Become a Foster Parent and  

Help a Child in Need

In honor of the 50th Anniversary of the Older Americans Act of 1965, the Board of Supervisors designated May 2015 as Older Americans Month in Contra Costa County. During the past 50 years, the implementation of the Older Americans Act has contributed to the economic well-being of millions of older Americans, and has improved the quality of life for those individuals.

The Contra Costa County Area Agency on Aging was established by the Board of Supervisors on October 1, 1975 to implement the Older Americans Act in our community, with the Advisory Council on Aging advising on senior issues and serving as the principal advocacy body for Contra Costa older adults. The Contra Costa County aging services network provides a range of services under the Older Americans Act, including nutrition, caregiving, transportation, falls prevention, legal services, friendly visiting, employment, and elder abuse prevention to help over 27,800 older adults annually maintain their independence.

Our County and our partner service providers are committed to providing opportunities to enrich citizens old and young by emphasizing the value of including older adults in public and family life, and by providing services and support systems that help older adults maintain their independence and achieve a better quality of life.

The Board of Supervisors recently presented Meals on Wheels of Contra Costa, Inc. with a Community Impact Award, in recognition of their work to raise funds for meal and delivery costs to expand Meals on Wheels services for homebound seniors in our county. In the late 1980's, it became clear that government funding levels for Senior Nutrition Programs had become stagnant. In the face of an expanding aging population and burgeoning waiting lists of nutritionally at-risk homebound seniors seeking Meals on Wheels services in Contra Costa, it became clear that a reliable alternate local funding source was desperately needed to ensure delivery of nutritious daily meals to meet this growing need. In its 25 years of existence, Meals on Wheels of Contra Costa has raised more than $13 million from individuals and charitable organizations and subsidized $4.6 million nutritious daily meals plus delivery costs to homebound seniors. Meals on Wheels of Contra Costa currently provides 40% of the total annual funding of the countywide Meals on Wheels Program.

My colleagues on the Board and I also awarded certificates of recognition to an exemplary volunteer in each of our districts. I was proud to honor Mahboba Karim, a resident of Concord and Farsi Program Volunteer at Mt. Diablo Center for Adult Day Health Care in Pleasant Hill. Mahboba has been volunteering there for nearly 2 years and she attends on a daily basis! She assists with activities, lunch meals and special events. She engages the participants in conversation and encourages their participation in the activities and exercises. Mahboba was nominated for her outstanding dedication to the Farsi Program and its participants. Her commitment and thoughtfulness is extraordinary. Mahboba's priority is making sure the Farsi participants are happy and well cared for. She has become a very important part of the Farsi program. She is very loved by all the participants as well as staff. She treats them with dignity, respect and kindness. The participants look forward to seeing her everyday. Having a volunteer that communicates with them in their native language is something special and she makes them feel special and loved. Volunteers like Mahboba nourish and enrich the lives of residents in our community; she is an inspiration to us all!

During the U.S. military's long engagement in Afghanistan, thousands of Afghans served as embedded translators, accompanying units throughout the country into battle and other dangerous engagements. As the United States pulls out of Afghanistan, these brave translators, most of them young men, are facing intense reprisals. Fortunately, there is some assistance for this vulnerable population.

In an attempt to bring some of the interpreters to safety, the U.S. government created the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program, which allows the men and their immediate family members to come to the United States. Over the past two years, 125 of these Afghan men, women, and children have been resettled in Contra Costa County by Jewish Family & Children's Services (JFCS) of the East Bay, a local nonprofit human services agency. JFCS/East Bay has worked hard to mobilize its staff, volunteers, and other community members to welcome these newcomers to our community. Overall, JFCS/East Bay provides a friendly source of information and support during a tremendously challenging, yet hopeful, time.

JFCS/East Bay is proud to welcome these Afghan refugees-people who have risked their lives in their efforts to support American military personnel and secure greater freedom for their homeland. And all of us can participate in giving them the opportunity to build new lives and ultimately become full participants in our community. We encourage you to contact JFCS/East Bay to offer your time, energy, and resources. To learn about volunteer opportunities and donations of household items, please contact Kathryn Winogura. If you wish to donate financially in support of Afghan resettlement services, please visit their website. 

Clean Air Awards Luncheon

Around the District

Contra Costa Commemorates 50th Anniversary of Vietnam War

On Saturday May 2nd, I joined other local leaders and county residents for a Vietnam Vets 50th Anniversary Welcome Home at the Concord Veteran's Center. It was an important event that commemorated the dedication and bravery of our local Vietnam Veterans. The President of the United States, Barack Obama, proclaimed May 28, 2012 through November 11, 2025 as the Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War and in doing so called upon other Federal, State, and local officials to honor our Vietnam veterans, the fallen, the wounded, those unaccounted for, our former prisoners of war, their families, and all who served with programs, ceremonies, and activities. I was grateful that our county answered this call and took time to commemorate these amazing individuals, many of whom are now  pioneers and pillars of their local communities.

The Board of Supervisors also passed a resolution commemorating the 50th anniversary and encouraging all Contra Costans to say 'Thank You' and 'Welcome Home' to our Vietnam Veterans from a grateful community, State and Nation.  

East Bay Leadership Council Honors  

Small Businesses

On May 8, the East Bay Leadership Council honored 14 small-business owners at their 15th Annual Small Business Awards Luncheon. Honorees were selected by Contra Costa County and Tri- Valley Chambers of Commerce and the event was hosted by the Council's Small Business/Entrepreneur Task Force. The luncheon coincides each year with the U.S. Small Business Administration's National Small Business Week, May 4-8, 2015, when business owners across the nation are saluted.

Here are the 2015 honorees who were selected by their respective chambers in District IV:

• Concord Chamber: Ed and Dawn Roth, owners of R-Computer, an award-winning, authorized dealer of leading industry computer systems, offering solutions, services and support to large and small companies. Ed and Dawn Roth founded their business in their home garage in Concord in 1986 and now have offices in north Concord and a staff of 15 people. For many years, R-Computer has supported children and youth in foster care and organizations for the elderly. Dawn Roth is the founder of Operation Secret Elves, which gathers and delivers thousands of dollars worth of practical gifts to young adults in foster care.
• Pleasant Hill Chamber: Jeff Clark and Steve Clark, owners of Steven's Printing since 1996, offering integrated marketing solutions to businesses and nonprofits that incorporate the old-world craft of print and new digital media services. Jeff and Steve Clark are active members of the chamber and the community, and often give back by providing in-kind labor and services to local nonprofits.
• Walnut Creek Chamber: Diablo Publications, Barney Fonzi, president, which for 35 years has captured the heartbeat of the community, covering topics ranging from travel, culture and personalities to entertainment, recreation and food. Its award-winning publications include Diablo Magazine, Napa Sonoma magazine, Diablo Weddings, the Diablo City Book Series, Diablo Arts, Concierge East Bay and the Tri-Valley California Visitors Guide. Diablo Publications became an employee-owned company in August 2014.

June Spotlight: Buchanan Field Airport

What Do You Know About
Buchanan Field Airport?

Buchanan Field Airport is a wonderful economic and community asset that I am most fortunate to have in my district. The Buchanan Field and Byron Airports are owned by the Contra Costa County and are operated as a business without the use of scarce public dollars. In fact, these airports actually give millions back each year to local schools and other organizations. In addition to providing funding, Buchanan Field does its part to increase educational opportunities for local youth through its child-friendly public viewing plaza and an active youth tour program. Buchanan Field is one of only a few general aviation airports within California to have two air ambulance businesses as tenants, which greatly enriches a County resident's access to vital emergency medical services. Buchanan Field is also home to the Sheriff's Air Squadron, the aerial safety and law enforcement unit for the County.

Like my colleagues on the County Board of Supervisors, I am extremely supportive of and committed to the long-term success and enhancement of Buchanan Field and Byron Airport. Our unwavering support of Buchanan Field is consistent with the consensus of County stakeholders who reaffirmed its economic and community necessity several years ago when closure was threatened in order to redevelop the land for other purposes. Buchanan Field has been and will continue to be a key element of the County's transportation system and a vital component of the County's emergency response and natural disaster relief plans. I am a proud steward for Buchanan Field and vow to do my part to enhance and strengthen the various economic and community benefits it provides for residents in the future.

For questions about Buchanan Field Airport or if you want to learn about other ways to get involved in the Airport Advisory Committee, contact Keith Freitas, the Director of Airports, at 884-FLY-TOUS (844-359-8687). 

Community Announcements

Clayton's Rockin on the 4th: Volunteers Needed!

Once again in 2015 the City of Pleasant Hill will have a fabulous July 4 celebration. An important part of this patriotic holiday is their traditional Fourth of July Parade. Whether you are a spectator or a participant, this hugely popular event has something for everyone including floats, bands, and marching units. The parade begins at 9:30 am in downtown Pleasant Hill.

Over 150 volunteers are needed each year to produce the various activities of our Independence Day Celebration in Pleasant Hill.  Volunteering is a great way to get involved in our community and to make new friends.  Visit their website if you are interested in volunteering on the day of the parade.