Center for Community Advocacy

Center for Community Advocacy 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 futu...
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.

SUPPORT CCA!CCA is able to “help farmworkers help themselves” because of the generous support of our local community, fo...
11/06/2023

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...
10/30/2023

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 NeighborhoodOur volunteer health promoters, promotores comunitarios, are one of the ...
10/27/2023

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 tomorrowThe future holds promises and dreams for our youth that can be achieved through...
10/25/2023

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 ...
10/23/2023

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 futu...
10/20/2023

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. Learn more at https://cca-viva.org/health/

We envision farmworkers, low-income families, and youth leading neighborhood-based committees (comités) that successfull...
10/18/2023

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...
10/16/2023

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 NeighborhoodOur volunteer health promoters are one of the most significant pillars o...
10/13/2023

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 SEECCA is able to “help farmworkers help themselves” because of the generous support of our loca...
10/11/2023

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...
10/09/2023

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 HousingWe help farmworkers organize housing-site committees for the purpose of improving substandard...
10/06/2023

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...
10/04/2023

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 t...
10/02/2023

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 NeighborhoodOur volunteer health promoters, promotores comunitarios ,are one of the ...
09/29/2023

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

09/28/2023
The Center for Community Advocacy (CCA) is an organization that was born to support and build leadership within our comm...
09/25/2023

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 PROMOTERSCCA trains neighborhood leaders to act as promotores comunitarios, or health promoters. After traini...
09/23/2023

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 officia...
09/19/2023

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...
09/15/2023

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 MissionIdentify, cultivate, and recognize leadership from farmworkers and low-income families to expand opportunitie...
09/13/2023

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 successfull...
09/11/2023

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 TalkWe will make every effort to assist you or refer you to the appropriate individual...
09/09/2023

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 ...
09/07/2023

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, suppor...
08/31/2023

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 opportunit...
08/29/2023

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. HERENDEENExecutive Director |  Center for Community AdvocacyA lifelong Salinas Valley and Cent...
08/27/2023

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 ...
08/25/2023

¡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, 2...
08/25/2023

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/41BBPvBThank you to all for the constant support of CCA!...
08/24/2023

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 EquityHOUSINGEL PODER DE LA GENTE –...
08/22/2023

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

Address

22 W Gabilan Street
Salinas, CA
93901

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Join me at a Virtual Town Hall to discuss Affordable Housing on Tuesday, November 29 • 6:00 – 8:00 pm

Register TODAY to join by Internet via Zoom
https://tinyurl.com/SoledadFuture

Los invito a una Reunión virtual sobre la vivienda económica El martes, 29 de Noviembre • 6:00 – 8:00 pm

Registrese hoy por Medio de Zoom https://tinyurl.com/SoledadFuture
Mujeres en Acción
Líderes Campesinas Monterey County
Monterey Bay Economic Partnership
Soledad Unified School District
Soledad FC
Martha Zarate
Girl Scouts of Soledad Troop 35331
Soledad Branch Library
Center for Community Advocacy
What a fun night celebrating former Natividad and Natividad Foundation physician and creator of “5 Steps to Prevent Diabetes” Dr. Dana Kent and her husband Sen. Bill Monning. They were honored with the Center for Community Advocacy Ben Heller Leadership Award: Dr. Kent for improving the health conditions of all patients, including the farmworker community and Sen. Monning his efforts to create safe and equitable work environments for agricultural workers.

California State University, Monterey Bay- A celebration of loved ones who have passed at Center for Community’s Dia de Los Mu***os celebration.
Vibrancy, rememberance, love and reverence for culture throughout the room. Loved seeing supporters & friends & meeting new friends. We are lucky to have communities coming together in Monterey County. I have witnessed this first hand and pledge to embrace all groups as stakeholders in how we police and work in our varied communities as your next Monterey County Sheriff.
Be sure to help make my aspirations a reality- VOTE Tina Nieto Monterey County Sheriff 2022!
Two of our staff speaking to demand the removal of the exemption for inclusionary housing in downtown Salinas. Thanks Center for Community Advocacy for leading the way.
Today the Blue Zones Project - Monterey County officially certified the Soledad Parks & Rec as a Blue Zone organization after completing the certification process. This is great news for our community and shows the commitment to health and longevity!

SOCOS Social is held every 2nd Tuesday of the month. The Soledad Parks & Rec and Meals on Wheels collaborate to provide a free lunch, entertainment and resources to seniors. I enjoyed meeting and chatting with our seniors. It was good to see so many smiling and familiar faces.

Thank you to our resource organizations that come out monthly to provide information for our SOCOS Social. Shout out to the gals at the Center for Community Advocacy.

Good things going on at the Soledad Community Center.
As many of our families continue to struggle with inflation, high gas prices and increased utility bills, I encourage everyone to apply for the affordable connectivity program.
Girl Scouts of Soledad Troop 35331
Soledad Branch Library
Center for Community Advocacy
Soledad Njrotc
Soledad Warriors Youth Football & Cheer
Congratulations to all the Promotora Graduates in Greenfield today!

Working with the Center for Community Advocacy, these community leaders received training to connect residents with health care services as well as educate and inform on health issues.
DID YOU KNOW? The social and emotional benefits of Art are many. It helps children express thoughts, emotions and anxieties in a safe and constructive manner. Students involved in the arts have increased academic achievements and critical thinking skills. This is why the partnership with Center for Community Advocacy and the Soledad Community Center is important. Thank you Adriana Melgoza for coordinating today’s event, Paletas & Art. I was glad to help make the connection to support local art and children.

Issues affecting our community listed by our youth include housing, homelessness, access to more youth activities, school system and lack of open space.
Thank you to the California Agricultural Labor Relations Board for hosting an open house and roundtable discussion on Farmworker housing in Salinas this week.

This important discussion included presentations from California Department of Housing & Community Development, California Institute for Rural Studies, Chispa Housing, Eden Housing, California Coalition for Rural Housing - CCRH, and Center for Community Advocacy.
We are excited to share the Center for Community Advocacy (CCA) will be leading the farmworker community engagement for the General Plan Update- Visión Salinas 2040.
I want to thank all the residents who joined me yesterday for a housing roundtable at the Alisal Family Resource Center. We had a productive discussion on the housing challenges that continue to face residents in our community and the positive difference that affordable housing and home ownership has had on their lives.

Thank you to the Center for Community Advocacy and Monterey Bay Economic Partnership for helping to facilitate the discussion.
Great day today in The City of Soledad, California.
Invited to be a guest speaker at Center for Community Advocacy Promotoras de Salud program graduation. Over 18 community leaders met during the past 5 months to be trained as community health advocates! Congratulations! I look forward to working with each of you!!

The Promotores de Salud program, trains neighborhood leaders to become community health advocates who bring resources, information, and education directly to community members.


Lideres Campesinas
Mujeres en Acción
Our team was honored to be there for today’s Promotora graduation ceremony held by the Center for Community Advocacy in Soledad.

CCA Promotoras are trained community leaders that work to educate and connect local residents to vital services including healthcare.
Today we celebrate the life and memory of César Chavez and reflect on the accomplishments of the labor leader, community organizer, and one-time San Jose resident. The legacy of César Chavez was his tireless efforts to bring dignity and respect to farmworkers and promote social justice.

César Chavez, a son of migrant farmworkers, brought attention to the harsh living conditions of agricultural workers by organizing marches, boycotts, and hunger strikes. In 1962, Chavez and Dolores Huerta co-founded the National Farm Workers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers Union (UFW).

In honor of César Chavez Day, VHP's office will be closed today, Thursday, March 31st. We will resume normal hours on Friday, April 1st.

UFW Consulado General de México en San José Community Agency for Resources, Advocacy and Services California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. Lideres Campesinas Community Foundation for Monterey County Center for Community Advocacy

The new member welcomes keep on coming! Join us in welcoming our newest nonprofit member Center for Community Advocacy. The Center for Community Advocacy (CCA) provides education, orientation, and legal support to farmworkers and other low-income working families who want to establish neighborhood committees that work to improve housing and health conditions. CCA trains these committees to negotiate with landlords to resolve issues such as unsafe housing conditions, housing discrimination, and security deposits. CCA also trains these committees to provide preventative health information and interventions in their neighborhoods. To learn more about their important work in our community visit www.cca-viva.org.
Great work by Big Sur Land Trust and Center for Community Advocacy to bring the community together and discuss the exciting possibilities of a new community park at Carr Lake!
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