The Los Angeles City Council formally recognized Verónica Lewis for more than 21 years of service leading integrated care services for people experiencing homelessness and announced her retirement from her leadership role.

Councilmember Price and colleagues described Lewis as a "pillar of the South Los Angeles community" who advanced recovery, housing and anti-homelessness work. "Su dedicación a recuperación de adicción, vivienda, su dedicación es increíble," a councilmember said during the tribute.

Joyce Kelly, identified in the meeting as Lewis’s mother, spoke about Lewis’s lifelong commitment to community service. Local advocates and long-term partners — including organizers who credited Lewis with coalition-building and multi-agency coordination on homelessness — delivered testimony and presented certificates of appreciation.

Verónica Lewis spoke briefly, saying she will continue advocacy in a different role and urging continued attention to structural inequities that affect the city’s most vulnerable residents. The transcript records no formal personnel action or city employment change beyond the public recognition.

Why it matters: Councilmembers emphasized Lewis’s role in expanding coordinated services for people without housing in South Los Angeles and praised her for partnership-building across districts and agencies.

What happened next: The council presented certificates and offered condolences and thanks; the transcript contains multiple tributes but no formal council motion beyond the ceremonial recognition.

Ending: Members encouraged continued investment in homelessness services and noted Lewis’s legacy would persist through coalition efforts and program partnerships.