SUMMER 2025
Dear Neighbors,
Summer in Concord is in full swing. From evenings at Todos Santos Plaza to the sounds of Music & Market, this season reminds us how vibrant and welcoming our community can be.
These moments remind us of what makes Concord home.
As we celebrate Pride Month, I reflect with gratitude on the journey that brought me here as your first openly LGBTQ+ councilmember. Pride is more than a celebration. It’s a reminder that we all deserve to live with dignity, safety, and joy.
But I also know this month has been difficult for many in our immigrant community. The fear stirred by ICE raids and enforcement actions in Los Angeles, the Bay Area, and across the country is real and painful. A todas las familias que están sintiendo miedo o incertidumbre, quiero decirles esto: ustedes no están solos.
You belong here. Concord is your home, too.
In this newsletter, you’ll find updates, events, and stories that reflect that shared vision. I hope it brings you clarity, community, and a bit of summer joy.
Pablo
WHAT’S INSIDE THIS SEASON
Marking June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month
Around the City: Union Facility Tours
Resources for our Immigrant Community
Willow Pass Repaving
Upcoming Events: Concord’s Juneteenth Celebration, Music & Market Schedule, and Wildfire Safety Event
JUNE IS LGBTQ+ PRIDE MONTH
Clayton Pride Parade
In the first weekend of June, I joined my colleagues, other elected officials, allies, and our LGBTQ+ community in marching in this year’s Clayton Pride Parade.
Reassuring our Commitment to our LGBTQ+ Students at MDUSD
On June 11th, I attended a Mt. Diablo Unified School District (MDUSD) meeting to voice my concern about homophobic and transphobic comments made in their previous meeting. I made it clear: every child deserves to belong.
around the city
Carpenters Union Tour of their Training Center
I had the privilege of visiting the NorCal Carpenters Training Center and meeting some of their trainees. It was incredibly impressive to see what they can build and the complexity of their instruction. They even have a robot dog! I left having a deeper appreciation for the contributions our carpenters bring to our city.
To join or learn more about the NorCal Carpenter’s Union, visit their website here.
Touring Sheet Metal Workers 104’s Training Facility
It was an honor to visit our sheet metal workers at their training facility in Livermore, where they train their members from Contra Costa. Sheet Metal Workers 104’s building is cutting edge, it’s no wonder why so much talent fill their union.
If you’d like to join or learn more, you can visit their website here.
RESOURCES FOR OUR IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY
Stand Together Contra Costa — rapid response and free legal services, (925) 900-5151
Immigration Institute of the Bay Area (Brentwood) — deportation defense, DACA renewal, naturalization, and family reunification services, (925) 237-8581 ext. 11
Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach — asylum, DACA renewals, and VAWA applications, (510) 251-2846
Contra Costa Crisis Center — social services guidance and mental health resource, call 988 for mental health crisis lifeline or 211 for information and referrals
Catholic Charities East Bay (Concord) — housing and mental health services, and immigration legal assistance including family-based petitions, fiancé visas, and more, (510) 768-3100
Monument Crisis Center — food assistance, resources, and referrals, (925) 825-7751
WILLOW PASS ROAD REPAVING UPDATE
Roadwork on Willow Pass Road began on Monday, June 9, and will continue through July. Utility covers were lowered earlier this week in preparation.
The project will happen in two phases:
Phase I: Daytime work repaving starting at Willow Pass Road and Parkside Drive
Phase II: Nighttime work repaving in the downtown area from Galindo Street to Port Chicago Highway, expected in late June or early July.
Once paving is complete, crews will adjust utilities, add new striping, install flashing beacons at Ashdale Drive, and upgrade the High-Intensity Activated Traffic Crosswalk (HAWK) signal at San Vincente.
The project is funded by Measure Q, Measure V, Measure J, and the federal One Bay Area Grant. Completion is expected by Fall 2025, weather permitting.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Concord’s Juneteenth Celebration
NAMI Contra Costa is holding their annual Juneteenth celebration on Sunday, June 22nd from 12PM to 5PM at Todos Santos Plaza. Come join and listen to live music, eat from food trucks, and play games with the whole family!
For more information, visit their website here.
MUSIC & MARKET SCHEDULE
Concord’s Music & Market is back! From June 5th to September 25th starting at 4PM, Todos Santos Plaza will be filled with live music and entertainment!
For more information, you can click here.
Wildfire Safety with Vice Mayor Nakamura, ConFire, and United Policyholders
As summer begins, it’s a good time to learn about keeping our homes and neighborhoods safe from wildfires. Vice Mayor Laura Nakamura, ConFire, and United Policyholders will hold this fire safety event on Monday, June 23rd from 6PM to 8PM at Clayton Valley Charter High School.
To RSVP, click here.