Dear friends,
During this past month, we have been working hard to meet the immediate needs of our community, while also striving for a better future for all of our neighbors here in Contra Costa County.
We have also been active in responding to Concord's and Antioch’s recent Housing Element plans to ensure the plans prioritize the needs of immigrant, refugee, and low-income neighbors and offer proven solutions to prevent displacement. If you live in Concord, you can still submit your public comments until June 27.
Lastly, Judith Ortiz joined us this month as our newest Executive Director in the midst of an exciting time for local affordable and stable housing measures that can serve our community for years to come.
While the recent strides we have been able to accomplish are exciting, we know that we still have much to do. Today, Concord tenants are protected from harassment. Tomorrow, we can expand this to our neighbors in Antioch. And together, we can ensure tenants have even more protections against displacement, such as rent control, just cause for evictions, and legal assistance. Follow us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram) and keep an eye out for our latest action alerts to find out how you can get involved.
In community,
Debra Ballinger, Executive Director
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A message from our incoming Executive Director, Judith Ortiz |
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“I’m excited to start engaging with our community, staff and funders. It’s a blessing to co-direct Monument Impact with Debra during this transition period.”
In these next few months, you can expect to hear more from Judith as she transitions into her new leadership role at Monument Impact.
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Our Nosotros Play is Back! |
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Join the residents of Wellington Gardens as they fight to stay in their apartments, discover their true collective power, and build the home and community they always needed.
Concord
When: Saturday, July 9 and Sunday, July 10 | 2 PM showings
Where: Concord Historical Society | 1928 Clayton Road Concord, CA 94519
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Antioch
When: Saturday, July 23, 2022 | 2 PM and 5:30 PM showings
Where: Nick Rodriguez Community Center | 213 F St Antioch, CA 94509
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Admission is free, but donations are gratefully appreciated.
More about the play: The residents of Wellington Gardens apartment complex just found out they have something in common: they are all losing their homes so that the building can be turned into luxury condominiums. As their homes are being ripped away from them, they discover that home is more than where you sleep: it is the people you surround yourself with and something you build. This play is brought to you by our H.O.M.E.S. art project (Home Offers Me Escape and Safety), which gathers local young adults to use art to explore what home means to them in partnership with Director Nick Garcia from Los Medanos Community College.
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Stronger Together Gala 2022 |
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When: Thursday, September 8, 2022
Where: Hilton Concord | 1970 Diamond Blvd, Concord, CA 94520
Who: Keynote Speaker - Diana Otero, Latino Community Foundation
Save the date! Our 2022 Stronger Together Gala, hosted in-person this year, is coming soon.
Sponsorship opportunities are available. We hope you will join us in this celebration and champion our mission. If you have any questions about the event or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Cindy Campos at (925) 682-8248 x2230 or cindy@monumentimpact.org.
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Monument Impact’s Asset Building Program will be hosting job fairs at our offices in Concord and Antioch in August.
This will be a great opportunity to meet employers, learn about available opportunities, and even interview on-site.
Stay tuned for more details, and for now, save the dates!
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Emerging Business of the Month |
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During the pandemic, Zonia noticed that she went to several different places to satisfy her sweet tooth. This sparked her idea to create Ice Pop, a one-stop-shop for sweet treats and a great place for families to connect. She reached out and was supported with the help of our Emerging Business Program. Starting to formalize her business was challenging at first, but she never lost faith or doubted her abilities to make her dream a reality.
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“I wanted to create a place where I would be able to bring a smile to people’s faces. A little sweetness to allow them to forget the everyday stresses and routine that life brings,” Zonia shares. “My ice cream and popsicles are all homemade. I wanted to create flavors that would take you back to your childhood, to your roots, to your country of origin, to simpler times.”
Her ice cream shop includes flavors such as passion fruit from South America, nance fruit from Central America, and mango with chamoy from Mexico.
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Monument Impact staff supporting Zonia during her opening week!
Since the grand opening of Ice Pop on June 4, Zonia has been greeted with an outpouring of support from friends, family, and the community. Congratulations Zonia on the grand opening of your new business, Ice Pop! We wish you great success.
Ice Pop is located at 1991 Monument Boulevard, Suite C., Concord, CA. Open 7 days a week from 11 AM to 9 PM. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram!
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Thank You to Our Intern, Vanessa! |
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Vanessa Chena, student at St. Mary’s College, has wrapped up her internship for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). She dedicated herself to supporting our mission throughout her senior year of college.
Vanessa has a passion for learning and connecting with the community. She has supported us since last summer with call in-takes, pop-up event support, appointment scheduling, and most recently, collecting testimonials from our clients.
Congratulations on your graduation and many thanks, Vanessa!
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