Dear friends,
With a rise in hate and violence targeting Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities, including the deadly attacks in Atlanta, we condemn bigotry and stand in solidarity with our AAPI neighbors.
As advocates for immigrants and all communities of color, we are committed to calling out and fighting hate in all forms. We must all challenge and dismantle systemic racism and misogyny. Centuries of systemic racism have increased economic, health and housing disparities among many other issues that affect our communities each and every day. Justice is long overdue, and we will stand firm in championing the voices and lived experiences of immigrants and people of color, standing behind them to fiercely advocate for structural change.
To truly stand in unity, we first must listen to one another﹘respecting, honoring and learning from our differences just as much as our shared experiences.
Change begins not just with us, but within us. As a step forward, Monument Impact is partnering with Healing Equity United for a series of facilitated conversations on racial equity with our staff. We are encouraged by and grateful for the opportunity to learn from these skilled trainers and our staff to strengthen our racial justice work.
In solidarity,
Debra Ballinger
Executive Director
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Emergency Rental Assistance Program |
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California’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) provides tenants who owe rent an opportunity to secure up to 80% of what they owe if their landlord will opt-in and forgive the remaining 20%.
If the landlord does not opt-in, the tenant can apply for 25% of what they owe. Assistance is paid directly to the landlord.
The State of California recently launched a website (in English and Spanish) to assist renters and landlords facing challenges related to COVID-19.
Check out this tenant checklist to see if you are eligible for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (English / Spanish).
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Help Others Get Vaccinated |
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Thank you to the Latino Community Foundation for supporting us and our promotores de salud in our COVID-19 vaccine outreach efforts. Trusted community organizations and leaders like promotores are critical to reaching local communities with the right messages, in the languages they speak, to understand and alleviate their concerns, gain their trust and provide them with resources.
Learn more about vaccine eligibility and how to make an appointment with Contra Costa Health Services (English | Spanish). Learn what to expect after you get the vaccine, including managing common side effects, building immunity and planning for your second dose (English | Spanish).
Support your eligible neighbors who need help or feel uncomfortable making their vaccine appointments.
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Monument Impact in the Media |
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Community organizations are coming together to help renters facing illegal evictions despite the state’s eviction moratorium extending through the end of June.
Read and watch more on Telemundo 48, featuring Monument Impact Community Organizer Karen Hernandez.
“Mucha gente no sabe esto [que la moratoria protege a todas aquellas personas que al menos pueden pagar el 25% del alquiler] y se están aprovechando de la falta de educación en las comunidades y están desalojando de todos modos.”
“Many people don’t know this [that the moratorium protects renters who are able to pay at least 25% of their rent] and are taking advantage of communities’ lack of education and issuing evictions anyway.”
Immigrant and Latinx communities in Contra Costa County face significant barriers to obtaining the COVID-19 vaccine. In the midst of the pandemic, these communities hesitate or avoid seeking health care or other community services due to the fear that their personal information may expose their undocumented status.
Listen to Executive Director Debra Ballinger’s interview on KCBS Radio.
“Tests and vaccines are free, but some testing sites and vaccination sites request insurance information, a driver’s license number, or in some cases, a social security number. Any of those requests are enough to discourage participation by those who are undocumented.”
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Celebrating Our 20th Anniversary |
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As we celebrate our 20th anniversary, some of our longest-serving staff members are reflecting back on what first inspired them to join Monument Impact and the most rewarding aspects of their work. |
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Meet Elba Velasquez, Workforce Development Manager at Monument Impact |
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We are so grateful to have you, Elba! Read her full interview here.
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Join Us in Celebrating 20 Years
We’re putting together a “Celebrating 20 Years” video featuring photos of our staff, board members and community members smiling and holding up a sheet of paper that reads (in English or Spanish):
20 years of _____.
20 años de _____.
We invite you to participate and fill in that blank with your own (1-4) words, describing MI’s work, impact, aspirations or culture.
Please include “20 years of” in the sign text, use dark markers and large letters on your sign so your writing is easy to read and take landscape (horizontal) photos because these photos will be featured in a (horizontal) video. Family members and friends are welcome to participate, too.
To avoid repetitive phrases across these photos, please share your planned word choice in this Google doc. Then, send your photos to Cindy Campos at cindy@monumentimpact.org. We will use these photos in the video, our newsletter as well as social media posts.
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Community Organizing Manager
Monument Impact seeks a full-time, ideally bilingual (Spanish/English) and experienced Community Organizing Manager to lead our programs and campaigns that engage Monument residents on urgent issues like immigrant rights and housing justice.
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Class and Program Updates |
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*NEW* - Basic Computer Class in Farsi/Dari
Learn first steps to using a computer, including internet navigation, e-mail, file management and more. Class takes place in Farsi/Dari on Zoom every Thursday,
3 - 5 p.m., April 15 - June 3.
Check out our flyer in English and Farsi, and fill out the interest form. To register or to get more details, contact Samira at (925) 682-8248 ext. 2240.
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Tenant Rights Webinars
Join our tenant rights webinar on Saturday, April 3 at 12 p.m. to learn about rent payments, eviction notices, tenant protections and more. Register here.
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Monument Moves
“My doctor has congratulated me because I have improved my blood sugar levels, cholesterol levels and my overall health. I have participated in the 8 a.m. Zumba sessions for about one year now. I’ve lost pounds, raised my energy levels and improved my health. Thank you Monument Impact for offering us these programs! A special thank you to my instructor, Blanca, for always being consistent and positive!” - Patricia’s testimony
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