Better Way Anaheim Hits 100
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Better Way Anaheim, a program offering volunteer community service projects for those who are homeless, has surpassed 100 participants since late December.
The program provides basic work experience and access to additional services for those looking to return to employment and break the cycle of homelessness.
Each week, volunteers go out with teams from Love Anaheim, a nonprofit focused on community service projects, to help spread woodchips, remove graffiti, paint trashcans and pick up trash in our parks.
In late April, Better Way surpassed the 100-volunteer mark with 102 people taking part in the program and counting.
The business community has taken notice, with local businesses stepping up to provide lunch for volunteers. Some Better Way Anaheim participants also are being looked at as potential hires.
Better Way Anaheim works closely with City Net, our nonprofit partner on addressing homelessness.
As part of City Net's larger effort to transition people from the streets, some Better Way Anaheim participants have actually made the jump into housing by working with City Net.
Better Way Anaheim is part of the city's comprehensive approach to homelessness.
We're in discussions about adding to our efforts with a jobs program for those seeking a pathway out of homelessness (see "Jobs Training Program" story below.
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Digital Mapping of Schools Improves Safety
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A digital campus-mapping system that will cut response time for law enforcement during emergencies was unveiled recently at Anaheim High School, making it the first school in the nation to incorporate the technology to boost safety and potentially save lives.
To map every nook and cranny of Anaheim High School, San Diego-based Sobel Group took 15,000 high-resolution photographs and stitched them together to create digital maps.
The maps give Anaheim Police and other first responders real photographic images, not just graphics.
Too often, police and fire have to make do with maps that show where buildings are but not what they look like inside. In other cases, first responders have no floor plans at all and have to request them.
Now they will have digital maps at their fingertips, in their command centers and vehicles.
The system takes the blindfold off of first responders, said Anaheim Deputy Police Chief Mark Cyprien.
"That knowledge can ultimately save lives,” he said.
Anaheim Police worked with Sobel Group and the Anaheim Union High School District to implement the system.
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Jobs Training Program Coming
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For those able to work, employment is one of the best pathways out of homelessness.
The city's Better Way Anaheim program has helped more than 100 people get basic work experience (see story above) as a first step toward returning to the job market.
Now Anaheim is looking to expand the role of employment in its homeless initiative.
C
hrysalis, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit that
transitions people from homelessness to work by helping to prepare them for finding and keeping employment, is coming to Anaheim later this year.
The new office will be the group's fourth location in Southern California – the first outside Los Angeles County – and answers an urgent call for aid to the homeless population in Orange County, which has grown to nearly 4,800, an increase of some13% within five years, according to the most recent homeless count.
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Each year, we remove more than 1 million square feet of graffiti across Anaheim.
It’s a constant effort, but one that’s worth it. Graffiti damages property and scars neighborhoods.
We strive to remove graffiti within 24 hours from city spaces, including at our parks or on utility boxes.
For graffiti on private property, we notify owners to have them remove it as quickly as possible and work with them where needed to ensure it gets done.
We need your help, too. If you see graffiti, let us know as soon as possible.
You can do so by calling 311 from within the city or by dialing (714) 765-4311. Just provide a specific location so we can find and remove it.
If you see graffiti in process, call Anaheim Police at (714) 765-1900. Don’t try and stop it yourself.
You can also report graffiti online at
Anaheim Anytime
or via the My Anaheim app.
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Community Art Contest at Beach and Lincoln
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At the corner of Beach and Lincoln, in front of the Westgate Center project, Anaheim and partner Zelman Development are sponsoring an art contest for local high school students. The city and Zelman collected more than 50 submissions for the contest from students throughout West Anaheim.
The 50 submissions were reviewed by a panel of judges and 10 finalists were selected.
The 10 finalists have their artwork displayed on the fencing of the Zelman project. Anaheim residents are encourage to vote for their favorite art piece by going to
Anaheim.net/canvas
.
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New Safety/Security Signs at Maxwell Park
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Maxwell Park is the first park in the city to have new rules signs installed.
The signs give park users clearer knowledge of the rules of the facility and will allow our park rangers and police better enforcement of the rules for those who are not abiding by the posted restrictions.
We are grateful to Anaheim Community Services for coming up with the design and for putting these signs up and implementing them throughout the city through the rest of 2018.
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Running for the Fighting 13th!
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Run or walk in support of the “The Fighting 13th” in the annual Semper 5K & 10K race on May 19 along the Santa Ana River Trail.
The annual race is sponsored by the Anaheim 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit Adoption Committee, and proceeds go to support the men and women who fight for our country as part of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
Those 10 and younger can take part in a Kid's Fun Run, and everyone can join in a patriotic costume contest. Marines and Sailors from the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit will be running alongside race participants.
In 2007, the Anaheim City Council adopted the unit to show support for our military. Community volunteers hold fundraisers throughout the year to support the 13th.
Known as the "Fighting 13th," the Camp Pendleton-based unit conducts a variety of military operations, including amphibious assaults, recovery of aircraft and personnel, peacekeeping, electronic warfare and anti-terrorism efforts.
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West Anaheim Community Spotlight
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Braille Institute of Anaheim
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The Braille Institute of Anaheim is under way on a new campus designed to meet the unique needs of those experiencing sight loss.
City and county representatives, including Mayor Tom Tait and City Council Members Denise Barnes and Stephen Faessel, recently joined in celebrating this milestone.
City officials approved the institute's plans to build a new campus at its property in southwest Anaheim. The group's original campus was a collection of aging residential homes acquired in the early 1970s. Back then, the institute served just a few dozen children and adults.
In addition to updating critical structural issues, the new 14,735-square-foot building will feature a state-of-the-art learning resource center integrating modern technologies with the specialized hands-on training students need to thrive.
A grand opening is scheduled just in time to celebrate the Braille Institute’s 100th year of service in early 2019.
The new center is made possible in part through the generosity of the Henry L. Guenther Foundation and the Don and Lorraine Freeberg Foundation, with additional support from foundation, corporate and individual donors from across the Southland
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CONTACT DENISE
(714) 765-5162
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