OCCCO PICO

09/01/2026

Together We Belong Giving Day is almost here, and we're asking you to stand with us.

For nearly 50 years, OCCCO has developed transformational leaders within diverse, multicultural, interfaith communities who together shape equitable public policy and create belonging throughout Orange County. This year has shown exactly what that looks like in practice.

Our leaders helped win a historic $1 billion annual state investment in California's Community Schools, bringing $35.5 million a year to Orange County schools. Parents and students we've trained — including families and youth organizers in the Anaheim Union High School District — testified, showed up, and helped shift policy so schools become places where families are treated as partners, not problems.

We are advancing our unconditional belonging narrative work, so communities often left out tell their own stories. We are shifting Orange County's story — from fear and division toward dignity, bridging, and belonging.

And our staff team keeps doing the foundational work of democracy: over 8,000 conversations with low-income and undecided voters, and more than 500 faith-rooted deep-canvassing conversations door-to-door in Anaheim, Fullerton, Santa Ana, and La Habra — building the civic muscle our communities need to be heard.
This Giving Day, our goal is $10,000 to advance our work of training leaders, shifting the narrative, and turning conversations into power.

Here's how your gift helps:
$50 – Bridge Builder: supports our door-to-door bridge building canvassing conversations
$100 – Storyteller: supports our unconditional belonging narrative-training session
$250 – Leader in Training: supports leadership development for an emerging community leader
$1,000 – Power and Belonging Builder: supports a future of belonging for all throughout Orange County especially in our core cities of Anaheim, Fullerton, and Santa Ana and expanding to other cities.

https://together-we-belong-giving-day.ocnonprofitcentral.org/organizations/orange-county-congregation-community-organization

Give on Wednesday. Build belonging. Together, we belong.

In solidarity,

Miguel Hernandez
Executive Director
OCCCO

08/11/2026

For generations, the railroad tracks have represented more than a physical divide in Fullerton, CA. But what if we intentionally crossed those lines to build something new together?

In this webinar, Bridging for Democracy’s Building Belonging in Orange County, hear from OCCCO staff and community leaders who canvassed across North and South Fullerton to build relationships, listen across differences, and create a stronger sense of belonging.

Hear real stories and lessons from Orange County Congregation Community Organization (OCCCO) community members and leaders, and learn how these experiences can inspire and inform efforts to build belonging in your own community.

Watch the full conversation and learn what it means to bridge divides and build belonging together.

Learn more about OCCCO and our bridging narrative work at occcopico.org


https://youtu.be/kJk92j-3lHc

For generations, the railroad tracks have represented more than a p...

08/07/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us at Tuesday's press conference! It was inspiring to be surrounded by OCCCO staff, parent and student leaders, community partners, school administrators, and residents who have helped make Community Schools a success in Anaheim and throughout Orange County. We hope this milestone encourages more school districts and schools to join this growing movement, which demonstrates how shared decision-making and a whole-child approach to education strengthen our schools and empower our communities.

California's historic commitment of $1 billion in ongoing funding for Community Schools means Orange County schools will receive approximately $35.5 million annually to expand critical services that help students and families thrive.

Community Schools provide access to mental health support, academic resources, family engagement, multilingual services, after-school programs, and other essential supports. This permanent investment is a major victory for the students, families, educators, and community advocates whose leadership made it possible. 💙📚

08/06/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us at Tuesday's press conference! It was inspiring to be surrounded by OCCCO staff, parent and student leaders, community partners, school administrators, and residents who have helped make Community Schools a success in Anaheim and throughout Orange County. We hope this milestone encourages more school districts and schools to join this growing movement, which demonstrates how shared decision-making and a whole-child approach to education strengthen our schools and empower our communities.

California's historic commitment of $1 billion in ongoing funding for Community Schools means Orange County schools will receive approximately $35.5 million annually to expand critical services that help students and families thrive.

Community Schools provide access to mental health support, academic resources, family engagement, multilingual services, after-school programs, and other essential supports. This permanent investment is a major victory for the students, families, educators, and community advocates whose leadership made it possible. 💙📚

Read all about it in this article from the OC Register below!

https://shorturl.at/3ALD0

Orange County community school programs will receive approximately $35.5 million annually toward a variety of student health, wellness and academic support services.

08/05/2026

Hey there!

Are you between the ages of 16 and 21? If so, OCCCO has an opportunity for you!

OCCCO is having a Youth-Led Deep Canvassing campaign where youth will talk to community members about immigration and how it has impacted their daily lives. Be a part of building bridges with community members while sharing each other’s stories and experiences.

Canvassing Dates:
September 2nd, 4th, 9th, 11th, 16th 18th, 23rd, 25th

Time: 3:30 pm-7:30 pm
If interested in applying, the link is in our bio!

=================================

¡Hola!

¿Tienes entre 16 y 21 años? Si es así, ¡OCCCO tiene una oportunidad para ti!

OCCCO está organizando una campaña de sondeo profundo liderada por jóvenes, en la que conversarán con miembros de la comunidad sobre inmigración y cómo esta ha impactado sus vidas. Únete a nosotros para construir puentes con la comunidad y compartir historias y experiencias.

Fechas de la campaña:
2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23 y 25 de septiembre

Horario: 3:30 pm a 7:30 pm

Si te interesa participar, ¡encuentra el enlace en nuestra biografía!

08/04/2026

07/31/2026

Join our Youth-Led Deep Canvassing Team as we engage with community members in meaningful conversations about immigration and how it’s impacting our families and neighborhoods. Just listening, learning, and building community together.

📅Canvassing Dates:
September: 2nd, 4th, 2nd,9th, 11th, 16th, 18th, 23rd, 25th

⏰Time: 3:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Apply through the link in our bio!

——————————————

Únete a nuestro equipo sondeo profundo liderado por jóvenes para dialogar con los miembros de la comunidad sobre inmigración y cómo esta afecta a nuestras familias y vecindarios. Se trata simplemente de escuchar, aprender y construir comunidad juntos.

📅 Fechas de Sondeo:
Septiembre: 2, 4, 2, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25

⏰ Horarios: 3:30 PM - 7:30 PM

¡Inscríbete mediante el enlace en nuestra bio!

07/29/2026

Community Schools across our state just secured a historic $1 billion investment — and we're coming together to celebrate what it means for our kids, our families, and our schools.

Join us as we highlight how this funding will create healthier, more equitable, and student-centered schools across California. This win belongs to every parent, student, and community leader who organized for it. 💪

📅 Tuesday, August 4th, 2026
🕘 9:00 – 10:00 AM
📍 Cook Auditorium, 811 W Lincoln Ave, Anaheim

All ages welcome! 🔗 Register at the link: https://forms.gle/5bGzauSXKazNrVCZ6



---

🎉 ¡Una victoria de $1 MIL MILLONES para los estudiantes de California! 🎉

Las Escuelas Comunitarias de nuestro estado acaban de asegurar una inversión histórica de $1 mil millones — y nos reunimos para celebrar lo que esto significa para nuestros niños, nuestras familias y nuestras escuelas.

Acompáñanos mientras destacamos cómo estos fondos crearán escuelas más saludables, más equitativas y centradas en los estudiantes en todo California. Este triunfo les pertenece a todos los padres, estudiantes y líderes comunitarios que se organizaron para lograrlo. 💪

📅 Martes, 4 de agosto de 2026
🕘 9:00 – 10:00 AM
📍 Cook Auditorium, 811 W Lincoln Ave, Anaheim

¡Todas las edades son bienvenidas! 🔗 Regístrate en el enlace: https://forms.gle/5bGzauSXKazNrVCZ6

07/24/2026

We want to thank our faith-rooted leaders for bringing the OC is Our Home Summit to life. We also want to give a big thanks to St. Philip Benizi for opening their doors to community members and to us. And a huge thank you to every community member who attended the summit.

The goal of the summit was to come together to connect and learn about cultures and faith traditions. Sharing food is one of humanity’s oldest sacred practices. Around a table, strangers become neighbors and neighbors become community. A tortilla made from maíz is often meant to be shared, not eaten alone. As we gathered on July 18, we hope you all experienced the gift of hospitality, listening, and connection that day.

Just as many kernels of maíz come together to make a tortilla, many voices come together to make a community. So once again, thank you to those who could attend, and we hope you share what you heard with others.

————————————————————————
Damos las gracias a nuestros líderes de fe por dar vida a la Cumbre “El Condado de Orange es Nuestro Hogar”. También queremos agradecer mucho a la Iglesia Católica de San Felipe Benizi por abrir sus puertas a los miembros de la comunidad y a nosotros. Y un gran agradecimiento a cada miembro de la comunidad que asistió a la cumbre.

La meta de la cumbre era reunirnos para conectar y aprender sobre culturas y tradiciones religiosas. Compartir comida es una de las prácticas sagradas más antiguas de la humanidad. Alrededor de una mesa, los extraños se vuelven vecinos y los vecinos se vuelven comunidad. Una tortilla de maíz suele ser para compartir, no para comerse sola. Mientras nos reuníamos el 18 de julio, esperamos que todos hayan vivido ese día el regalo de la hospitalidad, la escucha y la conexión.

Así como muchos granos de maíz se juntan para hacer una tortilla, muchas voces se juntan para hacer una comunidad. Entonces, una vez más, gracias a quienes pudieron estar presentes y esperamos que compartan lo que escucharon con otros.