At the Matilija Lending Library in El Monte, California, a vibrant community event is taking place, bringing together adults and children in a lively atmosphere. Families gather not only to enjoy a cup of strawberries and cream but also to benefit from an array of services being offered. Outside, volunteers provide free haircuts, while individuals can get HIV testing and engage in arts and crafts. A tent set up for distributing food sees a line of people waiting for brown paper bags filled with essentials.
Since 2011, Jacqueline Villalta, the founder of Operation Healthy Hearts, has been at the forefront of these community pop-ups. Her mission? To provide vital resources for marginalized communities across Los Angeles County. “Our mission is to provide resources to any marginalized community, which includes people with disabilities, seniors, immune-compromised individuals, and even those experiencing homelessness,” Villalta explains.
Despite a decade of service, Villalta has not been without hardships. She has faced significant challenges, including financial struggles and homelessness, which have led her to experience depression. In a surprising twist, she became the target of conservative media coverage during a tumultuous period for Los Angeles.
Following the first week of ICE raids in Los Angeles, protests erupted throughout the county. These demonstrations witnessed moments of violence, leading to clashes between protesters and law enforcement. Villalta observed firsthand the impact on vulnerable community members, including children and seniors, leading her to take action.
Motivated by the need for aid, Villalta began distributing PPE Kits to those involved in the protests. Each kit, packaged in a Ziploc bag, contained essential items such as water bottles, non-perishable snacks, menstrual pads, medical gloves, first aid supplies, face masks, and contact information for local jail support.
Mikey Vibal, Chief Developmental Officer for Operation Healthy Hearts and a caseworker with Reach LA, joined other volunteers in distributing these kits. “We were handing them out to everybody,” she stated. “I didn’t ask people, ‘hey, what are your views before I give you this bag?’ You need safety items, here you go.”
However, this compassionate effort drew unwanted attention when a New York Post article surfaced, entitled ‘Lefty nonprofits are openly fueling LA riots by handing out ‘F–k ICE’ protective gear.’ This misleading narrative painted Villalta’s organization as a key player in fomenting unrest during a volatile time.
Villalta expressed her dismay, saying, “They used just a little amount of information that they had about our community making first aid kits for protesters and turned it into this whole thing where they claimed that we were singlehandedly funding LA riots.”
The misinformation did not stop there. A blog authored by extremist voices categorized Villalta and other nonprofits supporting low-income and undocumented communities as ‘Enemy Combatant Support Networks.’ This group pushed the narrative further by suggesting that Villalta was receiving federal funding, which she vehemently disputes.
“Nobody is paid. We have received zero grants from anybody, including government funding,” Villalta clarified. She pointed out that anyone can verify this information through Grants.gov, where organizations can check grant-related details. Operation Healthy Hearts is not listed as a recipient of any public funds.
Villalta relies solely on community donations and partnerships with local nonprofits. Notably, the Underdog Bookstore and other supporters contribute to her cause, allowing her team of volunteers to distribute groceries to hundreds of individuals each week. Administrative Assistant Ollie Alfaro, who also works at the Whittier LGBTQ Center, has been instrumental in facilitating these pop-up events every Thursday, while also assisting with social media outreach and clerical duties.
“I pick up the items from community fridges or our usual drop-off locations, and I bring them directly to families,” Alfaro shares, highlighting the effort put into delivering groceries as part of their mutual aid initiative. Volunteers are not just providing food; they also offer public health and social services, with team members like Vibal available to help with medical referrals and access.
The ongoing ICE raids by the Department of Homeland Security continue to instill fear among immigrant communities across Los Angeles, making it unsafe for some to attend community events physically. Villalta described the situation, stating, “Our undocumented community should not show up to our pop-up events just due to the circumstances right now, and I cannot really guarantee anybody’s safety.”
For those in need, Operation Healthy Hearts has set up a secured registration form on their Instagram, available in both English and Spanish, with efforts underway to provide resources in additional languages as well.
Despite the harassment and discrimination aimed at her organization, as well as incitements of violence from certain corners, Villalta remains committed to her cause. “I love my community,” she attests, demonstrating resilience and dedication to serving those in need amidst adversity.
image source from：knock-la
