$19 Million in State Funding Secured for Senate District 20 by Senator Caroline Menjivar

VAN NUYS, CA -  Following a challenging year of budget negotiations, Senator Caroline Menjivar (D–San Fernando Valley) has secured $19 million in state funding for Senate District 20, delivering on priorities that Valley families, first responders, and community organizations have long pushed for.

State investments include $12 million to advance the 20 year long-awaited Rory M. Shaw Wetlands Park in Sun Valley and $1.25 million for a new LAFD fire station in Sylmar, a high-fire-risk region. Burbank residents and first responders will also see $1.2 million invested in critical water infrastructure and firefighter safety equipment. Additional funding is allocated to benefit street infrastructure, youth housing and services, and community organizations across the Valley working to bring food security to the Valley. 

"Our community deserves these investments. Even before I was elected to office, I worked directly with our San Fernando Valley communities and saw firsthand how much investment Senate District 20 was lacking, from Sun Valley, where families have lived next to a vacant landfill for over a decade, asking for Rory M. Shaw Wetlands Park to finally break ground, to Sylmar, where residents know too well the troubles of high-fire-risk living and the need for stronger emergency response. I am grateful our Senate leadership prioritized community needs that allows me to bring $19 million of state funding, fill critical gaps and build on the foundations that will allow our community assets, organizations, and local government to continue delivering for residents, and that will allow the 818 community to grow and withstand challenges.” said Senator Caroline Menjivar (D–San Fernando Valley)

What the funding is supporting: 
$12 Million | Rory M. Shaw Wetlands Park to help move the long-awaited project forward, advancing funding toward the community’s goal of seeing the wetlands park completed. Skyrocketing costs have prolonged that wait, a vision that the Sun Valley community has advocated for since the early 2000s. The County Los Angeles continues to seek more than $212 million to complete the transformative Rory M. Shaw Wetlands Park Project. 

“For 20 years, our community and partners have worked toward transforming this site into the vibrant, flood-resilient green space Sun Valley deserves. This $12 million investment from Senator Menjivar is a meaningful step forward as we continue working to secure full funding for the Rory M. Shaw Wetlands Park.” said Lindsey P. Horvath, LA County Board Supervisor, District 3

$1.25 Million | LAFD Fire Station for Sylmar to support construction of a new fire station in Sylmar, a community located in a high-fire-risk region that has experienced firsthand how critical every minute can be during an emergency. The new station will help strengthen the community’s emergency response capacity and address a longstanding need for additional fire service infrastructure in the area.  

$1.2 Million | Burbank Water and Power and Burbank Fire $1 million will go toward improvements to a 2.5-million-gallon potable water reservoir built in 1933 that is part of Burbank Water and Power’s network of 22 reservoirs. The remaining $200,000 will support dedicated turnout gear storage at Fire Stations 14 and 15, helping protect firefighters from exposure to contaminants associated with fireground operations while improving the storage and maintenance of protective equipment.

“We are grateful to Senator Menjivar for securing this important funding for Burbank and investing in projects that directly support the safety and resilience of our community,” said Mayor Tamala Takahashi. “These investments will help strengthen our water infrastructure while also providing our firefighters with dedicated space to safely store the protective equipment they rely on every day. We look forward to putting these funds to work for our community.” said Mayor Takahashi, City of Burbank

$1.8 Million | Discovery Cube Coastal Stewardship Educational Exhibits. Funding will prioritize Valley Youth access to environmental science right in their backyard. This funding will expand and support a first in the area Coastal Stewardship Educational Exhibit focused on climate, nature, and conservation education, expanding access to hands-on environmental learning for students and families.

“We are thrilled by Senator Menjivar's leadership in providing funding to Discovery Cube L.A. for the San Fernando Valley's first aquarium which will feature live touch tanks, interactive exhibits and hands-on programming that will connect children to marine science and so much more.  Senator Menjivar has been a true champion for our children and the environment. With this funding, her community will have access to educational science opportunities right in their backyard.  Senator Menjivar has fought to ensure the Valley receives its fair share in funding and this is another example of her being a fighter for our community!” said Wendy Greuel, Board Vice Chair Community Leader, Discovery Cube LA

$1.7 Million | Sheldon Arleta Park streetscape. Construction of a sidewalk along Sheldon Street between Wicks. Street trees and lighting will be added around the perimeter of the park in order to reduce extreme heat conditions and the lack of lighting for the public. Investment helps chip away at the lack of light established sidewalks in the area.
 

“The 1.7 Million investment in Sheldon Arleta Park’s streetscape from Senator Menjivar will help decrease the inequity in infrastructure we see in the NE Valley. I look forward to seeing an ADA compliant park where seniors and residents with disabilities can move through the space without worry and a more shaded sidewalk for residents even during the hottest months. This is what real investment and working in coalition for our neighborhoods looks like.” said Imelda Padilla, LA City Councilmember, District 6

$500,000 | Kids in the Spotlight. Funding will launch the organization's goal of serving foster youth through the acquisition of its current building in Van Nuys. Kids in the Spotlight is an LA County-based organization that helps foster youth heal and grow from trauma through the power of workforce development, storytelling and filmmaking.

“The KITS Production Studio with Purpose gives our mission a home and our youth a place to belong. It's a place where foster care-impacted and opportunity youth can tell their stories their way, learn their craft, earn an income, build community, and grow into careers, while the professionals already working in this industry can invest in their futures by choosing to bring their projects here. This amazing funding from Senator Menjivar puts us just one step closer to owning the building where we provide critical programming for 818 youth and workforce development programs that employ transitional-age youth.” said Tige Charity, Founder/CEO, Kids in the Spotlight

$350,000 | Penny Lane and Abbey Road will be invested in living units that serve unhoused  transition-age youth. 

“Penny Lane and Abbey Road are deeply grateful to Senator Menjivar for her extraordinary commitment to Penny Lane Centers, Abbey Road, and the young people whose lives we touch. Her generous support of $350,000 will allow us to rehabilitate an apartment building that provides transitional housing for young adults who might otherwise face the vulnerability and uncertainty of life on the streets. This reminds us that meaningful change happens when we bring light to the places where it is needed most. Thank you, Senator Menjivar. With this contribution, you are not simply helping us transform spaces; you are helping us transform lives.” said Wendy Carpenter, Chief Executive Officer, Penny Lane and Abbey Road

$200,000 | Zawadi Cultural Collective. Funds will advance the development of a permanent community space for youth and families that will expand food bank activities along with its Community Leadership & Opportunity Initiative.

“This funding represents a meaningful investment in Zawadi’s ability to continue showing up for youth and families throughout the San Fernando Valley. It will allow us to strengthen and expand the programs our community relies on, from youth leadership and educational opportunities to food access and family support, while building the capacity to serve even more people. We are deeply grateful to Senator Menjivar for recognizing the value of community rooted organizations like Zawadi and investing in the work already happening every day.” said Shania Accius, Founder of Zawadi Cultural Collective 

Senator Menjivar will join community partners for individual check presentation events in the coming weeks to celebrate each investment.

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Senator Caroline Menjivar represents California’s 20th Senate District, Burbank and San Fernando Valley, in Los Angeles County. A Marine Corps veteran and Master of Social Welfare, she is currently Chair of the Democratic Senate Caucus, Chair of Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health and Human Services and Vice Chair of California’s Women’s Caucus.

Press inquiries, please email Communications Director, Teodora E. Reyes directly at Teodora.Reyes@sen.ca.gov,.