The SELA Votes! Initiative was invited to partner with NBC4 and Telemundo 52 to host the US Senate Candidate Forum watch party in the City of Lynwood located in Southeast Los Angeles. Our partnership with NBC4 and Telemundo 52 gave us an opportunity to showcase Latino/a majority cities like Lynwood and the importance of Latino/a voter engagement. We were also invited to pre-record questions for the candidates, allowing us to engage and address our unique concerns. Our thanks to partner organizations: the SELA Collaborative, AltaMed, COFEM, Latino Equality Alliance, Southeast Community Development Corporation, NewStart Housing, and the Pat Brown Institute. 

“Gracias to the SELA Votes initiative for hosting a community watch party in Lynwood to empower our communities with information to enable them to participate fully in the democratic process." - Lizette Carbajal, Vice President of Community Relations & Communications, Telemundo 52 & NBC4

In the same week, our SELA Votes! partners, canvassers and community leaders hosted a press conference to amplify Latino/a electoral power in Southeast Los Angeles. Our collective efforts are fostering a culture of civic participation to increase voter turnout in the region. We know the significance of the upcoming primary and general elections and the impact they will have on our communities—we need all hands on deck!

“From education to healthcare access to environmental concerns and beyond, we must recognize our collective power, unite, and take action by voting!"  - Vanessa Aramayo, ABC’s Executive Director 

For voting resources, including links for voter registration and to locate ballot boxes and voting centers, visit ABC’s website.

We Are California!

We are  excited to continue our work with We Are California in 2024, a statewide, people-powered movement working to create a California where ALL of us are valued, regardless of where we were born, the color of our skin, who we love, or how much money we make. We Are California brings together grassroots organizations throughout the state, connecting leaders to create the future we deserve. 

When voters like us turn out in every election, we are able to get our elected leaders to learn about our priorities at every level of the ballot. We can push them to do better on: housing, climate, education, health access, and corporate accountability.

Voting is just one way we can hold elected leaders accountable – by letting them know we're here and we're paying attention. Whether you're voting by mail or in person, your vote matters! Ensure your participation by casting your ballot in the upcoming primary elections on March 5!

Digital Equity Win!

The long-standing call from our communities for equitable internet access and affordability is finally being heard! 

Earlier this month, Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland) introduced groundbreaking legislation that will make California the first state in the country to adopt the Federal Communications Commission's newly adopted definition of digital discrimination. This historic legislation holds profound implications for Latinos/as across the state, who have faced significant challenges in connecting to healthcare, accessing educational resources, and pursuing economic opportunities due to lack of internet access. By establishing a definition of digital discrimination for the State, this legislation will address the digital divide and contribute to increasing access and opportunities for Latino/a communities most impacted, including the region of Southeast LA.

ABC is proud to stand alongside digital equity advocates and applauds Assemblymember Bonta for her leadership and work towards a connected future for all.

Join the conversation for the last of three LA Unified Candidate Forums proudly hosted by Alliance for a Better Community, Innovate Public Schools, and Communities in Schools of Los Angeles! Discover the candidates’ plans and priorities for Districts 7. This is an opportunity to connect with candidates and gain insight into their visions of education in our districts! Your participation fosters an informed electorate and supports a transparent and inclusive democratic process.

The last webinar is today

Tuesday, February 27th, from 6 PM to 8 PM!

You can also watch the recorded candidate forums that took place earlier this month for District 1 and District 5. 

Únase a la conversación en nuestros Foros de Candidatos del Distrito Unificado de Los Ángeles, organizados con orgullo por Alliance for a Better Community, Innovate Public Schools, y Communities in Schools of Los Angeles. Descubra los planes y prioridades de los candidatos para el Distritos 7. Esta es una oportunidad para conectarse con los candidatos y obtener información sobre sus visiones de la educación en nuestros distritos. Su participación fomenta un electorado informado y apoya un proceso democrático transparente e inclusivo.

El último seminario web es este

martes 27 de febrero, de 18.00 a 20.00 horas.

This EdSource article highlights the success of Latino/a students in California's community colleges who are thriving in baccalaureate programs, as revealed by a recent UCLA study. These programs have high graduation rates and post-graduation employment rates, particularly benefiting students from underrepresented communities.

The stories of Latino/students who have flourished in community college programs emphasize the need to broaden access to affordable and flexible educational pathways that empower individuals to pursue their academic dreams. Recognizing the transformative power of education for students, families, and communities, ABC’s SELA Goes to College initiative empowers Southeast Los Angeles families with the tools and resources necessary to advocate and deliver much-needed change to increase access and success for SELA students.

The Castellanos Elementary's schoolyard in the Pico-Union neighborhood has transformed from a dull asphalt area to a vibrant green space! Made possible by the Trust for Public Land and partners, the project aims to create greener and more sustainable schoolyards across Los Angeles County by 2028. Before the transformation, Castellanos was one of the 600 LAUSD schools that lack green spaces, with the majority featuring asphalt schoolyards, particularly prevalent in low-income communities of color. This article uplifts the positive impact that green spaces have on student well-being and academic success.

In our recently released report, "Protecting Students From Our Changing Climate: Equitable Strategies for Addressing Green Schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District," we  analyze LA Unified’s facilities and propose policy recommendations for creating healthier, greener, and climate-resilient schools. This case study sheds light on how climate change impacts and environmental injustices affect Latino/a students in their educational environments. Access to sustainable buildings and green spaces is an issue of equity, and we must implement solutions that contribute to student success and foster healthier and more equitable communities.

GO Public Schools is hosting a series of financial aid expert panels. Panelists will provide updates about this year's Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and California Dream Act Application (CADAA), share information about financial aid, and share tips about how to make sure you and your child don’t miss out on free money for college. The last 30 minutes of the panel will be reserved for questions from attendees. Simultaneous Spanish translation will be provided.

Las familias tienen muchas preguntas sobre la ayuda financiera y ¡estamos aquí para ayudar! GO Public Schools se complace en presentar una serie de paneles de expertos en ayuda financiera. Los panelistas brindarán actualizaciones sobre la Solicitud Gratuita de Ayuda Federal para Estudiantes (FAFSA) y la Solicitud Dream Act de California (CADAA) de este año, compartirán información sobre ayuda financiera y compartirán consejos sobre cómo asegurarse de que usted y su estudiante no se pierdan la asistencia gratuita para la universidad. Los últimos 30 minutos del panel estarán reservados para preguntas de los asistentes. Se proporcionará traducción simultánea al español. 

Upcoming GO's financial aid expert panel(s):

• Thursday, March 7, 5-6:30 PM: Accessing Financial Aid as an Undocumented or Mixed-Status Family // Jueves 7 de marzo, 5-6:30 pm: Acceso a Ayuda Financiera como Familia Indocumentada o de Estatus Mixto
• Thursday, March 21, 5-6:30 PM: Accessing Financial Aid as a Moderate or Middle-Income Family // Jueves 21 de marzo, 5-6:30 pm: Acceso a Ayuda Financiera como Familia de Ingresos Medios o Moderados

We are grateful to work towards creating a more just and equitable society for the Latino/a community and the Los Angeles region through power building and policy advocacy. But, we can't do it without the support of people like you! Your donation, no matter the size, will help us continue to make a real and meaningful impact in the lives of those we serve. Thank you for your support and for believing in our mission.