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Ifial DELHICENTER Building Health and Wealth 505 East Central Avenue Santa Ana, CA 92707 (714)481-9600 www.delhicenter.org May 13, 2021 Kristine Ridge City Manager City of Santa Ana 20 Civic Center Plaza Santa Ana, CA 82701 Dear Ms. Ridge: On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Delhi Center, I would like to take this opportunity to express our appreciation for your leadership during the most difficult time our city has ever experienced. Delhi Center was incorporated as a non-profit 501(c)3 charitable organization in 1969 and has experienced many transitions throughout the years while steadfastly serving the residents of Santa Ana with programs and services that improve their quality of life. Delhi Center had its start in two WWII era Quonset huts and achieved an historic milestone when it constructed the largest community center of its kind in Santa Ana. With the support of city and elected officials, community leaders, residents, and private sponsors, the Delhi Center opened its doors at its current location at 505 E. Central Ave. on December 17, 2001. The Delhi neighborhood has historically been burdened by health risks caused by land use patterns, development, and other factors, which are clearly demonstrated by the mapping tool from the Environmental Protection Agency that identifies the most vulnerable and disadvantaged areas in Santa Ana. The Cal Enviro Screen (attached) measures 20 different factors detrimental to quality of life. The combined impact of these 20 indicators, form the basis for ranking census tracts by level of pollution, socioeconomics, and health burdens. Census tracts ranked in the top 25% in total scoring are considered a Disadvantaged or Environmental Justice Community. The Delhi neighborhood is in the red zone, the highest level of disadvantage with a ranking between 91% to 100%. The City of Santa Ana is to be commended for its efforts to seek to correct inequitable conditions in our city by reducing pollution and increasing public investments in Environmental Justice communities. We have encouraged our residents and program participants to engage in the city's efforts to secure community input in the public decision -making process to prioritize improvements and programs in disadvantaged communities. The residents we serve have expressed to us their priorities of improving public facilities, including the Delhi Center, which we believe can play a significant role in improving the health and wellness and socioeconomic status of residents.