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Board President Moderates Youth Development Panel at EmpowerLA Conference

On February 22, 2025, North Hollywood Northeast Neighborhood Council (NHNENC) President Zaid Diaz-Arias had the incredible honor of moderating a panel discussion on youth development and civic engagement at the 2025 EmpowerLA Youth Conference. The panel featured LA City Controller Kenneth Mejia, Department of Neighborhood Empowerment General Manager Carmen Chang, Youth Development Department General Manager Lisa Salazar, and LAUSD Student Empowerment Director Dr. Lorena Franco. Together, they engaged young leaders from across Los Angeles in discussions about the Neighborhood Council system, city services, and opportunities for youth involvement in shaping their communities.

The EmpowerLA Youth Conference, brought together 100 young people between the ages of 14-17 for a full day of learning and engagement. Attendees participated in interactive workshops on civic engagement, explored leadership pathways through the Neighborhood Council system, and had the chance to connect with city leaders and like-minded peers. The conference also featured a resource fair with over a dozen City departments and trusted community partners, providing valuable insights and opportunities for youth looking to make an impact in their communities.

Serving on NHNENC for 5 years, Diaz-Arias is now in his second term as president. As one of the youngest Neighborhood Council presidents in the system today, his leadership and commitment to youth civic engagement made him the ideal choice to moderate this important discussion. Under his tenure, the council has fully utilized its budget on impactful projects and has launched more community improvement initiatives than ever before.

As one of the youngest Neighborhood Council presidents today, Diaz-Arias remains committed to empowering young people to see themselves as active stakeholders in their communities. Events like the EmpowerLA Youth Conference highlight the importance of youth voices in local government and the impact of creating spaces for engagement, learning, and action.

NHNENC extends its gratitude to EmpowerLA, the esteemed panelists, and all the youth who attended and contributed to this vital conversation. The future of Los Angeles is bright, and NHNENC looks forward to continuing its work in championing youth leadership and civic engagement in the city.

📸 View Photos from the Event: Click here to see the full photo gallery

    

March 15, 2025 in Executive, Outreach and Community Development, Youth Empowerment

MyLA311 Comes to North Hollywood

The North Hollywood North East Neighborhood Council partnered with Councilmember Imelda Padilla to host a MyLA311 event at Arminta Elementary on March 9. This was a great opportunity for neighbors to meet each other and learn how to use the MyLA311 app and put that newfound knowledge to use by walking through the neighborhood and reporting graffiti, dumping and more. Get the app and get started!

March 13, 2025 in Outreach and Community Development

Keswick Pocket Park Groundbreaking Ceremony

🌳🎉 On November 13, 2024 our Neighborhood Council alongside Councilmember Krekorian and the Department of Recreation and Parks convened for the Keswick Pocket Park Groundbreaking Ceremony, where we enthusiastically announced the grand opening of Keswick Pocket Park! This beautiful new green space is the result of a collaborative effort between Councilmember Paul Krekorian and his CD2 team, the Department of Recreation and Parks, and our dedicated Board members at NHNENC. While the park is not open, it will be fully completed and launched in about six months—by spring 2025! Green spaces like Keswick Pocket Park are essential for our community, providing a place to gather, play, and connect with nature. We look forward to seeing you at the park and making it a special place for all!

(All the photos were taken by JuanCarlos Chan, City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks Photographer)

At the Groundbreaking Ceremony, remarks were given by Councilmember Paul Krekorian, Department of Recreation and Parks Assistant General Manager Catherine Domingo, LAPD Officers from the North Hollywood and Foothill Division, and our Board President Zaid Diaz-Arias. Below are some comments given by President Diaz-Arias:

“Good morning, everyone! It’s a pleasure to be here as we celebrate the grand opening of Keswick Pocket Park in North Hollywood.

As President of the North Hollywood Northeast Neighborhood Council, I’m proud to represent our community on this special day. Today, we’re celebrating more than just a new park—we’re celebrating the commitment and dedication of our Councilmember and the incredible team at Council District 2. Their unwavering efforts to bring more green space to our ‘park-poor’ community have made this moment possible.

The vision for this park began before 2016, and a formal motion was approved by City Council in April 2020. Despite delays caused by the pandemic, CD2 never wavered in their mission to transform this once-unused city property into a vibrant space for everyone to enjoy. Just under a year ago, the Mayor approved the land transfer to the Department of Recreation and Parks, and today, we’re seeing that vision come to life.

Keswick Pocket Park is more than just a park; it’s a new place for families to gather, friends to connect, and our community to thrive. This space represents resilience, dedication, and the power of community-driven change.

Thank you to everyone who helped bring this project to completion. Here’s to many years of joy and connection at Keswick Pocket Park. Thank you!”

November 13, 2024 in Beautification, Cultural Affairs, Outreach and Community Development, Public Safety

Board Approves Statement in Support of Commission on Lived Experience With Homelessness

The North Hollywood Northeast Neighborhood Council hereby adds its unmitigated support for Council File 19-1020 to the numerous Community Impact Statements submitted by several neighborhood councils throughout greater Los Angeles. These NCs include Hollywood United, Winnetka, Palms, North Westwood, Mid-City, Reseda, and Sherman Oaks, to date. We feel the establishment of a Commission on Lived Experience with Homelessness (CLEH)* is nothing short of necessary.

Learn more by reading our Community Impact Statement on Council File 19-1020 (October 16, 2024) and submit your own Public Comment by visiting lacouncilcomment.com

October 23, 2024 in Outreach and Community Development, Public Safety
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