05/29/2026
🗣️Promises Made, Promises Kept… Thank you Manny💪
Over 4 years ago after the loss of Steven, I was angry and had a lot to say about the County of Riverside. I asked for a meeting with Supervisor V. Manuel Perez and on my way to Riverside with Steven’s ashes, I was not and will never take no for an answer.
In a private room with Supervisor Perez, all his staff, the director of RUHS, the desert director of behavioral health and the public health officer (in between COVID press conferences) they all sat to meet with me and my family.
I sat Steven’s ashes in the middle of that long conference table and told Supervisor Perez and all these key members of the County that Steven represents the failure of not providing people in Blythe the proper care, support and resources and I vowed to fight with every last bit of my being for change since my Son was now gone.
After a long pause amidst the sobbing, some very sincere and heartfelt apologies were given to our family and everyone in that room was in tears because they realized that those ashes could have been their child or loved one who for no reason of their own, within psychosis could fall through the gaps in services and complete Su***de.
That day, as a Man, a Father and the elected leader / Supervisor of the 4th District of Riverside County, Manuel Perez made some very open and honest comments, plans and promises that I have held him accountable to every single day since our meeting in Riverside as it relates to services provided by Riverside County in Blythe.
These were the promises made that day:
- A full understanding and action plan to address the behavioral health needs of Blythe and the local RUHS-BH clinic.
- Hold those directly involved with the deficiencies accountable and address the findings directly with us.
- To expand services at the Blythe Clinic including a crisis team, more clinical support and management, locally available.
- To remove the client window at the Blythe Clinic, due to confidentiality issues in the lobby.
- Look to create a welcoming space to work with clients and bring more resources to Blythe without the stigma of passed trust issues within the community.
Over time those promises grew to include:
- Reopening the Blythe Senior Center, providing better food and services to Seniors.
- To develop a community collaborative bringing together Blythe resources and departments to meet and help each other with Blythe specific issues only.
- Address the Hospital concerns as it relates to mental health clients in the ER.
To date, all these issues have been improved and addressed!
Just as I was angry to speak out against the County and ask for these changes from him, I am proud to report just as loudly, my appreciation and respect for Supervisor Perez for being that leader who took accountability, took charge and supported the efforts to address these areas we were missing in our community.
God bless you Supervisor, no one says it enough so I will... thank you for keeping your word and promise to support the changes needed in Blythe and the Palo Verde Valley to help our people.
Angela💜💙
Photo credits to Uriel Avendano
