Earlier this month Mayor Bill Wells, the El Cajon City Council, and our local government officials were highlighted by local news media on our efforts to make El Cajon a great place to live, work, play, and raise a family… “For Everyone”. CVUSD Governing Board members Karen Clark Mejia, Tamara Otero, Jo Alegria and I have served on the East County Homeless Task Force led by several community leaders including CEO of the East County Chamber of Commerce, Eric Lund; ECPD Police Chief, Jeff Davis; and Meridian Baptist Church Senior Pastor, Rolland Slade. SD Union Tribune reporter Karen Pearlman has been documenting community efforts to improve conditions. http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/communities/east-county/sd-se-elcajon-homeless-20170809-story.html
Mayor Wells has been interviewed by most of our media outlets on the city’s efforts. The one below is from KUSI. Mayor Wells has a background in clinical psychology and deep expertise on root causes behind homeless and mental health issues.
It is important for all of us to know that we have proven solutions that are helping our homeless students and their families transition into permanent housing and gainful employment. The East County Transitional Living Center is a prime example of “What Works”. Several of our students and their families are served by this community led effort to provide permanent solutions. Please check out ECTLC here and share with anyone you know who can benefit from these efforts the City of El Cajon and the East County Homeless Task Force are directing our efforts toward. https://www.ectlc.org/
We recognize that those contributing to panhandling and giving food to the homeless are doing so out of good will and intention. Enabling homelessness, however, has proven to only prolong and potentially derail any opportunity for those in need to find permanent housing and pathways back to being contributing members of society. It is important that the CVUSD family supports the El Cajon City Council, El Cajon Police Department, and the East County Homeless Task Force in our efforts to provide a permanent solution for the homeless in our community.
Very Sincerely,
David Miyashiro Ed.D., Superintendent
Cajon Valley Union School District
