HISTORY OF
OAK VIEW COMUNIDAD
Oak View ComUNIDAD was founded in 2015 to advocate for environmental justice in the Oak View neighborhood of Huntington Beach, California.
2016
EARLY DAYS OF OUR ORGANIZATION
Oak View ComUNIDAD was born out of a grassroots movement to protect the health and well-being of local families—many of them migrants from Mexico—who had long endured the harmful effects of industrial pollution in their own backyard.
The community’s turning point came when residents, led by Victor Valladares and Oscar Rodriguez, joined forces with Ocean View School District board member Gina Clayton-Tarvin. Together, they organized neighbors to take legal action against Rainbow Disposal, a waste processing company that operated directly across the street from Oak View Elementary School and the attached preschool.
For decades, children playing in the schoolyard and families living nearby were exposed to pollution from the company’s outdoor trash-processing operations, which handled waste from across Orange County.
The lawsuit sought not only to stop the pollution but also to demand accountability and justice for the community.
After five years of legal and community pressure, Oak View ComUNIDAD won.
Rainbow Disposal—now Republic Services—was required to move its processing operations indoors, significantly reducing the neighborhood’s exposure to airborne pollutants. In addition, the local school was modernized and received a full-sized gymnasium, allowing students to participate in indoor activities and nearby residents to hold group events.
This founding victory cemented Oak View ComUNIDAD’s reputation as a powerful, community-driven force for change—built on persistence, grit, and an unwavering commitment to protecting families.
2020
RESPONDING TO THE COVID PANDEMIC
In 2020, the organization shifted to respond to urgent pandemic needs. Oak View ComUNIDAD launched weekly food distributions and partnered with local health providers to host pop-up vaccination clinics at Oak View Elementary School.
These services became a lifeline for many residents, especially those facing job loss, health concerns, and limited access to resources.
Even after the peak of the pandemic, food insecurity and poverty remained serious challenges in Oak View. The organization continued food distribution efforts, recognizing that everyday tasks—like grocery shopping—can be difficult for many residents, especially elders and those without transportation.
2023
RECEIVING 501(c)(3)
NONPROFIT STATUS
In 2023, Oak View ComUNIDAD officially received 501(c)(3) nonprofit status — marking a new chapter in its journey
and opening new doors for funding, partnerships, and impact.