805UndocuFund has been awarded a $75,000 grant from the Communities for a New California Education Fund, as part of a larger grant initiative by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CAL OES).
Established in 2018, 805UndocuFund provides direct disaster relief and support to undocumented individuals and families in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.
The new funding marks the first time 805UndocuFund has indirectly received state funds from CAL OES, positioning it for future state funding as it holds status as a past grantee.
This funding is part of the READY Program grant initiative, aimed at strategically investing in and empowering communities to enhance their resilience against the impacts of extreme weather events.
The READY Program is designed to support and expand community-led initiatives, engaging residents in becoming READY ambassadors.
The initiative helps foster a culture of preparedness and resilience within vulnerable communities, particularly those disproportionately affected by climate change and extreme weather.
Key Objectives of the READY Program Grant Initiative:
• Community Mobilization: Support initiatives that actively engage community members in becoming READY Ambassadors, driving community mobilization efforts.
• Educational Outreach: Fund projects that increase awareness and understanding of emergency preparedness, climate impacts, and the vital role of community involvement.
• Advocacy and Amplification: Empower READY Reps to serve as advocates within their communities, amplifying emergency preparedness messaging and contributing to a resilient culture.
With the grant, 805UndocuFund will implement a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening community resilience and preparedness in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties:
- Community Mobilization: 805UndocuFund will engage community members through a targeted canvassing campaign, training a new cohort of READY ambassadors who will lead local mobilization efforts. These ambassadors will be pivotal in driving community-wide participation in emergency preparedness activities.
- Educational Outreach: The grant will enable 805UndocuFund to organize two community summits; one in Santa Barbara County and a subsequent in Ventura County dedicated to emergency preparedness, climate impacts, and the importance of community involvement. These conferences will be designed to address the linguistic and cultural needs of diverse communities, ensuring inclusivity and broad participation.
• Advocacy and Amplification: READY reps will be empowered to act as advocates within their communities, spreading emergency preparedness messages and fostering a resilient mindset. The representatives will be key in amplifying the importance of readiness and resilience through various communication channels.
“We are incredibly grateful for the support from the Communities for a New California Education Fund and CAL OES,” said Primitiva Hernandez, executive director of 805UndocuFund. “This grant will significantly enhance our ability to prepare and protect our immigrant communities against extreme weather events.
“By mobilizing, educating, and empowering our Latine community, we can build a more resilient future for all.
“We mobilize resources when disaster hits, providing short-term financial relief to undocumented residents, and advocate for long-term systems change to ensure they are effectively included in disaster planning, preparedness, response and recovery.”
For more about 805UndocuFund, visit 805undocufund.org or contact Hernandez at phernandez@805undocufund.org or 805-538-7056.