Jaqueline Villalta at the Arts and Crafts Table at the Mutual Aid Pop-Up at Matilija Lending Library in El Monte, CA (Photo: Cristabell Fierros)
At the community BIPOC bookstore Matilija Lending Library, adults and children harmoniously congregate while eating a cup of strawberries and cream. Meanwhile, in the outdoor area, there are free haircuts and HIV testing, including arts and crafts. At the same time, a row of people wait in line under a tent for brown paper bags packed with food. Since 2011, the founder of Operation Healthy Hearts, Jacqueline Villalta, has been hosting community pop-ups and providing mutual aid to all of Los Angeles County.
“Our mission is to provide resources to any marginalized community, which includes people with disabilities, people who are seniors, immune compromised, all kinds of different people, even if you’re experiencing homelessness,” said Villalta.
Over the past decade, Villalta has faced many challenges, including financial struggles, and homelessness that led to depression, but never did she imagine being a target of conservative media outlets. During the first week of Los Angeles ICE raids, protests erupted all over the county, including clashes between protestors and law enforcement, which led to an enforced curfew downtown due to the vandalism and looting at night.
“I was seeing firsthand children, seniors, people with disabilities out there protesting, and being victims of state violence,” said Villalta. She felt compelled to assist her community by distributing PPE Kits. In a Ziploc bag, each PPE Kit contained a water bottle, snacks, menstrual pad, medical hand gloves, first aid bands, alcohol pads, gauze, face mask, and jail support in LA phone number.
Mikey Vibal, Chief developmental Officer for Operation Healthy Hearts (OHH) and caseworker for Reach LA was among the volunteers distributing the bags. “We were handing them out to everybody,” she said. “I didn’t ask people, hey, what are your views before I give you this bag? You need safety items, here you go.”
Volunteers distributed free grocery bags at the OHH Mutual Aid-Pop Up on June 21 (Photo: Cristabell Fierros)
The day after the OHH team distributed bags at the vigil prayer in Grand Park, the New York Post published an article titled ‘Lefty nonprofits are openly fueling LA riots by handing out ‘F–k ICE’ protective gear,’ which was then republished on AOL’s website.
“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,” said Villalta.
In a blog, ultraconservative Kai on Your Side created a list of ‘Enemy Combatant Support Networks’ of LA non-profits servicing low-income and undocumented communities, adding that Villalta has received federal funding.
“Nobody is paid. We have received zero grants from anybody, including government funding,” Villalta said. The general public is able to obtain access to US grant-related information on any organization at Grants.gov, including details on nonprofits under the Eligibility Grants section. Operation Healthy Hearts was not listed.
Relying solely on the community’s donations and the generosity of other non-profits, such as Underdog Bookstore, Villalta’s team of volunteers mobilizes to distribute free groceries to hundreds of people each week. Administrative Assistant Ollie Alfaro, who works at the Whittier LGBTQ Center, helps Villalta facilitate pop-ups every Thursday at the community space. Alfaro volunteers to create OHH social media posts and assist with clerical duties during her spare time. These past weeks, there has been a high demand for grocery deliveries.
A child receiving a free haircut by a professional barber at the OHH Mutual Aid Pop-Up at Matilija Lending Library (Photo: Cristabell Fierros)
“I pick up the items from community fridges or our usual drop-off locations, and I bring them directly to families,” said Alfaro. On occasion, as part of their mutual aid initiative, OHH graciously offers public health and social services. Vibal added, “Every time people come in to get groceries with Operation Healthy Hearts, I’m also there available as a caseworker. I can help you with your medical, all kinds of referrals for treatment and medical access.”
The Department of Homeland Security’s tyrannical ICE Raids continue to terrorize minorities throughout LA county. A walk to a local grocery store, pharmacy, clinic, or restaurant has caused tremendous uneasiness in immigration communities. To assist undocumented families, a trusted neighbor, relative, or school member can pick up bags.
“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,” said Villalta. A secured registry form on OHH’s Instagram is available in English and Spanish. Alfaro shared that they are working with translators to get it in other languages.
Despite all of the online bullying, incitations of violence, and discrimination against her multicultural collective, Villalta remains resilient, stating, “I love my community.”
