Central Valley Matters’ Grassroots Groups make a Difference One Voter at a Time
Dolores Huerta Action Fund canvasser shares literature that makes voting easier
Cecilia Castro - Dolores Huerta Action Fund Board member and Deputy Director of Dolores Huerta Foundation
“Thanks to the invaluable support of Central Valley Matters, Dolores Huerta Foundation’s Action Fund (DHAF) was able to significantly expand our capacity for Get-Out-the-Vote efforts. Even as many organizations had to pause or wind down their campaigns, we ramped up our internal infrastructure and launched our largest campaign to date. DHAF canvassed an impressive 24,232 doors, while our sister organization DHF knocked on 18,596. These efforts made a difference in our community [Kern county] and helped ensure that every voice was heard and every vote counted.”
CVEA donated backpacks to students to help develop strong youth leadership
Arturo Rodriguez - Co-founder, Central Valley Empowerment Alliance
“Thanks to groups like CVM we are seeing our investment grow. In the past, the [political] parties usually only come out a few months before an election. We are focusing on these three communities in Tulare county: Poplar, Porterville and Tulare. We are developing young volunteers in rural communities. We are planning with the Bay Area Coalition (BAC) to have a bigger presence in high schools with youth leading and doing the work. They will be the ones requesting to do voter registration directly in their schools. We just brought our youth to Silicon Valley where they were given laptops by Microsoft. We are distributing backpacks as part of building our connection with youth.”
Delano Guardians show neighbors how and where to vote
Yolanda Chacon Serna - Treasurer of Delano Guardians
“Delano Guardians has been able to continue to support new citizens to vote, teach them how to read a ballot, and support food distribution. With visibility, civic engagement and increasing VOTER turnout, we continue to work against police brutality, support youth empowerment and gun violence prevention.” [Delano Guardians serve Delano and the surrounding small communities of Northern Kern county.]
Valley Voices educates and registers voters out in the community
Ruth Lopez - Executive Director and Founder of Valley Voices
“With CVM funding we were able to pay all of our volunteers stipends, fair compensation. It is important to pay canvassers a competitive wage and hope that all organizations doing this work in our region will be able to pay similar rates at $22 per hour, provide water, rent a facility, get a copier, computer and provide literature for every door with multiple visits.”
It is your contributions to Central Valley Matters - whether volunteering, in - kind or monetary - that translate to tangible impact. We thank you for your community stewardship and look forward to updating you on what’s next to come [for Kings county].