January 2021
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To See What's Happening in Your Community this Month!
  • COVID-19 Resources for All Communities 
  • San Diego Job Skills Programs & Business Resources  
  • How to Text 911 
  • Fourth Council District Budget Survey 
  • Drive-in Orchestra Performances 
  • Paving Great Futures New Tenant at Jacobs Center 
  • Common Ground Theatre Virtual Play Readings 
  • Pop-Up Art Gallery in San Diego Union-Tribune! 
COVID-19 Resources for San Diego’s Diverse Communities
The County of San Diego has identified and partnered with diverse organizations to provide accurate COVID-19 information on preventing the spread of the virus, testing and the vaccine for San Diego’s communities. Please visit the websites below for up-to-date information and resources, or learn more on our blog.

  • Together Against COVID is the Multicultural Health Foundation’s COVID-19 outreach to African American and Black communities.

  • San Diego Latino Health Coalition está conformado por organizaciones establecidas y con lazos estrechos en la comunidad latina. Es nuestra meta reducir la velocidad de infección del COVID-19, incrementar el acceso a información esencial, incrementar la participación en pruebas de Covid-19 y seguimiento de contactos, y lo más importante, salvar vidas.

  • The members of the San Diego Latino Health Coalition are established organizations with deep ties to the Latino community. Its goal is to reduce COVID-19 infection rates, increase access to vital information, increase participation in COVID-19 testing and contact tracing, and most importantly, save lives.


  • The Ihsan Health Initiative is a community response to provide information and resources for refugees and immigrants in San Diego County during the COVID-19 pandemic led by Somali Family Service of San Diego.
Job Skills Programs & Business Resources  
HVAC and plumbing orientations through San Diego Continuing Education Outreach are happening throughout the month before the school year starts. The spring semester will be Feb. 1 to June 11, 2021, and all classes will be remote online instruction. For more information, contact sdceecc@sdccd.edu. Also, San Diego’s Small Business Development Center is hosting many live workshops, such as how to apply for the California Relief Grant, marketing help and food permits – most workshops are in English and Spanish, with some in Arabic.
Texting 911 Now Available
In San Diego County, texting 911 in an emergency is now available. Calling 911 is still faster, but for those hard of hearing, non-verbal or experiencing a medical emergency, this is an added resource.  

Here's how: 
1. Enter the digits “911” in the “To” field. 
2. Write a message with the location & nature of the emergency WITHOUT photos or videos. 
3. Send. 
Councilmember Montgomery’s Budget Priorities Survey & New Office Hours
Councilmember Monica Montgomery’s office created a survey to hear from Southeastern San Diego residents to understand what matters most to you in 2021. The brief survey is 10 questions and asks for input about public parks, neighborhood safety and cleanliness, and overall satisfaction with your city. Also, did you know Councilmember Montgomery Steppe has office hours on Fridays? Email smsanchez@sandiego.gov to schedule an appointment.
Mainly Mozart Drive-In Concert Series!
Mainly Mozart is hosting the 2021 Festival of Orchestras, a series of drive-in concerts at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, starting in February. Members of the San Francisco Symphony and LA Philharmonic will grace the stage in three concerts – Feb. 9, 11, 13 – including a Valentine’s Day-themed concert. Concerts will include classic and timeless pieces by Mozart, Stravinsky and Bach. Ticket prices range from $49 to $100 per vehicle, and series tickets are available for purchase. 
New Tenant Paving Great Futures!
Join the Joe & Vi Jacobs Center in giving a warm welcome to our newest tenant: Paving Great Futures! With its new move, the nonprofit will be able to expand its efforts to increase health and wealth in the communities that need it most. Paving Great Futures works with youth to set them up with valuable life skills like job readiness, financial literacy, civic engagement and entrepreneurship, along with other programs that build their own futures. 
Common Ground Theatre Virtual Play Readings
Tune in to “Uplifting Black Voices: Mental Health Edition,” two virtual play readings by Common Ground Theatre, the premier San Diego Black theatre company on Saturday, Jan. 30 at 4 p.m. Readings are free via Zoom, with donations appreciated.

  • In "Pruning Ivy" by A.D. Brown, an African American woman, Ivy, is on the cusp of graduating from Harvard University with a Ph.D in Engineering. However, the closer she gets to graduation, the more the pressure and stress mounts and takes a toll, leaving Ivy to unravel in her truth and face a hidden pain. 
  • In “This is a Low” by Cris Eli Blak, an African American teenager, Jude, with the help of a social worker named Mister, comes to terms with his emotions and actions. Jude learns over the course of the play that it doesn't matter who you are, what you are or where you come from, it is okay to not always be okay. 

Also, get to know the playwrights on the San Diego Union-Tribune’s “Together San Diego” - click here!
Playwright A.D. Brown
Playwright Cris Eli Blak
Pop-Up Art Gallery in The San Diego Union-Tribune
Did you know there’s a pop-up art gallery in Market Creek Plaza that’s open through February? Learn more about the curator, Kim Phillips-Pea, president of the Southeast Art Team Plaza in this San Diego Union-Tribune feature.  

If you haven’t visited yet, make an appointment for a tour. To follow COVID-19 guidelines, appointments to visit the gallery are necessary (one person at a time) and can be made online.
Southeast Art Team President Kim Phillips-Pea at the Pop-Up Art Gallery @ Market Creek Plaza. Photo by Jarrod Valliere, The San Diego Union-Tribune
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