WE ARE D5 MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
December 2024
Hi friends,
We've come to the end of 2024 and have the opportunity to reflect on the year that has passed and everything that has taken place. This December isn't just the end of the year, it's also the conclusion of my first term as your District 5 Supervisor. I couldn't be prouder of the work that we've been able to accomplish together. It's been an incredible four years full of learning, advocacy and discovery. Looking back, I'm reminded that each day that I have the great honor to represent this special comunidad that I have called home my entire life. I hope that you and all of your loved ones have a very peaceful holiday season. As I look forward to a New Year that will ring in 2025, I am very thankful for my familia, friends and all of the residents of D5!
As always, we are here to serve our community so please feel free to reach out to our office at district5@pima.gov anytime and follow us on social media to stay updated on what we are up to.
Thanks,
(Para español, haga click en el botón de arriba a la derecha y seleccione el idioma español.)
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THE PEOPLE OF DISTRICT 5
YOUTH SPOTLIGHT
Photo taken during the El Pueblo Día de Muertos Community Altar Celebration
Jeanette Mendoza, a Sunnyside High School Senior, has recently been honored by the University of Arizona's Research, Innovation & Impact department's Young Women of Impact Program, which recognizes young women throughout Southern Arizona demonstrating a significant commitment to helping their schools and communities. Being one of the recipients of this award is a significant honor, and Jeanette has shown that, through passion and dedication to the core values of the Women of Impact initiative, as well as her perseverance and drive, she is well-deserving of this recognition. Not only has she excelled academically, taking AP and College-level courses, but she has also been part of organizations and clubs like Los Diablitos Mariachi and Sunnyside's BioTech program. Jeanette takes advantage of all resources and opportunities available to her and does so while demonstrating exceptional kindness toward her peers and others.
Felicidades!
D5 BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
VECINOS IN ACTION
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Photo collage courtesy of Tucsontopia and Midtown Mercantile
Looking for the perfect place to find unique gifts this holiday season? Take some time to explore both floors of the wonderful Midtown Mercantile Antique & Vintage Mall at 3330 E. Speedway Boulevard for one of Tucson's best vintage and artisan shopping experiences! From midcentury furniture to modern artwork, Midtown Mercantile is sure to have something for everyone. Each booth, curated by local owners passionate about their own special areas of expertise, offers a diverse array of the treasures of yesteryear that could be yours in the future! This holiday season, and every day, remember to shop local and shop small!
Photo from the 11th Annual Shoe & Jacket Drive
It’s the holiday season, and what better way to celebrate than helping distribute presents to 200 students from ten different schools in the community! Every year, Maria Vianey Valdez-Cardenas and United Hearts for Arizona host a shoe, toy, and jacket Distribution Drive for students from different schools in the community. Especially during this season of giving, we are appreciative of United Hearts for helping provide the holiday spirit with young people who might not otherwise get presents or new necessities. It's always wonderful to see so many happy families at this event and thank you, United Hearts, for sharing that joy with so many and supporting our schools and neighborhoods that need it most!
POLICY UPDATES
SOMOS D5 STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATES
Every month, D5 will be highlighting an accomplishment that directly meets the goals and priorities of our Somos D5 Strategic Plan.
Over the past four years, the D5 Strategic Plan has been a guiding hand for our office and the policies, actions, and positions we've been able to advocate for to help our County employees and our community. From preserving and protecting open space, developing protections and standing against pollution and encroachment, and elevating Indigenous voices and partnerships to developing affordable housing, dedicating millions to the creation of quality early childhood education and championing protections and policies that provide our community with programs to help their mental health, access to healthcare, and expanded services, the past four years have been a demonstration of the great work government can do with collaboration, perseverance, and commitment. Without the community-led and -created priorities for our office, though, much of the work that our office has been able to accomplish would not have been possible. Thank you to all of the partners and community members who have kept us moving forward!
Check out our Somos D5 Strategic Plan webpage to learn more about each of our priorities or click the button below to dowload our complete Strategic Plan!
Check out our new Term in Review webpage to see an overview of the past four years, including policy decisions and Board of Supervisors actions!
DECEMBER
2024 40/40 Awards
Congratulations to the 2024 winners of the 40/40 Awards, presented by the Southern Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce! Thank you each of the honorees for all that you do in our community to make it better! This year’s class is a diverse one with honorees from a wide range of industries, backgrounds, skills, and professions, and a very special shoutout to Dan Sullivan, Director of Community & Workforce, Pima County, Jessica Howe, Director of Education and Co-Founder, Earnest House, Evelyn Jaramillo, Autism Facilitator, Sunnyside Unified School District, and Jessica Bernal-Mejia, Educator, Tucson Unified School District!
4th Annual Women in Action Care Celebration
One of the best events of the year celebrating some of the best people in our community! The 4th Annual Women in Action Care Celebration with Care in Action US was as wonderful as always, honoring advocates and organizers who have supporter care workers, are making a difference, and continue to push for progress, equity, and inclusion. A great privilege to accept this year’s Care Champion Award on behalf of my dad, Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva, and to recognize the legacy and leadership of this year’s honorees!
Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl
Celebrating the 9th Arizona Bowl-- this year presented by Gin & Juice by Dre and Snoop Dogg, and with participating sponsorship by Pima County! Tucson welcomed Miami (Ohio) Redhawks and Colorado State Rams fans! Loved that Tucson was able to showcase the amazing talent of our young people through music from our best local mariachi groups at every gate. The Arizona Bowl is a Tucson tradition that provides student, fans, and our local community the opportunity to experience college football and all the fun that comes with a game.
SATEC Ribbon Cutting with Pima Community College
Cutting the ribbon on a new chapter! The District 5 office had the opportunity to join the ribbon cutting for the brand-new Southern Arizona Technology & Entrepreneurship Center (SATEC), located right in the heart of D5, at the Pima Community College Downtown Campus. Excited to see the endless opportunities this new center has for our future entrepreneurs, innovators and startups in the Information Technology, Applied Technology, and Manufacturing sectors.
3rd Annual City of Tucson Disability Pride Day
The D5 office celebrated the 3rd Annual Tucson Disability Pride Day with City of Tucson Ward 2 Council Member Paul Cunningham, the Ward 2 Office, and community members— a beautiful event celebrating visibility, accessibility, and advocacy by and for all those in our community who are differently or atypically abled and their supporters! This event included speaking programs, activities, resources and information, food, and more. Thank you to all of the organizers who have created such an amazing opportunity to celebrate being proud of who you are!
Barrio Hollywood Christmas Party
A lovely and festive opportunity to spend some time with the Barrio Hollywood Neighborhood Association for their annual Christmas Party and Toy Drive! Great to see so many neighbors out enjoying themselves and thank you to the Board for working to serve the residents of Barrio Hollywood! Neighborhood gatherings like this one are amazing ways to build community and help residents feel connected and engaged with their neighborhoods.