LAKE LOS ANGELES, Calif. — September 23, 2026 — Sixty-five community members from across the Antelope Valley gathered Wednesday at Living Springs Church in Lake Los Angeles for a Community Listening Session hosted by Helping Hands AV in collaboration with Los Angeles County’s Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion (ARDI) Initiative.

Residents traveled from Acton, Lancaster, Palmdale, Quartz Hill, Pearblossom, Littlerock, Sun Village, and surrounding communities to participate. The gathering provided residents with an opportunity to share their experiences, concerns, ideas, and priorities for their communities and the Antelope Valley as a whole.

The session began with an icebreaker focused on how long participants had lived in or called the Antelope Valley home. Residents compared how many years they had been in the region, recognizing longtime community members while welcoming newer residents. The activity helped people get to know one another and set a friendly and open tone for the conversations that followed.

Throughout the afternoon, participants discussed issues affecting their communities and shared what they would like to see improved across the region. Facilitators listened and documented the feedback, allowing residents’ personal experiences to compliment available regional data and provide a better understanding of local needs.

The gathering also included elected officials and candidates for public office who attended to listen, participate, and provide input alongside community members. Their participation was part of the broader community conversation that included residents, nonprofit representatives, community leaders, volunteers, and other local stakeholders. The listening session was not organized to support or oppose any candidate or political position.

Organizers worked to make the event accessible to families and residents from different backgrounds. Food and snacks were provided, along with childcare and translation services. The afternoon also included raffles and prizes, adding a fun and welcoming element to the community gathering.

The goal of the listening session was not only to present information but also to hear directly from the people who live in the Antelope Valley. Residents were encouraged to speak about their own experiences and identify challenges and opportunities they see in their neighborhoods.

“Today was about giving our community an opportunity to speak and, more importantly, making sure people are listening,” said Vladimir Gomez, Executive Director of Helping Hands AV. “We had 65 people from communities throughout the Antelope Valley, along with community leaders, elected officials and candidates who wanted to listen, provide input and be part of positive change. Everyone who came had an opportunity to have a voice.”

Gomez also recognized the people working behind the scenes to organize and operate the event.

“A gathering like this takes many people working together,” Gomez said. “I want to personally thank our staff, volunteers, facilitators and community partners who took the time to support this event. From welcoming families and helping with childcare and translation to serving food and assisting with the discussions, everyone played an important role.”

Helping Hands AV also thanked Living Springs Church in Lake Los Angeles for providing the location and helping create a space where residents from throughout the region could come together.

The feedback collected during the listening session will contribute to the continuing conversation about the needs, challenges, opportunities, and priorities of Antelope Valley communities. Organizers said community participation will remain an important part of understanding the region and shaping future programs and initiatives.

For Helping Hands AV, the gathering reinforced a simple message: meaningful community change begins by listening to the people who call the Antelope Valley home.

Helping Hands AV welcomes residents to volunteer, attend community events, support local programs, or become a community partner. Every person can play a role in strengthening the Antelope Valley.

www.helpinghandsav.org (661)547-9855

Basilio , Tere, Lorena, Elda, Erika, Chloé, Mayra, Leslie, Marleny, Norna, Vladimir, other staff and volunteers are missing on the photo. Alva, John, Alma