he Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has approved a motion from Chair Pro Tem and First District Supervisor Hilda L. Solis to donate two County cargo vans to community organizations A New Way of Life and Water Drop LA, both serving residents facing homelessness, poverty, and reentry challenges.
The motion authorizes the County’s Internal Services Department (ISD) to transfer ownership of the retired vehicles through the Surplus Equipment Program, which allows nonprofits to repurpose County equipment that is no longer in use. The program has operated since the late 1990s and supports community-based organizations by providing no-cost access to vehicles and supplies that still hold value.
Founded in 1998, A New Way of Life is a nationally recognized reentry program helping women rebuild their lives after incarceration. The organization offers transitional housing, legal services, job readiness, and family reunification programs that support long-term stability and independence. The donated vehicle will assist with outreach, supply deliveries, and transportation between the group’s transitional homes located throughout Los Angeles County.
Water Drop LA, launched in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, operates weekly water and supply distributions for unhoused residents—particularly in the Skid Row community. The volunteer-run group delivers thousands of gallons of clean water and basic necessities each Sunday. The County vehicle donation provides the group a reliable way to transport materials and expand its routes of service.
The County Surplus Equipment Program promotes sustainability and public stewardship by redirecting usable County property to organizations that meet community needs. The Internal Services Department manages the program and works with the Board of Supervisors to approve donations to qualified nonprofits. The program helps reduce waste, extends the life of public assets, and strengthens partnerships with local service providers.
Supervisor Solis, who represents parts of the San Gabriel Valley and East Los Angeles, has long advocated for initiatives that blend environmental sustainability with social impact. Her leadership emphasizes collaboration with grassroots organizations that reach vulnerable residents often overlooked by larger service systems.
“Donating surplus vehicles to groups like A New Way of Life and Water Drop LA is one example of how Los Angeles County can make a meaningful difference with minimal cost,” Solis said following the vote. “It’s about putting County resources back into the hands of people who serve our communities every day.”
For more about the Surplus Equipment Program, visit doingbusiness.lacounty.gov/surplus-property-2.
