Greetings!

Thank you! Monument Impact is able to serve our community in new ways during COVID-19 because of the extraordinary generosity of people like you.

The response to the Monument Relief Fund has been powerful! We have raised over $111,000 in just a couple of weeks. As of April 27, we have helped nearly 114 people, providing over $41,000 in financial assistance. and have over 200 in the queue. As word has gotten out, we are emboldened to keep going in order to provide financial assistance to as many people as possible.

The COVID-19 crisis has exposed new audiences to just how central housing is to our communities. As you will see in the update to our organizing for eviction moratoriums in Contra Costa County, we are seeing that sheltering in place requires having a safe, stable home. Very little else matters.

This crisis has truly helped us reconnect to what it means to be a community – how much we rely on each other and owe to one another. We thrive together, or not at all . We can help each other survive this moment and then work together to rebuild. That is the best of community.

Thank you again for the outpouring of support. Please spread the word about the Monument Relief Fund . If you haven’t yet donated, we hope you’ll join the 83+ others who have already supported this work!

In community,
Debra Ballinger
A Call to Action from Dave Thompson, MI’s Program Director
Make the Stimulus Pledge!

The IRS has sent out Stimulus Checks to households across the United States. States are also beginning to distribute the first unemployment checks with the extra $600 from the federal government. These much-needed financial boosts couldn’t come at a more critical time for families who have lost wages and are struggling to pay rent or provide food for their families. Yet, there are thousands of immigrant families in our community who are left out of this critical support. Undocumented immigrants are the service providers many of us rely on, from childcare to landscaping to construction and more. As our staff talk to community members, there have been so many stories of families struggling to pay their rent. Day Labor members worry about how they’re going to support their families as the number of days they get out to work each week falls towards zero.

Many of you have been impacted by the Pandemic, but if you are like me and are fortunate enough to still be working full time, please consider supporting our undocumented neighbors. If you have received a stimulus check, and can afford to share, we hope you will think about donating a portion to the Monument Relief Fund . The more we raise, the more people we can help, like Elizabeth who received $500 in financial support:
 
“This support will help with our rent. Thanks to Monument Impact and donors for supporting us immigrants, no matter where we come from.”

In these uncertain times, I hope you will join me in making a stimulus pledge to ensure undocumented families can stay in their homes and put food on their table.
Thank you for your support!
Advocacy Updates
Eviction Moratoriums

Monument Impact, with our Raise the Roof and labor allies, has won important protections for tenants in Concord, Antioch, Pittsburg, San Pablo, and now for all cities in Contra Costa County. These ordinances include eviction moratoriums, a rent freeze, and a grace period for paying back missed rent payments. Our staff have put together a simple guide to help tenants navigate these moratoriums and learn their rights. The guide is also available in Spanish here . For more information, contact Jennifer Morales, at jennifer@monumentimpact.org .
State Undocumented Fund

Monument Impact stepped up to support the formation of a statewide Disaster Relief Fund—the first in the nation—to provide financial assistance for undocumented workers. Announced last week, Gov. Newsom said, "We feel a deep sense of gratitude for people that are in fear of deportation but are still addressing the essential needs of tens of millions of Californians." The fund combines $75 million in state donations with $50 million from private philanthropists. We expect some of these funds will make their way to our County. We will keep you updated!
Our Art Competition is Launched!
In the midst of COVID-19, Monument Impact is thrilled to announce the launch of Creative Catalyst , an art competition envisioning the future of an equitable Concord. Open to students at Diablo Valley College and in high school in Concord, Creative Catalyst will award six students with cash prizes.

In partnership with Diablo Valley Federal Credit Union and its George Garcia Educational Awards, Creative Catalyst has been four months in the making. While we all have had to pivot while sheltering in place, we decided that that this was an important project to keep on track, engaging students whose homes have become their classrooms. Art is a powerful tool for social change, and we look forward to the visions and expressions of young people in our community. Information can be found on our website here .
Census Update

Ensuring our immigrant community is counted in the 2020 Census feels like an afterthought during this pandemic. Yet, being counted is more important than ever! Our Census team, led by Lorena Cruz, are operating a virtual phone bank to ensure families are counted! We have called over 500 families in April alone.
Stay Healthy!

MI’s Healthy Community Team is working to make sure our program participants still feel connected while sheltering in place. They have put out a video in Spanish featuring all of our promotores (health promoters) with tips on how to manage through the COVID-19 crisis. And why not have a little fun while staying healthy and active through our virtual Zoomba classes?