Dear friends,

We’re looking forward to our 6th Annual Gala and hope to see you there on September 7, 2023! Our annual gala is a chance to support Monument Impact’s work and our community members – click here to see sponsorship opportunities. With your support, we will expand our community programs and advocate to create a Contra Costa County where everyone can thrive and fully participate in our region’s social, economic and civic life.

This month, our community engagement team has been actively involved at both the state and local level to advocate for improving immigrant rights and tenant protections. We recently submitted a letter of support for AB 12 (Haney) to urge Sen. Glazer to support the bill, which will limit the amount that could be charged for a security deposit to one month’s rent, making California the twelfth state in the country to grant these protections. View Monument Impact’s AB 12 support letter and use this template support letter to send your own organizational support letter.

On Immigrant Day of Action, our Community Engagement team joined forces with Contra Costa Immigrants Rights Alliance and other organizations and coalitions to lobby in Sacramento. We spoke with Assemblymember Grayson to support the HOMES Act (AB 1306), HEAL Budget Proposal, and other bills that will impact the lives of immigrants in California. The HOMES Act would ensure equal treatment to immigrants and refugees, protecting them from transfers to detention centers and effectively stopping deportation.

Our Antioch community engagement team provided public comment in a city council meeting focused on tenant anti-harassment protections and the Just Cause ordinance. Despite the city attorney’s timeline and tenant and advocate demands for a June vote on these crucial protections, the city council voted in favor of delaying the introduction until August and September. We remain committed to standing up for these vital safeguards and will provide ongoing updates on our efforts.

In response to the Antioch police force’s racist text messages, our community engagement team co-hosted a community round table in Antioch to hear from community members impacted by the Antioch Police Department. We established a supportive environment to uplift and connect with community members, fostering discussions to develop goals and next steps for bringing about positive change in policing in Antioch and what they want to see in their community. Additionally, we helped organize a march in Martinez with over 100+ people, including families of the victims of police brutality, walking in solidarity.

All of this is made possible because of our supporters like you. Once again, we invite you to get involved in our 6th Annual Gala. See below for more updates from our work with the communities this month!

In community,

Judith Ortiz, Executive Director

Contra Costa Immigrants Rights Alliance

Great news: CCIRA, in partnership with Stand Together Contra Costa, has secured funding for immigrant legal services. With this recent victory, they have ensured that hundreds of immigrant families in Contra Costa County now have access to the legal representation they need to fight deportation and stay with their loved ones.

As part of their written commentary, the CCIRA Coalition Manager said, “The current wait-list of 241 immigrant families for legal representation with upcoming deportation dates is unacceptable. By funding Immigrant Legal Services, we can demonstrate our support for due process and ensure that our immigrant residents receive the representation they deserve.”

Emerging Business Spotlight

For Eugenia Villagran, owning her own cleaning business was a long-held dream. Like many others looking to launch a business, she needed help figuring out where to begin.

In November 2022, Eugenia learned about Monument Impact and its Emerging Business Program and immediately met with our business coach. Now, Eugenia is the proud owner of Gina's House Cleaning.

"I am very grateful for the help I received in formalizing my business. It was a smooth process, and I was fortunate to receive a mini-grant which allowed me to purchase supplies and equipment to start my business."

If you are looking for cleaning services, call our emerging business client Eugenia at Gina's House Cleaning at (925) 565-5988, And if you are a Concord or Antioch resident wanting to start your own business, please contact Edith Guillen at edith@monumentimpact.org or at 925-682-8248 ext. 2105 for more information.

Day Labor Program

This month, Day Labor Coordinator Cristina Guerrero and ten of our day labor members attended the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON) Leadership Institute in Sonoma, CA. This Institute is one of the ways NDLON supports organizations like Monument Impact that manage day labor centers.

Our day labor members participated in numerous workshops and trainings, enhancing their skill sets and leadership capacity. Alongside other Day Labor organization centers throughout California, they gained insights about the significance of community service during an all-hands-on-deck planting effort to beautify Rohnert Park. Together, they showcased their leadership showing their leadership side by marching down to City Hall.

PAJARO Community Donations

We are incredibly fortunate to have such a caring community. Monument Impact staff gathered donations of everyday essentials to support the flood victims of Pajaro, CA. We sincerely thank and appreciate everyone who donated and made this possible.

As many of you know, the Pajaro community, predominantly Spanish-speaking immigrant farm workers, lost everything during the flood, including their jobs, belongings, and homes. After two weeks of collecting donations, on May 12th, our team headed out to Watsonville to deliver all gifts gathered from our community, staff, and donors for the flood victims. The items were given to the Santa Cruz Community Credit Union for the Pajaro community, which expressed that the need is greater than reported. They were excited and extremely grateful for the contributions received.