Dear friends,
We’re entering 2022 dedicated to laying the foundation for a just recovery and continuing to build a strong and equitable future for all.
The rise of omicron over the past few months have made it clear that the pandemic is far from over, and it continues to disproportionately harm the health, safety, and economic and housing stability of low-income communities of color. Last year, we were able to serve over 13,000 people, and we hope to serve as many in 2022. Keep an eye out for an email from us that shares some highlights of what we were able to accomplish this past year.
We’re continuing to respond to the most urgent needs we’re hearing from our community members, from helping tenants apply to the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program, to overcoming barriers for the COVID-19 vaccine, to calling on local leaders to establish greater tenant protections.
On January 25, we worked with our community allies to successfully call on the Antioch City Council to ask staff to draft tenant protection ordinances on rent control, just cause for eviction, and landlord harassment. These draft ordinances will then be brought back for discussion at a future council meeting. We’re also engaging the Concord City Council on their revised landlord harassment ordinance, in hopes that this new draft will offer substantial and meaningful tenant protections.
A just recovery supports our workers in their path to financial stability, keeps people housed and safe, and centers racial justice and equity. Follow us on our social media for the latest updates and involvement opportunities happening throughout the year.
In community,
Debra Ballinger, Executive Director
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Stay Protected from Eviction through March 2022 |
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Protect yourself from eviction through March by applying to the California Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). Immigration status is still NOT required for eligibility. Utility bill assistance for trash, electricity, gas, and internet is also available. For water, check with your water utility company to see if you are eligible for their assistance programs.
If you need assistance with an ERAP application, contact Monument Impact at (925) 954-4488 to schedule an in-person appointment. Read more about the program by clicking here. If you have a letter for an active unlawful detainer or a notice to pay/quit, you can upload proper documentation and have your application prioritized. Contact housing@monumentimpact.org for assistance on this.
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Learn more about Gilbert and Olga’s experience with ERAP: |
Gilbert Biggs (76) and his wife Olga founded their own computer consulting business, built a home, and eventually sold the business and planned to retire on those proceeds. They lived within their means and had Wells Fargo manage their retirement investments, which were devastated by the 2000 and 2008 financial market crashes. |
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In 2016, they were forced to sell their home and moved into a rental house where they lived until August 2021 - when their landlord illegally raised their rent, pressuring them to move.
The costs of the move, first month’s rent, and their security deposit cost them most of their savings. On top of this, in September 2021, Gilbert contracted COVID-19.
Gilbert and Olga Biggs’ story shows the reality of most of our ERAP clients who are over 55. Despite being on a fixed income, their expenses throughout the pandemic increased. Their medication costs increased, and their utility prices increased. Since they are a part of a more at-risk population, they had to pay for food/grocery deliveries.
Looking for financial assistance, Gilbert was referred to Monument Impact and set up an appointment to apply for the CA Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Gilbert was able to receive $8,633.33 to cover rent debt from October to December 2021.
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COVID-19 Vaccine Outreach |
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Latinx communities in Contra Costa County have been continually and disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our team of promotores (community health advocates) have been working diligently to share accurate information about the COVID-19 vaccine and connect people with resources to get vaccinated.
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In December, one of our promotoras Blanca Colin spoke with Eduardo Castro, the building manager at Park View Apartments. He noted that he had 5-6 tenants who had not even received their first vaccination. Blanca and the rest of our Healthy Community team collaborated with Contra Costa County Health Services and Eduardo to set up a mobile vaccine clinic at the apartment complex.
The mobile clinic took place on January 11, 2022, and was a true success. A total of 42 people were vaccinated.
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Miguel is a senior Antioch resident who sells plants at the local flea market. Blanca had talked with him in August 2021, emphasizing the importance of vaccines to preserve his health and his family’s well-being, but he was hesitant. She saw Miguel again in October. This time, Miguel took all the information we provided him and agreed to seriously consider getting vaccinated. When we saw him again in December, he told us that he had his first shot and had his second appointment booked.
He thanked Monument Impact for encouraging him and not giving up on promoting this important service to our community. Our team congratulated him for his wise decision and reminded him of the importance of getting his booster vaccine.
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Community Engagement Meeting - February 9 |
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COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted the lives of immigrants and communities of color, causing further housing and income instabilities. Systems changes and immigration reform are needed more than ever, and we must come together to advocate for one another.
Join us on Wednesday, February 9 from 6 - 7:30 p.m. for our first community engagement meeting of the year to learn how you can get involved (Zoom link.)
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Mentes Positivas en Acción (Positive Minds in Action) |
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Mentes Positivas en Acción (Positive Minds in Action) is an evidence-based, culturally relevant program designed to teach Latinos tools for managing stress and depression and improving moods. In response to the pandemic, we designed a virtual version of the program and had over 120 people in Concord and its surrounding communities participate. In 2021, we had 8 new promotores (community health advocates) complete their 10-week training course, joining our team of 20.
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Want to grow professionally in the current job market and prepare for employment? Join our virtual 9-week workshop series. Together, we’ll cover:
- U.S. work culture
- Networking
- Resume development
- Public speaking
*Participants must commit to attending the entire workshop series. To register or to get more details, contact Samira at (925) 682-8248 ext. 2240 or samira@monumentimpact.org.
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Emerging Business Support |
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Want to start your own business and don’t know how to get started? Call us, and we’ll gladly guide you through the process.
For more details, contact Edith Guillen at edith@monumentimpact.org or 925-682-8248 ext. 2105. Services available to Concord residents only.
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Our H.O.M.E.S. art project is moving to production! Home Offers Me Escape and Safety gathers local young adults to use art to explore what home means to them. Their final project has evolved into the story of two sisters and their apartment neighbors, who face a series of struggles after a visit from a Child Protective Services leads to the poorly cared for building being flagged for code enforcement. This trickles down to the tenants, who suddenly face rent increases from their landlord in order to help cover repair costs. Stay tuned for our next update when we’ll share the performance date! |
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Meet Our Newest Staff Members |
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Luisa Ortega, Technology Instructor |
Meet Luisa, our Technology Instructor. She began her journey with Monument Impact as a student in our computer classes. Her drive and commitment to her community makes her a natural leader. She has taught classes with us for the past 3 years, relating to her students' experiences and helping them succeed.
Originally from Jalisco, Mexico, Luisa has dedicated the last 5 years to managing her family business with her husband. Finding Monument Impact not only allowed her to update her skills but to use her talents and skills to benefit her community.
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Alex Navarro, Community Organizer |
Meet Alex, our newest community organizer. Alex’s work will focus on building relationships with tenants in Antioch and Concord and advocating for their rights with local elected officials. As a longtime Concord resident, she looks forward to creating equitable, safer, and happier communities.
She is the daughter of Nicaraguan immigrants and a San Francisco native. Having spent most of her childhood and late teens living in Concord, she is happy to be once again residing and working in the community she grew up in after living in The Netherlands for ten years with her partner and two young daughters.
Alex is a professional photographer and recent graduate of Emerge California, a program that trains women to run for office. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, supporting San Francisco sports teams/European football, checking out new restaurants with friends, and volunteering for Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, where she is the statewide City Gun Violence Prevention lead for the California chapter.
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