SOMOS D5 MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
March 2025
Hi friends,
This month has been a difficult one for me, my family, and many in our community as we said goodbye to my wonderful father, Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva. His loss has been an incredibly hard experience, but it has also been a reminder that all of us are capable of doing great things for others and living a life of service and dedication. I am grateful that this community is one where we can do just that-- for example, this month alone we have been able to celebrate International Women's Day and Transgender Day of Visibility, and gathered to recognize Cesar Chávez, Dolores Huerta, and all who joined alongside them. It is fitting, and the best way to remember Congressman Grijalva, that we continue to work for a better, more equitable, and safer and more compassionate world for all.
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.)
We mourn the passing of Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva, who set lofty standards with his wisdom, integrity and compassion for the common person. He was a towering political figure who left an indelible positive mark in Southern Arizona over five decades of service to his community. He is known for always acting in the public interest and advancing the cause of public education for those from all walks of life. He was a stanch environmentalist and played a critical role in creation of the landmark Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan. In Congress he was instrumental in creation of the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tak Kukveni Grand Canyon National Monument, which protects the Grand Canyon from mining and other destructive activities that threaten the natural wonder’s environmental integrity and its sacred role in many indigenous people’s spirituality. Thank you for being my Dad and for showing this world what the son of a bracero and kid from Sunnyside can do when they work hard and dream big.
Rest in Power.
THE PEOPLE OF DISTRICT 5
YOUTH SPOTLIGHT
Every February, D5 makes it a goal to visit as many schools and classes as possible for Love of Reading Month to help spread the love of learning, exploring, and reading! Thank you to the 30+ schools that have welcomed us to read some of our favorite books and talk about some of the ways that literacy, bilingualism, and enjoying reading can help you for the rest of your life. This year, we've been able to read to over 1,200 students and we're glad to spotlight these young readers for Love of Reading Month! Keep up the good work and here's to many more years of loving to read!
D5 BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
VECINOS IN ACTION
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Photo courtesy of Chez Peachy
It's pretty difficult to find a more aesthetically pleasing business here in D5 than Chez Peachy! This proud family-owned business, run by Christa and Joseph Lebron, began in Christa's apartment in 2021 with cakes, cookies, and other confections for friends and family. Her creations quickly became a community favorite for both the flavors and looks of Christa's now-signature style of bento, or small boxed, cakes. Having expanded from food trucks and local farmer markets, Chez Peachy is now celebrating the first six months in their bright pink brick-and-mortar bakery and cafe at 501 N. 6th Avenue-- a popular place to stop and get a sweet treat and soak in the rose-tinted atmosphere. The next time you want to get in touch with your inner Barbie or Hello Kitty, stop by and get one of Chez Peachy's delights!
Photo courtesy of Tucson Juneteenth Festival
Bob and Beverely Elliott, who have been longtime community advocates and supporters, particularly in advancing education, access to resources, and youth engagement, are the forces behind the African American Museum of Southern Arizona, which has welcomed over 8,000 visitors and documents African American and Black life, culture, and history in Southern Arizona. The Elliotts were both raised to have a strong work ethic and to have high educational standards. These have helped them in their calling to serve and they have both been involved in countless boards and organizations, including the NBA Retired Players Association, the University of Arizona Alumni Association, the Tucson Urban League, the University of Arizona Black Alumni, the NBWA (National Basketball Wives Association), and the Tucson Chapter of the Links. They will celebrate their 50th Anniversary in August 2025!
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.
Huge wins for affordable housing development in Pima County! During the March 18th meeting, the Board of Supervisors approved an additional $5 million for the development and rehabilitation of new and existing affordable housing units. This money counts to an almost $15 million investment that, since 2021, has been allocated by the County for the purpose of enhancing and improving the affordable housing inventory in our community! One of the major pillars of the D5 Strategic Plan is to advocate for and fund the development and preservation of affordable housing in Pima County since, without adequate housing that people in our communtiy can afford, many of the other goals in the Strategic Plan cannot be accomplished.
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!
MARCH
2025 Cesar Chávez and Dolores Huerta Holiday Coalition March and Rally
It was an honor to be invited by Tohono O’odham Nation Chairman Verlon Jose and Vice Chairwoman Carla Johnson to participate in the 86th Annual Tohono O’odham Nation Rodeo Parade in Sells, Arizona, with this year’s theme being “Celebrating our O’odham Superheroes!” Joining the parade with nearly 2000 community members was an amazing experience that I will cherish.
Indigenous Resilience Center Environmental Justice Awards
This month, the 4th Annual D5 Youth Art Contest received over 400 submissions from students all celebrating what makes our community so special! It's always so wonderful to see how students are able to identify different parts of D5 to illustrate and our judges had a great time evaluating all of the submissions. Thank you to our students and judges from Pima Community College, The University of Arizona, The Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona, the Tucson Museum of Art, and the University of Arizona Museum of Art for sharing your time and perspectives with us!
World Baseball Classic Qualifiers
A very successful return of international baseball to Pima County! Excited to be able to welcome teams from Brazil and Colombia right here to the Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium as they compete in the World Baseball Classic qualifiers— we’re honored to host these international teams and very proud to have our community involved in this way. Cheering all of the teams on and thank you to everyone— especially our fantastic Pima County and Kino staff— for making this exciting event possible!
Pets of Pima Parade and Festival
Always a fun time at the annual Pets of Pima Parade with Pima Animal Care Center and Friends of Pima Animal Care Center! This year’s parade and festival was another great celebration of the animals that make our lives so much better and it was wonderful to see how many resources and organizations were out tabling and sharing information and merch with the community. Always so glad to be able to honor our wonderful animal residents of Pima County!
2025 SAAF Out Brunch
Felicidades to the honorees of the 2025 SAAF (Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation) Out Brunch! A pleasure to celebrate just a few of the many incredible people working hard to serve our community every day, especially some of our most vulnerable and marginalized, and so wonderful to gather with organizations and supporters working for equity, love, acceptance, and justice. As we were reminded, activism isn’t just a moment, it’s a movement and these awards celebrated those participating in the movement. Thank you and congratulations for all of your efforts!
League of Women Voters Issues and Eggs Breakfast
Thank you to the Sunnyside Neighborhood Association and President Yolanda Herrera for inviting D5 to join them for the 12th Annual League of Women Voters of Greater Tucson Issues and Eggs Breakfast! The program included an impactful panel discussion on safe lives and homes, and how our community can work together against domestic violence and other pressing issues that impact the health and safety of all of us. This annual event brings together League members, community advocates, and leaders for an opportunity to talk and learn from each other and it’s always powerful to be able to connect with folks doing great things here in Pima County!
Cesar Chávez and Dolores Huerta Month Presentation
An honor to help kick off the Tucson Unified School District (TUSD) and Mexican American Student Services Department TUSD recognition of Cesar Chávez and Dolores Huerta Month with Holladay Fine Arts Magnet Elementary School! Great to be able to share some stories and information with 150 students at an assembly about who Cesar and Dolores are, why we celebrate them and their legacy, and how all of us can embody the Chávez/Huerta spirit this month and every day. !Sí se puede!
Sonoran Institute Santa Cruz River Clean Up
Despite some cold breezes and sprinkles during the event, members of the community joined the Sonoran Institute and Tucson Clean and Beautiful for a Day of Connection in the Santa Cruz River, cleaning up 500+ pounds of trash from the riverbed around Verdugo Park in the Barrio Kroeger Lane Neighborhood. D5 was glad to be able to help sponsor this event and participate in helping steward this iconic part of our community, the birthplace of Tucson. Thank you to everyone who came out to make a difference for the environment!