Members of the Free the Land movement call for the closure of motels on Figueroa they say engage in illicit activity. Their story is part of a series of stories by USC students calling "LA on the Margins"
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Courtesy of Community Coalition
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Courtesy of Community Coalition
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Topline:
On the first day of USC’s Spring term, 11 students came together to learn the art of podcasting and audio storytelling. The assignment for the semester was to come up with segments for a podcast series titled L.A.on the Margins.
Why it matters: Each story would examine how factors like lack of housing, rising costs of food, access to mental healthcare and more, make living in Los Angeles so challenging, if not almost impossible, for some. Professors and story editors Sandy Tolan and Megan Donis urged students to pursue not juststories of hardship, but stories of resilience, triumph and innovation in the face of marginalization; stories that put a human lens on these complex issues.
On the first day of USC’s Spring term, 11 students sat down at the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, eager to work on the art of audio storytelling. The class was called “This California Life: Storytelling for Radio and Podcasting” and the assignment for the semester was to come up with segments for a podcast series titled "L.A. on the Margins."
Audio storytelling
Each story would examine how factors like lack of housing, rising costs of food, access to mental healthcare and more, make living in Los Angeles so challenging, if not almost impossible, for some. Professors and story editors Sandy Tolan and Megan Donis urged students to pursue not juststories of hardship, but stories of resilience, triumph and innovation in the face of marginalization; stories that put a human lens on these complex issues.
We were a mix of students from different backgrounds, all presenting different approaches to the theme — from the number of “hidden” unhoused people living in their cars to the ways the racist practices of redlining were playing out in South Central. Some students came with personal ties to their story ideas; others with just a burning curiosity.
It was quite an introduction — and would set the stage for what became a semester of rigorous reporting, passionate ethics discussions, collaboration and a whole lot of edits and re-edits, to develop our storytelling and sound design skills to produce audio documentaries polished enough to air. As we saw it, the stories were for the L.A. community, from the L.A. community.
Three months later, we came together a final time to hear what became of those early ideas. As our editors hit “play” on each audio file, we could hear and see the stories come to life. We met ambitious transplants, new to L.A., and people who’ve lived here for decades, watching the city shift and change. We laughed along with some of the stories, and felt genuinely moved by others. Many stories took their final form on day-one of the pitches. A few faced sharp turns on the way to our ears.
All are the product of dedication — to the stories covered and the people who opened up to share them. They zoom in on the lives lived on the margins in L.A., and though many more stories remain untold, we hope the series can amplify a few of the voices from our community that we don’t often get to hear.
Hollywood disenchanted
Hollywood. It’s often one of the first things people think about when it comes to L.A. But for many living just below its iconic hills, the industry can present a reality less glamorous than the typical Hollywood plot.
Reporter Liv Keheller set out to hear how the Hollywood dream meets a common reality. In a city full of talented newcomers, and an increasingly high cost of living, the pursuit of one’s creative goals can quickly push someone towards the margins — or to a gym parking lot, as Liv discovers upon meeting Keinon Peirre, a young actor and creator from Chicago. His view of L.A. used to be an idealistic mix of scenes from TV shows and movies, and he was eager to leave his life behind for a part of Hollywood’s magic. “If I can just get there,” he thought, “I’ll be able to make it.”
A self-portrait painted by Keinon Peirre
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Courtesy of Keinon Peirre/ Liv Keheller
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Courtesy of Keinon Peirre/ Liv Keheller
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He arrived in his 2004 Buick, with a small sum of cash, and phase one of the plan complete. Since then, that car has been Keinon’s home, a local Panera Bread his office, and the Burbank Planet Fitness his bathroom and shower. Liv spent months meeting with Keinon as he moved from one location to the next. She brings listeners along to hear updates about small wins and devastating losses. Together they show what life is like when a dream — plus, hard work and best intentions— doesn’t earn you enough to pay for an apartment.
Over the next few weeks, HTLA is bringing you a series of stories produced by journalism students at USC: L.A. On The Margins. In this first episode, reporter Liv Kelleher follows the journey of a young performer as he tries to “make it” in Hollywood — with a nearby Panera Bread as his office, a Planet Fitness as his shower and his car as his only home base.
HTLA Presents: L.A. On The Margins - Hollywood Disenchanted
Over the next few weeks, HTLA is bringing you a series of stories produced by journalism students at USC: L.A. On The Margins. In this first episode, reporter Liv Kelleher follows the journey of a young performer as he tries to “make it” in Hollywood — with a nearby Panera Bread as his office, a Planet Fitness as his shower and his car as his only home base.
It isn’t only housing that some L.A. residents find in short supply. Access to quality, affordable food is also out of reach for many throughout the city. It’s estimated that 30% of households are food insecure across L.A. County, or are lacking reliable access to fresh things to eat.
Nova Blanco Rio, a reporter originally from the Inland Empire, signed up to volunteer with Seeds of Hope, an organization working — on several levels — to alleviate hunger across L.A. Over the course of several months, he joined 5 a.m. runs around the city to deliver fresh produce to neighborhoods in need — and brought his microphone along for the task. What those recordings reveal is something Nova came to see first hand: hunger in Los Angeles has many faces.
Andrew Mendez unloads produce picked up in the morning at Food Forward
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Nova Blanco-Rico
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Nova Blanco-Rico
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As we ride along with Nova and Seeds of Hope distribution coordinator, Andrew Mendez, we’re taken to Boyle Heights, where we meet a transgender college student who, like many students across the city, faces both housing and food insecurity. In South L.A., we’re introduced to a first-generation Mexican immigrant who feels the burden of living in what she describes as a “food desert.” At another stop, we hear from a Ukrainian refugee living in West Hollywood, navigating his new life in a neighborhood lacking fresh food. For listeners, a larger picture emerges of how widespread food insecurity is in L.A.
About 30% of households in LA County are food insecure. In this installment of LA on the Margins, reporter Nova Blanco Rio explores this statistic through intimate snapshots of his time volunteering with food distribution organization Seeds of Hope.
HTLA Presents: L.A. On The Margins - Faces Of Hunger
About 30% of households in LA County are food insecure. In this installment of LA on the Margins, reporter Nova Blanco Rio explores this statistic through intimate snapshots of his time volunteering with food distribution organization Seeds of Hope.
Another organization has formed with a different set of hopes in one particular stretch of South L.A. It’s known as the Figueroa Corridor, and it’s home to a string of old motels the community claims are complicit in sex trafficking crimes. In response, a group of local activists with the Community Coalition, organized an effort to fight back against the alleged exploitation and close down the businesses.
Members of the Community Coalition protest motel businesses in the area. This is part of a series of stories produced by USC students, "LA on the Margins"
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Courtesy of the Community Coalition
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Courtesy of the Community Coalition
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Their campaign is calledFree the Land. Its goal: to reclaim their neighborhood by holding owners accountable, and converting the motels into other kinds of spaces that would benefit the wider community: rooms for the unhoused, rec centers or parks. When reporter Erick Treviño read about this effort, he grabbed his recording equipment and headed to the Corridor.
In this episode of LA on the Margins, USC Erick Treviño meets the people behind the “Free The Land" campaign, and learns how their own experiences growing up on the corridor have shaped their activism.
HTLA Presents: L.A. On The Margins - Free The Land
In this episode of LA on the Margins, USC Erick Treviño meets the people behind the “Free The Land" campaign, and learns how their own experiences growing up on the corridor have shaped their activism.
For other Angelenos trying to move beyond challenging pasts, it’s a journey toward healing. For years, L.A. County has funded treatment programs to address cycles of incarceration and homelessness that often affect those suffering from mental health issues and substance abuse. The idea is to keep people out of jail or other institutions. But often the re-entry facilities that offered these programs just felt, to the participants, like they were just moving from one institution to another.
One provider, a nonprofit called SSG Alliance, saw an opportunity to try something different. They’d put addiction counselors, therapists and enrichment opportunities — like art classes — together under the same roof as residents. The idea was to make this place of transition feel more like a home than an institutional setting.
Claudia’s spaceman painting, taken June 4, 2024. Claudia painted this while in the transitional home in Boyle Heights.
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Rebecca Gutierrez
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Rebecca Gutierrez
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Examples of client artwork hanging in the transitional home in Boyle Heights
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Rebecca Gutierrez
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Rebecca Gutierrez
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It ended up looking like a home too — an old craftsman in Boyle Heights, as reporter Kira Brenner describes while leading her listeners to the front door. Brenner is studying narrative medicine at USC, not journalism, yet she dove straight into the world of audio production to craft an intimate look at two women transitioning out of prison inside the SSG house.
Their stories are told through audio alone, but you can easily visualize their journey as the reporter vividly describes their surroundings and the art each woman has produced as part of their healing. For the residents of SSG house, self-expression is not only life changing, but life saving.
Today we have another story from LA On The Margins. This time, a transition home that aims to help those who’ve struggled with their mental health and/or a history of addiction. Reporter Kira Brenner takes us to a place that mixes counselors, therapists, and enrichment opportunities – like art classes – into something that feels more like a home.
HTLA Presents: L.A. On The Margins - Halfway Home
Today we have another story from LA On The Margins. This time, a transition home that aims to help those who’ve struggled with their mental health and/or a history of addiction. Reporter Kira Brenner takes us to a place that mixes counselors, therapists, and enrichment opportunities – like art classes – into something that feels more like a home.
In one of the most hard-hitting reports produced for our series, Sophie Sullivan, the sole undergraduate of the group, tells the stories of two grieving mothers. Both had sons incarcerated at Men’s Central Jail in L.A. Both sons died while in the custody of the jail.
Handpainted signs used as part of a protest calling for closure of Men's Central Jail. These were used during a protest of the LA Board of Supervisors meeting on January 30th, 2024 where the Jail Closure Implementation Team gave a report about what it would take — and the timeline — to close MCJ.
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Sophie Sullivan
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Photo of people calling for the closure of Men's Central Jail taken outside Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration on January 30, 2024 — the day the county's Jail Closure Implementation Team gave a report to the LA County Board of Supervisors about what it would take to close Men's Central Jail, three years after the board had voted to shut it down. This story is told as part of USC Student reported series "LA on the Margins"
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Sophie Sullivan
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Sophie Sullivan
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As Sophie finds in her reporting, there’s been a history of in-custody deaths at Men’s Central Jail and across the L.A. County jail system. The reasons cited for these deaths have oftentimes been vague and, the mothers tell Sophie, do not make sense. Some of these mothers have sought second autopsies for their sons as they try to understand why they died.
Sophie's story introduces real, raw stories of grief and uncertainty. These mothers still haven’t found the answers they want about their sons’ alleged causes of death, but they have found strength in organizing around their pursuit of information. Together they call for transparency at Men’s Central. They want answers, and they want justice. They want their stories to be told.
We're back with another installment of LA On The Margins. This time, reporter Sophie Sullivan takes us to the largest jail in LA County — a jail considered by many to be uninhabitable, and which, in 2021, was ordered closed by L.A. County Supervisors due to "inhumane conditions." But the jail still stands today. In this episode, we hear from families whose loved ones died while in custody of the jail and who now seek answers as to why.
A warning - this episode contains mentions of suicide and includes strong language.
HTLA Presents: L.A. On The Margins - Mens Central Jail
We're back with another installment of LA On The Margins. This time, reporter Sophie Sullivan takes us to the largest jail in LA County — a jail considered by many to be uninhabitable, and which, in 2021, was ordered closed by L.A. County Supervisors due to "inhumane conditions." But the jail still stands today. In this episode, we hear from families whose loved ones died while in custody of the jail and who now seek answers as to why.
A warning - this episode contains mentions of suicide and includes strong language.
As we’ve seen through every story told in our series, L.A. is a diverse tapestry of cultures and stories. The city draws people from around the globe and, often, two people from very different backgrounds connect.
Yundie Li, a Chinese reporter, came to L.A. to attend USC. One day, as she chatted with the Uber driver who responded to her request, she heard a story she wanted to tell. When they reached her destination, Yundie asked him if she could meet with him again. She was going to bring her mic.
Jahmark, a reggae artist, drives an Uber to help support his craft. His story is told as part of a USC student led series "LA on the Margins"
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Yundie Li
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Yundie Li
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The driver, who goes by the single name Jahmark, is an immigrant from Jamaica, who drifted across the U.S. and Japan before landing in L.A. to focus on his music career. When he isn’t behind the wheel, he is writing and performing original reggae, sharing a part of his culture with his new community.
Jahmark is inspired by the legend of his time, Bob Marley, and influenced by the struggles he’s endured as a middle-aged, Black immigrant in an youthful industry prone to prejudice. Even with some successful performances and a few features on movie soundtracks, he says he still needs to drive people around town to make ends meet and support his art.
By the end of Yundie’s audio adventure, his positive spirit seeps through the speakers with humor and warmth. And with clips of his music sprinkled throughout, it’s hard not to dance along for the ride, especially at an oceanside concert, to hear Jahmark perform live. Even with a pull toward its margins, Jahmark seems to find the kind of magic that brought him to L.A.
In this installment of LA On The Margins, we meet a reggae artist who is trying to make it in this beautiful, complicated city... and supporting his art by driving for Uber. Through reporter Yundie Li, we learn about his struggle with balancing the "city of the gig worker" with the "city of creativity."
HTLA Presents: L.A. On The Margins - Jahmark, the soul shaker
In this installment of LA On The Margins, we meet a reggae artist who is trying to make it in this beautiful, complicated city... and supporting his art by driving for Uber. Through reporter Yundie Li, we learn about his struggle with balancing the "city of the gig worker" with the "city of creativity."
Elly Yu
reports on early childhood. From housing to health, she covers issues facing the youngest Angelenos and their families.
Published April 3, 2026 5:00 AM
Under a new law that went into effect this year, childcare providers are barred from asking about a child's or family member’s immigration status.
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Maria Gutierrez
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LAist
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Topline:
Under a new law that went into effect this year, childcare providers are barred from asking about a child's or family member’s immigration status.
What’s new: California Attorney General Rob Bonta provided guidance this week to childcare providers on new legal requirements to protect children and their families from immigration enforcement activities.
The backstory: Lawmakers passed AB 495 last year aimed at helping and protecting families in light of immigration enforcement, including allowing a broader definition of relatives to step in as a caregiver if a parent is detained.
The details: Under the new requirements, childcare centers have to regularly update a child’s emergency contact to make sure someone can be reached in the case of a parent being detained.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta provided guidance this week to childcare providers on new legal requirements to protect children and their families from immigration enforcement activities.
Under a new law that went into effect this year, childcare providers are not allowed to collect information about a child's or family member’s immigration status, unless necessary under state or federal law. Bonta’s office says there currently is no such requirement, though that could change with federal programs like Head Start.
“Childcare and preschool facilities should be safe and secure spaces so children can grow, learn and simply be children,” Bonta said in a statement.
His office says daycare centers also should not keep information about a formerly enrolled child longer than is required by state law.
The new law also requires facilities to inform the attorney general’s office and the state’s licensing agency if they get any requests for information from law enforcement related to immigration enforcement.
Facilities also must ask families to regularly update a child’s emergency contact information to make sure someone can be reached in case a parent is detained by federal immigration officials.
Warnings and advisories: Wind advisory, High Wind Advisory
What to expect: Partly cloudy skies, warmer weather and strong winds courtesy of the Santa Ana winds.
Read on ... for more details.
QUICK FACTS
Today’s weather: Partly cloudy
Beaches: Mid-70s
Mountains: Mid-60s to around 70 degrees
Inland: 75 to 81 degrees
Warnings and advisories: Wind advisory, High Wind Advisory
The Santa Ana winds are here to welcome us into the weekend, bringing warmer temperatures.
The winds will reach Point Mugu to the Santa Clarita Valley, down to Orange County and parts of the Inland Empire valleys and foothills east of the 5 Freeway.
Peak gusts are expected to reach 35 to 55 mph. The western San Gabriel Mountains, Highway 14 corridor, Santa Susana Mountains and the western Santa Monica Mountains are under a high wind warning until 6 p.m., when gusts could reach 65 mph.
As for temperatures, highs for L.A. County beaches will reach the upper 70s and up to the low 80s for inland areas.
Parts of Orange County and Coachella Valley will see temperatures in the mid- to upper 80s, with the warmest areas expected to reach 88 degrees.
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Jill Replogle
covers public corruption, debates over our voting system, culture war battles — and more.
Published April 3, 2026 5:00 AM
Green Cheek Beer Company in Costa Mesa is one of many local breweries that welcomes small humans and furry friends.
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Jill Replogle
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LAist
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Topline:
Getting together with friends at a bar or pub tends to get a lot harder when children and needy pets enter the mix. But Orange County has a solution — dog- and kid-friendly breweries.
Key ingredients: Spacious patios, a water bowl for the pooch, and food — either made onsite or, at the least, easy and quick to order and get delivered from somewhere else. Plus, of course, great beer from small, independent, local breweries.
Where to go: We have recommendations in Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, and Fountain Valley.
Getting together with friends at a bar or pub tends to get a lot harder when children and needy pets enter the mix. One solution — Breweries! Beer gardens! Brewpubs!
Because parents (of kids and pets) want to go out, too — and not necessarily to a fast food restaurant with an indoor playground and no beer.
Thankfully, the Orange County suburbs where I live have gotten on board with my family- and pet-friendly craft brewery dreams. The key ingredients for me are spacious patios, a water bowl for the pooch, and food — either made onsite or, at the least, easy and quick to order and get delivered from somewhere else. Board and pub games are an added bonus.
Plus, of course, great beer from small, independent, local breweries. On the beer front, I was pleasantly surprised by the variety of beer I encountered on my self-arranged tour of breweries in the Costa Mesa-Huntington Beach area.
Gone are the dark, dank days of nothing but IPA (IYKYK); now, you can find everything from pickle-tinged blondes, to mild sours, to rich and creamy stouts. If you’re not a big beer fan, every place I visited also had their own craft-made hard seltzers on the menu, as well as some non-alcoholic beverages.
Here are some of my favorites:
Riip (Huntington Beach)
Riip in Huntington Beach has two spots with full kitchens specializing in pizza and a wide variety of IPAs and other beer styles.
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Riip has been a family favorite since the company opened its first tasting room in Sunset Beach in 2015, with board games and tables the kids could write on. They have since expanded a lot, with a pizzeria next door and another location near Fountain Valley, which also serves excellent pizza, and has a small arcade to keep the kiddos busy.
One thing they do especially well: For serious IPA drinkers, Riip is your place. They usually have at least half a dozen different IPAs on tap, along with a decent variety of other beers, lighter and darker.
This place is great for … dinner after the kids’ [insert sport] game. Also for date night.
Locations: 17236 Pacific Coast Highway; 19171 Magnolia Street #12, Huntington Beach Hours: Monday through Thurs, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
At Flashpoint Brewing Company in Huntington Beach, you can check out the brewing vats and other machinery up close while enjoying the results.
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Flashpoint Brewing Co. (Huntington Beach)
I only recently discovered Flashpoint, which opened in 2020 on an industrial street near Huntington Beach Central Park. I actually love this aspect of craft brewery taprooms: they’re often located outside of trendy food and retail areas because they need to be able to actually brew beer there as well as serve it.
Flashpoint has a big patio lit with fairy lights. The tall doors of their brewing area, and an adjacent room with the taps and more tables are rolled up during opening hours, giving it a spacious, indoor-outdoor feel.
One thing they do especially well: All the beers I tried were highly drinkable. In other words, not crazy hoppy or overly heavy on flavors. The nectarine sour was especially good, refreshing with just the right amount of tartness.
This place is great for … An early evening toast, watching the clouds turn pink.
Location: 7302 Autopark Drive, Huntington Beach Hours: Monday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Friday, 1 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Saturday, 12:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Sunday, 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Green Cheek Beer Co. in Costa Mesa serves great beer and food, including shareable, snackable items like pad thai cauliflower.
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Green Cheek Beer Co. (Costa Mesa)
Green Cheek Beer Co. now has three locations in Orange County and one in Oceanside. Their Costa Mesa spot is conveniently located not far from the city’s Bark Park. So, naturally, after my pooch has fun, I deserve a cold one.
Green Cheek has a huge covered patio filled with long picnic tables. My dog, Ace, was very happy to find a bowl of water set out for their canine visitors, and lots of pets from the humans.
One thing they do especially well: Green Cheek makes great beer. But what I love most about their Costa Mesa spot is that you can soak up the alcohol with food, including smash burgers, tots, and pad thai cauliflower, from their good and reliably fast kitchen.
This place is great for … reading a book, or making a new friend! Their long picnic tables make it easy to opt in or out of the surrounding social scene.
Location: 2957 Randolph Avenue, Unit B, Costa Mesa Hours: Sunday through Wednesday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Thursday to Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Bootlegger's Brewery outside the LAB Anti-Mall in Costa Mesa has a quiet patio for day drinking, and a lively trivia night scene.
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Bootlegger’s Brewery (Costa Mesa)
Within walking distance of Green Cheek is Bootlegger’s Brewery. Bootlegger’s started in Fullerton, and now also has tasting rooms in Costa Mesa and Redlands.
Their Costa Mesa spot is on the outskirts of the LAB Anti-Mall, a collection of small businesses and restaurants, at least one of which will deliver food to your table. A section of the parking lot has been turned into a nice outdoor patio with sun shades for daytime and heat lamps for chillier evening hours.
One thing they do especially well: Their Kosher Crusher pickle blonde ale. They debuted it last fall and it is seriously good — light, refreshing, and just a little bit zesty.
This place is great for … “working” on a Friday afternoon (I was not the only one there typing one-handed on my laptop with a beer in the other), and then inviting friends to join you for happy hour.
Location: 696 Randolph Avenue, Suite B, Costa Mesa Hours: Sunday through Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.
There's an ambiance for everyone at Salty Bear Brewing Co. in Costa Mesa.
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Salty Bear Brewing Company
Salty Bear is part of The Camp, an uber-cool retail and restaurant complex also within walking distance of Green Cheek and Bootlegger’s (you can do a tasting tour!).
Salty Bear is worth a visit for the aesthetics alone. It has a great bar with midcentury tiling and dimpled red leather. The sprawling, leafy outdoor patio provides plenty of room for the kids to wander.
One thing they do especially well: Their Coastline Strawberry Blonde made me nostalgic for the fruity beers that got me hooked on craft beer in my 20s — but so much better.
This place is great for … Kickin’ it on the patio with friends, either listening to live music, or letting your kids practice performing on the teepee-themed outdoor stage.
Location: 2948 Randolph Avenue, C, Costa Mesa Hours: Monday through Wednesday, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Thursday: 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday, noon to 11 p.m.; Saturday, noon to 10 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 8 p.m.
Aaron Schrank
has been on the ground, reporting on homelessness and other issues in L.A. for more than a decade.
Published April 2, 2026 4:23 PM
Supervisor Holly Mitchell, L.A. County Department of Public Health Director Dr. Barbara Ferrer, actor Danny Trejo and others gathered at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in Wilmington.
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Aaron Schrank
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LAist
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Topline:
A new private foundation called The Fund for Advancing Public Health LA launched Thursday, aiming to raise $2 million to shore up county health services this year. It comes after the Department of Public Health closed seven clinics following $50 million in funding cuts since early 2025.
Who's behind it: The foundation's board includes Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer, the CEOs of Blue Shield of California Foundation and LA Care Health Plan, actors Sean Penn and Danny Trejo and more. Board member Saree Kayne of the R&S Kayne Foundation pledged $150,000 at the launch. Ferrer acknowledged it's "a hard day" when a public agency has to turn to private donors to fund basic services.
Deeper cuts ahead: The federal "Big Beautiful Bill" slashes Medi-Cal funding, and the department anticipates losing up to $300 million over the next three years. Federal dollars account for nearly half the public health budget.
Some government funding streams for L.A. County’s public health system are drying up, and officials are turning to private philanthropy to fill the gap.
A new privately funded foundation launched Thursday to strengthen public health services after $50 million in federal, state and local funding cuts to the county’s Department of Public Health since early last year.
“It is really a hard day for our community when we have to ask for private donations to fund a public good, but unfortunately, we've lost too much money to not take this important step,” said Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer.
In February, the county’s Public Health Department closed seven clinics, with six remaining open. About half of the patients seen in those clinics are uninsured, according to county officials. The department also cut hundreds of staff positions.
She said the fund will help the county maintain its basic public health infrastructure, including disease prevention, health promotion, environmental health, and emergency response efforts.
Other board members include several health insurance executives, as well as actors Sean Penn and Danny Trejo. Board member Saree Kayne of the R&S Kayne Foundation pledged $150,000 to the fund Thursday. Kayne said she hopes the donation encourages others to give.
The foundation aims to raise $2 million this year.
More cuts expected
L.A. County Supervisor Holly Mitchell said it’s crucial to have an alternative funding stream to protect services for the county's most vulnerable residents.
“We are saving public health,” Mitchell said. “This fund represents a new approach, one that brings together government philanthropy in the private sector to invest in community-based solutions, protect vulnerable populations, and strengthen our public health infrastructure.”
Officials say more public health cuts are coming, through the federal budget law known as the "Big Beautiful Bill," which slashes funding for Medi-Cal.
The county Department of Public Health anticipates losing up to $300 million in revenue over the next three years because of the federal budget bill and other potential funding freezes. Federal funding accounts for almost 50% of the public health budget, according to county officials.
Mitchell also led an effort to put a half-percent county sales tax increase to fund public health on the June ballot.
If approved by voters, that proposal, known as Measure ER, is expected to raise about $1 billion a year for county safety net health services, including about $100 million for the public health department.
