As the new year approaches, we at ActiveSGV reflect on how quickly it has passed. 2024 was a monumental year for ActiveSGV, filled with achievements, memorable moments, and community-driven action. From securing critical funding to launching new programs and celebrating partnerships across the San Gabriel Valley, this year demonstrated the collective power of working together for a healthier, more sustainable future. Here’s a comprehensive look at the impact we made in 2024.
Awards and Recognition
This year, ActiveSGV received significant recognition for our work. We were honored as "Nonprofit of the Year" for the 49th District by Assemblymember Mike Fong and celebrated by Southern California Edison during Hispanic Heritage Month. These awards are a testament to the dedication of our team, partners, and the communities we serve.
Historic Funding and Development
A significant highlight of 2024 was securing over $30 million to support environmental justice and climate projects in the San Gabriel Valley. This funding will enable us to advance key initiatives prioritizing sustainable transportation, safer streets, cleaner air, and community-driven environmental improvements.
Nature for All: A Year of Exploration and Historic Milestones
2024 was a standout year for our Nature for All program, with community bike rides, hikes, and social events bringing people closer to the natural beauty of the San Gabriel Valley. We hosted three bike rides, two hikes, and four ActiveSGV Social events, creating opportunities for participants to reconnect with local trails, parks, and open spaces. For many, these events were a chance to visit places they had never explored or hadn’t been to in years, sparking new connections to the environment.
A historic highlight of the year was the expansion of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, a critical step in preserving this treasured natural resource. This milestone passed through the Antiquities Act, was made official at the White House. This expansion ensures that more of the San Gabriel Mountains will be protected for generations, providing cleaner air, better water quality, and more outdoor recreation opportunities for our communities.
Active Streets and Mission-to-Mission Success
April brought one of our largest events of the year, Active Streets: Mission-to-Mission. This car-free celebration transformed the streets of South Pasadena, Alhambra, and San Gabriel into vibrant community spaces for biking, walking, and gathering. The event spanned five miles and featured live music, local business pop-ups, and engaging activities, bringing thousands of participants together to celebrate sustainable mobility and connected communities. Stay tuned for more Active Streets events in the new year!
GoSGV: Expanding Sustainable Mobility Across the San Gabriel Valley
2024 marked a year of growth and impact for GoSGV, our regional e-bike share program designed to provide affordable, clean, and fun transportation options. This year, GoSGV expanded its reach, partnering with 21 cities and collaborating with local organizations to make e-bikes more accessible to people across the San Gabriel Valley. Through community outreach events, partnerships, and innovative programs, GoSGV introduced thousands of residents to the benefits of e-bikes.
Key initiatives helped bring GoSGV to life in new ways. The Caltech e-bike Library allowed students, faculty, and staff to borrow e-bikes and essential gear, offering a hands-on way to explore sustainable transportation. Through our Metrolink partnership, members combined e-bike use with public transit, making it easier to travel throughout the region without a car. In Claremont, city-supported memberships enabled residents to take full advantage of GoSGV’s e-bike program, fostering increased participation and community engagement.
GoSGV’s success was powered by collaboration. Eleven nonprofits and ten city partners worked together to expand awareness and provide support, while community events allowed participants to try e-bikes for themselves. From exploring neighborhoods to connecting with nature, the program demonstrated how e-bikes can transform how we move through our communities. With each new partnership and participant, GoSGV is helping to reduce transportation barriers, lower emissions, and create a more sustainable future for the San Gabriel Valley.
Easy Access: Bringing e-bikes Directly to Communities
Our Easy Access program played a critical role in reducing barriers to e-bike access in 2024. Through pop-ups, guided rides, and hands-on demonstrations, we connected hundreds of participants with high-quality e-bikes and the joy of cycling.
We hosted six pop-ups at Peck Park, where community members could try e-bikes for free for two hours. These events were designed to be accessible and welcoming, allowing participants to experience cycling in a safe and supportive environment. A standout moment came when a participant, who hadn’t ridden in over 20 years, rediscovered the thrill of cycling, a reminder of how transformative these experiences can be.
Easy Access organized four guided bike rides around the Emerald Necklace, led by League Certified Instructors. These rides combined education, recreation, and sustainability, introducing participants to regional green spaces and teaching safe cycling practices. Highlights included visits to locations like the Whittier Narrows Nature Center, Santa Fe Dam, and the Duarte Historical Museum, with each ride providing a unique blend of fun and learning.
Our program partnered with 11 organizations, including Amigos de los Rios, Sierra Club 30x30, and the San Gabriel River Park, to make these rides and events successful. Easy Access is proof of the transformative impact of bringing e-bikes directly to the community, and we’re excited to build on this momentum in 2025.
CalFresh Healthy Living: Promoting Wellness and Nutrition
Our CalFresh Healthy Living program had a standout year, connecting with over 15,000 people across the San Gabriel Valley to promote health and wellness. Through hands-on education, we empowered community members to make healthier choices in their daily lives.
This year, we conducted 94 “Rethink Your Drink” and food demonstrations, teaching participants how to reduce sugar intake and prepare nutritious meals and snacks. Our team also brought fitness into focus by leading 39 Zumba and yoga classes at parks and community centers, making movement accessible and fun for participants of all ages.
In addition, we participated in more than 30 produce distributions, increasing access to fresh fruits and vegetables for families throughout the region. We also launched our first Youth Participatory Action Research Fellowship, engaging four youths from South El Monte in leadership development and health-focused initiatives.
A unique highlight was our series of "Yoga-in-a-Minute" videos, released on social media to provide bite-sized wellness practices for followers to incorporate into their daily routines. CalFresh Healthy Living continues to be a cornerstone of ActiveSGV’s mission to promote a healthier, more active SGV.
Bike Safety and Education: Building Confidence and Skills
This year, we made significant strides in promoting bike safety and education for youth and adults. Our programming focused on building confidence, teaching essential skills, and creating opportunities for participants to explore their communities on two wheels.
At Rio Hondo Elementary, we conducted 15 comprehensive bike safety classes with 19 third-grade students. Before transitioning to on-bike training, the program began with off-bike lessons on helmet fitting, road rules, and essential handling skills. Students learned how to ride safely, building their confidence while developing lifelong skills.
We also hosted two Bike Rodeos at Whittier Narrows and Bonelli Park, drawing over 100 youth participants. These events offered hands-on opportunities to practice skills like balancing, turning, and riding up ramps. For some, the day included learning to ride without training wheels for the first time. Four bikes were given away during these events, ensuring more children could experience the joys of cycling.
In Baldwin Park, our Earn-a-Bike Program provided hands-on repair classes where participants worked on 16 bikes over four sessions. These classes were designed for youth, with simple instructions and demonstrations to make bike maintenance accessible and engaging. Many attendees stayed beyond the scheduled time to keep learning, with participants expressing a strong desire for more classes in the future.
Our bike education programs not only equipped participants with practical skills but also fostered a deeper appreciation for cycling as a sustainable and healthy mode of transportation.
Climate Team: Community Engagement and Green Infrastructure
The Climate Team was pivotal in 2024, advancing green infrastructure projects and connecting with thousands of residents to address pressing environmental and climate issues. Through outreach, education, and project implementation, the team worked tirelessly to make the San Gabriel Valley a healthier and more sustainable place to live.
This year, the team completed significant projects such as the Merced Avenue Greenway, Ana Montenegro Mini Park, and the Royal Oak Middle School Greening Plan—each of which reflects our commitment to creating spaces that improve air quality, increase tree canopy, and provide safe, inviting environments for the community. These projects showcase the potential of green infrastructure to address climate challenges while enhancing quality of life.
The team also kicked off new initiatives, including the Merced Avenue Greenway (North and South), the Clean Mobility Options (CMO) SGV Carshare program in South El Monte, and the Bassett Avocado Heights Advanced Energy Community (BAAEC) Carshare program. These programs are designed to bring innovative solutions to transportation and energy challenges while prioritizing community access and equity.
In addition to infrastructure, the Climate Team focused heavily on community engagement. The team attended 87 community events, canvassed 44 times, phone banked 23 times, and hosted nine presentations, four pop-ups, and two community bike rides. Altogether, these efforts reached over 10,000 people, sharing critical resources on water conservation, extreme heat preparedness, and environmental justice. As part of the State of California’s Trusted Messenger Network, the team ensured that resources were accessible to all, particularly in communities most affected by climate change.
Crop Swaps: Growing Community Connections
This year, we launched a new initiative that brought neighbors together in a unique way: Crop Swaps at Lopez Urban Farm. These events encouraged community members to share homegrown produce, seeds, flowers, and gardening tips, creating a space for exchanging resources while reducing food waste. The Crop Swaps were more than just an exchange of goods—they fostered community connections, strengthened local food systems, and celebrated the diversity of what residents are growing in their backyards. By providing a space for collaboration and sharing, the Crop Swaps became a highlight of our programming in 2024, showcasing the power of small, community-led actions to make a big impact. As we look ahead, we’re excited to continue hosting Crop Swaps, providing hands-on opportunities to support sustainable living and strengthen bonds within the community.
Tree Planting: Growing Greener Communities
In partnership with TreePeople, ActiveSGV hosted three tree-planting events in El Monte, bringing together volunteers to plant trees to clean the air, combat climate change, and provide much-needed shade in local neighborhoods. At the El Monte Tree Lighting Ceremony, we distributed 50 fruit trees—including avocado, persimmon, and pomegranate—helping residents grow fresh produce while contributing to a greener community. These efforts are part of our ongoing mission to create healthier environments through community-driven action.
ActiveLab Podcast: Amplifying Local Voices
This year, we brought back the ActiveLab Podcast, creating episodes highlighting sustainability, local businesses, and ActiveSGV’s programs. Topics ranged from the GoSGV e-bike share program to community gardening tips and insights into how local initiatives reshape urban spaces.
Looking Ahead
2024 was a year of growth, impact, and connection. This year, from historic funding wins and program expansion to thousands of meaningful interactions with the community, laid the groundwork for continued progress in the years to come.
Thank you to our partners, supporters, and community members for making this year unforgettable. Your contributions have driven our mission forward and created a healthier, more sustainable San Gabriel Valley.
As we enter the new year, we’re grateful for the incredible support we’ve received throughout 2024. Thank you for being part of our journey—here’s to a productive and impactful 2025! Stay connected by following us on social media and subscribing to our newsletter for updates on what’s next for ActiveSGV!
