
11/07/2023
Did you know... The majority of CCA-trained volunteer promotoras are also mothers. They dream of providing a better future for their children. They dream of helping to create healthy, safe and strong neighborhoods.
CCA trains farmworkers to form and lead community-based committees to advocate for improved housing a
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Our Mission
CCA trains farmworkers to form and lead community-based committees to advocate for improved housing and health conditions. Our Vision
A community where farm workers are empowered to serve as leaders and where community decision makers seek the counsel of these farm worker leaders. Our Core Values
Inclusiveness: CCA is dedicated to promote an environment in which communities provi
de resources that foster leadership development among farmworkers such that they serve as leaders and participate in community building and decision making. Equity: CCA promotes communication and dialogue among farm workers, agricultural and housing businesses, politicians, visionaries, investors/funders and community leaders. In doing so, CCA builds links across sectors, and strengthens mutual understanding to foster equity in the communities it serves and supports.
Did you know... The majority of CCA-trained volunteer promotoras are also mothers. They dream of providing a better future for their children. They dream of helping to create healthy, safe and strong neighborhoods.
SUPPORT CCA!
CCA is able to “help farmworkers help themselves” because of the generous support of our local community, foundations and private donors. If you would like to support the work of the CCA, please contact our office or make a tax-deductible donation.
CCA’s Strong Families Program strives to reduce violence and other forms of abusive behavior by teaching strategies that strengthen family relationships. CCA trains neighborhood leaders to help their peers incorporate certain strategies into their familial relationships.
The leaders undergo a five week, five topic curriculum taught by trainers who, themselves, helped to develop the curriculum. The curriculum includes the following topics: Family Values, Family Communication, Stress Management, Parenting Styles/Positive Parenting and Understanding Our Youth, an instruction that helps parents understand the challenges that youth face ranging from peer pressure to gang awareness. Learn more at https://bit.ly/3Nowa66
Improving Health Conditions in Your Neighborhood
Our volunteer health promoters, promotores comunitarios, are one of the most significant pillars of Center for Community Advocacy (CCA) in its efforts to provide education, orientation and health support. Learn more at https://bit.ly/44g3F15
CCA is caring for the leaders of tomorrow
The future holds promises and dreams for our youth that can be achieved through hard work, dedication, planning, education and words of wisdom. CCA’s Youth For Change Program helps young people discover their collective power through organizing together. Learn more at https://bit.ly/3Xn2smm
We help farmworkers organize housing-site committees for the purpose of improving substandard conditions in the housing units that they occupy. CCA also helps farmworkers to mobilize members from the various housing committees to advocate for the construction of new, quality, affordable housing for farmworkers and other low-income working families. Learn more at https://cca-viva.org/
Call us at (831) 753-2324; [email protected]; 22 West Gabilan St.
Salinas,
Did you know... The majority of CCA-trained volunteer promotoras are also mothers. They dream of providing a better future for their children. They dream of helping to create healthy, safe and strong neighborhoods. Learn more at https://cca-viva.org/health/
We envision farmworkers, low-income families, and youth leading neighborhood-based committees (comités) that successfully advocate for improved housing, health, and economic conditions and opportunities for our community.
We envision a strengthened social fabric of our community through alliances, and the development of community leaders.
Youth For Change Program, where young people discover their collective power through organizing together.
These youth are interested and inspired to go to university, but they don’t know, and their parents don’t know what the pathway is, so they are building their own pathway plan.
In collaboration with various programs in Salinas, the idea is to construct a simple resource that any student and parent can use to plan options. Learn more about Youth For Change at https://cca-viva.org/youth-for-change/
Improving Health Conditions in your Neighborhood
Our volunteer health promoters are one of the most significant pillars of Center for Community Advocacy (CCA) in its efforts to provide education, orientation and health support.
OUR HEALTH PROMOTERS
CCA trains neighborhood leaders to act as promotores comunitarios, or health promoters. After training, the promotores deliver, to their peers, preventative health information/interventions in the following areas: chronic diseases, behavioral health and youth violence prevention. Promotores are trained by health service providers.
JOIN US
https://cca-viva.org/join-the-team/
BE THE GOOD YOU WANT TO SEE
CCA is able to “help farmworkers help themselves” because of the generous support of our local community, foundations and private donors. Please support CCA and thank all our brave and determined ESSENTIAL FARMWORKER community for putting their health and life on the line to help feed us all. https://cca-viva.org/donate/
CCA’s Strong Families Program strives to reduce violence and other forms of abusive behavior by teaching strategies that strengthen family relationships. CCA trains neighborhood leaders to help their peers incorporate certain strategies into their familial relationships. The leaders undergo a five week, five topic curriculum taught by trainers who, themselves, helped to develop the curriculum. The curriculum includes the following topics: Family Values, Family Communication, Stress Management, Parenting Styles/Positive Parenting and Understanding Our Youth, an instruction that helps parents understand the challenges that youth face ranging from peer pressure to gang awareness. Learn more at https://cca-viva.org/strong-families/
Quality, Affordable Housing
We help farmworkers organize housing-site committees for the purpose of improving substandard conditions in the housing units that they occupy. Learn more at https://cca-viva.org/
In 1992, farmworkers in the Salinas Valley were discovered living in squalid and unsafe conditions in lean-tos and caves, without running water, heat or toilet facilities. The discovery became national news, giving rise to such headlines as “Harvest of Despair”; the living quarters were called “Rancho de Cuevas,” or Cave Ranch.
It was a seminal and catalytic moment for the recently formed organization, Center for Community Advocacy, which had been founded two years earlier. CCA’s mission was to give farmworkers a voice in determining their housing conditions by empowering them to organize with fellow farmworkers and demand safer, healthier and livable housing. CCA did that by organizing and forming neighborhood committees in each labor camp and farmworker housing complex, so farmworkers could then advocate for their own housing.
“That was a key moment in CCA history,” said CCA Executive Director Daniel Gonzalez about that shocking 1992 revelation. “CCA was focused on developing housing solutions, but the mission of CCA is to develop leadership so farmworkers can speak for themselves.”
That mission is distilled in CCA’s slogan, “Helping Farmworkers Help Themselves,” which now goes beyond housing issues to include health and nutrition issues, safety, education and strengthening family relationships.
CCA’s daunting challenge was crystalized in comments made by one of the early leaders of a neighborhood committee, Jesus Fernandez, who was quoted in a video made by CCA in the late 1990s: “We didn’t even know we had any rights.” That was a stunning revelation to the public at large. The public often takes these rights for granted and may not have been aware that members of our own community were denied these most basic of human rights.
Give a Gift Today!
Please support CCA and thank all our brave and determined ESSENTIAL FARMWORKER community for putting their health and life on the line to help feed us all.
Donate Here:
https://cca-viva.org/donate/
Improving Health Conditions in Your Neighborhood
Our volunteer health promoters, promotores comunitarios ,are one of the most significant pillars of Center for Community Advocacy (CCA) in its efforts to provide education, orientation and health support. Learn more at https://bit.ly/44g3F15
The Center for Community Advocacy (CCA) is an organization that was born to support and build leadership within our community and in particular our farmworkers and their families. As such, we have worked side by side with them to help improve their living conditions, advocating to have more affordable housing and access to health services and resources. Learn more at https://cca-viva.org/
OUR HEALTH PROMOTERS
CCA trains neighborhood leaders to act as promotores comunitarios, or health promoters. After training, the promotores deliver, to their peers, preventative health information/interventions in the following areas: chronic diseases, behavioral health and youth violence prevention. Promotores are trained by health service providers.
https://cca-viva.org/health/
CCA-trained committees receive instruction that teaches farmworkers how to establish alliances with local public officials and local civic leaders. These alliances help farmworkers achieve local policies that help their efforts to improve farmworker health and housing conditions.
If you think you would like to establish a neighborhood committee to help you resolve your housing or health issues, contact CCA for assistance. We will make every effort to assist you or refer you to the appropriate individual or agency.
CCA’s Strong Families Program strives to reduce violence and other forms of abusive behavior by teaching strategies that strengthen family relationships. CCA trains neighborhood leaders to help their peers incorporate certain strategies into their familial relationships. The leaders undergo a five week, five topic curriculum taught by trainers who, themselves, helped to develop the curriculum. The curriculum includes the following topics: Family Values, Family Communication, Stress Management, Parenting Styles/Positive Parenting and Understanding Our Youth, an instruction that helps parents understand the challenges that youth face ranging from peer pressure to gang awareness.
Our Mission
Identify, cultivate, and recognize leadership from farmworkers and low-income families to expand opportunities in their lives. Learn more at www.cca-viva.org.
We envision farmworkers, low-income families, and youth leading neighborhood-based committees (comités) that successfully advocate for improved housing, health, and economic conditions and opportunities for our community.
We envision a strengthened social fabric of our community through alliances, and the development of community leaders.
CCA is here for you. Let’s Have A Talk
We will make every effort to assist you or refer you to the appropriate individual or agency.
HOTLINE
Phone (831) 753-2324
Fax (831) 753-0141
EMAIL
[email protected]
CONTACT US
CCA-trained committees receive instruction that teaches farmworkers how to establish alliances with local public officials and local civic leaders. These alliances help farmworkers achieve local policies that help their efforts to improve farmworker health and housing conditions.
to 2022. This is our involvement at the City Council meeting on September 13, 2022 to give public commentary against the proposed exemption of the Downtown Salinas Area to include affordable housing in its new ongoing developments. What this means is that affordable housing units would not be made available within this area and we do not agree. CCA advocates that affordable housing should be granted, constructed and made accessible in all opportunities that are presented, otherwise if they are not than this is the opposite of equity.
our 29th annual Dia De Los Mu***os event. We can't wait for the next one.
As always, we thank all our sponsors, supporters and event attendees for making it such an amazing event. We could not have done it without the support from all of you!
Our Mission: Identify, cultivate, and recognize leadership from farmworkers and low-income families to expand opportunities in their lives.
Our Vision
We envision farmworkers, low-income families, and youth leading neighborhood-based committees (comités) that successfully advocate for improved housing, health, and economic conditions and opportunities for our community. We envision a strengthened social fabric of our community through alliances, and the development of community leaders.
Meet our Team: NATALIE R. HERENDEEN
Executive Director | Center for Community Advocacy
A lifelong Salinas Valley and Central Coast resident, Natalie Herendeen has been a licensed attorney since 2014. Natalie was born and raised in the Salinas Valley where most of her family continues to live. Natalie came back to the Valley once completing law school to work within her community and improve housing conditions for working families and seniors while working at Legal Services for Seniors from 2014 until 2020. In 2016, while working at Legal Services for Seniors, Natalie first worked with CCA on a mass eviction case and successfully helped 50 people stop their wrongful evictions and secure affordable housing.
In addition to being the Staff Litigation Attorney, and then later the Director of Litigation for Legal Services for Seniors, Herendeen managed her own practice, Herendeen Legal from 2016 to 2021. She also volunteered with Lyceum Mock Trial from 2017 until to present, as a coach for four years, and thereafter as a judge. Natalie also volunteered for Peace of Mind Dog Rescue, helping walk dogs for seniors and people with disabilities.
Natalie earned her bachelor’s degree in Global Studies from UC Santa Barbara in 2006, graduating with honors, Phi Beta Kappa; and then continue on to complete her Juris Doctor degree in 2014 from Santa Clara University School of Law. In her leisure time, Natalie enjoys hiking, gardening, wrangling her four dogs and spending time with her family.
¡MAÑANA!
Únase a nosotros para explorar y observar la belleza del mundo natural que nos rodea. El sábado 26 de agosto de 2023 de 10:00 a. m. a 12:00 p. m., el 'Centro para la defensa de la comunidad' en asociación con 'Big Sur Land Trust' (BSLT) invitan a la comunidad a venir y disfrutar de la belleza natural de Carr. Lago con un evento de observación de aves organizado por la 'Monterey Audobon Society'. Ven con curiosidad el sábado 26 de agosto y únete a nosotros en 618 Sherwood Drive para este fantástico evento. ¡Esperamos verte! No olvide confirmar su asistencia en: Eventbrite: bit.ly/carrlakebirds o al 831-625-5523 ext. 120.
JUST A REMINDER!
Come join us to explore and observe the beauty of the natural world around us. On Saturday, August 26, 2023 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, the 'Center for Community Advocacy' in partnership with the 'Big Sur Land Trust' (BSLT) invite the community to come and enjoy the natural beauty of Carr Lake with a Bird Watching event hosted by the 'Monterey Audobon Society.' Come curious on Saturday August, 26th, and join us at 618 Sherwood Drive for this fantastic event. We look forward to seeing you! Don't forget to RSVP at: Eventbrite: bit.ly/carrlakebirds or to 831-625-5523 ext. 120.
CCA would like to extend its gratitude to the 'Big Sur Land Trust' (BSLT) and the 'Monterey Audubon Society' for their collaboration in making this opportunity possible!
when CCA in was highlighted in Coastal Grower.
https://bit.ly/41BBPvB
Thank you to all for the constant support of CCA! 🙏
CCA Overview of Programs Seeks to Address Social Determinants of Health and Economic Equity
HOUSING
EL PODER DE LA GENTE – COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS
We are working to center community voices in all systems, government services, organizations, social services, and others. We do this by providing knowledge and information on systems and governmental processes so communities may engage in decision making and advocacy for themselves and other communities.
PROMOTORES COMUNITARIOS
Our Promotores Comunitarios community members are learning how governmental
structures and local systems work. This provides them with the knowledge they need to be able to engage and become advocates for the needs of their communities. The issues they work on include housing, childcare access, mental health access and support groups, community engagement, social services and accessibility, and more.
EMBAJADORES COMUNITARIOS (Salinas City General Plan 2022 to present) CCA is working on and has identified, developed, strengthened, and supported a team of leaders from the farmworker and agricultural community called Community Ambassadors, which includes representation from farmworkers, their families, and other underserved and disenfranchised communities to work on community
engagement and involvement in the General Plan.
To learn more, see our spring newsletter: https://bit.ly/3NxxS6P
22 W Gabilan Street
Salinas, CA
93901
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SAVE THE DATE: AUGUST 13, 2022 • 12:00-2:00PM! 🍡🎨 @centerforcommunityadvocacy in collaboration with @soledadparksandrec is proud to announce Paletas y Arte is coming to the City of Soledad on August 13th, 2022 from 12:00-2:00PM! 🍡🎨 We are excited and look forward to sharing the space together and learning from the community. Interested in Joining us? Scan QR Code on the flyer and completed the Interest form or Contact: Azucena Barrios at [email protected] or Give us a ring: 📞 831-208-9500 #paletasyarte #CCA #cityofsoledad #soledadparksandrec
SAVE THE DATE: AUGUST 13, 2022 • 12:00-2:00PM! 🍡🎨 @centerforcommunityadvocacy in collaboration with @soledadparksandrec is proud to announce Paletas y Arte is coming to the City of Soledad on August 13th, 2022 from 12:00-2:00PM! 🍡🎨 We are excited and look forward to sharing the space together and learning from the community. Interested in Joining us? Scan QR Code on the flyer and completed the Interest form or Contact: Azucena Barrios at [email protected] or Give us a ring: 📞 831-208-9500 #paletasyarte #CCA #cityofsoledad #soledadparksandrec
SAVE THE DATE: AUGUST 13, 2022 • 12:00-2:00PM! 🍡🎨 @centerforcommunityadvocacy in collaboration with @soledadparksandrec is proud to announce Paletas y Arte is coming to the City of Soledad on August 13th, 2022 from 12:00-2:00PM! 🍡🎨 We are excited and look forward to sharing the space together and learning from the community. Interested in Joining us? Scan QR Code on the flyer and completed the Interest form or Contact: Azucena Barrios at [email protected] or Give us a ring: 📞 831-208-9500 #paletasyarte #CCA #cityofsoledad #soledadparksandrec
SAVE THE DATE: AUGUST 13, 2022 • 12:00-2:00PM! 🍡🎨 @centerforcommunityadvocacy in collaboration with @soledadparksandrec is proud to announce Paletas y Arte is coming to the City of Soledad on August 13th, 2022 from 12:00-2:00PM! 🍡🎨 We are excited and look forward to sharing the space together and learning from the community. Interested in Joining us? Scan QR Code on the flyer and completed the Interest form or Contact: Azucena Barrios at [email protected] or Give us a ring: 📞 831-208-9500 #paletasyarte #CCA #cityofsoledad #soledadparksandrec
SAVE THE DATE: AUGUST 13, 2022 • 12:00-2:00PM! 🍡🎨 @centerforcommunityadvocacy in collaboration with @soledadparksandrec is proud to announce Paletas y Arte is coming to the City of Soledad on August 13th, 2022 from 12:00-2:00PM! 🍡🎨 We are excited and look forward to sharing the space together and learning from the community. Interested in Joining us? Scan QR Code on the flyer and completed the Interest form or Contact: Azucena Barrios at [email protected] or Give us a ring: 📞 831-208-9500 #paletasyarte #CCA #cityofsoledad #soledadparksandrec
SAVE THE DATE: AUGUST 13, 2022 • 12:00-2:00PM! 🍡🎨 @centerforcommunityadvocacy in collaboration with @soledadparksandrec is proud to announce Paletas y Arte is coming to the City of Soledad on August 13th, 2022 from 12:00-2:00PM! 🍡🎨 We are excited and look forward to sharing the space together and learning from the community. Interested in Joining us? Scan QR Code on the flyer and completed the Interest form or Contact: Azucena Barrios at [email protected] or Give us a ring: 📞 831-208-9500 #paletasyarte #CCA #cityofsoledad #soledadparksandrec
SAVE THE DATE: AUGUST 13, 2022 • 12:00-2:00PM! 🍡🎨 @centerforcommunityadvocacy in collaboration with @soledadparksandrec is proud to announce Paletas y Arte is coming to the City of Soledad on August 13th, 2022 from 12:00-2:00PM! 🍡🎨 We are excited and look forward to sharing the space together and learning from the community. Interested in Joining us? Scan QR Code on the flyer and completed the Interest form or Contact: Azucena Barrios at [email protected] or Give us a ring: 📞 831-208-9500 #paletasyarte #CCA #cityofsoledad #soledadparksandrec
SAVE THE DATE: AUGUST 13, 2022 • 12:00-2:00PM! 🍡🎨 @centerforcommunityadvocacy in collaboration with @soledadparksandrec is proud to announce Paletas y Arte is coming to the City of Soledad on August 13th, 2022 from 12:00-2:00PM! 🍡🎨 We are excited and look forward to sharing the space together and learning from the community. Interested in Joining us? Scan QR Code on the flyer and completed the Interest form or Contact: Azucena Barrios at [email protected] or Give us a ring: 📞 831-208-9500 #paletasyarte #CCA #cityofsoledad #soledadparksandrec
We had such an amazing time spending time out in nature at Central Park and learning more about the community and their interests. Shout out to JC Gonzalez from @urbanartsco for joining us and working with the participants. We are excited for our continuous collaboration. #PaletasyArte #CCA #Urbanartscollaborative #montereycounty Tuvimos un tiempo increíble pasando tiempo en la naturaleza en Central Park y aprendiendo más sobre la comunidad y sus intereses. Shout out a JC Gonzalez de @urbanartsco por acompañarnos y trabajar con los participantes. Estamos emocionados por nuestra colaboración. #PaletasyArte #CCA #Urbanartscollaborative #montereycounty
Paletas y Arte pop-ups are a space for Youth across Monterey County to enjoy sharing a space together and create art that represents them and their community while enjoying a delicious Paleta during this warm weather. From these pop ups we hope to learn more about issues and challenges from youth in the county as a whole and how to better advocate for them. A Paletas y Arte pop-up is coming to your City soon! @salinasyouthvoice
Paletas y Arte pop-ups are a space for Youth across Monterey County to enjoy sharing a space together and create art that represents them and their community while enjoying a delicious Paleta during this warm weather. From these pop ups we hope to learn more about issues and challenges from youth in the county as a whole and how to better advocate for them. A Paletas y Arte pop-up is coming to your City soon! @salinasyouthvoice
CCA's Youth for Change Program! Caring for the leaders of tomorrow The future holds promises and dreams for the youth that can be achieved through hard work, dedication, planning, education and words of wisdom. Contact us to learn more: https://cca-viva.org/youth-for-change/
* * * Happening now in Greenfield! * * * Vaccine Community Clinic at Taylor Park Townhomes: 1120 Heidi Dr Greenfield Ca 93927 From 2pm-5pm Offering 2nd dose of Moderna and J & J vaccine. Collaboration: CHISPA , CCA (VIDA COLLABORATION)
Thank you to Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System for being a gold sponsor for our Drive-In Movie Night on Saturday, May 8th! Your support of CCA is very much appreciated. www.svmh.com
Jose Lopez and Alma Garcia, CCA Community Health Workers, at La Princesa Market, providing information about COVID, vaccines, and mental health, as well as providing face masks to the community.
CCA Community Health Worker Maclovia Sanchez preparing materials about COVID and face masks for an information table in the community. #covid19 #salinas
Law Offices of Monique Shana Hill
W AlisalMonterey County Animal Services
Hitchcock RoadMonterey County Sheriffs Dive Team
Natividad RoadHousing Authority of the County of Monterey
Rico StreetMCDSS CalWorks Employment Services Branch
La Guardia StreetMonterey County Community Action Partnership
S Main StreetMonterey County Area Agency on Aging Advisory
South Main StreetMonterey County Office of Emergency Services
Natividad Road