>>> A THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THIS LOOK AT THE BEST ORIGINAL REPORTING FROM KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

THIS WEEK, SKATING ALL THE WAY TO TOKYO.

THE TIES TO NORTH COUNTY FOR THE VERY FIRST TEAM USA SKATEBOARDING TEAM .

>>> MUSIC MAKING A DIFFERENCE.

IMPORTANT WORK HAPPENING IN ONE DOWNTOWN STUDIO, AND HAVE A GOT ATTENTION FROM ONE OF THE WORLD'S RICHEST WOMEN.

>>> STITCHING FOR SURVIVORS.

WOMEN WHO LOST PART OF THEMSELVES TO BREAST CANCER ARE HELPING OTHERS GET THROUGH THAT LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCE.

>>> FIRST, A STATUS CHECK ON THE WORK BEING DONE TO HELP SAN DIEGO'S HOMELESS, AND A REMINDER OF HOW DIFFICULT THAT LIFE CAN BE.

WE HAVE TWO STORIES FROM KPBS HEALTH REPORTER MATT HOFFMAN THAT SHOW THE PROMISE AND STRUGGLE OF THIS DELICATE ISSUE.

>>> I'M HAPPY TO SAY THAT A LOT OF THESE RESOURCES ARE GETTING UTILIZED EVERY DAY.

>> Reporter: HOUSING OFFICIALS ARE JUST OVER A WEEK INTO THEIR DOWNTOWN PUSH TO CONNECT HOMELESS RESIDENTS TO SHELTERS AND TESTING.

THE OPERATION INVOLVING A NUMBER OF NONPROFIT PARTNERS, THE CITY AND COUNTY IS BEING COORDINATED BY THE SAN DIEGO HOUSING COMMISSION.

>> BASICALLY GET ANYBODY OFF THE STREET INTO HOUSING .

BACK BRIAN WITH PATH SAYS EFFORTS ARE BEING FOCUSED ON THREE AREAS, THE CITY CENTER, EAST VILLAGE, AND GASLAMP DISTRICT.

THIS MOBILE COMMAND CENTER HAS A STAFF CONNECTING PEOPLE TO RESOURCES, AND WITH SHELTERS EXPANDING OPERATIONS OF THE CORONAVIRUS RESTRICTIONS BUT ARE BEING RELAXED, THOSE WHO WANT SHELTER CAN GET IT RIGHT HERE.

>> IF SOMEONE WANTS TO GO TO A SHELTER, THEY CAN DO THAT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T WANT THAT FOR A LOT OF DIFFERENT REASONS.

WE WANT TO FOLLOW UP WITH THOSE FOLKS.

>> Reporter: DESPITE THE BIG PUSH, AND CAYMAN CLEANUPS ARE STILL HAPPENING.

THIS MORNING, CREWS WERE CLEARING SIDEWALKS.

>> IT WAS 3 HOURS.

>> Reporter: FREDDY DANGERFIELD SAID HE HAS BEEN HOMELESS FOR THE LAST 3 YEARS, AND DAYS LIKE THIS ARE TOUGH.

>> IF YOU'RE COMING AFTER THAT, YOU CAN MOVE YOURSELF THERE, AND THEN WHEN YOU GET THERE, YOU TO MOVE YOURSELF BACK.

>> Reporter: HE FEELS SHELTERS ARE TOO RESTRICTIVE, AND WHILE WE TALK ABOUT THE REALITY OF HAVING TO GET HIS STUFF AND GO SET IN.

>> IS THAT GOOD TO GO?

>> Reporter: MONTEL BLAKE WHO SAYS HE HAS BEEN HOMELESS FOR THE LAST 8 YEARS OR SO WAS ALSO MOVING OFF OF THE SIDEWALK THIS MORNING.

>> I HAD NO COMPLAINTS.

I HAD NO COMPLAINTS BECAUSE I CHOSE TO BE HOMELESS.

EVEN THOUGH IT'S HARD TO GET OUT OF THAT SITUATION, IS NOBODY'S RESPONSIBILITY BUT MINE.

>> Reporter: HE HAS BEEN OFFERED SHELTER BUT RIGHT NOW DOESN'T WANT TO TAKE IT.

>> I HAVE A COUPLE OF ISSUES ABOUT BEING AROUND GROUPS AND BEING TOO CLOSE TO PEOPLE.

IT'S NOT THAT I DON'T WANT TO ACCEPT HELP, BUT WHY GET IN THE WAY WHEN SOMEBODY COULD USE IT MORE THAN ME.

>> Reporter: LISA JONES WITH THE HOUSING COMMISSION SAYS DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF EXPANDED OUTREACH, JUST UNDER 140 PEOPLE WERE ADMITTED TO SHELTERS, WITH THE MAJORITY COMING FROM THE DOWNTOWN PUSH.

>> WE WANT TO SEE SHELTER PLACEMENTS, EXITS TO HOUSING, EXIT TO OTHER LONG-TERM CARE.

MAYBE SOMEONE NEEDS ADULT INDEPENDENT LIVING CARE OR NURSING HOME STYLE OF CARE.

WE WANT TO CONNECT PEOPLE TO THE RIGHT RESOURCES OUT THERE.

>> Reporter: CITY OFFICIALS ARE ALSO TRYING TO IDENTIFY SPACE FOR SHELTER THAT CAN TAKE IN THOSE WITH SEVERE SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDERS.

MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS .

>>> ♪ I DREAMED I SAW LOVE LAST NIGHT ♪ A LIGHT AS YOU AND ME.

4 AT SOUTH SHORE'S PARK IN MISSION BAY, A MEMORIAL SERVICE WAS HELD FOR NOT MICHAEL BLOOM, A NATIVE SAN DIEGO TO THE CITY HEAD ON IN A LEGAL FIGHT TO CHANGE OVERNIGHT PARKING AND HABITATION LAWS.

HE HAD BEEN LIVING OUT OF AN OLD CAMPER MORE THAN A DECADE.

>> HE WAS ALWAYS IN PAIN.

ANY TIME THAT HE WASN'T IN PAIN -- >> Reporter: HIS BROTHER BILL SAID MICHAEL WAS FOUND DEAD IN EARLY JUNE.

BLOOM WAS THE LEAD PLAINTIFF IN A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE CITY, ARGUING DISABLED HOMELESS AND RV ARE UNFAIRLY TARGETED FOR TICKETS.

WE FIRST MET MICHAEL IN 2017, WHO SAID PAYING MORE THAN $100 FINES MADE IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO LIVE ON HIS SMALL DISABILITY CHECKS.

>> NOT BEING ABLE TO EAT OR BUY GAS, THEY DON'T REALIZE HOW BIG A CUT THAT IS ON ANYTHING THAT YOU WANT TO DO.

DISPOSABLE INCOME IS A BIG JOKE WHEN YOU ARE HOMELESS.

>> I DON'T HAVE ANY PLACE TO GO TO, YOU KNOW, ANYMORE.

I LOVE SAN DIEGO.

I ALMOST FEEL LIKE I WOULDN'T WANT TO BE ALIVE, YOU KNOW, IF I DIDN'T HAVE A CAMPER.

>> Reporter: MICHAEL'S BROTHER SAID BLOOM RECENTLY SUFFERED A HEART ATTACK.

EVEN THOUGH HE WAS DISABLED AND IN PAIN, HE ALWAYS MANAGED HAVE A SMILE ON HIS FACE.

>> I ALWAYS HELPED HIM.

I PROMISED MOM I WOULD ALWAYS TAKE CARE OF MY CAN DO THE BEST I CAN, AND I KEPT THAT PROMISE.

I GAVE HIM WATER, FOOD, ANYWAY I COULD HELP THEM, BUT HE WAS VERY PROUD.

HE DIDN'T WANT TO ACCEPT HELP FOR SOME REASON REALLY WANTED TO LIVE LIFE ON HIS TERMS.

HE DIDN'T THINK A LOT ABOUT MONEY, FOR SOME REASON.

>> Reporter: MICHAEL SAID HE WAS CONSTANTLY IN FEAR OF GETTING TICKETED, SO MUCH SO IT WAS HARD FOR THEM TO SLEEP AT NIGHT.

WHEN WE CAUGHT UP WITH HIM WENT IN 2019, COMMUNITY ORGANIZER MARTHA SULLIVAN HAD GIVEN HIM A PLACE TO PARK HIS CAMPER, WHICH HELPED HIM AVOID FINES.

>> AS LONG AS THINGS ARE WORKING THE WAY THEY ARE, I'M HAPPY.

>> I LOVE BEING ABLE TO BE WHERE I WANT TO BE AT.

>> Reporter: SULLIVAN LATER GOT MICHAEL A MORE FUNCTIONAL CAMPER, AND SAID THEY GOT FRIENDS THROUGH THE PUSH TO CHANGE PARKING AND HABITATION LAWS.

>> HE WAS A HUGE TEACHER OF UNDERSTANDING, BECAUSE DESPITE ALL OF THE ADVERSITY THAT HE FACED, AND ALL OF THE HARM THAT WAS DONE TO HIM, HE WAS A VERY COMPASSIONATE AND KIND PERSON, WHO WANTED THAT FOR EVERYONE.

HE WANTED IT FOR EVERYONE.

>> IF MICHAEL WERE HERE TODAY, HE WOULD WANT US TO RAISE OUR VOICES AND CONTINUE THE STRUGGLE, AND THAT IS WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO.

>> Reporter: DISABILITY RIGHTS ATTORNEY SAID THERE WAS IF I PAUSE AND TICKETING DURING THE PANDEMIC, AND IT'S OVER, AND FINDS IMPOUNDMENTS HAPPENING AGAIN.

BLOOM'S NAME WILL LIVE ON THROUGH THE LAWSUIT.

>> IS INCREDIBLY SAD.

IT'S REALLY TRAGIC, AND IT SHOWS THAT PEOPLE IN THIS SITUATION WHO ARE TREATED LIKE THIS CAN HAVE SHORTENED LIVES.

>> Reporter: MICHAEL BLOOM WAS 72 YEARS OLD.

MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS .

>>> THAT STORY RESONATED WITH OUR AUDIENCE ON KPBS.ORG .

IN ADDITION TO THAT LOOK BACK AT HIS LIFE, YOU CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT MICHAEL BLOOM AND OUR LOCAL RV PARKING LOSS, ALSO A CONTRACT STRUGGLE FOR DOCTORS IN NORTH COUNTY.

WHY THEY ARE CRITICIZING CHANGES AT PALOMAR HEALTH, AND PUTTING THE CALIFORNIA BACK IN YOU SEE.

STOMACH A NEW PUSH TO INCREASE STATE ENROLLMENT IS ONE OF HER MOST VIEWED STORIES THIS WEEK ON KPBS.ORG.

>>> WE ALSO PLENTY OF COVID-19 RESOURCES AND COVERAGE ONLINE .

IN CITY HEIGHTS, THERE'S ANOTHER STEP IN OUR REOPENING, WERE ONE OF MANY LOCAL LIBRARIES RESUMED IN PERSON SERVICE.

ALEXANDRA RANGEL WAS THERE FOR THE 1st DAY BACK.

>> Reporter: 14 SAN DIEGO LIBRARY BRANCHES REOPENED FOR IN PERSON SERVICES TUESDAY, ADDING TO THE 12 DORI OPENED BACK IN OCTOBER WITH COVID RESTRICTIONS.

MISTY JONES, THE DIRECTOR FOR PUBLIC LIBRARIES IN THE COUNTY, SAID CAPACITY LIMITS ARE STILL IN PLACE.

>> WE ARE AT 50% CAPACITY, AND THERE IS NO MASS REQUIRED AS LONG AS YOU ARE VACCINATED.

BUT FOR SAFETY REASONS, ANYBODY WHO'S NOT VACCINATED, WE ARE STILL ASKING HER TO WEAR A MASK.

>> Reporter: SOME OF THE REOPENING DELAYS HAD TO DO WITH EMPLOYEES OR DID HIS.

>> A LOT OF IT HAD TO DO WITH STATE AND COUNTY GUIDELINES AND SAFETY GUIDELINES AND LIMITED CAPACITIES.

WE ALSO HAD A LOT OF STAFF LEFT DURING THE PANDEMIC, SO WE HAD TO DO A LOT OF HIRING TO GET BACK OPEN.

>> Reporter: THE BRANCH MANAGER THE CITY HEIGHTS LIBRARY SAID SHE CAN'T WAIT TO START SEEING FAMILIAR FACES AGAIN.

>> WE MISS THEM BECAUSE THEY ARE ESSENTIAL TO OUR SERVICES, BUT WE ARE VERY EXCITED.

WE HAVE OUR SUMMER READING PROGRAM.

WE'RE HOPING THAT NOW WE ARE BACK IN PERSON, WE CAN CONNECT WITH MORE YOUTH.

>> Reporter: IT'S ONE OF THE LIBRARIES THAT HAS BEEN OPENED, BUT TUESDAY, THEY REACHED A NEW MILESTONE TOWARDS NORMALCY.

THE BRANCH HOSTED ITS FIRST IN- PERSON STORYTIME, FEATURING A PRIDE THEME TO CELEBRATE SAN DIEGO'S PRIDE MONTH.

LIBRARIES ACROSS THE COUNTY WILL BE HOSTING SIMILAR PRIDE EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE MONTH.

JONES SAYS THEY ARE WORKING TO HAVE ALL 36 LIBRARY BRANCHES OPENED AND FULLY OPERATING BY SEPTEMBER.

>> ESPECIALLY WITH COMPUTER USE AND THE DIGITAL DIVIDE, A LOT OF PEOPLE DIDN'T HAVE ACCESS ANYMORE, AND WE WERE SO THANKFUL WE ARE ABLE TO REOPENING GIVE THAT SERVICE BACK TO THE PUBLIC.

>>> ALEXANDRA RANGEL , KPBS NEWS AREA >>> IN ESCONDIDO, BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS ARE DOING THEIR PART TO HELP MAKE OTHERS GOING THROUGH THAT SAME JOURNEY FEEL WHOLE AGAIN.

I RECENTLY MET THIS GROUP OF TIGHTKNIT WOMEN WHO ARE LIKENING THE PAIN ASSOCIATED WITH MASTECTOMY.

ONE LOVING STITCH AT A TIME.

>>> IT'S LIKE RIDING A BICYCLE.

YOU DON'T FORGET.

>> Reporter: AND HER LITTLE COTTAGE, PAT ANDERSON'S CREATIVITY HASN'T SLOWED DOWN OVER THE YEARS.

AFTER A LONG CAREER AS A TEXTILE DESIGNER, SHE STILL ENJOYS MAKING YARN BY HAND ON HER HOMEMADE SPINNING WHEEL.

>> EVERYTHING YOU WEAR STARTS WITH THIS PROCESS.

>> Reporter: HER WORK BOTH OLD AND NEW ARE STREWN ON HER COUCH.

HER FRIEND PAT IS HERE.

>> THIS IS THE VERY FIRST THING I EVER MADE.

DO YOU SEE THIS HAT?

>> Reporter: AND ADMIRES HER CREATIONS FROM THE 70s.

>> Reporter: THEY CALLED THIS TRANQUIL HOME IN ESCONDIDO THE MAGIC PLACE, AS IT HAS BECOME THE SETTING OF THEIR NEW FRIENDSHIP, AS WELL AS A SURPRISING GRASSROOTS MOVEMENT CALLED SPW.

>> THAT STANDS FOR SISTERHOOD OF THE BLUE BLISS WONDERS.

>> Reporter: THE SISTERHOOD OF THE BLUE BLISS WONDERS ARE BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS, AND PART OF THE PEOPLE WHO'VE TAKEN COMFORT INTO THEIR OWN HANDS, IN THE SHAPE OF HANDMADE IT BEST FORMS APTLY CALLED BUSTERS.

>> HERE THEY ARE.

THEY ARE NOTHING MORE THAN A SPECIALLY DESIGNED ACCESSORY.

>> Reporter: AND THE 6 YEARS SINCE PAT MADE THE FIRST PHOTO TYPE, THE BUSTERS PROJECT HAS HELPED MORE THAN 200 WOMEN ACROSS THE COUNTRY WHO HAVE UNDERGONE MASTECTOMY SURGERY.

>> ALL WOMEN'S CLOTHING IS DESIGNED TO ACCOMMODATE THE BUST CONTOUR.

SO, IF THAT IS GONE, YOUR CLOTHES DON'T FIT RIGHT, AND YOU END UP FEELING DUMPY, AND UNKEMPT.

>> Reporter: MOST OF ALL IT SHOWS, AND UNTIL NOW, THE ONLY OFFICIAL SOLUTIONS OFFERED TO PATIENTS FOR SURGICAL RECONSTRUCTION, OR MEDICAL GRADE SILICONE PROSTHETICS, WHICH CAN BE HEAVY.

BUSTERS, ON THE OTHER HAND -- >> THIS WEIGHS LESS THAN AN OUNCE.

THEY ARE SOFT, THEY ARE WASHABLE.

THEY ARE NATURAL AND NORMAL LOOKING.

HER MAC AT FIRST GLANCE, BUSTERS MAY LOOK SIMPLE.

>> THESE ARE TRICKY TO MAKE.

>> Reporter: THERE'S A VERY SPECIFIC KNITTING TECHNIQUE THAT INVOLVES THE DIRECTION AND THE GRAIN OF THE YARN, AND PAT HAS PROUDLY PATENTED THE DESIGN.

>> WE HAVE A CONTOUR HERE, BUT IT HAS TO BE FLAT ON THE BACK.

>> Reporter: WHAT MAKES THEM EVEN MORE UNIQUE, UNLIKE PROSTHETICS, IS THAT THEY ARE CUSTOMIZABLE IN SIZE, BY EMPLOYEE ADDING OR REMOVING THE FILLING.

>> ALMOST A FULL CUP SIZE LARGER OR SMALLER.

>> Reporter: EVERY LAST DETAIL HAS BEEN CONSIDERED.

>> THE LIGHT, BRIGHT CHEERFUL COLORS HELP WOMEN REMEMBER THEY ARE BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS, NICK VICTIMS.

>> Reporter: EACH PAIR TAKES ABOUT 8 HOURS TO KNIT.

IT'S A REAL LABOR OF LOVE.

>> WHAT YOU THINK OF SOMETHING LIKE THIS?

>> COLOR WISE?

>> Reporter: PAT MUELLER STEPPED IN TO HELP.

>> SHE HAPPENED TO BE IN FRONT OF ME IN THE BUFFET LINE, AND I SAID IF YOU NEED ANY HELP KNITTING, I WOULD BE HAPPY TO.

>> SHE IS DOING THE BIGGEST SIZES, SO YOU KNOW SHE'S A GOOD KNITTER.

HER MAC WHEN A FELLOW RESIDENT ERNIE'S FOUND A LUMP ON HER BREAST -- >> I DIDN'T WANT ANY NONSENSE, I SAID TO LOP IT OFF.

>> Reporter: MEDICARE COVERED THE COST OF THE SILICON PROSTHETIC SHE HELD IN HER HAND WHICH USUALLY COSTS MORE THAN $200 PER BREAST.

>> IT WEIGHS 2 POUNDS, AND IT WAS HOT IN SUMMER.

IT COULD EVEN BE COLD IN THE WINTER.

I DON'T THINK ANYBODY WOULD CHOOSE THIS.

>> Reporter: SAID SHE WAS INTRODUCED TO BUSTERS, SHE SAYS THIS BREAST SITS IN A BOX.

>> NOW I HAVE A MUCH BETTER CHOICE, AND I'M STICKING WITH IT.

>> Reporter: A BASKET FULL OF THANK YOU NOTES WITH GRATITUDE FROM RECIPIENTS USUALLY COMES WITH DONATIONS THAT GO TOWARDS SPONSORING ANOTHER WOMAN'S PAIR .

FROM ONE SURVIVOR TO ANOTHER.

>> THERE IS LIFE AFTER BREAST CANCER.

>> Reporter: ANSWER PAT ANDERSON, IN A CAREER THAT DATES BACK MORE THAN 50 YEARS, SHE SAYS BUSTERS IS HER FINAL PROJECT.

>> HOW MANY ALMOST 89-YEAR-OLD WOMEN CAN SAY THEY ARE STILL DOING SOMETHING THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE.

>> Reporter: MUCH LIKE THE 60 /40 NYLON ACRYLIC BLEND CHOSEN FOR STRENGTH AND SOFTNESS, THE SURVIVORS EXUDE THE SAME RESILIENCE, CREATING A PRODUCT BUILT TO LAST DOWN TO THE FINAL, THOUGHTFUL STITCH.

>>> AND BY THE WAY, BUSTERS ARE FREE FOR ANY BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR WHO WOULD LIKE A PAIR.

IF YOU WANT A PAIR OF BUSTERS, YOU CAN EMAIL PAT DIRECTLY AT SPIN SHUTTLE STUDIO AT GMAIL.COM.

>>> A LOCAL NONPROFIT HAS RECEIVED A NO STRINGS ATTACHED DONATION FROM ONE OF THE RICHEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD.

KPBS REPORTER MELISSA MAE TELLS US ABOUT THE GROUP WORKING TO EMPOWER AT RISK YOUTH THROUGH THE ARTS.

>>> ♪ ♪ >> Reporter: A STUDENT PLAYS AN ORIGINAL SONG IN A RECORDING STUDIO AT ME DAVID'S HARP FOUNDATION, AN ORGANIZATION THAT IS ABOUT MORE THAN JUST MUSIC.

>> WHAT WE OFFER IS A SAFE SPACE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO COME TO LEARN SOMETHING NEW, BUT ALSO TO MEET SOMEBODY NEW.

>> Reporter: BRANDON STEP IS THE FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF DAVID'S HARP, BRINGING AT RISK YOUTH TOGETHER THROUGH THE ARTS SINCE 2007.

HE SAYS THAT ALL STARTED WITH THE MUSIC STUDIO HE BUILT IN HIS FATHER'S GARAGE IN SOUTHEAST SAN DIEGO.

>> I LET YOUNG PEOPLE AND COME IN AND TRADE GOOD GRADES FOR TIME AND THAT STUDIO SPACE.

WHAT I GOT TO SEE IS THAT.

WHEN YOUNG PEOPLE GOT TO COME INTO THAT SPACE, THEY WERE DIFFERENT.

>> Reporter: THAT STUDIO GARAGE GREW INTO A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT STARTED BRINGING MUSIC INTO SCHOOLS, TEAM SHELTERS, AND EVENTUALLY TO THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM.

THE FOUNDATION IS NAMED AFTER THE BIBLICAL DAVID, AND THE HARPY PLAYED TO LIFT THE TORMENT OF THE KING.

STEP SAYS JUST LIKE THE KING, MANY STUDENTS ARE TORMENTED WITH POTENTIAL GANG INVOLVEMENT, HOMELESSNESS, AND EVEN SUBSTANCE ABUSE.

>> WHEN THEY CAME INTO THAT STUDIO SPACE AND INTERACTED WITH MUSIC, IT IS LIKE THE TORMENT WOULD BE GONE.

>> Reporter: THAT IS RILEY PLAYING SOME BEADS FOR US.

HE DOESN'T WANT HIS FULL NAME USED BECAUSE HE IS STILL ON PROBATION.

HE WAS IN JUVENILE DETENTION WHEN HE CONNECTED WITH DAVID'S HARP.

>> WHEN THEY CAME, IT WAS LIKE A LITTLE LIGHT ALWAYS CAME WITH THEM.

IT WAS GOOD WHEN THEY CAME.

THERE WAS NO ARGUMENTS, NO NOTHING.

WE WANTED TO BE THERE WITH THE MUSIC AND GOOD PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: RILEY NOW WORKS FOR THE FOUNDATION AND KNOWS WHAT IT MEANS FOR AT RISK YOUTH.

>> IT'S CRUCIAL.

IT HELPS KIDS OUT BECAUSE IT HELPS THEM GET BACK ON THEIR FEET, YOU KNOW?

IT HELPS GET THEM SURROUNDED BY GOOD PEOPLE AND EQUIPMENT.

YOU CAN'T GO WRONG.

>> Reporter: A DAVID'S HARP SUCCESS STORY CAME FROM A FAMILY PLAGUED BY DRUGS, AND HE GREW UP IN A GROUP HOME.

>> I THINK I WOULD HAVE BEEN A MENACE TO MY OWN SOCIETY.

I THINK I DEFINITELY WOULD'VE BEEN PART OF THE PROBLEM, NOT THE SOLUTION.

>> Reporter: AND ADVOCATE CONNECTED HIM TO DAVID'S HARP BECAUSE OF HIS LOVE FOR MUSIC.

HE NOW SERVES ON THE FOUNDATION'S BOARD.

>> DON'T EVER PAY IT BACK, PAY IT FORWARD.

UNDERSTANDING THE VALUE OF THAT IS SOMETHING I TOOK FROM THIS PROGRAM.

4 HE SPENT 3 YEARS IN THE PROGRAM I'M A AND IS NOW GRADUATING EARLY FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF LUVERNE WITH PLANS TO BECOME AN ATTORNEY BUT MUSIC WILL ALWAYS BE A PART OF HIS LIFE.

>> MUSIC IS FOREVER MY PLACE OF PEACE.

>> Reporter: THE PROGRAM IS ABOUT MORE THAN JUST PEACE.

THE STUDENTS ARE ALSO LEARNING IMPORTANT JOB SKILLS.

>> WE INITIALLY START WITH ART, TEACHING MUSIC PRODUCTION, VIDEOGRAPHY, AUDIO ENGINEERING, APPLIED PHYSICS.

THEY ARE LEARNING ABOUT LIGHT AND COLOR AND SOUND.

>> Reporter: THE GROUPS WORK ATTRACTED THE ATTENTION OF BILLIONAIRE PHILANTHROPIST McKENZIE SCOTT.

SHE GAVE DAVID'S HARP A DONATION OF $1 MILLION.

>> I HAVE NO CLUE HOW MacKENZIE SCOTT FOUND OUT ABOUT US, HONESTLY.

WE ARE A SMALL, NONPROFIT HERE, BUT WHAT I KNOW IS THE COMMUNITY IS VERY AUTHENTIC, AND THE WORD HAS SPREAD KIND OF QUICKLY, NATIONALLY.

>> Reporter: DAVID'S HARP IS NOW IN THE MONACO WAREHOUSE IN DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO.

>> IT'S THE PERFECT SPACE, HERE IT IS ALONG THE TROLLEY TRACKS, WHERE YOUNG PEOPLE CAN ACCESS IT, IN A GANG NEUTRAL AREA.

ALL OF IT WAS ESSENTIAL.

>> Reporter: THE DONATION WILL HELP BUILD CREATIVE CENTERS IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE COUNTY.

HE SAYS THE FOUNDATION WANTS TO PARTNER WITH MORE COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO SPONSOR MORE CREATIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES.

A LONG WAY FROM THAT STUDIO IN A SAN DIEGO GARAGE.

MELISSA MAE, KPBS NEWS .

>>> A DROUGHT, CLIMATE CHANGE, AND THE RISK OF WILDFIRES ARE ALL TOP OF MIND RIGHT NOW.

THAT IS PART OF THE REASON WHY SAN DIEGO COUNTY HAS A NEW OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND CLIMATE JUSTICE.

KPBS ENVIRONMENT REPORTER ERIK ANDERSON RECENTLY TALKED WITH SUPERVISOR NORA VARGAS, WHO IS LEADING THE EFFORT.

>> Reporter: HELP ME TO FIND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AS YOU PERCEIVE IT?

>> WE ARE PROUD OF BEING A BINATIONAL COMMUNITY, BUT IF YOU THINK ABOUT THE EMISSIONS FROM THE LONG HOURS OF FOLKS WAITING AT THE BORDER, ALL OF THESE ISSUES ARE IMPACTING THE COMMUNITY, THAT BECAUSE OF THEIR ZIP CODE HAVE BEEN, YOU KNOW, GREATLY, I THINK, HURT BY THESE POLICIES, THAT DIDN'T REALLY TAKE THEM INTO CONSIDERATION.

>> Reporter: WHY DO YOU THINK THE SUPERVISORS ARE READY TO MAKE THIS CHANGE?

>> I CAME HERE TO DO THIS JOB ON BEHALF OF THE COMMUNITY, AND THAT IS WHAT WE ARE DOING.

THIS IS A NEW BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.

WE HAVE THE WILL TO REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE, AND WE HAVE A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME TO DO IT, SO WE HAVE NO TIME TO WASTE.

>>> THAT IS JUST PART OF ERIK ANDERSON'S INTERVIEW WITH SUPERVISOR VARGAS.

YOU CAN STREAM MORE ON THE KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE, ALONG WITH ALL OF OUR ORIGINAL STORIES.

WE ALSO HAVE OUR KPBS PODCASTS, AND FULL EPISODES OF KPBS "EVENING EDITION."

>>> THERE WILL BE A LOT OF FIRSTS AT THE SUMMER OLYMPICS IN TOKYO, EVEN IF YOU FORGET ABOUT THE 1 YEAR DELAY IN HOLDING THE EVENT WITHOUT ANY FANS.

TONYA THORNE TELLS US ABOUT THE FIRST USA SKATEBOARDING TEAM, AND ITS TIES TO NORTH COUNTY.

>> Reporter: FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME, SKATEBOARDING WILL BE A PART OF THE SUMMER GAMES.

HAYDEN, AN AVID SKATEBOARDER IN OCEANSIDE, IS EXCITED TO SEE THE SPORT HIT THE BIG LEAGUES.

>> IS CRAZY.

WE'VE BEEN WANTING SKATEBOARD OLYMPICS SINCE SKATEBOARDING HAS BEEN A THING.

IT'S INSANE FOR US TO SEE IT ON THE BIG SCREEN.

EVERYONE WILL BE WATCHING IT.

IT WILL BE SICK.

>> Reporter: REPRESENTING TEAM USA, 23 EAGER SKATEBOARDERS READY TO HEAD TO TOKYO TO TO COMPETE.

EIGHT OF THEM ARE FROM SAN DIEGO.

THE THREE COMPETITORS FOR THE WOMEN'S SKATEBOARD PARK DIVISION ALL HAVE TIES TO NORTH COUNTY.

LIZ SKAGGS AT THE SKATE PARK AND OCEANSIDE, AND IS EXCITED TO SEE LOCALS ON THE TEAM.

>> I THINK IT'S AWESOME.

KEEPING IT LOCAL IS GREAT.

ESPECIALLY IN NORTH COUNTY, THAT'S GREAT.

YEAH.

4 BRIGHTON FROM ENCINITAS WILL TURN 17 JUST IN TIME TO COMPETE IN THE OLYMPICS, IT IS THE AND THE STIFFER X GAMES COMPETITOR.

BRYCE AND JORDAN ALSO HAVE NORTH COUNTY TIES, AND HAVE BECOME HOUSEHOLD NAMES IN THE SKATEBOARDING COMMUNITIES.

>> I'M EXCITED TO BE WATCHING PRICE ON TV AT THE OLYMPICS.

>> Reporter: NORTH COUNTY SKATERS ARE EXCITED TO SEE SOME OF THEIR OWN MAKE IT TO TOKYO.

>> I GOT TO MEET THEM, AND THEY ARE SO SICK, AND SO NICE.

I'M EXCITED THEY ARE REPRESENTING OUR STATE AND COUNTRY.

>> Reporter: SKATEBOARDING COMPETITIONS WILL MAKE THEIR DEBUT ON JULY 25.

ALTHOUGH THE GAMES ARE TAKING PLACE THIS YEAR, THEY WILL BE REFERRED TO AS THE 2020 OLYMPICS.

THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE ON JULY 23.

TONYA THORNE, KPBS NEWS .

>>> FINALLY WE GO FROM THE OLYMPIC GAMES TO VIRTUAL GAMING.

A FULLY IMMERSIVE VIRTUAL REALITY CENTER NOW REOPENED IN MISSION VALLEY.

KPBS ARTS REPORTERS CHECK OUT SANDBOX VR.

>> Reporter: NOT ALL BUSINESSES LOVE TO HEAR THEIR CLIENTS SCREAMING.

>> THE SCREAMING IS BASICALLY OUR CUSTOMERS ENJOYING THEMSELVES TO THE FULLEST.

>> Reporter: WELCOME TO SANDBOX VR.

>> SANDBOX IS A FULLY IMMERSIVE VIRTUAL REALITY EXPERIENCE.

WE OFFER FIVE DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES.

>> Reporter: OUR GROUP OPTED FOR DEADWOOD MANSION.

WE DUBBED OURSELVES TEAM ROMERO AND GEARED UP TO BATTLE ZOMBIES WITH THE HELP OF SANDBOX MANAGER , JORDAN EWING.

>> EACH ONE OF THESE ROOMS LOOK EXACTLY LIKE THIS, MAYBE EACH IN DIFFERENT CONFIGURATIONS.

WE HAVE THE DIFFERENT BACKPACKS OVER HERE, AND THEY POWER THE EXPERIENCE.

WE HAVE FOUR TRACKERS, 24 LEGS, AND TWO FOREARMS.

THE VEST WILL ALLOW YOU TO FEEL THE IN GAME DAMAGE.

IF YOUR FRIEND IS SHOOTING YOU, OR AFFILIATE IS SHOOTING YOU, YOU'LL FEEL IT.

>> IT WAS A VR GAME, A HORROR EXPERIENCE, WHERE WE GOT TO SHOOT ZOMBIES, AND RATS, LOTS OF RATS.

I SCREAMED A LOT, AND MY THROAT EVEN HURTS.

I WAS THE EXTERMINATOR OF THE GROUP, BECAUSE RATS FREAK ME OUT, AND THEY WERE COMING TOWARDS ME, AND I WAS LIKE NO.

>> OH, NO.

>> IT'S ON ME.

IT'S ON ME.

IT'S ON ME.

>> IT'S CRAZY HOW YOU GET INTO A HORROR FEEL, AND YOU GET FREAKED OUT ABOUT THINGS COMING AT YOU.

>> Reporter: VIVIANA IS AN EXPERIENCED GAMER, BUT NORMALLY PLAYS ON HOME AT A COMPUTER.

>> THIS WAS MY FIRST FULLY IMMERSIVE VR EXPERIENCE TO PLAY WITH OTHER PLAYERS AND SEE OTHER PLAYERS.

THAT PART WAS SO MUCH BETTER THAN JUST AN ALONE EXPERIENCE WITH VR.

AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS AND YOUR TEAMMATES, BEING ABLE TO HEAL EACH OTHER, THAT WAS HILARIOUS.

>> Reporter: WE DIED A LOT, BUT A TOUCH ON THE SHOULDER CAN REVIVE A PLAYER.

THIS WAS GAVIN'S FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH VIRTUAL LEGALITY GAMING.

>> IT WAS INTENSE.

IT WAS VERY IMMERSIVE, VERY REALISTIC, AND MADE MY HEART POUND.

>> THE ENVIRONMENT IS SO WELL DONE, IT FEELS LIKE YOU'RE IN IT.

>> TOTALLY IMMERSIVE, THE HAPTIC RESPONSE VEST, SO SOMETHING IS TOUCHING YOU ARE ATTACKING YOU, YOU ARE FEELING IT.

IT'S COMPLETELY IMMERSIVE.

IT IS COOL BECAUSE YOU GET A 360 VIEW.

IT IS LIKE YOU ARE REALLY IN THAT PLACE.

>> ZOMBIES IN THE BACK.

>> I LIKE THE FACT THAT THE ZOMBIES CAME OUT FROM DIFFERENT PLACES.

>> UP AT THE TOP.

>> YOU HAVE TO BE ON YOUR FEET LOOKING OUT.

>> FROM THE SKY.

>> ALL THE ENTRANCES AND THE STAIRS.

>> UPSTAIRS.

>> STAIRS.

>> BEHIND YOU.

>> THEY GIVE YOU GUNS, SO YOU GET TO SHOOT AT STUFF.

>> MAIN ENTRANCE.

>> I HAVE TWO HANDGUNS, AND I FIGURED I COULD HAVE MORE OF A BLAST RADIUS IF I HAD TWO HANDS TO SHOOT WITH.

>> IT DID START VERY SLOW, BUT ONCE IT GETS GOING AND THEY EXPLAIN EVERYTHING TO YOU, IT IS VERY FAST-PACED.

>> IT STARTS OFF AT A PRETTY MANAGEABLE LEVEL, AND IT QUICKLY PICKS UP PACE.

YOU START GETTING MORE ENEMIES, DIFFERENT MECHANICS.

HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS GOING ON AROUND YOU, AND BE AWARE OF EVERYTHING AROUND YOU.

GOES BY QUICKLY.

IT ESCALATES QUICKLY.

>> MY FAVORITE PART WOULD PROBABLY BE WATCHING THE VIDEO AFTERWARDS.

>> THE VIDEO WAS SO FUNNY, BECAUSE YOU ARE EQUIPPED WITH ALL OF THE GEAR AND SEEING THINGS, AND YOU THINK YOU LOOK BAD , AND THEN YOU WATCH YOURSELF, AND YOU ARE FLAILING.

>> THAT'S WAS THE TOP SCORE ON THE TEAM.

>> I WAS PLEASANTLY SURPRISED ABOUT THAT, BECAUSE I DID DIE A FEW TIMES.

BUT I GUESS THAT SHOTGUN PROVED HANDY.

>> Reporter: KPBS NEWS .

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>>> WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS LOOK AT KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.