Dear friends,
We are only a few weeks away from the end of California’s current eviction moratorium (September 30, 2021), and you likely saw that on August 26, the Supreme Court decided that the federal (Biden Administration) moratorium is unconstitutional. If you know someone who is behind on their rent and needs assistance, please have them contact us at housing@monumentimpact.org with the subject line: ERAP. Our housing team is available for support.
As housing, financial, and health concerns continue to affect our immigrant and refugee neighbors, please consider sponsoring or donating as part of our 20th Anniversary Gala on September 23. If you can’t make it, you can still donate here.
As a direct-service organization, we bridge gaps to make sure our community members are aware of and are supported in acquiring the resources they need. From hiring on-the-ground community health advocates (“promotores”) to provide COVID-19 vaccine education and sign-up support; to helping tenants navigate extensive and often intimidating applications for rent and utility relief; to hosting community forums and encouraging participation in local city council meetings — Monument Impact remains dedicated to building skills, resources and power within immigrant, refugee and low-income communities in Concord and Contra Costa County.
In community,
Debra Ballinger
Executive Director
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Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) |
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California’s eviction moratorium is set to expire on September 30, 2021. If you or someone you know is behind on their rent or utilities, please apply today for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program to avoid eviction (even after October 1). Email our housing team at housing@monumentimpact.org with the subject line: ERAP or call (925) 954-4488. Tenants can also sign up for an appointment here.
Landlords and tenants can register for ERAP at tinyurl.com/ERAP-APP. People who self-evict or are no longer living on the property may now apply for assistance.
The state hotline number (833) 687-0967 can also assist you with scheduling an appointment with Monument Impact (or another agency closest to you).
In order to apply, you may be required to submit the following:
- Lease agreement/arrears
- Proof of income
- Form of identification
- Most recent utility bill statements
Those who have already applied can call (833) 430-2122 to check on the status or ask questions related to their application. Ensure that you have your case number ready.
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20th Anniversary Gala Celebration |
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Our 20th-anniversary gala is one month away!
Your contribution will go to impactful programs like our Monument Relief Fund, the largest undocufund in Contra Costa County, which has provided direct financial aid to more than 2,300 families, 83% of whom used it to pay rent and/or utilities. Together with your support, Monument Impact can bolster its mission to grow strong community leaders and advocates, provide employment and job skills trainings and referrals, and support families’ mental and physical health.
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We’re excited for the future of Monument Impact and hope you will join us as we celebrate this milestone. Join us as we generate momentum and continue serving our community for years to come. Thank you for your support, and we hope to see you there! |
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COVID-19 Vaccine Outreach |
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As the Delta variant continues to spread, our Healthy Community promotores are back in full swing. In partnership with Brighter Beginnings of Antioch, our staff Lorena Cruz and Elba Velasquez led a training for Together Toward Health (TTH), a collaborative project with community leaders from various organizations to increase vaccination rates for those most at-risk in East Contra Costa County. Monument Impact is also partnering with La Clinica de la Raza on vaccine distribution.
We’re incredibly thankful for their work to help others navigate the sign-up process and ensure that accurate, trustworthy information about the vaccine is being shared with our community members. To learn more about this campaign, join our Healthy Community Facebook group here.
Upcoming Employment Readiness Workshops
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Join our virtual, nine week workshop series to learn how to find, secure and manage employment. Together, we’ll cover:
- Networking
- Resume development
- Job searching and interviews
- Elevator speeches
- Work standards and behavior
- Problem-solving
- Job promotion
- U.S. work culture
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This is a free class, however, full commitment is necessary to enroll. Workshops are on Zoom on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and are held in English. Classes run from Sept. 10 to Nov. 5.
Check out our flyer in English, 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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Online Job Application Support
Monument Impact is offering 1:1 support for those filling out online job applications. We will walk you through the process step-by-step and help you land the job you want.
Sessions are available by appointment only every Monday and Tuesday morning via Zoom.
H.O.M.E.S Art Program
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Designed by artists Nick Garcia, Chair of Dramatic Arts Program at Los Medanos College, and Jose Cordon, Monument Impact organizer and poet, the H.O.M.E.S art program will encourage youth to turn their personal experiences from the pandemic and housing crisis into a story — culminating in a live performance — that highlights what a home means to them.
Classes will be held from the week of September 27 through January and are open to ages 18-28. Participants will receive a stipend for their collaborative work on this project.
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Community Land Trust Forum |
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Join us on Sept. 30 at 6 p.m. for an insightful discussion on community land trusts. Hear from leading organizations who are exploring opportunities for community ownership in the Bay Area.
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Concord Naval Weapons Station Community Engagement Forum |
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The redevelopment of the 5,000-acre Concord Naval Weapons Station, with 25% of the 12,000 new homes built to be affordable to lower-income residents, is an unprecedented opportunity to alleviate our local housing crisis and create thriving, equitable neighborhoods.
Earlier this month, we hosted a community engagement forum with the master development candidates for this project. Residents had the opportunity to ask questions and learn about their commitments to affordable housing and other community benefits. If you missed it, catch up here!
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Meet Edith Guillen, our new Business Services Coordinator |
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As a Business Services Coordinator, Edith will strengthen relationships with businesses in Concord and surrounding cities and search for employment opportunities for our program participants.
Before joining Monument Impact, Edith worked for the City of Oakland as a Neighborhood Services Coordinator, where she worked alongside council members to strengthen Oakland Communities through capacity building, leadership training, and bridging the gap between the Oakland Police Dept. and the community.
Edith always knew the importance of helping others and began her volunteer experience as a youth with several nonprofit organizations that worked with underserved communities. Since then, she has dedicated her professional career to serving diverse communities throughout Oakland. Welcome Edith, we’re glad to have you!
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Looking to make a positive difference in our community?
Monument Impact is hiring for a variety of positions. Learn more about our job opportunities here.
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