What we do / Engagement and Advocacy
Opportunities to Raise Your Voice About Things that Matter
We believe that community members of all ages deserve to have a say about change that goes on in their neighborhoods but so often, those who have the most to lose don't have a seat at the table. We get that it is easy to begin to feel voiceless and as if their lives are being lived for them.
It can be frustrating and at times feel paralyzing when people see their communities re-shaped based off of the decisions of city officials, politicians, school board members, and lawmakers who don’t know what it is like to try to make ends meet or take for granted the ability to sit in a public space on a weekday evening without having to think about a second job, child care, or translation. Our team of community advocates and parent ambassadors helps you build your own power through leadership training, education on how systems work, and looking inward to know what it means to make sure that your voice is always heard loud and clear.
We help keep you informed of crucial county and school district meetings where decisions about your community are being made and make sure that you always know how to have a say. We believe that knowledge is power and want to help you learn about what resources are available to you and your family, where money is being spent in your schools and neighborhoods, and to teach you how to be a strong and vocal leader to show up for you and your loved ones.
Our team consists of those who have roots in the very communities that they are passionate about protecting and advocating for. Since 2015, we have already helped over 2,000 youth and adults ensure that their concerns are heard and pass local policy that will keep them safe.
Complete the “Get Connected” form and make your voice heard today!
Our team consists of those born and raised in the very communities that they are passionate about protecting and advocating for. Since 2015, we have already helped over 2,000 youth and adults demand the services that their families need and pass local policy that will keep them safe.
Looking for advocacy services?
One of the individuals we worked with over the last couple of years is Jayme, she is a junior in high school and has been a BASTA (Bay Area Strength Through Activism) youth leader since she was a Sophomore.
Before Jayme joined BASTA, she assumed that there was nothing that could be done about her neighbor who smokes. As someone who has lived in multi-unit housing almost her whole life, she was used to having to deal with her neighbors’ actions, even if they put her health at risk. Her and her family did as much as they could to avoid the secondhand smoke that drifted into their home. They spoke to the landlord and even the neighbor that smoked but because of the lack of local secondhand smoke protections, there wasn’t much done to resolve the issue. In 2018, Jayme became a BASTA youth leader and has been advocating for a smoke-free multi-unit housing policy that would ban smoking in apartments. After a year of raising awareness, educating her decision makers and attending county meetings demanding her representatives take action, Jayme is now seeing the outcome of her efforts. At the end of 2021, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors will be taking a vote on a Smoke-Free Multi-Unit Housing Policy that will protect people just like Jayme and her Family. Now, Jayme is more prepared than ever to speak on her experience and demand protections against secondhand smoke.
Our PROGRAMS
Bay Area Strength Through Activism (BASTA)
Advocacy team that organizes and educates the community about ways they can become strong leaders and use their voice to create policy change.
San Leandro Hayward Acres Mobilized (SLHAM)
Helping residents who struggle with equitable representation in the Unincorporated Eden Area through leadership development, direct action and advocacy so they can have a healthier, drug free community.
Parent Ambassadors
Providing parents and guardians with an exciting opportunity to develop leadership and advocacy skills while supporting parent and family engagement and the academic success of Hayward Unified School District students through services, events, and activities to Hayward families and community members.
Disparity Funds Program
Providing training, workshops, and resource sharing through a parent support group for families of people with development disabilities. All of these activities will be provided in Spanish and co-facilitated by Spanish-speaking Parent Leaders.