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.
I have searched my heart, talked to my family and friends, and have decided to run for Congressional District 7. As a result of this decision, I will be resigning as your District 5 Supervisor effective April 4, 2025. Most of D5 is in District 7 so I'm very heartened by that, but I want to thank you all for your support, your attention, your interest in keeping up with Pima County politics. It has been a privilege and an honor to be the Supervisor here. I did not come to this decision easily, this is something that I had to really think about, but I do feel it is the right decision for me, my family, and our community. Thank you all so much for your support and for overwhelmingly giving me the opportunity to serve in this position.
Muchas gracias,
(Para español, haga click en el botón de arriba a la derecha y seleccione el idioma español.)
A STATEMENT FROM SUPERVISOR GRIJALVA
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
This month, the District 5 Office welcomed Winners, Finalists, Judge’s Highlights, and Participants to the Pima County Historic Courthouse for the 4th Annual D5 Youth Art Contest Exhibition! All 400+ pieces of artwork were displayed around the courtyard and artists were able to show their families the pieces that they created to celebrate why they love D5 and our community. Felicidades to all of the artists who participated in our biggest contest yet and to everyone who worked to make the evening a special way to celebrate the talent that we have in D5! Want to check out all of the submissions for this year’s contest? Visit our Youth Art Gallery!
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 taken during the Pueblo M.E.Ch.A Club Chicano Night
Pueblo High School's newly-revived M.E.Ch.A (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán) Club is an organization for young leaders to collaborate and organize around key issues that concern them most-- including educational access, cultural heritage, and understanding the legacies of organizations and activists who have made a difference and paved the way for future generations to make our world a better place. So glad to be able to attend Pueblo M.E.Ch.A's first community event, a Chicano Night and screening of Stand and Deliver, inviting attendees, other high school M.E.Ch.A clubs, and student entrepreneurs to participate and share community resources and support local businesses. Great to be able to support students who are dedicating themselves to sharing resources and community building in their schools!
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 community 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
Such a wonderful morning at the 25th Annual Arizona César E. Chávez + Dolores Huerta Holiday Coalition March and Rally— so many came out to celebrate the legacy and leadership of Cesar, Dolores, and all those who have worked to make our world a safer and better one! It was particularly special to be able to recognize my dad, Congressman Grijalva, during this program. This event is always one of the highlights of the year! !Sí se puede!
Indigenous Resilience Center Environmental Justice Awards
It was a beautiful and very moving opportunity to join indigenous communities and environmental activists at the CJS25: Braiding Knowledges for Community Resilience Symposium, hosted by the University of Arizona Indigenous Resilience Center and the Tishman Environment and Design Center, as they honored Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva for his many decades of championing environmental justice. It was a privilege to participate in this event and to join so many who continue working to preserve our environment and protect our most vulnerable communities. I am so proud that my dad’s legacy, along with so many others in this space who dedicated their lives to uplifting communities and speaking out against environmental injustice, is one of accessibility, equity, and responsibility.
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 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!
March to Protect Public Education
Proud to stand alongside dozens of Tucsonans who came out to march and rally in support of public education, our unions, and the community! As a product of our public schools, a parent of public school students, and someone who will forever be an advocate for the public education system, I believe that it is crucial to protect what is one of the most fundamental elements that makes our young people, and by extension our community, successful— education, which is and must always be a right.
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!
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 were, 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!
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!
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!