📬 Councilmember Hector Sosa — District 2, Downey — March 23, 2026

Dear neighbors,

Last Thursday morning, Daisy and I walked into a pair of TK classrooms at Alameda Elementary and spent the better part of an hour reading to some of the most enthusiastic audiences we will ever have. It is one of our favorite traditions, and every year, it reminds me of something I believe deeply: what happens in our schools shapes everything else in this city. That truth carried through the entire week, from classrooms to community walks to neighbors showing up for the most vulnerable among us. Here is your update.

📚 Schools & Youth

🔹 Read Across America at Alameda Elementary: Daisy and I each read to a TK class as part of this year's celebration at Alameda Elementary. It is an annual tradition for us, and honestly, it never gets old. The energy in those rooms, kids leaning in, laughing at the voices, asking a million questions, is one of the best parts of serving this community. Literacy is the foundation for everything, and the educators and staff at Alameda make that foundation strong every single day.

→ 🎯 Why this matters: One of my core priorities on the Council is deepening the partnership between the City of Downey and Downey Unified School District. Programs like Read Across America work because they bring the community into the classroom, and that is exactly the kind of collaboration I will continue to champion.

🤝 Community Giving

🔹 30th Annual Arc Walk for Independence: Saturday morning, I joined more than 3,000 walkers at Stonewood Center for the 30th Anniversary Arc Walk for Independence. The Arc Los Angeles and Orange Counties has been a cornerstone of our community for decades, providing programs and support for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This year's 3K walk was full of energy, full of families, and full of the kind of generosity that defines Downey at its best.

→ 💡 About The Arc: The Arc's mission centers on quality of life, inclusion, and access for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Their programs are headquartered right here on Woodruff Avenue, and they depend on community fundraising events like this walk to sustain them.

👉 Learn more about The Arc Walk for Independence

🔹 Hannah's Helpers Taco Fundraiser for Foster Youth: On Sunday, the Hannah's Helpers foster ministry hosted a taco fundraiser at the Sanchez State Farm Office on Woodruff Avenue, with all proceeds going to provide resources for children in the foster system. A $12 taco plate that feeds a family and supports foster kids? That is exactly the kind of grassroots effort that makes a difference. I was glad to help spread the word, and I encourage you to keep Hannah's Helpers on your radar for future events.

👉 Learn more about Hannah's Helpers

🔹 Keep Downey Beautiful Cleanup: Also on Saturday, volunteers gathered for the monthly Keep Downey Beautiful cleanup. These cleanups happen at rotating locations throughout the city, and they are one of the simplest, most direct ways to make our shared spaces safer and more welcoming. No registration required. Just show up at 8:45 AM, and the crew will put you to work.

→ ⚡ Get involved: The cleanups run monthly, year-round. Check the schedule on the city website and bring the family. It is a great way to show our kids what civic responsibility looks like in action.

👉 View the Keep Downey Beautiful schedule

💬 Standing with Survivors

🔹 A moment to acknowledge Dolores Huerta's courage: This week, civil rights icon and United Farm Workers co-founder Dolores Huerta publicly shared that she experienced sexual abuse by Cesar Chavez, breaking a silence she carried for 60 years. The New York Times investigation also revealed allegations involving minors. I want to say clearly: I stand with Dolores Huerta, and I applaud her courage in speaking out. No survivor of sexual abuse should have to carry that burden alone, and certainly not for decades. The values of equity, dignity, and justice that the farmworker movement represents are bigger than any one person, and those values demand that we listen to and believe survivors.

→ 🎯 If you or someone you know needs support: The Dolores Huerta Foundation has compiled a list of resources for survivors of sexual violence. You are not alone, and help is available.

👉 View survivor support resources

📅 Coming Up

🔹 City Council Meeting, Tuesday, March 24, 6:30 PM: Tomorrow evening, we meet in the Council Chambers at Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Ave. Agendas are posted in advance on the city website, and I always encourage you to review them before the meeting. Whether you attend in person or submit written public comment, your participation matters. You belong in that room.

👉 View agendas and city documents

🔹 Mark your calendars for April:

🐣 Bunny Patch: Saturday, April 4, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. A family favorite. More details coming soon from Parks and Recreation.

🏘️ Annual Block Captain Meeting: Tuesday, April 7, 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM. If you are a block captain or want to learn what the program involves, this is your meeting.

♻️ Compost & Shredding Event: Saturday, April 11, 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Independence Park. Bring up to 30 gallons of compost and 3 banker boxes of documents for shredding. ID required.

🔹 World Cup Fan Zone update: A quick reminder that Downey has been designated an official LA World Cup 26 Fan Zone, with a live match viewing event on Saturday, June 20. Programming details are still being finalized, and I will share more as they come. This is a major opportunity for our local businesses and community.

👉 World Cup Fan Zone at City of Downey

📱 Stay Connected

Got a pothole to report, graffiti to flag, or a service request to submit? The Downey Connect App is the fastest, most direct path to getting things done. Available for both Apple and Android.

👉 Download the Downey Connect App

Follow me on Instagram and Facebook for more real-time updates, event highlights, and a look at what I am working on between newsletters.

👉 Follow on Instagram

👉 Follow on Facebook

This was a week that reminded me what Downey does best: show up.

For kids in classrooms, for neighbors walking in support of people with disabilities, for foster youth, for survivors finding the courage to speak. Council meets tomorrow night, and I hope to see some of you there. Looking ahead, April has a full calendar and I will keep you posted every step of the way.

As always, questions, concerns, or ideas? Hit reply. I read every message.

Together, we're building a community that works for everyone. Thank you for staying connected!

Hector Sosa
Councilmember, City of Downey
hecsosa@gmail.com