Asking for help should feel natural. Caring should be part of everyday life.
KINDNESS NETWORK brought residents and city leaders together for “Meeting with the Mayor” at the South Coast Chinese Cultural Center on September 11, opening a conversation about building a welcoming, inclusive community.
Irvine Mayor Larry Agran and Scotty Hong, a sustainability commissioner and mayoral policy adviser, discussed mental health, housing pressures, and care for youth and older adults—with a shared focus on connecting people to the support they need.
Kindness Connects, Partnership Empowers
KINDNESS NETWORK founder Steven Chen recalled moving to Irvine with his family 26 years ago, when debate raged over turning the former Marine Corps air station into an international airport or a great park.
He joined Agran’s park advocacy coalition. The park proposal prevailed, paving the way for today’s Great Park and showing how residents can shape their city.
That belief in collaboration later inspired his mental health advocacy. Through community service during the pandemic, Chen saw that no single organization could meet the overwhelming need.
He envisioned KINDNESS NETWORK as a way to connect trusted resources, strengthen partnerships, and offer timely support.
Agran thanked Chen for uniting the community, pointing to Great Park as proof that shared commitment can turn a vision into reality.
Caring City, Accessible Care
Irvine must be more than safe, smart, and sustainable, Agran said. It must also be healthy and caring. Progress means more than new infrastructure—it means ensuring every resident has support.
Mental health, he emphasized, is essential to comprehensive care. Through its Office of Health and Wellness, the city will continue partnering with healthcare providers and nonprofits to close service gaps and make care affordable, with or without insurance.
Housing affordability also shapes well-being. Agran hopes to elevate the office into a city department, integrating housing and physical and mental health services while addressing cultural barriers to seeking help—so every voice is heard and every family supported.
Listen Early, Respond Kindly
Hong outlined Irvine’s efforts to expand urban greenery and greener transportation, reduce air pollution, and reach carbon neutrality by 2040.
Turning to mental health, he recalled struggling to breathe under exam stress while studying at Harvard. Only on his third medical visit did he recognize the underlying problem.
The experience reinforced the need to connect school and community resources and help parents understand mental health.
He urged Asian families to listen when children struggle and offer support rather than dismiss their pleas as complaints.
Asked how parents can intervene before problems worsen, Agran stressed early recognition and timely help. Children should feel safe sharing their struggles, without shame or fear.
The city will strengthen ties with the Irvine and Tustin school districts and healthcare providers so families can say, “We need help,” and receive support.
He cited his wife’s experience as a pediatric gastroenterologist: some children seek care for severe stomach pain, only for evaluations to reveal bullying, family difficulties, or anxiety after serious physical illness is ruled out.
Stomachaches or reluctance to attend school may express worries children cannot put into words.
Stronger Connections, Healthier Communities
Residents also raised concerns about older adults living in isolation, unsure how—or where—to seek help. They called for city support for senior groups and multilingual services.
Agran suggested starting with the senior center in Woodbridge, where city staff and volunteers can connect residents with guidance, financial counseling, and other resources to ease daily and financial pressures.
Chen said KINDNESS NETWORK now connects 19 partners serving older adults, youth, children with special needs, and veterans.
As a bridge between residents and service organizations, it welcomes anyone ready to turn compassion into action—supporting mental health and building a community where everyone can thrive.
