Advocacy in Action: GSO & Community Connect Partners Meet with Legislators
June 13, 2023
Golden State Opportunity just hit a major milestone with our first ever Community Action Day at the State Capitol! We gathered our partners from cities all across California including Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, San Diego, Fresno, Stockton, and Mount Shasta to advocate and share their stories with legislators in Sacramento.
Our goals were clear: highlight the impact of tax credits and free tax prep in low-income communities and demand that we protect and expand policies like the CalEITC+ that lift people out of poverty.
More than 50 Community Action Day attendees met with the offices of 37 state legislators! Many attendees, like Jason Yancey from NEW Economics for Women in the Los Angeles Antelope Valley, shared their stories and thanked them for their support.
Here Jason is pictured with Senator Elena Maria Durazo, GSO Board Member Ana Grande, and Los Angeles Community Partners from CCNP, Barrio Action, and NEW Economics for Women.
For other attendees, like Ariel Gonzalez, Youth Case Manager at Watts Labor Community Action Committee, it was the first time advocating in Sacramento.
“At first, I was extremely nervous to meet legislators because it was my first time meeting them in Sacramento,” said Ariel. “But by the end of the day, I felt accomplished and like we were all able to make a difference. That gave me a sense of hope.”
Here Ariel is pictured with Asm. Tim Grayson and Riverside Community Partners from Inland Equity Partnership.
Others like Domenica Lopez, Community Organizer at the Jakara Movement in Fresno, had been to Sacramento before, but still learned new things from the experience.
“Meeting all the fantastic organizations and the GSO staff working to empower marginalized communities and seeing their passion for this work was empowering,” said Domenica. “I loved being part of the day of action.”
Jeff Green, Associate Director at Inland Equity Partnership, agreed. “It was exciting to see so many people together that have been doing this work from all over California. The legislators I met with know and support the work GSO is doing.”
Here Jeff is pictured with Asm. Member Corey Jackson and Moreno Valley Community Partners from SBX Youth & Family Services.
Attendees agreed that it felt great to make their voice heard at the State Capitol. “I had an amazing experience and I will forever be thankful for this opportunity,” said Ariel.
“I would encourage everyone to join future advocacy days. It is a great opportunity to share the stories of your community. Share those stories and make change happen,” said Domenica.
Didn’t get a chance to join us for Community Action Day? You can still take action by asking your legislators to fight against cuts to anti-poverty programs in budget negotiations here.
We’ll be back to Sacramento soon to bring diverse voices to halls of power and hold state leaders accountable to low-income communities across California.
