Dear friends,

This month, we’re looking back on our extensive work to support immigrants and refugees and help them find better opportunities to support themselves and their families. Our staff has been truly an anchor for these communities throughout Concord and Contra Costa as a whole, supporting them with English as a Second Language (ESL) classes; employment readiness classes to build their resumes, learn about U.S. work culture norms, and practice for interviews; and even helping them formalize and launch their very own businesses as first-time entrepreneurs. We are so proud of all of the individuals we’ve been able to serve and are excited to continue expanding our work to serve even more people in the future. 

Looking ahead, we will receive an update on our funding request to launch our guaranteed income pilot, tentatively called the Monument Families Recovery Program, at the Concord City Council meeting currently rescheduled for March 7. This pilot project aims to disburse 12 months of cash assistance ($500/month), plus up to $2,500 in a one-time cash grant, to at least 120 families living on low incomes in Concord.



At least 40 guaranteed income pilot programs have either run, are currently running or are in planning stages right now across California. Cash gives people the freedom, flexibility, and tools to solve their own problems that other safety net benefits don’t. This looks like getting a car repaired, buying clothing or school supplies for a child, hiring a babysitter so a parent can make it to a job interview across town, paying for diapers and food for a newborn, and finally having a chance to build up a savings cushion instead of making ends meet paycheck to paycheck. 

Please stay tuned for additional updates on this project, along with our other programs. We would love for you to attend the Council meeting in March and show your support for Monument Impact. If you’re considering applying for this program, you can provide public comment and share your story about how this program would impact you and your community.

Keep an eye out for our email updates, and follow us on social media (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) for more ways you can get involved.

In community,

Judith Ortiz, Executive Director

We are proud to be a part of Contra Costa Cares and connect community members to much-needed health care services. To date, we have held 28 pre-enrollment fairs and have successfully enrolled 406 uninsured individuals through Contra Costa Cares.

We invite you to learn more about this FREE health care program for uninsured adults ages 26-49 who live in Contra Costa County, regardless of legal status.

Learn more about your eligibility here. If you have questions or are not sure if you are eligible, please contact us: (925) 682-8248 ext. 2400

- Our community health promoters have reached over 8,016 people through flyering and phone calls.

- Monument Impact's community health promoters have attended 154 events throughout nine different cities in Contra Costa.

Angie Chaupe has always envisioned owning a business, but felt like she needed to educate herself on the process first. She attended a business course at the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center of the East Bay, which helped her define the type of business she wanted and gave her the confidence to make her dream a reality. 

She still needed guidance on where to begin, as she didn’t speak English and has never navigated these processes before. In February 2021, she enrolled in the advanced technology computer program at Monument Impact and met our Emerging Business coach who helped her get started.

Check out Angie’s business, SUMAKUY, a specialty online grocery store where you can find unique Peruvian products. She is now offering delivery on direct online orders.

If you are a Concord or Antioch resident and would like to start your own business, please contact Edith Guillen at edith@monumentimpact.org or at 925-682-8248 ext. 2105 for more information.

Safoora Danishju Sareer, immigrated from Afghanistan in August 2021 during the pandemic and felt discouraged about not being able to find a job or and not being able to speak English.

She was referred to our CalWORKs program in January 2022 by Contra Costa County. With the assistance of our employment readiness case manager, she enrolled in English as a Second Language (ESL) classes and other employment readiness and active job search workshops.



Today, Safoora is enrolled as a student at Diablo Valley College taking additional ESL classes and other courses, in addition to working to support herself financially. She aims to pursue a degree in early childhood and one day own a daycare center.

Please welcome Jawed Latif as our newest Employment Readiness Case Manager to support our ESL, job search, and employment readiness work. Last year, he joined us part-time, and we are lucky and excited to bring him onboard full-time!

Jawed immigrated from Afghanistan in August 2020. He holds two bachelor’s degrees from Afghanistan, one in agriculture and the second as a medical doctor. 

Additionally, he completed a bootcamp course at the Tech Institute, which led him to his first job in the U.S. as a front-end developer with a design agency.

David Pitman will always be remembered by his gentle personality and active engagement in our community. As a local resident, David worked closely with Monument Community Partnership (MCP), Monument Impact’s predecessor organization. He was fully committed to community improvement, including MCP’s Neighborhood Action Team which consisted of a group of local residents that focused on creating events at various locations to promote resources and build unity.

He participated in several Monument Impact and partner projects, including the renovation of Detroit Street where he participated in bike lane planning and implementation; the creation of the Meadow Homes Park Spray Park; and Monument Impact’s Tobacco Prevention Program. David actively listened to the community and was a solid presence at City Council meetings.

David’s passion and commitment will always be remembered by people that knew him. His advocacy for community transformation will be enjoyed by many generations.