Newsletter: City Heights program reduces youth gang violence through community mentoring
Plus, a new immigration rule shortens how long people have to appeal their cases.
Hello everyone!
Each day when school lets out, a group of mentors wait outside Hoover High School and at stations along the blocks between the campus doors and the Copley-Price YMCA to safely accompany students who are in or at risk of becoming part of the school-to-prison pipeline.
The mentors from Youth Empowerment keep students at risk of being attacked on the short two-block walk safe until they reach their after-school program at the YMCA. The program, which has operated for about three years, has seen recent success. In 2025, there were 133 fights on school property, said Michelle Wales, the organization’s director of school programs, but in the last three months of the year, there were none.
Youth Empowerment has changed the experience for many youth on those two blocks in City Heights through one-on-one mentorship with mentors who have similar lived experiences as the students, the creation of a safe, neutral space at the YMCA, programs for parents and financial incentives for the students not to seek out potentially problematic ways of making money.
— Maya Srikrishnan
Rule change makes immigration appeals harder
A new rule from the Executive Office for Immigration Review gives immigrants less time and more requirements to file appeals in their cases. San Diego-based immigration attorneys weighed in on what this might mean for people with pending cases.
— Kate Morrissey
Lawsuits push back on Trump’s attack on child care
Unions, small businesses and states are suing to stop the Trump administration from punishing blue states by withholding $10 billion in funding that allows states to subsidize some of the costs of child care for struggling families.
— Story by Mark Kreidler, Capital & Main
Are California’s billionaires crying wolf?
A “millionaire tax” that passed in Massachusetts in 2022 shows that threats of California’s billionaires relocating if a proposal in California to place a one-time, 5% wealth tax on billionaires to backfill steep federal cuts to Medicaid funding may not realistically happen.
— Story by Mark Kreidler, Capital & Main
ICE is expanding its detention capacity by purchasing warehouses and detaining six times more children than before President Donald Trump's second term. A federal judge issued a scathing order about the racism in the Department of Homeland Security's decision to end temporary protected status for Haitian immigrants.
— Kate Morrissey
This week, San Diegans can enjoy weekend-long events for Valentine’s Day and Black History Month by skating at Cupid’s Skate Party in Petco Park, attending a book fair where all books are $5 and under, hanging out at the Lesbian Cafe at The San Diego LGBT Center or participating in a free “palentines” community clothing swap.
— Brittany Cruz-Fejeran
Other news
UC San Diego police help patrol the border via Operation Stonegarden, which provides $10.9 million annually to dozens of California law enforcement agencies to collaborate with Border Patrol, Calmatters reported.
Gary Kendrick, El Cajon city councilmember and the longest-serving Republican in any San Diego County municipal government, renounced the Republican Party and registered as a Democrat, according to NBC 7. He said his decision to become a Democrat after 50 years stemmed from a debate over whether El Cajon police should coordinate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Manny Pacquiao will fight for the San Diego TJ's boxing team, KPBS reported.
A San Diego Superior Court judge decided to continue the temporary order he issued that required Rady Children’s Health to resume all gender-affirming care, except for surgeries, until another hearing on March 10, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune.
San Diego County launched a new interactive dashboard that provides real-time data on homelessness, KPBS and City News Service reported.
San Diegans who live in RVs have formed a union to fight against the city’s ticketing of their vehicles, KPBS reported.
Local rapper and hip-hop artist Ric Scales put out a new mixed-media music video.
Upcoming Events
Feb. 12
One Hundred Years of Celebration: San Diego College of Continuing Education is celebrating Black History Month with an afternoon of poetry, storytelling and performance. Featured artists include poet Selah Blak Sol, storyteller Yolanda Marie Franklin and jazz saxophonist Erisa Nicole. Food will be provided by Chef Budda Blasian Soul Food, a local soul food truck. Noon - 1:30 p.m., Educational Cultural Complex, Front lawn, 4343 Ocean View Blvd., San Diego, CA 92113
Feb. 13
Community Yoga: Alchemystic Studio hosts a gentle community yoga session at The Brown Building every Friday. Reserve space online on a pay-what-you-can basis. 6 - 7 p.m., The Brown Building, 4133 Poplar St., San Diego, CA 92105
Gyal-o-tines: Tender Hooligan is hosting a Gyal-o-tines event with an all-female DJ line up throughout the night. A percentage of the proceeds will go to Rachel's Women's Center and Sister League of SD. 8 - 10 p.m., Tender Hooligan, 221 Third Ave., Suite 101, Chula Vista, CA 91910
Feb. 14
Tree Trek in Chula Vista: Join Tree San Diego in Chula Vista to learn about the local trees and native plants, including their history and benefits to the neighborhood. Register online. 10 - 11:30 a.m., 373 Parkway, Chula Vista, CA 91910
Garden Coffee Book Fair: Garden Coffee San Diego is hosting a book fair where all books will cost $5 or less. There will be trinkets, raffles, bundle deals and free hidden coffee cards. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., 2611 Congress St., San Diego, CA 92110
Feb. 15
Palentine's Preloved Community Swap: Soultry Sisters is collaborating with the Village Rock Shop for their fifth free clothing swap meetup. Donations are welcome. RSVP online. 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., 2815 Roosevelt St, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Mardi Gras on the Boulevard: The annual Mardi Gras Crawl with live brass band music is making its way between stops at local businesses down El Cajon Boulevard. The day includes drink and food specials, as well as other activities along the way. The event is free, but you can purchase a $20 necklace online that includes four $5 tickets to enjoy specials at different stops. Day of tickets are $24. 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., 3052 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego, CA 92104
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