HRTC HUB

A regularly recurring roundup of news and resources for Orange County Jobs First Collaborative members


January 31, 2024

FOLLOW UP TO LAST MEETING

Hello, everyone. Here’s a friendly reminder to make sure you vote on whether we should split the strategy category that asked us to "increase health and environmental equity” into two separate categories – one focused on strategies that increase health equity and another focused on strategies to increase environmental equity. Please also vote on whether the collaborative should select two, three, or four strategies per category. The poll can be found here. This poll will close at 11:59 pm on February 2. To review the meeting further, a recording, transcript, and the chat box from the meeting are in this folder (January 26, 2024).

LOOKING AHEAD

Our next meeting will be on February 9 from 8:30 to 10 am, where the full meeting will be open for you to discuss the strategies already shared, and possibly vote on them. All the information to prepare you for the vote can be found here (February 9, 2024). In the folder, you will find the strategies in English and Spanish. You will also find the full analysis from the community outreach and engagement work, the full research report, and key findings from each researcher.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHTS

FAMILY ASSISTANCE MINISTRIES

Family Assistance Ministries, FAM, is a South County-based inter-faith charitable nonprofit alliance that served 30,187 unique people in 2023. Our proven success model focuses on root cause issues to deliver long-term results that change lives and our community for the better. We offer a wide range of services to our clients to support their journey to independence, including flexible housing solutions, food and personal care items, counseling and life skills, and income tax preparation. We’re very proud of our team of 2,000+ volunteers, 41 staff, and 16 board members who each pour their heart and soul into making FAM and its clients successful.


To learn more, please visit https://lovefam.org/.

ORANGE COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

The Orange County Community Foundation (OCCF) transforms our community’s heartfelt intention into greater impact for good by working with local donors and nonprofit partners as an expert advisor and innovator. We serve as a resource for individual and family philanthropists, facilitate grant and scholarship programs, and lead community-based initiatives. We inspire giving and connect people and resources to create sustainable impact, granting more than $1 billion since 1989 in Orange County, across the country, and around the world. In addition to faithfully stewarding our donors' intent, OCCF has developed a robust community impact model intended to create regional impact through innovative ideas and collaborative partnerships. OCCF hosts several community impact initiatives: the Workforce Development Initiative focused on creating talent pipelines to middle-skills jobs through collaborative

partnerships between education, employer, and nonprofit partners; the OC Social Justice Fund focused on ensuring all residents have equal economic, political, and social rights and opportunities; the OC Veterans Initiative focused on transition, education, employment, and health of post-9/11 Veterans and their families; and the OC Opportunity Initiative dedicated to ensuring that Orange County embraces the promise and potential of our immigrant communities to create a stronger future for our region. OCCF is committed to creating a vibrant and thriving Orange County.


To learn more, please visit https://www.oc-cf.org/.

SUSTAIN SOCAL

Sustain Southern California (Sustain SoCal) accelerates cleantech economic growth and sustainability initiatives through innovation, collaboration, and education. Sustain SoCal offers conferences, workshops, and networking events for organizations to share knowledge and establish connections that improve the economic progress and sustainable environmental future of Southern California.

Formerly known as Cleantech OC and Sustain OC, Sustain SoCal has a long history of exploring and implementing pragmatic, real-world solutions to the challenges created by growth, change, and inefficiency that face Southern California and beyond.

Key sectors including energy, water, and transportation have their own clearly aligned working groups within Sustain SoCal. And as issues evolve, new groups are created to work toward a common goal to develop workable solutions and action plans. Sustain SoCal participants and sponsors range from startups to well-established cleantech companies, corporations of all kinds and sizes, municipal / regional / state / national governments and agencies, schools, hospitals, nonprofits, and investors.


To learn more, please visit https://sustainsocal.org/.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Black History Parade & Unity Fair


What is it?: This Saturday, the Black History Parade & Unity Fair comes to downtown Anaheim. The parade and street fair includes a procession of marching bands, dancers and double Dutch squads, along with music, food and a car and motorcycle show.


The event, put on by the Orange County Heritage Council and now in its 44th year, celebrates Black History Month and the contributions of African Americans to our city, region, and nation. Anaheim has been proud to be host city of the parade since 2011. This event is free to attend, however there will be food and crafts for purchase. Bring your friends and family!


When is it?: Saturday, February 3 from 9:00 am-4:00 pm. The parade begins at 10:00 am. The Unity Festival starts at noon.


Where is it?: Visitors are advised to park at Anaheim’s City Hall and Center Street parking structures.


To learn more, please see the flyer below and visit Orange County Heritage Council’s social media sites.

Harvesting Innovation: Navigating the Future of Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems


What is it?: After seven years in the innovative agriculture space, Sustain SoCal will gather the regional leaders in agriculture and food to assess our direction…successes, failings, gaps, and solutions.


When is it?: Tuesday, February 20 from 1:00-7:00 pm


Where is it?: UCI Beall Applied Innovation: 5270 California Avenue, Irvine 92697-7700


To learn more and register, please visit: https://sustainsocal.org/event/sustainable-agriculture-food-2024/

Elevate OC Voices: Symposium for Nonprofit Election Management


What is it?: Charitable Ventures and OC Grantmakers are co-hosting this convening of nonprofits and foundations to get ready for what promises to be a dynamic and potentially difficult election season. Nonprofits have a powerful role to play in getting out the vote (GOTV) and providing nonpartisan and trusted information to the region. There will be featured speakers and discussions on voting resources, best practices for GOTV, understanding where the “line” is for nonprofits, and discussion of c3 and c4 activities.


When is it?: Thursday, March 14 from 3:00-5:00 pm


Where is it?: Andrei’s Restaurant: 2607 Main St, Irvine 92614


To learn more and register, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/elevate-oc-voices-symposium-for-nonprofit-election-engagement-tickets-794497141337?aff=oddtdtcreator

TALK TO US:


Have a suggestion or event you'd like to see in a future HRTC Hub Newsletter?


Email us at jbenron@ocbc.org to share your idea.

GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

CA Office of Planning and Research, California Volunteers: Connecting Neighbors to Neighbors



The Neighbor-to-Neighbor program seeks to build on evidence-based practices to create strong networks in and across neighborhoods that support one another as well as jointly tackle shared community challenges. The Neighbor-to-Neighbor program is built on a framework that puts the neighborhood in the lead to drive activity and connections.


To learn more about this grant, please visit: https://californiavolunteers.app.box.com/s/nw3roj2onvl56wcp3kcg2avvslw1dakv


Please note that applications close on February 9, 2024.

Lowe's Hometowns Grant Program Now Open for Nominations



Points of Light and Lowe’s have recently kicked off the third year of Lowe’s Hometowns, a 5-year, $100 million community impact program dedicated to making communities better for all and inspiring community connection.



In 2023, 100 grants were awarded in 93 cities across 41 states and the District of Columbia, to support physical improvements to community spaces. In 2023, grants revitalized spaces at 32 community centers, 22 safe and affordable housing communities, six playgrounds, six schools, four food pantries, four veteran's facilities, two cultural preservations, two skilled trades facilities, and one animal service facility. As projects began to take flight, Lowe’s store captains and associates served as trusted advisers — connecting nonprofit grantees to needed Lowe’s services and supplies.


To learn more and nominate a project, please visit: https://corporate.lowes.com/our-responsibilities/nomination-form-2024


Please note that nominations close on February 19, 2024.

Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program



CalOptima is pleased to share that the Housing and Homeless Incentive Program (HHIP) Round 3 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is now open for applications. Materials and the application link are available on the CalAIM webpage: https://www.caloptima.org/en/About/CurrentInitiatives/CalAIM/FundingOpportunities


NOFO funding amounts/limits for each priority area are as follows:

  • Equity Grants ($100,000 max. request; $1 million available)
  • Transitional Housing Projects. ($5 million max. request; up to $25 million available)
  • Systems Change Projects ($2 million min. request; up to $10.18 million available)


All applications are due on February 22, 2024, at 5:00 pm.


CalOptima will host a virtual bidder’s conference on Wednesday, January 31 at 11:00 am, where staff will give an overview of the funding opportunity, priority areas, and answer questions: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_vcAqy2XoQJyATU_vCiSrPg#/registration

GET CONNECTED



Want to keep up with all things California Jobs First and/or HRTC? Please visit ocbc.org/cerf for information and resources.


Have a question? Please email jbenron@ocbc.org.