November 2016

 

News and Updates

We’re All In for Equity

On November 17, 100 advocates and allies gathered in Merced for a powerful convening where partners reaffirmed that they are all in for equity.

We were joined by funding partners Yolanda Brewer from Dignity Health and Sabina González-Eraña from The California Endowment, and Mary Manuel Tobin with California Civic Participation Funders. Together, partners affirmed that we will not waver in our commitment to stand by community residents to ensure that California truly is the golden state for all. With the power of community organizing and by leaning on the expertise of each other, we will continue to speak up as a region for immigrant rights, environmental justice, health for all, water for all, healthy schools, and all of the issues that intersect to impact the health and well-being of our children, families and communities. Sierra Health Foundation President and CEO Chet P. Hewitt said in his remarks, “We are with you.”

Photo of Camila Chávez and Dillon Delvo

During the opening plenary, Camila Chávez from Dolores Huerta Foundation said “This is the time for community organizing.” Partners echoed the sentiment that we cannot be silent to injustice. Youth inspired us in the afternoon, with beautiful dances by Xiadani del Valle, who brought so much heart to our gathering, and youth poets Deborah Armstrong and Brandon Leake, who spoke powerfully and motivated us all to action.

Partners got a first glimpse of California’s San Joaquin Valley: A Region and Its Children Under Stress, a report commissioned by the San Joaquin Valley Health Fund (SJVHF) with funding from W.K. Kellogg Foundation and Sierra Health Foundation, and prepared by the UC Davis Center for Regional Change and Pan Valley Institute.

Partners shared their expertise with one another during concurrent morning breakout sessions that covered education, equitable land use planning, healthy foods, healthy living environments and immigration. In the afternoon, statewide allies California Pan-Ethnic Health Network, California Budget and Policy Center, and California Immigrant Policy Center led breakout sessions that covered Advocacy 101, Dollars and Democracy, and mock educational legislative visits.

With community residents by their side, SJVHF partners will move forward to turn the tide of inequities in the San Joaquin Valley. We’re all in for equity!

Photo: Camila Chávez from Dolores Huerta Foundation and Dillon Delvo from Little Manila Foundation spoke on Communities Engaged in Their Own Transformation during the opening plenary session.

San Joaquin Valley Health Fund Round 3 Applications Due December 1

SJVHF partners, remember to apply for continued funding! The Center will award grants up to $20,000 to networks and organizations located and working in any of the nine counties of Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Tulare. We are interested in funding policy and systems change efforts designed to improve outcomes for populations that are disproportionately experiencing poor health. Similar to prior years, requests for direct services are not accepted.

There are two applications – one for new applicants and one for applicants funded in Round 2.

More information and application materials are available on the SJVHF web page.

Please e-mail us any questions with the subject line: SJVHF Question.

Featured Partner: California Immigrant Youth Justice Alliance

California Immigrant Youth Justice Alliance (CIYJA) is an immigrant youth-led statewide alliance composed of 13 affiliate organizations throughout California, including San Joaquin and Fresno counties. CIYJA believes in an inclusive approach that enables all immigrant youth to participate in policymaking that impacts them and their families. CIYJA advocates for immigrant justice and organizes to increase awareness in our communities about intersectional issues, such as LGBTQ rights, womxn rights, criminalization, mass incarceration, advocating for survivors of domestic violence and the harm deportations cause in communities.

With funding from the SJVHF, CIYJA is developing an infrastructure that directly supports the organizing, advocacy and leadership capacity of immigrant youth in advocating for undocumented immigrants who are survivors of domestic violence to seek help without fear of deportation. Two groups that emerged out of CIYJA are San Joaquin Immigrant Youth Collective (SJIYC) – started in January 2014 out of the need to serve undocumented community members and educate them on their rights against immigration raids happening at that time, and Fresno Immigrant Youth in Action (FIYA), which was founded in 2012 as the first undocumented youth-led community organization in Central California.

Together, FIYA, SJIYC and CIYJA are advocating on behalf of Central Valley undocumented domestic violence survivors. One form of this advocacy is to instill trust between the immigrant community and law enforcement by ending the collaboration between the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, which has led to Fresno County allowing ICE agents inside the Fresno County jail.

At the same time, SJIYC is navigating resources for undocumented individuals in San Joaquin County by building relationships with nonprofits that serve survivors of domestic violence. Finally, CIYJA’s voice was instrumental for the passage of the Truth Act, which establishes a transparent process, including community engagement, prior to local law enforcement participation in ICE deportation programs. This is a huge victory for immigrant families that have advocated against family separation. Learn more on the CIYJA web site.

FIYA summer event photo

Photo: FIYA summer event

Policy Committee Updates

More than 50 SJVHF partners participated in the November Policy Committee meeting. Members engaged in a dynamic conversation that highlighted advancements made in California and stated that they will continue to advocate boldly. Partners in the San Joaquin Valley said they are strong and poised to provide the leadership to mobilize those who care about equity and justice.

Several key ideas emerged during the meeting that will require immediate attention. Committee members agreed to form a sub-committee that will meet between the monthly Policy Committee meetings to develop policy strategies that are true to the SJVHF Guiding Principles.

Please note: We will not have a Policy Committee meeting in December, but updates will be sent via e-mail.

To learn more about the committee, contact Program Officer Amparo Cid or Program Associate Nora Dunlap.

Community News and Events

Community Workshop

The San Joaquin Valley Housing Collaborative will host a workshop and forum on the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program on December 8 in Merced. See the workshop flyer.

Solar in Your Community Challenge

The SunShot Initiative announced the Solar in Your Community Challenge, a new prize competition that aims to improve solar electricity access to underserved communities across the country. Offering $5 million in cash prizes and technical assistance over 18 months, the Challenge encourages communities to work together to create replicable, innovative business and financial models that expand solar to low- and moderate-income households. Because not all Americans own their rooftop, the Challenge aims to spur the development of inclusive solutions – like community solar – to help even more Americans go solar. To learn more, register for an informational webinar on December 1 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Dream Advocates of Central California Immigration Conference

SJVHF partners are invited to participate in the Dream Advocates of Central California Immigration Conference hosted by the Dream Outreach Center in Fresno on December 7 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The conference will include an immigration services resource fair, update on immigration law, “Know Your Rights” session, DACA/DACA renewals, immigration services panel, Fresno State admissions update and CA Dream Act application.

See the agenda and register online.

 

Resources

Peer Learning
We encourage peer learning and sharing among SJVHF partners. To facilitate regional collaboration on systems and policy change work, we encourage you to reach out to your fellow colleagues using this contact list of all 58 funded partners.

Free Meeting Space in Merced
The Center offers meeting space at the Merced office, 521 W. Main St. Learn more and apply online.

We Want to Hear From You

This newsletter is for you and is by you. Please share stories, photos and upcoming events to be included in the newsletter. Contact Nora Dunlap.

SJVHF is Social

If you or your organization uses social media, please use the hashtag #SJVHF to call attention to the work you are doing in San Joaquin Valley communities!

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. These social media pages are resources for collaboration and connection with other organizations doing similar work. Please feel free to post upcoming opportunities, job announcements, etc.

FUNDING PARTNERS

Sierra Health Foundation
The California Endowment
Rosenberg Foundation
W.K. Kellogg Foundation
The California Wellness Foundation
Blue Shield of California Foundation
Wallace H. Coulter Foundation
Dignity Health
TIDES Foundation

Managed by:

CHPM logo

Visit the San Joaquin Valley Health Fund web page.