>> COMING UP, THE ROLLOUT OF SAN DIEGO'S CARE CORE PROGRAM.

HEAR FROM ONE FAMILY WHO HOPES TO BENEFIT FROM THE INTENSIVE MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT.

PUBLIC ART.

WE WILL SEE HOW IT INS TO BECOME A HAVEN FOR CULTURAL MURALS.

WE START WITH THE ISSUE THAT AFFECTS SO MANY PEOPLE WITHIN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, AND THAT IS THE COST OF LIVING.

A NATIONAL REPORT SAYS THIS IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE PLACE TO LIVE IN THE U.S. MELISSA MAY TALKED WITH AN EXPERT ABOUT THE REASON WHY.

>> Reporter: HOUSING COSTS ARE THE BIG FACTOR IN THE RANKING BY U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT.

FRANK POWELL IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE SAN DIEGO ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS AND SAYS THE AVERAGE INCOME FOR SAN DIEGO'S IS ABOUT $70,000 A YEAR, BUT REALISTICALLY, TO BUY A HOUSE HERE YOU NEED TO MAKE ABOUT $180,000 A YEAR.

>> THAT'S WHAT YOUR BASE PAY IS.

THE AVERAGE HOUSE IS NOW $1 MILLION.

>> Reporter: THAT IS SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER THAN THE NATIONAL MEDIAN SALE PRICE, WHICH RESEARCHERS AT THE FEDERAL RESERVE BUT AT $431,000.

U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT SAYS SAN DIEGO ALSO TOPS THE LIST BECAUSE IT REQUIRES THE MOST WEALTH TO LIVE COMFORTABLY.

>> ALL THE BONDS, THE TAXES, THE COST OF LIVING.

WE HAVE THE HIGHEST GAS PRICES HERE OF ALL OF AMERICA.

>> Reporter: THE U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS SAYS SAN DIEGO IS 4.7% OVERALL INFLATION RATE WAS A FULL POINT HIGHER THAN THE NATIONAL RATE.

OVER THE LAST YEAR, THE COST OF FOOD HAS GONE UP BY 3%, AND ENERGY PRICES ARE UP NEARLY 7%.

AND ON TOP OF THE HIGH COST OF LIVING, POWELL SAYS THERE IS NOT A LOT OF ROOM TO BUILD NEW PROPERTIES.

>> ON THE WEST WE HAVE THE OCEAN, ON THE SOUTH WE HAVE MEXICO, ON THE NORTH WE HAVE CAMP PENDLETON, AND ON THE EAST WE HAVE MOUNTAINS.

THERE IS ONLY A CERTAIN GEOGRAPHICAL AREA THAT WE CAN BUILD.

>> Reporter: ONE SOLUTION POWELL SUGGESTS IS BUILDING MORE ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS, ALSO KNOWN AS A/D YOU.

>> IT IS A WAY TO TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF RELIEF FROM THE HOUSING BILL.

YOU WILL ALSO WANT TO BUILD A HOUSE ON THE PROPERTY, SO NOW YOU DON'T HAVE A RESIDENTIAL, YOU HAVE TWO HOUSES.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO IS NOT THE ONLY CITY IN CALIFORNIA TO MAKE THE LIST.

SEVEN OF THE TOP 10 MOST EXPENSIVE CITIES WERE IN THE GOLDEN STATE.

MELISSA MAY, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO RECENTLY STEPPED UP ITS ENFORCEMENT OF HOMELESS AGAIN MITTS.

NOW THE COUNTY IS HEADING IN THE SAME DIRECTION.

THIS DECISION WAS MET WITH A LOT OF PUSHBACK THIS WEEK .

>> WE WERE IN A VAN WITH NO OPTIONS.

>> Reporter: IN FRONT OF A NEARLY FULL ROOM AT THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING ON TUESDAY, THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CONSIDERED A COUNTYWIDE UNSAFE CAMPING BAN.

THE REGIONAL TASK FORCE ON HOMELESSNESS WAS ONE OF DOZENS WHO SPOKE OUT AGAINST THE PROPOSAL.

>> WE HAVE NOT HAD A MONTH SINCE MARCH OF 2022 WHEN MORE PEOPLE HAVE EXITED HOMELESSNESS THEN BEGIN EXPERIENCING IT FOR THE FIRST TIME.

>> Reporter: DISTRICT SUPERVISOR JOE ANDERSON IS PUSHING THE ORDINANCE, SAYING IT IS NECESSARY TO HELP THE ONGOING HOMELESS NEXUS IN DIFFERENT AREAS.

HE SAYS IT DIFFERS FROM SAN DIEGO.

>> WE ARE NOT THE SAME AS SAN DIEGO, BECAUSE WE HAVE A HOUSING ELEMENT AND A SHELTER ELEMENT.

WE ARE SAYING THAT WE WANT TO CREATE MORE SHELTERS, THAT THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE, AND WE WANT TO ADDRESS IT ON EVERY LEVEL POSSIBLE.

>> Reporter: THE ORDINANCE WOULD ALLOW LAW ENFORCEMENT TO PROHIBIT AND ABATE ILLEGAL ENCAMPMENTS, REMOVE IMPROPERLY STORED ITEMS ON PUBLIC PROPERTY, AND PROTECT VACANT PROPERTY FROM FIRE AND POLLUTION.

ALMOST EVERY SPEAKER AT THE MEETING SPOKE OUT AGAINST THE COUNTY PROPOSAL.

ANY SPEAKERS HAD LIVED EXPERIENCE SLEEPING ON THE STREETS.

>> WE SHOULD NOT BE PENALIZED.

MY CHILDREN GO TO CROWNPOINT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, MADISON HIGH SCHOOL, AND BB ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

WE HAD TO PITCH A TENT AT TIMES WITH SIX PEOPLE AND A VAN.

THERE ARE NO RESOURCES NOW.

>> A REGION IS THE VASTLY INCREASE THE LEVEL OF HOUSING TO ALL VETERANS AND INCOME LEVELS.

WE NEED SHELTER OPTIONS CONNECTED A COORDINATED STREET OUTREACH TO SEE REAL REDUCTIONS.

>> AROUND THE COUNTY, CITIES ARE BEGINNING TO ENACT SIMILAR BANS.

ASANTE MADE IT ILLEGAL TO HAVE AN IGNITION SOURCE IN THE SAN DIEGO RIVER CORRIDOR, AND CITIES ARE CONSIDERING SIMILAR BANS .

THE PROPOSAL WILL BE LOOKED AT BY COUNTY STAFF AND COME BACK TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION.

JACOB EYRE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> A NEW PROGRAM TO PROCURE LONG-TERM TREATMENT FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH SEVERE MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS IS UP AND RUNNING IN SAN DIEGO.

I RECENTLY SPOKE TO A FATHER AND DAUGHTER WHO ARE HOPING THAT CARE COURT WILL HELP HER GET HER LIFE BACK.

CARE COURT HAS A NARROW FOCUS OF ELIGIBILITY.

THE TREATMENT PROGRAM THAT COULD BE UP TO TWO YEARS LONG IS MEANT FOR SAN DIEGO'S LIVING WITH UNTREATED SCHIZOPHRENIA OR OTHER PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS.

COUNTY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH LEADERS SAY IT IS DESIGNED TO BREAK THE CRISIS TREATMENT CYCLE.

A CYCLE THAT NIKKI A LAVENDER HAS BEEN GOING THROUGH FOR NEARLY A DECADE.

>> I HAVE BEEN THROUGH SO MUCH.

LOSING MY FAMILY, LOSING MY STABILITY, BEING HOMELESS, LOSING MY MIND.

>> Reporter: LAVENDER SAYS SHE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA WHEN SHE WAS 28 YEARS OLD.

SHE BELIEVES IT WAS TRIGGERED BY SUBSTANCE ABUSE.

>> I WAS USING COCAINE AND THEY SAID IT WAS COCAINE AND FENTANYL WHEN I WENT INTO THE HOSPITAL.

I THINK THE FENTANYL BROKE THE DAM.

>> Reporter: THE LAST NINE YEARS OR SO HAVE NOT BEEN EASY.

PERIODIC DRUG USED SAYS SHE HAS NOT BEEN TAKING MEDICATION USED TO TREAT HER SYMPTOMS.

>> YOU GO AND GET ON THE MEDICINE, YOU START GETTING BETTER, DON'T HAVE TO TAKE AS MUCH MEDICINE.

YOU START DWINDLING DOWN YOUR MEDICINE AND IT STARTS CREEPING BACK UP.

>> Reporter: SHE DESCRIBES LIVING WITH UNTREATED SCHIZOPHRENIA AS WALKING DEMENTIA.

>> UNTIL YOU GET THE RIGHT HORMONES OR WHATEVER, THE RIGHT NUTRIENTS IN YOUR BODY THAT MAKES YOU FUNCTION CORRECTLY, YOU'RE NOT.

ITS HALLUCINATING, SEEING THINGS, HEARING THINGS.

IT'S REALLY BAD, YOU KNOW?

YOU CAN'T FUNCTION ON YOUR DAY- TO-DAY EATING, HYDRATING, STUFF THAT'S GOING TO KEEP YOU ALIVE.

EVEN SLEEPING, THIS COMES WITH INSOMNIA.

>> Reporter: SHE RECENTLY SPENT A MONTH IN JAIL AND WAS ABLE TO GET SOBER, SOMETHING THAT HER DAD, TIMOTHY, SAYS IS HELPFUL.

>> I THINK IT CHANGED HER FEELING THAT SHE NEEDS HELP.

SHE CANNOT DO IT ON HER OWN AND SHE CAN CONTINUE TO KEEP GOING DOWN THE SAME PATH.

>> Reporter: TIMOTHY LIVES IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, BUT HE HAS BEEN WITH NAKIA THROUGH ALL THE UPS AND DOWNS.

SOMETHING HE CALLS A REVOLVING DOOR, ESPECIALLY TRYING TO HELP AN ADULT CHILD.

>> IT LEAVES YOU VERY FRUSTRATING, BECAUSE THERE'S NOT MUCH YOU CAN DO.

THE BIGGEST BATTLE WAS GETTING NAKIA TO BUY INTO THE FACT THAT SHE NEEDS HELP .

>> Reporter: TIMOTHY BELIEVES THAT A LONG-TERM TREATMENT PROGRAM LIKE CARE COURT WILL HELP HIS DAUGHTER CHANGE HER LIFE.

>> I FEEL THAT CARE COURT IS GOING TO GIVE HER THAT ROUTINE BACK.

AND ALSO GIVE HER THAT HOPE THAT SHE MAY NOT HAVE AT THIS TIME.

>> Reporter: COUNTY OFFICIAL SAY IN THE FIRST WEEK OF THE PROGRAM, SIX PETITIONS FOR CARE WORK FILED, AND THEY EXPECT 1000 OR SO OVER THE NEXT YEAR.

FAMILY MEMBERS, TREATMENT PROVIDERS, AND FIRST RESPONDERS ARE AMONG THOSE WHO CAN DO A PETITION FOR SOMEONE TO HAVE A TREATMENT PLAN.

THE PLANS ARE UNIQUE, AND WILL VARY FROM PERSON TO PERSON.

THEY COULD INCLUDE HOUSING, SOMETHING THAT NAKIA IS HOPING TO GET.

NOW 37, SHE SAYS SHE IS READY FOR LONG-TERM CARE.

>> I NEED TO GET MYSELF BACK TOGETHER SO THAT I CAN GET BACK INTO MY KIDS LIVES, SO WE CAN GET BACK TO NORMAL.

GOING TO DISNEYLAND, YOU KNOW?

SIX FLAGS.

I MISS ALL THOSE THINGS.

BUT IF I CAN'T FUNCTION, I CAN'T EVEN BE A PART OF IT.

AND THEN WHEN YOU ARE IN YOUR MENTAL, YOU RUN FROM PEOPLE.

YOU HIDE.

YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON, SEE YOU ARE DEFINITELY ASHAMED.

IT COMES WITH A LOT OF SHAME.

>> Reporter: COUNTY OFFICIAL SAY ONCE A PETITION FOR CARE COURT IS SUBMITTED A JUDGE WILL DO AN INITIAL REVIEW WITHIN TWO WEEKS.

IN THE MEANTIME, NAKIA IS MAKING TOUGH DECISIONS TO CUT CERTAIN PEOPLE OR TRIGGERS FROM HER LIFE THAT IN THE PAST HAVE RESULTED IN SUBSTANCE ABUSE.

>> I HAVE ANOTHER CHANCE.

I DON'T WANT TO LOSE IT.

I READY TO JUMP FEETFIRST.

TAKE ME IN AND WASH ME CLEAN, PLEASE.

IT'S GOING TO BE MY BAPTISMAL.

>> Reporter: HER DAD, TIMOTHY, SAID THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES HE WOULD SAY HE WAS DONE, BUT HIS FAITH AND HIS LOVE FOR HIS ONLY FOR DAUGHTER IS WHAT KEPT HIM INVESTED.

>> SHE'S GOING TO DO GREAT THINGS ONE OF THESE DAYS.

SHE'S GOING TO LIVE A GOOD LIFE.

SHALL TAKE CARE OF THOSE FOUR GRANDKIDS THAT I HAVE.

>> Reporter: TIMOTHY IS PLANNING TO SUBMIT A PETITION SOON.

MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS .

>>> SAN DIEGO POLICE CONTINUE TO ENFORCE CURFEW WITH JUVENILE DIVISION PROGRAMS, BUT KPBS REPORTER KATIE HEINZ AND FOUND THERE RECORDS DON'T REFLECT THAT.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO POLICE RECORDS USED TO REPORT THE PUNISHMENT FOR CURFEW ARRESTS.

OFTEN A DIVERSION PROGRAM, SOMETIMES JUVENILE HALL.

BUT BEGINNING IN 2019, THEIR ARREST RECORD STARTED LISTING NOEL INSTEAD.

BY THAT TIME, MOST LARGE CITIES IN CALIFORNIA HAD STOPPED ENFORCING CURFEW.

WHEN I ASKED THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WHY THEY CHANGED HOW THEY WERE PUNISHING CURFEW, THEY DID NOT RESPOND.

I REPORTED A STORY ABOUT CURFEW IN SEPTEMBER, AND JILL EDWARDS HEARD IT ON THE RADIO.

WHILE, SHE SAYS, SHE WAS DRIVING HER SON TO HIS INTERVIEW FOR A JUVENILE DIVERSION PROGRAM FOR BEING OUT AFTER CURFEW.

SHE REACHED OUT TO ME AND I VISITED HER AT HER HOME IN THE ALLIED GARDENS NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> I HEARD ABOUT CURFEW LAWS THAT I DID NOT REALIZE THERE WAS A PUNISHMENT INVOLVED.

>> WAS THAT SURPRISING TO YOU?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WITH THIS LEVEL OF PUNISHMENT, I THINK IT IS ABSURD.

>> Reporter: POLICE STOPPED HER ,15 ON WHO WAS A PASSENGER IN A CAR OUT PAST 10:00 P.M. HIS FATHER IS VIETNAMESE, AND PHAM SAID THE OTHER BOYS IN THE CAR WERE NOT WHITE.

SAN DIEGO POLICE OVERWHELMINGLY ARRESTED BLACK AND LATINO YOUTH FOR CURFEW.

THEY MADE UP THREE QUARTERS OF THE ARRESTS IN 2022.

AS DPD DID NOT RESPOND TO REQUEST FOR CURFEW RECORDS.

PHAM'S SON HAS TO ATTEND A PROGRAM WITH FIVE WORKSHOPS ON TOPICS LIKE DECISION-MAKING AND VALUES, COMPLETE 10 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE, AND HANDWRITE A 600 WORD ESSAY.

PHAM SAYS IF HE DOES NOT COMPLETE THOSE REQUIREMENTS WITHIN THREE MONTHS, HE CAN BE REFERRED BACK TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR A MISDEMEANOR.

AND, SHE SAYS, SHE WILL BE ISSUED AN ARREST WARRANT IF SHE FAILS TO APPEAR IN COURT.

>> HORRIFYING.

HORRIFYING.

I THINK THE POLICE ARE THERE TO PROTECT, AND I WOULD NOT THINK THAT THIS LEVEL OF PUNISHMENT IS APPROPRIATE FOR A 15-YEAR- OLD CHILD WHO IS OUT PAST 10:00 P.M. >> WHAT YOU THINK WOULD BE APPROPRIATE?

OR DO YOU THINK IT SHOULD BE THE POLICE'S ROLE AT ALL?

>> I THINK THE POLICE, IF THEY FIND KIDS ON THE STREET AND THEY SAY OKAY, A BIT LATE, I'LL CALL YOUR PARENTS, PARENTS COME AND PICK THEM UP.

>> Reporter: THE DIVERSION PROGRAM IS IN CITY HEIGHTS, AND PHAM AND HER HUSBAND BOTH WORK FULL TIME.

SHE SAYS ORGANIZING TRANSPORTATION IS A BURDEN.

SHE THINK OF THE OTHER FAMILIES WHO MAY NOT HAVE A CAR OR MAY NOT BE ABLE TO NAVIGATE THE PAPERWORK AS EASILY.

SHE SAID THIS HAS BEEN HER INTRODUCTION TO WHAT IT IS LIKE TO GROW UP IN AMERICA.

>> WHEN I WAS IN QUEENSLAND IN THE 1980S, WE WERE CONSIDERED TO BE LIVING UNDER A POLICE STATE.

SO THIS MAY HAVE BEEN, I THINK THIS WAS EVEN WORSE THAN WHAT WE WOULD'VE EXPERIENCED.

>> Reporter: MIKE MAIL, SENIOR RESEARCHER FOR THE CENTER OF JUVENILE JUSTICE POST CURFEW AS A VERY AMERICAN POLICY, AND ANTIQUATED.

>> I DON'T KNOW WHY SAN DIEGO IS CREATING CRIME HERE.

>> Reporter: RESEARCH OVERWHELMINGLY SHOWS THE CURFEW IS NOT AFFECTED IN REDUCING CRIME, AND CAN'T THINK OF ANOTHER PLACE IN CALIFORNIA THAT ENFORCES IT.

>> THE TRUTH IS, YOU DON'T WANT TO BE ARRESTING PEOPLE IN THE FIRST PLACE.

THAT CREATES A CRIMINAL RECORD, IT CREATES A LOT OF ANTAGONISM.

>> Reporter: HE ALSO TAKES ISSUE THAT PD RECORDS NO LONGER SHOW THE PUNISHMENTS FOR CURFEW ARRESTS.

>> THEY SHOULD BE GETTING AWAY WITH JUST SAYING WERE NOT GOING TO REPORT OR DOING WITH THEM.

>> Reporter: WHEN I FIRST REACHED OUT, HE DID NOT KNOW THAT SAN DIEGO IS STILL ENFORCING CURFEW.

THE STATES ONLINE RECORDS, WHICH ARE MEANT TO PROVIDE TRANSPARENCY, LISTS ZEROS CURFEW ARRESTS FOR SAN DIEGO IN 2021 AND 2022.

DESPITE THE HUNDREDS OF ARRESTS RECORDED.

PHAM SAYS THIS EXPERIENCE HAS SHIFTED HOW SHE AND HER SON VIEW THE POLICE.

>> I WOULD AVOID CONTACT WITH THE POLICE, BECAUSE I AM WORRIED IS SOMETHING THIS MINOR CAN LEAD TO THAT LEVEL OF PUNISHMENT, IMAGINE IF YOU DID ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING WRONG.

THAT WOULD BE CATASTROPHIC TO A 15-YEAR-OLD CHILD.

TO BE IN SO MUCH TROUBLE.

IT WOULD BE HARD TO GET OUT OF THAT SYSTEM, I BELIEVE.

>> Reporter: I HAVE REPEATEDLY ASKED THE POLICE DEPARTMENT ABOUT THIS LACK OF TRANSPARENCY AND INCOMPLETE RECORDS.

THEY HAVE NOT PROVIDED ANY ANSWERS.

KPBS NEWS.

>> THAT STORY WAS ONE OF OUR MOST POPULAR STORIES ONLINE THIS WEEK.

HERE ARE SOME OTHERS.

>>> AN ARREST WAS MADE IN A LEGEND ARSON INCIDENT IN HILLCREST.

OCEANSIDE IS STARTING TO DEVELOP A SAFE PARKING SITE FOR THOSE WHO LIVE IN THEIR CARS.

>>> AND A CONTROVERSIAL BIODIESEL PLANT HAS DECIDED TO STOP ITS OPERATIONS.

>>> SPARKS FLEW THIS WEEK IN NORTH COUNTY AS HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TRIED THEIR HANDS AT JOBS IN THE BUILDING INDUSTRY.

KPBS NORTH COUNTY REPORTER ALEXANDER WIN SAYS IT IS A CHANCE FOR STUDENTS TO THINK ABOUT TRADE CAREERS.

>> Reporter: NEARLY 700 STUDENTS FROM 27 HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE AREA COMPLETED THE TRADE EVENT AT PALOMAR COLLEGE.

THEY GOT HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE WITH DRYWALLING, WOODWORKING, AND WELDING, TO NAME A FEW.

>> IT WAS SUPER FUN, IT WAS A GREAT EXPERIENCE.

>> Reporter: A SENIOR AT SAN DIEGO HIGH SCHOOLS GEOTECH ACADEMY, LOOKING AT A CAREER IN ENGINEERING, BUT WANTS TO KNOW HIS OPTIONS.

>> WE HAVE BEEN DOING A LOT OF STUFF THIS SENIOR YEAR, TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS NEXT, WHAT THE NEXT STEPS ARE FOR COLLEGE.

MAINLY APPRENTICESHIPS.

>> Reporter: HIS CLASSMATE, CLARISSA BELL RODRIGUEZ, IS LOOKING FOR THE SAME DURING THROUGH GEOTECH.

SHE HAS OUT OF PASSION FOR ENGINEERING TRADES.

>> I WANT SOMETHING TO LEARN FAST AND QUICK, BECAUSE MY COMPETITION IS VERY FAST.

I JUST LOVE ENGINEERING IN GENERAL.

CONSTRUCTION, I LOVE TRADES.

>> Reporter: TODAY'S EVENT WAS HOSTED BY THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY EDUCATION FOUNDATION.

THE PURPOSE OF TODAY'S EVENT IS SHOWING THE TRADE CAREERS ARE NOT DEAD-END JOBS.

IN FACT, YOU CAN MAKE A LOT OF MONEY DOING IT.

>> CARPENTERS RIGHT NOW ARE AT 63,000 COMING OUT OF THEIR PARTNERSHIP.

>> Reporter: JUSTIN HILDEBRANDT IS THE FOUNDATION'S PROGRAM COORDINATOR.

>> A LOT OF THESE COMPANIES HAVE INTERNSHIPS OR PERMISSIONS YOU CAN START RIGHT OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL.

>> HE SAYS THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF SKILLED WORKERS IN THE UNITED STATES RIGHT NOW, AND THE NEEDS ARE GROWING.

>> WE ARE TRYING TO INTRODUCE STUDENTS TO THE CAREER FIELD AT AN EARLIER AGE, AND TRY TO ENCOURAGE THEM TOWARDS THAT PATH OF FINDING AN APPRENTICESHIP OR AN INTERNSHIP RIGHT OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL.

>> Reporter: BEYOND INTERNSHIPS AND PERNICIOUS, STUDENTS CAN ALSO GET AN ASSOCIATES DEGREE IN TRADE SUCH AS WELDING.

SKILLED WORKERS WITH A COLLEGE DEGREE CAN INCREASE LIFETIME EARNING POTENTIAL.

HAVING TRIED HIS HAND THAT WELDING, HE SAYS IT HAS PEAKED HIS INTEREST IN THE FIELD.

>> IT, I REALLY DO LIKE IT.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT IS SATISFYING FOR ME.

I REALLY LIKE DOING IT.

>> Reporter: KPBS NEWS.

>>> WE WANT TO LET YOU KNOW ABOUT ONE SAN DIEGO EVENT HAPPENING NEXT WEEK.

WE WILL HAVE VIRTUAL AND IN PERSON EVENTS WITH ANTOINE EADY AND GRACIE JANG ON FRIDAY, THE THIRD.

THEY ARE THE AUTHOR AND IT WAS RATER FOR NIGEL AND THE MOON.

THAT IS OUR ONE BOOK SELECTION THIS YEAR FOR KIDS.

YOU GET MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTER TO ATTEND OVER A KPBS .ORG/ONE BOOK.

>>> THE SAN DIEGO COUNCIL ON LITERACIES IS ABOUT A QUARTER OF THE COUNTY'S POPULATION OVER THE AGE OF 25 IS READING AT OR BELOW A THIRD GRADE LEVEL.

TONYA THORNE TELLS US ABOUT AN ORGANIZATION OF AN OCEANSIDE THAT IS STRIVING TO CHANGE THAT.

>> Reporter: ARE OCEANSIDE, A COLLECTION OF LEARNER STORIES, IS A BOOK THAT PAYS HOMAGE TO THE DIVERSITY AND OCEANSIDE.

>> THE STORY BEGINS WITH A JOURNEY TO THE UNITED STATES.

HOPE AND ASPIRATION FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE.

>> COMING HERE WITH MY MOTHER ONE DAY.

I STILL HAVE MY HEAVENLY MELODY AND SONG.

>> INNOVATIVE.

APPRECIATIVE.

>> I WAS FRUSTRATED.

>> Reporter: EACH OF THESE READERS READ STORIES IN THE BOOK, BUT NOT LONG AGO THEY COULDN'T SPEAK, READ, OR WRITE ENGLISH.

THEY LEARNED ENGLISH AT OCEANSIDE READS, A LEARNING CENTER THAT HAS BEEN SERVING ADULTS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE FOR 25 YEARS.

>> OUR FOCUS IS ON HELPING ADULTS REACH THEIR GOALS.

IF YOU THINK OF ANY ADULT EDUCATION GOAL, BE IT CITIZENSHIP, READING, WRITING, LEARNING TO SPEAK ENGLISH, READING WITH YOUR CHILDREN, WE HELP PEOPLE WITH ALL THOSE GOALS.

>> Reporter: CHELSEA ECKLEY IS THE READING COORDINATOR AT THE CENTER.

THERE IS ONLY A HANDFUL OF PAID STAFF MEMBERS.

ECKLEY SAYS THE REAL WORK COMES FROM VOLUNTEERS WHO HELP TUTOR ENGLISH LEARNERS.

>> VOLUNTEERS ARE THE BACKBONE OF WHAT WE DO.

OUR WONDERFUL GROUPS ARE LED BY VOLUNTEERS, AND WE TRY TO PROVIDE THEM THE TRAINING AND HELP THEM FEEL READY TO DO THAT.

BUT REALLY, IT IS OUR COMMUNITY HELPING COMMUNITY, WHICH I THINK IS SO COOL.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS THE CENTER IS A SAFE SPACE FOR MANY PEOPLE INTIMIDATED BY THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE.

GROUP LESSONS AS WELL AS ONE-ON- ONE TUTORING HELP EACH STUDENT REACH THEIR GOALS.

SHE FELT NERVOUS ABOUT TRYING TO LEARN THE LANGUAGE.

SHE DID NOT WANT TO SHARE HER LAST NAME.

>> I DID NOT KNOW TO SPEAK ENGLISH, ONLY HELLO.

WHEN I READ THE BOOK, I UNDERSTAND A LITTLE BIT.

BUT WHEN PEOPLE TALK TO ME, OH, I UNDERSTAND NEVER.

NOTHING.

BUT NOW I CAN SPEAK A LITTLE BIT WITH OTHER PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS STUDENTS AT OCEANSIDE READ HELP EACH OTHER AND CREATE FRIENDSHIPS AS THEY LEARN.

>> WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT MAYBE HAD TO LEAVE SCHOOL AT AGE 8, THEN THEY ARE COMING BACK AT AGE 50.

THEN WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT ARE DOCTORS IN THEIR HOME COUNTRY AND ARE LEARNING ENGLISH AND STARTING OVER.

THERE IS A LOT OF POWER, I THINK, AND INTRODUCING PEOPLE TO PEOPLE WHO ARE DIFFERENT THAN THEM AND BEING ABLE TO SEE THE COMMONALITIES THERE.

>> WHAT ALL THE STUDENT SHARE IS THAT THEY ARE PRESENT AND TRYING SOMETHING NEW.

>> YOU CAN DO IT.

YOU CAN BE POSITIVE.

THINGS CAN HAPPEN IN LIFE THAT MAYBE HURT YOU, THE BUT MAKE YOU BETTER.

>> Reporter: THE CENTER ALWAYS WELCOMES NEW VOLUNTEERS AND STUDENTS.

HOURS FOR THE CENTER ARE FLEXIBLE.

TUTORING AND GROUP LESSONS VARY BETWEEN THE CENTER, OCEANSIDE LIBRARIES, AND COMMUNITY CENTERS.

TONYA THORNE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THOSE WHO HAVE A BALLOT FOR THE NOVEMBER 7th GENERAL SPECIAL ELECTION IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY CAN VOTE IN PERSON STARTING THIS WEEKEND.

THE COUNTY WILL OPEN 12 VOTING CENTERS STARTING ON SATURDAY.

THEY WILL BE AVAILABLE DAILY 8:00 TO 5:00 P.M. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 6.

FOR INFORMATION ON THE VARIOUS BALLADS AND ISSUES, CHECK OUT THE VOTER HUB I GOING TO KPBS .ORG.

>>> FROM CARDIFF TO ACADIA, ENCINITAS IS CHOCK-FULL OF COLOR.

IT COMES IN THE FORM OF MURALS AND OTHER ART PIECES.

LOOKING AT THIS NORTH COUNTY BEACH TOWNS PUBLIC ARTWORK.

>> Reporter: AS YOU WALK, BIKE, OR DRIVE ALONG HIGHWAY 101 AND ENCINITAS IT IS EASY TO SPOT DOZENS OF MURALS.

BUT THAT WASN'T ALWAYS THE CASE.

>> THERE WERE NOT MURALS AROUND.

I DID SO MANY MURALS AROUND HERE.

DOWN IN CARDIFF, WHEREVER.

>> Reporter: KEVIN ANDERSON WOULD KNOW.

HE HAS BEEN A LONGTIME RESIDENT AND WAS ONE OF THE FIRST ARTIST TO PAINT MURALS AND ENCINITAS.

HE EXPLAINS HOW IT ALL STARTED.

>> 1995.

WHAT IS THAT, ALMOST 30 YEARS?

AND I STARTED RIGHT ON D STREET IN ENCINITAS.

A LITTLE HAWAIIAN RESTAURANT.

THAT WAS MY FIRST MURAL IN ENCINITAS.

>> Reporter: HIS WORK HAS NOT SLOWED DOWN SINCE.

HE IS CONSTANTLY LOOKING FOR PRIVATE AND PUBLIC ART PIECES ACROSS NORTH COUNTY.

HE STANDS IN FRONT OF A LARGE MURAL HE RECENTLY PAINTED IN THE ACADIA NEIGHBORHOOD, AND DESCRIBES A PUBLIC ART PIECES LIKE HIS MATTER TO THE COMMUNITY.

>> THEY ARE LIKE WINDOWS.

BEAUTIFUL WINDOWS TO LOOK THROUGH, THAT YOU SEE SOMETHING YOU DON'T SEE EVERY DAY.

IT TAKES YOU OUT OF THE TYPICAL MIND-SET OF DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD.

IF YOU'RE WALKING DOWN THE SIDEWALK AND THINKING ALL YOUR THOUGHTS, YOU LOOK UP AND SEE THIS GIANT URAL AND GO WOW.

IT TAKES YOU AWAY FOR A MINUTE.

>> Reporter: THERE USED TO BE SEVERAL MURALS IN ENCINITAS A DECADE AGO.

THEY HAVE NOW BLOSSOMED IN ABUNDANCE.

WITH MANY PUBLIC ART PIECES FOCUSED ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND OTHER CULTURES.

YOU CAN SEE THEM ALONG HIGHWAY 101.

SOME IN PLAIN SIGHT, AND OTHERS TUCKED AWAY LIKE HIDDEN TREASURES.

>> HE SAID HE WANTED TO DO A MEMORIAL WALL FOR THEM.

SO THAT IS WHAT THIS IS.

THEN HIS DOG IS ALI.

>> Reporter: IRENE IS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ENCINITAS 101 MAIN STREET ASSOCIATION.

SHE SAYS SOME OF THE MURALS STARTED AS A PROJECT TO REDUCE CRIME.

OVER TIME, THEY HELP MAKE ENCINITAS INTO AN ART HUB.

>> ULTIMATELY, WHAT IT HAS DONE WITHOUT US REALLY KNOWING, IS THAT IT HAS REALLY INSPIRED A LOT OF ARTISTS, LOCAL ARTISTS THAT CAN DO LARGE MURALS LIKE THIS TO COME DOWN AND SEE DOWNTOWN ENCINITAS AS A LOCATION FOR ART NOW.

>> Reporter: THE WHAT SPURRED THE PUSH FOR MORE PUBLIC ART IN THE FIRST PLACE?

IN NEED IS FRIEND OF THE ARTS PRESIDENT WOODWARD SAYS IT WAS ONE PIECE IN PARTICULAR BACK IN 2011.

>> AND THEN SURFING MADONNA HAPPEN.

>> THE MOSAIC SHOWING THE VIRGIN OGATA LUPE WAS ORIGINALLY INSTALLED UNDER A PUBLIC BRIDGE IN 101.

WOODBRIDGE SAYS IT CHALLENGED THE VERY NOTION OF WHAT IS ART VERSUS GRAFFITI, AND IT GIVE A VOICE TO THE ARTIST IN THE TOWN.

>> I BROUGHT A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY.

FROM EVERY ANGLE.

THAT WAS MUSIC TO MY EARS.

VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AT TIMES, BUT I THINK IT CATAPULTED THE MURAL PROGRAMS AND IT JUST, AGAIN, PUT ENCINITAS ON THE MAP.

>> Reporter: IN THE DECADE PLUS THE FOLLOWED SURFING MADONNA, WHICH WAS A WELCOME CHANGE FOR THE VETERAN ANDERSON.

HE SAYS WALKING THE GROWTH SHOWED HIM GREAT JOY.

>> EVERYWHERE YOU LOOK, THERE'S MURALS.

A LOT OF THEM ARE PAINTING IN WHAT, THE LAST 10 OR 12 YEARS?

THEY HAVE GROWN EXPONENTIALLY.

I MEAN, IT HAS BECOME SOMETHING.

>> THERE HAVE BEEN SOME CREATIONS OF STIRRED UP EMOTIONS AND CONTROVERSY.

A FEW PUBLIC ART PIECES IN TOWN LIKE THE SURFING MADONNA RECEIVED A LOT OF PUSHBACK.

>> SOME PEOPLE WERE OFFENDED BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHY MOTHER OF MARY OR GUADALUPE BAY WOULD BE ON THIS EARTH.

BUT ONCE IT WAS EXPLAINED, BECAUSE SAVE THE OCEAN, THE SURFERS ARE USING AND TAPPING INTO THAT DIVINITY TO SAVE THE OCEAN, THEY EMBRACED IT.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS SHE WANTS EVEN MORE MURALS ON THE TOWN TO FURTHER PUSH ITS PUBLIC ART SCENE.

>> WE DO WANT TO ADD MORE MURALS, FOR SURE.

BUT WE ALSO WANT TO BE A LOT MORE MINDFUL OF IT, BECAUSE THE MORE AND MORE MURALS YOU ADD, WE WANT TO BE MORE PURPOSEFUL OF WHAT THEY ARE.

AND HOW IT KIND OF TELLS A STORY.

>> I DO WANT TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO SEE SOME OF THE SCULPTURES GOING UP ON A TEMPORARY BASIS.

THEY ARE COMING.

>> Reporter: AFTER DECADES OF WORK AND COUNTLESS BRUSHSTROKES, ANDERSON'S VISION FOR AN ART FILLED CITY HAS ARRIVED, LEAVING A LARGE INTANGIBLE TAPESTRY ACROSS HIS HOMETOWN.

HIS INFLUENCE IS UNDENIABLE.

>> I WANTED TO LIVE IN A WORLD WHERE ART WAS REALLY PART OF IT.

AN ART MEANT SOMETHING.

IN A WORLD WHERE I COULD ACTUALLY SHOW PEOPLE MY ART.

>> Reporter: NOW HAS MURALS ARE SPREADING INTO OTHER CITIES ACROSS SAN DIEGO AND CALIFORNIA.

WITH THEM COMES A LITTLE BIT OF THE ESSENCE OF ENCINITAS.

KPBS NEWS.

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

I'M NOT HOFFMAN, THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.