Dear vecinos de Ward 5,
This month, we celebrated Fiestas Patrias in our beautiful Calle Cuatro, where we welcomed thousands to the heart of Orange County to celebrate our heritage with love, music, and food. On Saturday evening, I took part in El Grito alongside our City Council, the Mexican Consulate in Santa Ana, and a delegation from our sister city, Sahuayo, Mexico. Then on Sunday, our annual Fiestas Patrias parade featured various local groups, schools, and elected officials doing wonderful work supporting our residents.
As part of my parade section, I invited Teresa Nieves, who is the owner of the oldest Mexican restaurant in Santa Ana, Sariñana’s Tamale Factory, and her family. I also featured Tracie Guzman and her grandchildren, whose family took part in the landmark case Mendez, et al v. Westminster School District in 1947, which officially desegregated schools in Orange County. These two families represent the spirit of Santa Ana and I was honored to be joined by them. In the midst of the ongoing attacks on our communities, it was a joy to see that we could still come together and celebrate our culture as Latinos.
If you weren’t able to attend Fiestas Patrias, please consider attending local events to connect with your neighbors. In October, the Willard Neighborhood Association will be hosting their first ever Trunk or Treat event. In a time when families are being separated, it is important that we build our networks and support each other.
Additionally, I want to encourage you to get involved with local groups doing necessary work against the attacks on our community. Here are a few you can follow on social media for updates on ICE raids, legal resources, and mutual aid:
OC Community Self-Defense Coalition
There are a myriad of ways to support these organizations, whether by ICE watching in your neighborhood, protecting jornaleros at your local Home Depot, making a financial donation, or simply sharing and reposting their content on social media. Let us continue to fight for our immigrant neighbors and community.
STAY TRUCHA!
Your councilmember and neighbor,
Johnathan Ryan Hernandez
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Community News
OCFA Push-In Ceremony
Los Grandes Originales Ribbon Cutting
On September 7th, we gave an official welcome to restaurant Los Grandes Originales, a business with roots in Ward 5. Los Grandes Originales offers high-quality and authentic Mexican food and celebrated their grand opening with our friends in the Santaneros Car Club, a mariachi, and vendors that represent the Santa Ana spirit. Councilmember Thai Phan and I attended the ribbon-cutting to welcome Los Grandes Originales to Ward 1. If you’re ever on 1st and Harbor, swing by to Los Grandes OG and try some of their famous tacos!
Sahuayo Delegation Visit and Tour
I was honored to provide a tour of local spots to a delegation visiting from Sahuayo, Mexico, and brought them to Santa Ana staples like Sariñana’s Tamale Factory, our Jerome Park outdoor library, and the new Delhi Library branch. We rolled up in classic cars and shared what makes Santa Ana unique. It was a wonderful experience to engage in a dialogue with our sister city and spend an afternoon featuring the best spots of Santa Ana.
Special thanks to Tony Longoria of the Orange County Car Club for sharing his lowrider and creating an unforgettable experience on the streets of Santa Ana!
Fiestas Patrias Highlights!
Despite the attacks on our community, our residents still came out and showed our Latino pride and solidarity during our annual parade! Our office was also out both days at the festival providing resources. Check out some photos our office took throughout the celebration! Viva!
Upcoming Events & Meetings
10/3 – 10/4 – Latinx Parenting Professionals Intensive
We would like to invite you to join us for our upcoming Latinx Parenting Professionals Intensive (LPPI), taking place October 2 and 3 (Thursday-Friday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.) at the Latino Health Access Offices here in Santa Ana.
Our two-day LPPI training provides a dedicated space for educators, mental health providers, and community leaders to come together for meaningful reflection, critical dialogue, and collaborative conversations. Together, we explore how to better support the families we serve and chart a path toward collective action in our community.
Our LPPI training meets the qualifications for 8 hours of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
If interested, learn more here!
10/3 – International Older Adults Celebration
The Senior Services team invites the older adult community to join us for our 3rd annual International Older Adults Celebration! This FREE community event for those 55+ can enjoy a day full of fun, featuring live performances by our very own Santa Ana seniors, resource booths, prizes, music and dancing, and much more! Free health screenings will also be available. Come over to Jerome Park and celebrate with us.
Register for the Older Adults Celebration
10/11 – Willard Neighborhood Association Trunk or Treat
The Willard Neighborhood Association will be hosting its first ever Trunk or Treat at Willard Intermediate on October 11 at 5 p.m. Please consider joining with your family to participate in fun activities like a dog Halloween costume contest, face-painting, and a spooky movie! The event will also include resources from the City of Santa Ana and local community partners. Don’t miss out on food, fun, and a frightening night!
Follow the WNA instagram here for updates or to get involved!
10/25 – Jerome Recreation Center: Spooktacular Open House
Get ready for a spooky night full of thrills at the Jerome Recreation Center!
Enjoy games, music, activities, a haunted house, costume contest, and learn all about the amazing programs and services offered by your local community center. Free and open to all ages.
City of Santa Ana Resources
Ayuda Sin Fronteras Immigration Fund Now Available on City Website!
At the City of Santa Ana, we understand that the current federal immigration enforcement activity in our community is creating fear and uncertainty. We are committed to empowering every resident with the tools they need to support themselves and their families. That’s why I’m happy to share our immigration fund program, Ayuda Sin Fronteras, which is now active on the COSA website.
On July 1, 2025, the City Council unanimously approved an emergency housing assistance program for Santa Ana families impacted by immigration enforcement. The program uses local funds from the City’s events budget; $100,000 has been set-aside for this program.
We offer emergency housing assistance grants for families that have been impacted by immigration enforcement (ICE/CBP/Border Patrol) activity. We offer up to one month’s worth of housing expenses to help with past due rent and utility bills.
If you or someone you know needs such assistance, please direct them to the website to submit!
Access the Ayuda Sin Fronteras page here!
Need help with an ongoing problem? Report it on the mySantaAna app!
Free Santa Ana Days
Resident Days at the Zoo • Third Sunday of each Month
Bowers Museum free Sundays • Santa Ana residents get in free each Sunday
Discovery Cube Waste Free Days • Santa Ana residents get free admission to the Discovery Cube on the first Tuesday of the month
Finding Art Near You
Everyone should be able to create and be creative in their own way. Below are a few Santa Ana resources for art and arts education: