Dear friends,
As we embrace the new year, and we mark the start of a new administration in Washington, we look ahead with hope. This year, Monument Impact is also reflecting back on the past two decades as we commemorate our milestone 20th anniversary. In the coming months, we’ll share stories and plans to commemorate our 20 years of service to the local immigrant and refugee community.
Before we can celebrate, we must act.
The California legislature just announced the extension of the state’s eviction moratorium through the end of June and rent relief and debt forgiveness through SB 91. However, the bill fails to protect renters from all types of eviction and the program is voluntary for landlords. Tenant protections should not be a choice at a time when they are so desperately needed. Read the statement from our coalition partners, Affordable Housing NOW! California. Then, call your state representatives to demand stronger tenant protections during this crisis.
The latest news about housing protections is changing rapidly. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for the most urgent, up-to-date developments, calls to action and details on how we can collectively ensure families stay housed. Monument Impact remains committed to our immigrant and refugee neighbors. We stand with them amid these difficult times, offering our support, resources and advocacy.
In solidarity,
Debra Ballinger, Executive Director
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We’re pleased to report that we served twice as many people in 2020 as we have in previous years—more than 11,000 individuals—in part due to the Relief and Recovery Fund, but also largely due to how staff have pivoted all programs to an online format.
In recent weeks and months, we have witnessed the power of community, coming together, rising with resilience. We are deeply grateful to our donors, foundation partners and the City of Concord for helping us reach our end-of-year fundraising goal of $300,000. We exceeded that goal with a total of $321,000 raised for the Monument Relief and Recovery Fund, providing critical rental and financial assistance to local immigrants and families in need.
This funding allows us to continue protecting families as they face ongoing challenges from the pandemic, but there is much work to be done for housing protections that are desperately needed.
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Monument Impact in the Media |
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The redevelopment of the Concord Naval Weapons Station to create 13,000 new homes (25% of them being affordable housing units) is the city’s strongest opportunity to help meet local and regional housing needs. The challenge will be to find common ground between local officials, real estate developers, and housing advocates.
Read more in SFGate, featuring quotes from Executive Director Debra Ballinger, about this project and how it impacts Concord.
“But megadevelopments are an exercise in competing priorities. ‘There is a real mismatch between what a local jurisdiction wants and what a developer wants,’ says Debra Ballinger, director of the East Bay housing advocacy group Monument Impact.”
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Deputy Director
Monument Impact is seeking an experienced and exceptional bilingual leader (English/Spanish) with a strong financial background for a Deputy Director position at our dynamic social justice organization serving the immigrant and refugee community in Concord, CA and East Contra Costa County.
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Emergency Rental Assistance |
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The City of Concord approved $230,000 in funds for Monument Impact to protect renters from eviction under the new AB 3088 law.
Fill out our interest form to determine your eligibility for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. (Note: Residents with any immigration status are welcome to sign up.)
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Stronger Together Gala - 20th Anniversary |
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Save the date! Our 20th anniversary and virtual Stronger Together Gala will take place on September 23, 2021.
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Class and Program Updates |
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Learn more about our latest classes and programs: |
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NEW: Caminos
Caminos is our newest free virtual administrative skills class, available only in Spanish. Learn how to prepare for a new job or a promotion, or how to manage your family business.
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Monument Moves
We’re offering free Latin dance and physical activity classes via Zoom and Facebook Live!
Free Legal Clinics for Renters
Get legal advice, and learn and assert your rights! If you or someone you know is a tenant and needs help, our next tenants clinics are February 5 for Antioch and East Contra Costa residents and February 19 for Concord and Central Contra Costa residents. Learn more about our free tenant legal clinics and contact the following to set up an appointment:
Antioch/East County: (925) 529-4843
Concord/Central County: (925) 682-8248 x 2210
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Spaces fill quickly, call now to set up your appointment!
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