Mayor Carmen Cave
September 2013
In the 2000 “Pay It Forward” film, a young boy, troubled by family issues, embarks upon an
intriguing assignment from his new teacher. The assignment is to think of something to change
the world and put it into action.
The boy embraces the idea of paying a favor not back, but forward – repaying good deeds not
with payback but with new good deeds done to three new people. His efforts to do so spark a
revolution not only in the lives of himself, his mother and teacher, but in those of an everexpanding circle of strangers. To me, watching that movie years ago reinforced the importance
of “paying it forward” and giving back to others. I believe it’s part of our moral obligation. Of
course we feed, clothe and take care of our families, but we should also reach out to neighbors
and strangers in need. There are several ways to pay it forward in our community. You can do
something nice for someone or help an elderly or disabled neighbor with yard work. You can
pick up the dinner tab for a family at a restaurant or volunteer for a local organization. You can
bring canned and perishable food items to City Hall. In fact, our City now serves as a drop-point
for South County Outreach.
This nonprofit organization provides food, homeless prevention counseling, housing, clothing,
computer training and rental and utility assistance to those in need.
Through its food pantry, the organization distributes emergency non-perishable and fresh food
daily to as many as 3,000 residents a month. As many as 332 families a year receive emergency
utility and rental assistance to avoid shut-off and eviction. Folks receive individual coaching,
resources, and referrals to promote self-reliance and prevent homelessness. This is a great
organization that for more than 24 years has helped thousands of South County families. They
cannot do it alone and rely on donations and assistance to fuel their operations.
In our busy daily lives, it’s easy to take the basic necessities for granted, but there are too many
people who don’t have access to fresh food and struggle to keep a roof over their heads.
According to a recent report, 400,000 in Orange County are at risk of going hungry.
The largest groups food banks provide for are the working poor and seniors, the fastest-growing
segment, a report says. That could be you, me or your neighbor. Sometimes, it happens in a
moment. One day you have a job and a home, then the next day you find yourself in need.
Each of us can pay it forward by picking up an extra box of macaroni and cheese, jar of peanut
butter or can of beans and dropping it off at City Hall. There’s a food barrel sitting right by the
door at 12 Journey.
Mayor Carmen Cave
Carmen Cave is a recognized leader throughout the county for her resolve and commitment to ensuring Aliso Viejo remains a strong and viable community. As the co-founder and former president of the Cityhood Committee, Carmen was successful in bringing a fiscally responsible cityhood plan to voters and was the driving force behind the incorporation drive for Orange County’s 34th city. In fact, Senator Dick Ackerman honored Carmen for her efforts with the 2008 Woman of the Year Award for the 33rd District.
Proudly serving as the City’s first Mayor upon incorporation on July 1, 2001, Carmen served again as Mayor again in 2006, 2007, 2011 and 2013.
Carmen represents the City of Aliso Viejo as an alternate board member for the San Joaquin Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) and Transportation Corridor System. Carmen serves the City on the Aliso Creek Watershed Committee and on the South Orange County Watershed Management Area. This Council Member brings a wealth of professional experience to the table. She has extensive experience in the social service field; land-use planning; and commercial development.
Carmen holds a B.A. degree in English and Psychology, and a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from Stanford University.
A 20-year Aliso Viejo resident, Carmen is a fixture in town, donating her time and efforts to several charities and organizations. She serves as Chair of the Aliso Viejo Community Cup – an annual golf tournament dedicated to raising funds for the City’s Family Resource Center and other youth programs in Aliso Viejo. Carmen also served on Mission Hospital’s Latino Leadership Council and was a steering committee member for the YMCA’s “OC In Motion” campaign to promote health and wellness programs for youth.
Along with giving back to the community, Carmen is active in community activities and is an avid animal rescuer. She adopted Zephyr, an endangered California Desert Tortoise. She enjoys spending time with her rescue dog Charlie, who was adopted through “Save the Dalmatians & Others.”
Click here to send a message: ccave@cityofalisoviejo.com.
Kelly Tokarski
KT Community Relations
