Rep. Mike Levin, Mayor Ernesto Gutierrez, Henry Bringas, Rep. Raul Ruiz

DLNews City News:

City leaders, residents, family members, and Representatives Raul Ruiz and Mike Levin celebrated the Ofelia Bringas Memorial Bridge's dedication on Thursday, October 6, 2022. During the program, the city unveiled a plaque and artwork commemorating her life and accomplishments.

Cathedral City High School student Mariah Hernandez sang the National Anthem before the ceremony, followed by remarks from:

• Cathedral City Mayor Ernesto Gutierrez
• DeeAnn Hopings, Chair, Cathedral City Public Arts Commission
• Raul Ruiz, U.S. Representative for CA-36
• Mike Levin, U.S. Representative for CA-49
• Henry Bringas, Son of Ofelia Bringas

A youth counselor devoted her entire career to bringing available resources to those in need; Bringas was a pillar for this community. She supported thousands of families in the Coachella Valley struggling with childcare, poverty, food scarcity, and language barriers.

DeeAnn Hopings, Chair, Public Arts Commission, Sunshine Edwards, Public Arts Commission

Bringas began her career helping youth by working for the 4-H Open Campus at Agua Caliente Elementary School in her neighborhood of Dream Homes. She knew that to change the trajectory of poor children getting involved in gangs, she needed to offer recreational activities that caught their attention while instilling a sense of hope and opportunity.

The need for a more prominent organization that offered a safe place for youth to learn and grow was realized when the Boys and Girls Club of Cathedral City opened in 1982. Within a few years, Ofelia became its executive director to implement its educational and recreational programs further.

One of her biggest challenges was too much demand and insufficient space for all the kids wanting to join. At the time, the organization's clubhouse could only hold 80 individuals, and she needed a much bigger building for hundreds of children.

Thanks to her ongoing work, private and corporate donations, and a $250,000 California Youth Advisory grant, a new gymnasium and youth center was built in 1993 on Whispering Palms Drive, where the Club operates today. The new facility allowed hundreds of children to participate in after-school and summer programs. Ofelia Bringas continued being the executive director of the Boys and Girls Club of Cathedral City well into her early 70s, finally retiring in 2003.

The bridge itself has already improved safety on Cathedral Canyon with a new 4-lane all-weather bridge over the Whitewater River. This low-water crossing would frequently be closed to through traffic during heavy rains. This bridge resolves that issue for the many residential and commercial neighborhoods north of the Whitewater River. It improves traffic safety and accessibility, and traffic flow.

Source: Pam Price