Tag: Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE)

Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE) — Join Us This Summer: Paid Digital and Social Media Internship

Are you, or someone you know, looking to get involved in social justice this summer and help build real people power?

We’re now accepting applications for our 8-week paid Summer Internship in Digital Communications – an opportunity to grow your skills while supporting grassroots organizing and movement-building work.

This internship is rooted in the belief that strong movements are built by everyday people coming together, sharing their stories, and taking action.You’ll gain hands-on experience in social media, storytelling, and community engagement while helping amplify the voices and experiences of those most impacted by economic, social, and environmental injustice.

Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE) — Speak Out (April 21) to protect families’ Housing

Time is running out. The deadline to weigh in on a major federal housing proposal is tomorrow – and what happens next could determine whether thousands of families can stay in their homes. The Trump administration’s attacks on immigrant families are spreading to impact affordable housing for children and others living in mixed-status homes.

Right now, federal policy allows families with mixed immigration status to stay together and receive housing assistance for members of the family who are eligible. The new proposed policy would end that.

If finalized, it would shift to an “all-or-nothing” rule: If even one person in a household isn’t eligible, the entire family could lose housing assistance.

Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE) — Turn FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) Into Action

Ever felt FOMO watching millions take to the streets for change? Now’s your chance to lock in.

We’re building a space to turn local power into real impact – right here in our community. Join us to learn how we can connect national movements like No Kings Day and May Day, and take action for an economy and democracy that work for all of us – not just the wealthy few.

Join our prep meeting on Zoom this Thursday, March 26 at 6PM!

You’ll learn how to support upcoming national actions in ways that fit you – whether that’s creating posters, dropping off flyers at local businesses and community centers, or inviting friends to march alongside you.

No Kings Day | March 28, 2026

A day to stand together and defend our communities against unjust and harmful policies. Our country belongs to the people – not to strongmen, billionaires, or those who aim to rule through fear and division.

Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE) — CAUSE Stands with Survivors in the Farmworker Movement. Please see related stories

We are heartbroken feeling the profound grief in our communities from the emerging allegations of sexual abuse by Cesar Chavez.  We stand with all of the survivors, from Dolores Huerta herself to those whose names we may never know.  Far too many women are harmed by powerful men while giving their blood, sweat, and tears to social movements, and choose silence in order to protect the work they have dedicated their lives to. These revelations are even more hurtful as they run contrary to the very spirit of worker organizations which exist to harness the collective power of workers against those who use their power to cause harm. We must all recommit ourselves to the work of making our movements safe places to call home and condemn leaders abusing their power in all forms.

Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE) — See What Our Community Made Possible

Last year reaffirmed what we’ve always known: lasting change is built together and it’s powered by community support.

Across the Central Coast in 2025, working-class immigrant communities organized to defend our neighborhoods and strengthen our shared power. Through conversations at the doors and on the phones, in community meetings and rallies in the streets, neighbors stepped forward as organizers and advocates, winning real protections for affordable housing, environmental health, and immigrant workers.

Our 2025 Community Report shows what our collective power made possible.

Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE) — We Just Passed a Rent Freeze in Santa Barbara

SANTA BARBARA — Community power and organized tenants delivered a major victory for Santa Barbara renters.

On Tuesday, the Santa Barbara City Council passed a temporary rent freeze while the city implements a strong, permanent rent stabilization ordinance.

Who is covered:

Generally speaking, if your building was built in 1995 or earlier, is multi-family, and is not low-income or government-subsidized housing, these protections apply to you.

Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE) — Together we made Raising Justice possible!

Our growing base of community champions – YOU! – raised more funds than ever at our annual community celebration and fundraiser!

Raising Justice showed us what a vibrant community of movement friends can do when we come together to uplift housing justice, environmental justice, and fight for immigrant worker power.

No one can do this work alone. Each year Raising Justice plays a central role in uplifting the organizing our region deserves — and this year’s success belongs to all of us.

Whether you joined us in person or chipped from afar — whether you’re an event sponsor, donor, grassroots leaders, partner, staff, volunteer, or table host — YOU truly help make it all happen – T H A N K Y O U!

The beautiful array of community contributions we witnessed at Raising Justice are what keep our grassroots organizing strong at a time when we need it most.

With gratitude for the grassroots,

Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE) to present ‘Raising Justice’ community celebration and fundraiser in Ventura on Sept. 18

Just one week away is Raising Justice – our 19th annual community celebration and fundraiser! We want you there to celebrate our movement and support tenants, environmental justice, and immigrant workers.

Marking Labor Day, farmworkers and community members march in Santa Ynez Valley Wine Country to demand a living wage for Santa Barbara County’s agriculture industry

LOS OLIVOS — As the nation celebrated Labor Day, farmworkers in Santa Barbara County remindED the public that the fight for workers’ rights and dignity is far from over. On Saturday, August 30, 2025, just ahead of Labor Day, farmworkers and community supporters marched through Los Olivos to demand living wages and safe working conditions in the region’s world-famous wine industry. On a busy weekend for tasting rooms in Santa Ynez Valley wine country, community members marched to remind the public of the labor behind the expensive bottles of wine they enjoy on their days off.

Central Coast Alliance for a Sustainable Economy — We Deserve Clean Air. Safe Water. A Just Future

Everyone deserves clean air, safe water, and a healthy community – no matter your race, income, or zip code. But right now, low-income communities and communities of color are still being hit first and worst by pollution and climate change.

Environmental justice means we don’t just survive – we thrive. It means organizing, speaking out, and demanding bold changes that put our health, our safety, and our futures first. And this month, you’ve got three powerful ways to take action with our community:

Speak Up at the State Lands Commission – Monday, April 14

Bilingual report — CAUSE and MICOP Host Event Celebrating Art, Stories, and Culture of Farmworker Families

CENTRAL COAST — (On Dec. 1), the Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE) and the Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project (MICOP) celebrated and honored the farmworker families of Santa María at an event called “La Cultura Cura” (The Culture Cures). More than 60 people attended the event, which aimed to help build a more united community, one that connects and strengthens through art. Music, dance, song, poetry, and painting were the centerpieces of a special night that will undoubtedly remain in the memory of the people present. After a year often marked with painful reminders about the challenges faced by farmworkers, from high-profile investigations of labor violations to the workplace deaths of farmworkers in Guadalupe and Cuyama (see statement here), the “Cultura Cura” event offered an opportunity to reflect in joy and value family bonding moments.

Bilingual report — New Director to Spearhead Disaster Relief Efforts for Ventura and Santa Barbara Immigrants

In response to the devastation of wildfires, the COVID-19 pandemic and other disasters, Mixteco/Indigenous Community Organizing Project (MICOP), the Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE), and Future Leaders of America (FLA), with leadership support provided by the McCune Foundation, appointed and welcomed Maria Melo as Executive Director of 805UndocuFund, a collective effort by these trusted community grassroot organizations to ensure that undocumented individuals and families impacted by disaster have the support and resources necessary to recover from disasters in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. The Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF) is providing fundraising and fund administrative support.

“Since its creation in 2018, the 805UndocuFund has not only distributed over $8.3M to 6,147 families but has also become a trusted and familiar source of support for the immigrant community when disaster hits,” said Genevieve Flores-Haro, Board Chair of 805 UndocuFund. “That is why we are thrilled to welcome Maria to move this work forward. Maria is a bilingual (English/Spanish) and bi-cultural Latina immigrant policy advocacy professional who is passionate about her community and has over 20 years of experience in the non-profit and government sectors in Southern California, Washington D.C. and Latin America.”

Local

SANTA BARBARA — Foodbank of Santa Barbara County is holding its “Share Your Lunch” campaign from May 1 through 31. The program enables the community to help close the summer food gap by donating the amount one might typically spend…