Advocacy — Stories — City Heights CDC

CEPS Program Hosts Tenant and Landlord Education Workshop Series (2/11)

During this series of workshops, our team’s goal is to inform tenants and landlords about their duties and rights, ensuring fair practices and protections are in place for both.

Advocacy, Eviction PreventionDes ReyesOctober 24, 2023Eviction Prevention, CEPS, Coordinated Eviction Prevention Systems

Introducing "People. Power. Mobility."—A Story of 10+ Years of Community Advocacy

Driven by a series of conversations with the City Heights community, the film portrays a complicated and moving narrative of the grassroots organizing, participatory planning and community advocacy that goes into creating a more equitable, transit-accessible City Heights.

Advocacy, Transportation & PlanningMatthew WillinghamMay 24, 2023Evan Apodaca, Transportation & Planning, transportation justice, Active Transportation

We're Honored To Be The New Business Improvement District Advisory Board for the University Ave Corridor!

City Heights Community Development makes this announcement with such excitement and hope for our business community. Personally, I make this announcement with jubilance but also so much emotion for how much it means to come back to the community and corridor that I knew so well going up in City Heights.

Economic Development, AdvocacyMatthew WillinghamMay 10, 2023University Avenue, Business Improvement District Advisory Board, City Heights Business Association, San Diego City Council

We Stand w/ Immigrant Street Vendors! See a Statement From the Mexican Consulate

We are still shocked at the treatment of Mr. Andrés Argüelles Álvarez and are thrilled to announce he’s been accepted into the next training cohort of the San Diego Food Justice Project! Click to read a statement on the issue of street vending and racism from our friends at the Consulate General of Mexico.

Advocacy, Economic DevelopmentMatthew WillinghamApril 7, 2023Mexican Consulate, Street Vending, Andrés Argüelles Álvarez, San Diego Food Justice, Logan Heights CDC

The ‘Unity in the Community’ Mural’s Dedication Before the Dedication

The dedication event was a beautiful reminder of all that goes into enhancing the quality of life in our community. Some projects take years of red tape, advocacy, and community planning to come to fruition, and this mural was no exception.

Placemaking, AdvocacyMatthew WillinghamMarch 29, 2023Maria Cortez, Teralta Park, Unity in the Community Mural, Placemaking, Mural, Street Art, Community Art

VIDEO: Rapid 625 Route Coming Soon!

The new Rapid 625 MTS bus route will travel from Southwest Chula Vista to San Diego State University while servicing several environmental justice communities, including City Heights!

Transportation & Planning, AdvocacyMatthew WillinghamMarch 21, 2023Metropolitan Transit System (MTS), Rapid 625, transportation justice, Chula Vista, San Diego State University, Environmental JusticeComment

Promotoras Training Commences at the City Heights Library

City Heights CDC, along with our partners, Vecinos de City Heights and Mo Human, began its training with a new cohort of Promotoras in City Heights.

Advocacy, Economic Development, Leadership DevelopmentDes ReyesFebruary 3, 2023Economic Development, promotoras, community orgs

Community Innovation & Advocacy Leads to Faster Transit!

When traveling by bus across the I-805 and the SR-94 this year, commuters noticed their trip looked a bit different—and faster. During peak hours, the Rapid Route 225 are now using the shoulder lanes to breeze through traffic!

Transportation & Planning, AdvocacyMatthew WillinghamDecember 9, 2022I-805, Bus on Shoulder Pilot Program, Metropolitan Transit System (MTS), SANDAG, CALTRANS, U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration, Rapid 225 Bus Route, SR-94, MTS, California Highway Patrol, Federal Transit Administration, Bus on Shoulder Pilot Project, Built Environment Team

Nearly 100 Residents Gave Feedback At Transit & Tacos!

Close to 100 community members met in the corner of 54th St & El Cajon Blvd to share input on the proposed Rapid 625 Route. This 200$ Million project will connect Chula Vista, National City, Southeast San Diego, City Heights and SDSU!

Transportation & Planning, AdvocacyMatthew WillinghamNovember 14, 2022Transit & Tacos, Transit, El Cajon Boulevard, SANDAG

Mi Pequeña Lucia, The Story of A Women-Owned Sidewalk Flower Shop (Story 23/40)

Almost everyday, you will find Nancy selling flowers. She owns and runs Mi Pequeña Lucia. More than a year ago, Mi Pequeña Lucia was nonexistent and Nancy was unemployed…

Personal Stories, Economic Development, AdvocacyMatthew WillinghamSeptember 21, 2022Tierra Central, Flower Shop, Fern Street Circus, Sidewalk Vendors, 40for40, 40th StoriesComment

Meet Maria—Bulldog Community Advocate & Friend (Story 21/40)

As one of our most veteran staff members, Maria has spent decades working and waiting for promises to be kept. She was part of some of the earliest advocacy work dating back to The Visions Project.

Advocacy, Our StaffMatthew WillinghamSeptember 12, 202240for40, 40th Stories

MTS Social Equity Listening Tour: Second City Heights Listening Session

The Second City Heights Listening Session will be held virtually via Zoom and take place Thursday August 18th, 2022 from 5:00PM to 6:30PM. The first 40 participants who RSVP and participate throughout the session will have a $25 gift card mailed to compensate for their time and valuable input.

Transportation & Planning, AdvocacyMatthew WillinghamAugust 17, 2022Transit, Transit & Tacos, Transportation Justice, Metropolitan Transit System (MTS), MTS Social Equity Listening Tour, Pueblo Planning, Built Environment Team, transit investments

Celebrate Resilience? Sure, But Go Further!

Have you noticed how often people celebrate resilience?

It’s really easy to do, and it makes sense—people love a good underdog story. It’s inspiring to see someone overcome obstacles, but resilience narratives alone just aren’t enough.

AdvocacyMatthew WillinghamMarch 30, 2022Resilience Narratives

Thanks to All Who Spoke On Behalf of the Sidewalk Vending Policy!

For the first time in the City of San Diego, sidewalk vendors will have an opportunity to own a business. We always knew these vendors were an essential part of our communities, but now they will have path to make that official!

Economic Development, Transportation & Planning, AdvocacyMatthew WillinghamFebruary 10, 2022Sidewalk Vendors, Sidewalk Vending Ordinance, Sean Elo-Rivera, Monica Montgomery, Business for Good, Raul Campillo, Street Ven, Street, Street Vending

Meet Yolanda, A San Diego Latino Health Coalition Promotora

I’ve learned that raising your voice is very important and that the old saying about unity, ‘In unity lies strength and sharing of the message’ is essential for getting everyone the help they need,” Yolanda shared.

Advocacy, Personal StoriesMatthew WillinghamJuly 20, 2021San Diego Latino Health Coalition, Community Health, Public Health

Super Cocina Reinvents Parking Lot to Bring “Eyes on the Street”

Juan Pablo thinks current attitudes around parking are changing among both customers and businesses owners who are now enjoying the benefits brought by additional outdoor seating: eyes on the street, crime reduction, and a safer inviting space.

Business Development, Transportation & Planning, AdvocacyMatthew WillinghamJune 4, 2021Super Cocina, COVID-19

It’s Official—The Purple Line Will Serve City Heights!

For over 40 years, City Heights residents have advocated for reliable, affordable, and rapid regional transit. In 2021 new and emerging activists (alongside the OG’s) continue the multi-generational fight for a long-standing community vision for a transit line: The Purple Line.

T&P Newsletter, AdvocacyMatthew WillinghamMay 21, 2021Purple Line, SANDAG, MTS

See Our Policy Action Priorities For 2021

See our policy priorities for 2021!

Advocacy, ReportsMatthew WillinghamMay 1, 2021Policy Priorities, Transportation Justice, Economic Development, Community Engagement

Transportation Justice Victory: Acheived!

Our community is celebrating a major transportation justice victory! Today, the MTS Board approved…

Advocacy, Transportation & PlanningMatthew WillinghamMarch 11, 2021Transportation Justice, MTS, Center for Policity Initiatives, San Diego 360, Environmental Health Coalition, Mid City CAN, Built Environment Team, Nathan Fletcher, Monica Montgomery

Call To Action: MTS Fare Changes

The MTS Board will be meeting this Thursday, 3/11 at 9:00 am to vote on a new Regional Fare Ordinance, and the San Diego Transportation Equity Working Group (SDTEWG) is calling upon community members to speak during Public Comment…

Transportation & Planning, AdvocacyMatthew WillinghamMarch 10, 2021Mid City CAN, San Diego 360, Center for Policity Initiatives, Environmental Health Coalition