Dear Friends,

Together, we are ready to kick off an exciting fall as we reflect on our recent wins and look toward launching ELEVATE Concord. After our 2023 Stronger Gala this month, where we raised over $75,000 thanks to our guests, sponsors, donors, we will use those proceeds to continue to support immigrants, refugees and neighbors with low incomes to succeed in our community. 

In my second year as executive director, I continue to be inspired by our community members. At the Gala, we got to witness their incredible talent through our arts and culture programming and we got to celebrate our emerging entrepreneurs. I’m incredibly moved by the commitment our staff has shown to help ensure our residents can belong and thrive in East Contra Costa. 

Proceeds from the event will go toward continuing to advocate for local tenant protections such as Just Cause for Eviction in Antioch; establishing new immigrant-owned businesses; and support ELEVATE Concord, the city’s first economic equity pilot, launching in partnership with the City of Concord and UpTogether later this fall. 

In October, we will be starting the application and selection process for ELEVATE Concord. The goal of the program is to create a pathway for families to secure stable housing, good jobs, and economic mobility for their children. The program will provide 120 families with $500 a month of cash assistance for one year with no strings attached. We are receiving significant interest and will prioritize communities hit the hardest by the pandemic – single parents with young children, immigrants, refugees and communities of color facing financial insecurity.

When families thrive, communities thrive. Together, we can make where we live a place where families can pursue their dreams and contribute to a vibrant community. 

In community, 

Judith Ortiz

Executive Director

This summer the Community Engagement program launched its ‘Success Begins at Home’ campaign to highlight that no matter where you start, success in life begins at home for all ages and all people. When we have safe, secure places to live in Contra Costa County, parents earn more, kids learn better, health and well-being improve, our communities are stronger, and our region has the building blocks for a thriving city. Together across Contra Costa County, we can take action to build long-term solutions, including advocating for immediate tenant protections in Concord and Antioch, that will ensure our families and neighbors are able to succeed for generations to come.

CalWORKs Highlight

In the aftermath of the U.S. military leaving Afghanistan, Abdul Hai Zarifi, a father of seven, fled for a safer, better life for his family. He came to the United States in May 2023, after having spent a year and a half in Pakistan. In June, Abdul received a referral from Contra Costa County to our CalWORKs program where he is learning to adapt to a new culture, language, and work environment. Despite his background in mining and airplane engineering, it has been difficult to find employment. Our CalWORKs Case Manager Jawed Latif and our employment readiness team facilitated the application process for Abdul to become an Uber Eats driver. Our team has also helped some of his children to secure part-time retail employment and referred his other children to local jobs. Abdul shares he is happy with the company, appreciates schedule flexibility, and is better able to provide for his family. We look forward to seeing the whole family thrive as they develop new skills and opportunities for their future.