COVID-19 Information - June 2020
- 06-25-20 - Donate food this Saturday to help others in need
- 06-25-20 - Library's curbside service closed July 3 in observance of Independence Day
- 06-19-20 - New COVID-19 testing options throughout OC
- 06-12-20 - County allows more businesses to reopen and activities resume
- 06-10-20 - Orange County Small Business Grant Relief Program
- 06-09-20 - A special Animal Services Center promo to thank our First Responders
- 06-09-20 - Get answers to your public assistance benefits questions during a free online presentation
- 06-08-20 - Drug Abuse Prevention and Mental Health Resources for unstable times
- 06-02-20 - New curbside service begins at the library this week
June 25, 2020
Donate food this Saturday to help others in need
In an effort to help residents impacted by the COVID-19 crisis and give others a chance to give back, the City is hosting another Food Drive on Saturday, June 27.
The Food Drive is from 9 am to 11 am at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center, 24932 Veterans Way.
Donations sought include peanut butter and jelly; pasta and pasta sauce; cereal, rice; hearty soups; and other food items. You can take part by placing food items in your trunk, driving up and simply popping your trunk for staff who will collect the items. You will stay in your vehicle, and social-distancing guidelines will be followed.
For more information, contact 949-470-3061 or fitness@cityofmissionviejo.org.
June 25, 2020
Library's curbside service closed July 3 in observance of Independence Day
The Mission Viejo Library's curbside service will be closed on Friday, July 3 in observance of Independence Day. Though curbside service is not available that day, book drops remain open for folks to return items.
Curbside service resumes at noon on Monday, July 6. The Mission Viejo Library is located at 100 Civic Center.
For more information, contact reference staff at LibReference@cityofmissionviejo.org.
June 19, 2020
New COVID-19 testing options throughout OC
People with or without symptoms of COVID-19 can obtain a free assessment and testing through the OC COVID-19 Testing Network.
The network includes community health centers throughout the County that offer testing and care, even if you don't have health insurance. If you test positive, your close contacts (folks who've been within 6 feet for more than 15 minutes) will be tested or referred to another location for testing.
Register for testing at this link. For more information, call 888-634-1123.
June 12, 2020
County allows more businesses to reopen and activities resume
Acting County Health Officer Dr. Clayton Chau gave the green light for reopening more industries in Orange County including movie theaters, hotels and shopping malls.
While more businesses reopen, the new health order in effect today strongly recommends most residents wear a cloth face covering outside their homes when unable to physically distance themselves by six feet.
Other businesses and activities allowed to reopen (or resume) with state-industry specific guidelines in place include family entertainment centers; restaurants, wineries and bars; zoos and museums; gyms and fitness centers; retail; campgrounds and outdoor recreation; public and HOA swimming pools; church services; hair salons; and childcare. (See the full list of businesses at this link.)
Keeping with evolving State and County guidelines, the City of Mission is reopening recreation center swimming pools for lap swimming (only) as well as the pickleball courts at the Sierra Recreation Center.
June 10, 2020
Orange County Small Business Grant Relief Program
The County of Orange has initiated a Small Business Grant Relief Program to support small businesses and organizations impacted by COVID-19 in Orange County Supervisorial District Five. Grants up to $10,000 will be available to eligible small businesses and non-profits within the district, which includes Mission Viejo.
The business applicant must prove that their business has been affected by COVID-19 in at least one of the following ways: Sales from the business are down more than 25% compared to the previous three months (prior to March 1, 2020); the business has had to lay off at least one of its employees (full or part time); or the business was forced to shut down by the state or local government.
Applicants that meet the criteria will be randomly selected based on the percentage of population of each city/unincorporated area within the district. The application period opens June 22, 2020, at 8:00 a.m. and ends Sunday, July 19 at 5:00 p.m. or when each city allocation is exhausted, whichever occurs first..
Business owners can join informational webinars with County officials and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to learn more about the grant program and have questions answered, live. Webinars, in English, are Thursday, June 11, at 12:00 p.m. and Friday, June 19, at 2 p.m. A webinar with Spanish translation will be held Friday, June 12 at 12:00 p.m. Those interested can register for the webinars online in advance.
June 9, 2020
A special Animal Services Center promo to thank our First Responders
The Mission Viejo Animal Services Center is proud to acknowledge the hard work of all first responders during the COVID-19 pandemic. As their way of saying thank you, the shelter is offering a "First Responder Tuesdays" promo for all doctors, nurses, firefighters, EMTs, and police officers.
The promo will waive $100 off the adoption fee for dogs and $50 off the fee for cats and rabbits. Simply check the Animal Services Center's website at www.cmvas.org, find an animal you are interested in and email animalinfo@cityofmissionviejo.org to request an application.
Once the adoption is approved, you'll have the chance to meet and interact with the animal and will receive the adoption discount upon showing proper ID.
Pets have been proven to reduce stress and lower blood pressure and, as a first responder during this time, a new pet might be just what is needed!
For more info, call 949-470-3045.
June 9, 2020
Get answers to your public assistance benefits questions during a free online presentation
Do you have questions about public assistance benefits? A free virtual presentation by the County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) and the Orange County United Way may offer the answers.
On Tuesday, June 16 from 11 to noon, SSA benefits experts Amber Nowak, Yolanda De Avila and Kenny Rodriguez will provide details about CalWORKS, CalFresh, Medi-Cal, emergency child care, general relief, and more.
The event is free to the public, but Zoom registration is required by Friday, June 12 at 5 pm at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/benefits-informational-session-tickets-106792208370. For more information, please email EconomicOpportunity@UnitedWayOC.org.
June 8, 2020
Drug Abuse Prevention and Mental Health Resources for unstable times
With the national unrest and ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the City is reminding new graduates, young adults and others feeling anxious that resources are available to help combat drug abuse and depression.
The following numbers can provide direct support to folks in need:
OC Links - County Information & Referral Services
855-625-4657
http://www.ochealthinfo.com/bhs/about/nit/oclinks - LIVE CHAT
National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI)
OC "Warm" line: 714-991-6412
https://www.nami.org
Substance Abuse/Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
24-hour 800-662-4357
https://www.samhsa.gov
Straight Talk Counseling and Wellness Centers
714-828-2000
http://www.straighttalkcounseling.org
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention- Orange County
Crisis # 800-273-8255
https://afsp.org/chapter/orange-county
In addition, Just Think Twice, a section of Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), posted a valuable article on the latest research on drug use and brain development.
https://www.justthinktwice.gov/drugs
June 2, 2020
New curbside service begins at the library this week
In an effort to provide a valuable service to the community during the pandemic, the Mission Viejo Library is starting curbside services this week.
From noon to 4 pm through Friday, June 5, folks who received a "holds" notice during the closure can now pick up their item at the library. Simply park in a designated space and follow the instructions on the sign.
Then on June 8, curbside service will begin for new "holds" Monday through Friday from noon to 4 pm. This means people can place a hold on all items in the library's catalog. Patrons will receive an automated notice when these items are ready for pickup. Park in a designated space and follow the instructions on the sign.
Drive-up book drops in the parking lot have also been reopened for returns.
The Mission Viejo Library is located at 100 Civic Center. For more information, call 949-830-7100, ext. 5101.