SR 05-10-2022 14A
City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: May 10, 2022
Agenda Item: 14.A
1 of 1
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Denise Anderson Warren, City Clerk, Records and Election Services
Department
Subject: Written Public Comment
Prepared By: Esterlina Lugo, Deputy City Clerk
Approved
Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. Written Comments
14.A
Packet Pg. 1646
1
Vernice Hankins
From:Jivanto van Hemert <jivanto.vanhemert@gmail.com>
Sent:Friday, May 6, 2022 9:43 AM
To:Council Mailbox; Gleam Davis; Phil Brock; Christine Parra; Lana Negrete; Sue Himmelrich; Kristin
McCowan; Oscar de la Torre
Cc:councilmtgitems
Subject:Restore staffing at SM PAL
EXTERNAL
May 2022
Dear Mayor Himmelrich, Esteemed City Councilmembers, and City Staff,
PAL has been a significant positive impact in my– and countless others' lives. Their ability to continue
this service through a global pandemic– a time of undeniable increased need and difficulty– is a
testament to the dedication of the team there. Thus, it was particularly unfortunate that PAL’s staff was
so severely reduced during the height of the pandemic. Even though PAL already have a small team, it
was cut by half and yet this resilient staff continued their service to our community. It is my sincere hope
that you vote to restore PAL staffing during this budget cycle.
What I affectionately call, “my PAL story” begins more than a decade ago as an impressionable six-year-
old. I began exclusively within Santa Monica PAL’s martial arts program, and my involvement only grew
exponentially from there. I quickly became one of the youngest members of the Youth Leadership
Council, and I sustained and expanded my involvement into high school when I quickly became involved
in YLC leadership; serving as both Trustee and President. PAL quickly became a major part of my life, and
soon most major holidays became incomplete without a celebration at PAL. Every Halloween from 2
years old to college was spent with SMPAL at Barker Hanger; first as a participant, and then for many
years as a volunteer. It was here that I first learned the value of giving back to a community that has given
you so much.
Santa Monica PAL became a central part of my life, and continuously influenced my experiences from an
early age—I also became involved in the California PAL Youth Directors’ Council on which I served as a
board member for nearly 4 years, during which time I had the opportunity to represent PAL and my state
to both congressional representatives and other leaders from across the country. During my time with
the board, I was able to work with staff and peers from across the state to host numerous successful
events including Youth Leadership Academy and Life After High School.
While my time working directly within PAL dwindled once I moved across the country for college, the
impact PAL has had on me remains. I clearly see the effects of my PAL experience on every aspect of my
life and as an educator working with college students I continue to see the positive impact programs like
PAl can have on students. Looking back, the Marathon Running program has given me the stamina to
thrive in life after PAL both physically and mentally– after running a marathon long days of meetings
suddenly seem far less difficult. The opportunities afforded me because of PAL’s programs continue to
serve me well. I firmly believe that PAL will always have a place in my life, and I’ve already experienced
the impact of my time with PAL time and again
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Packet Pg. 1647 Attachment: Written Comments (5139 : Written Public Comment)
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PAL needs a Community Services Coordinator and As-Needed temporary staff to properly supervise
youth, as well as to restore PAL’s college-bound and leadership programs to pre-pandemic levels. PAL
would also be able to reopen the Fitness Gym at Virginia Avenue Park, which has been closed since March
2020. PAL’s free fitness program, particularly in boxing and karate, gives youth a mechanism for
aggression to be channeled in a positive and constructive way.
It is my hope that you see the necessity of fully restoring PAL’s staffing. Other cities throughout the
nation are desperately trying to create what the City of Santa Monica already has. I am asking the city to
value and respect the PAL program as I do and restore the staff necessary to keep PAL a fully functioning,
and enviable City service.
Sincerely,
Jivanto
‐‐
Jivanto P. van Hemert, MBA, M.Ed
JI-VAWN-toh VAN HEY-mert
Pronouns: He, Him, His
To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.A button with "Hear my name" text for name playback in email si gnature
Jivanto.vanHemert@gmail.com
Cell: 310.773.6112
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Packet Pg. 1648 Attachment: Written Comments (5139 : Written Public Comment)