested in partnering with us on coordinating a future community walk and/or other events focused on safety.
If you are interested in learning more, let us know here: sdd9.info/safety
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How to Have Your
Voice Heard - Planning Group Info Session
What are planning groups? What are the benefits of serving on a planning group? Join the City of San Diego Planning Department for a hybrid information session to learn more about:
- Why planning groups are important in communities
- How planning groups influence public policy
- How you can share ideas to make your neighborhood better
Dinner provided for in-person attendees.
Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023
6:00 -8:00 p.m.
City Heights Library
3795 Fairmount Ave
San Diego, CA 92105
For more information, visit sandiego.gov/planninggroups
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CDGB Notice of Funding Availability
The Economic Development Department released the Fiscal Year 2025 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) available to nonprofit organizations on October 9, 2023. Up-to-date information regarding this NOFA process will be posted on the CDBG webpage.
The Request for Qualifications (RFQ) submittal deadline will be November 9, 2023, at 5PM. Applicant organizations are invited to attend RFQ technical assistance appointments, where staff will answer questions about the RFQ application. These sessions are limited to 30 minutes and will be allotted on a first-come, first-served basis. Appointments can be reserved via this link.
Organizations, especially first-time applicants, interested in learning more about the CDBG application process are strongly recommended to view the recorded workshop at www.sandiego.gov/cdbg/apps
Please contact mvillalpando@sandiego.gov if you have questions or would like additional information.
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What We're Reading, Watching, and Listening
In this section, Council President Elo-Rivera and our team share a few things we’ve seen and heard that have influenced or impacted us since our last email. Take a look and give these items a read or watch:
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