The beneficiaries, who must be from District 1, may receive up to $ 1,500 to pay for water, electricity, telephone or rent
A group of street vendors arrived this Friday at the facilities of the Central City Neighborhood Partners (CCNP) association, located in downtown Los Angeles, to participate in a program that offers education and financial assistance in times of pandemic.
The Ambulatory Sales Ambassadors Program, funded by Councilor Gil Cedillo’s office, offers up to $ 1,500 to 100 merchants – regardless of their immigration status – who qualify to cover their personal expenses, such as electricity, water, gas, telephone utilities and in some income cases.
Among the group was Rafael Morales, who has been a street vendor for the past eight years.
He currently sells clothes at the intersection of Sixth and Bonnie Brae streets.
“I found out through the organization and it is very good because I run out of sales and stop paying for various things,” said the man who lives with his mother.
The Salvadoran-born vendor said the program will help him pay some bills he has.
Another vendor selected was María Estrada, who said that she worked as a cleaning janitor at Union Station but that when the pandemic began she was rested and had to look for options to get ahead.
“I started selling artisan masks that are brought to me from Puebla,” said Estrada. “I sell them on the street, at events and on the lines.”
She added that this monetary help comes at a perfect time since her husband also stayed at home if he worked. The apartment is shared with their daughter and grandson and so far they have obtained food through food banks.
“We already owe two months of rent and we have bills to pay as well,” he said.
What do you need?
Margarita Álvarez, executive director of CCNP, said that they are in charge of selecting the vendors.
The first requirement is to show proof of income and address to ensure they live within the First District, which includes areas such as Pico-Union, MacArthur Park, Westlake, and Highland Park.
“Each case manager determines the amount of eligibility, which ranges from $ 700, $ 1,100 to $ 1,500, depending on the size of the family,” he explained.
In order for street vendors to receive their money, they must participate in an orientation that lasts about two hours, where they receive information from financial and business advisors.
Álvarez said that the money does not go directly to the client but to the companies to pay their bills for which they were previously approved such as water, gas, telephone or rent for their home.
He added that this help is so that sellers are not so in debt after many of them have not been able to sell on the streets.
Because even though the water, electric, or landlord companies say they are not going to cut the service or kick them out, the debt has to be paid eventually.
Not everyone is aware
Fidelia Ramos is a street vendor from the MacArthur Park area who was unemployed for about three months, from March to June.
She said that she lives with her husband, eldest son and two grandchildren and that fortunately they were able to get ahead during that time with some savings they had saved.
Now that Ramos is back at work, he’s been able to start making his rent payments. However, they still owe two months of rent.
The vendor said she was unaware of the program to help street vendors.
“I found out on television about the help but they haven’t come here to offer us anything,” said the woman who has sold in the MacArthur Park area for three years.
He said that necessity forced them to return to selling to the streets but that the entire group of vendors that set up outside the Metro station at the MacArthur Park stop, have been in charge of keeping the area clean.
Olivia Camacho is another street vendor who said she was unaware of District 1’s financial aid program.
“We have no information that they are going to help us, since the pandemic began,” she said when interviewed this week and indicated that the need is high. “We have many seniors here and I, for example, have only sold $ 27 today, what can I do with $ 27 to help in my home?” she questioned.
Camacho, 58, said he already owes two months of rent and in recent days he has lived off the charity of some people who help him.
Unable to contain her tears, the street vendor said she was disappointed because when Councilor Cedillo was campaigning for re-election, many street vendors like her took on the task of knocking on doors to support him.
“We are sorry because why so much work if now they do not help us at all,” he said sadly.
There are still spaces to request the money
Councilor Gil Cedillo clarified that given the impact of the pandemic in District 1 they are addressing the economic needs of their community, including street vendors.
He indicated that at the beginning of the pandemic the most important thing was to protect life before sustenance.
“Now that our economy is beginning to open up, it is so important to us to continue to prioritize health in the midst of an incredibly challenging health crisis, but also to provide forms of relief to help people recover,” said the councilman.
CCNP continues to seek program participants through the current list of street vendors; It will also distribute brochures with information about the program and use social media to notify providers of this opportunity, Cedillo said.
He added that just like any other business, street vendors must adhere to health guidelines, and these programs are intended not only to be a form of financial relief for providers, but also an opportunity for providers to obtain a way to training the workforce to operate safely and legally in the city.
During the orientation those who require it will receive advice to obtain their local permits, business tax registration certificate, small business loans, food handling certificate, health permits and help with their tax return.
The next orientation of 20 street vendors is scheduled for next Friday, September 18 and there is still space available.
If you are interested in applying for program assistance and you live in District 1 call (213) 482-86-18 or (213) 434-4054 or email Gilbert.Cedillo@lacity.org
