Councilmember Steve Veres, who was re-elected to the San Fernando City Council for a four-year term in March 2007, moved to the city from Westwood after studying at UCLA. As someone who enjoys swimming, taking his dog on walks to the park and riding his bike to work, Veres noticed the disparities between the two communities immediately. “In San Fernando, there were few outlets for recreation and fitness, said Veres. “No gyms, few parks, limited access to healthy foods, and poor selections of fresh fruits and veggies at the local markets.”

Veres felt particularly compelled to act when he noticed the increasing number of obese children and teens in San Fernando and realized how limited access to physical activity and nutritious foods was impacting their long-term health.

To kick-start obesity prevention efforts in San Fernando, Veres applied to the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund, a structured, year-long program to strengthen the governance skills of 12-15 Latino elected officials across the nation. The program provides Latino leaders with the latest information about childhood obesity and the tools to prevent it. 

Along with the NALEO Educational Fund, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, the Coalition for Clean Air, and colleagues from the local state assembly office motivated the councilman to advocate for healthy communities. “Generally, folks in the environmental world were important because they helped me make the connection to the quality of the physical environment and human health,” Veres said.

In collaboration with the city council, Veres facilitated the development of Heritage Park, a three-acre park that is the city’s first new park in nearly 30 years. San Fernando has also initiated numerous pedestrian improvements along city streets, built a new community pool and recreation areas, nearly 100 units of senior housing, and is planning the development of bicycle and walking paths. 

“All of the programs we do are targeted to families,” Veres said. “We’re trying to build a culture of healthy lifestyles. For example, the pool is free to youth during the month of September, and students and youth ages 18 and younger are given a discount rate during the rest of the year.”

In addition to support from the council and the community, voter-approved state bonds such as Proposition 40 have made valuable infrastructure funding possible. In addition, “local sports leagues and sports clubs, the NALEO Educational Fund, and the colleagues I have met through the organization were also supportive and helpful,” Veres said.