549447_640292396000413_2131176375_n(1)The Central Valley region is the birthplace of the farm worker movement of the 60’s and 70’s, led by Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta. But despite its movement history, the Central Valley has long been a stronghold for traditional power brokers. In recent years, a budding movement of young activists and rural residents, concerned about their local schools and public safety, have begun to make permanent inroads into the landscape of the region.

 In what was once a region dominated by agriculture and dotted with sleepy farm towns, the Central Valley has seen an influx of people who have been priced out of the housing markets in LA and the Bay Area and who are moving into the region searching for good jobs and affordable housing. As a result, the electorate is also shifting fast along with the growing potential to organize a new vision for the California Dream in the Central Valley.

Communities for a New California

Communities for a New California is a statewide civil and human rights organization committed to achieving public policy that is socially, economically, and environmentally just for California’s families. Their areas of expertise include strategic organizing and public policy advocacy. Their geographic focus is in the Central Coast, San Joaquin Valley, Imperial and Coachella Valley, but they work in 13 counties from Yolo to Imperial and have offices in Fresno, Indio, Merced, and Sacramento.

CONTACT:
www.anewcalifornia.org

Dolores Huerta Foundation (DHF)

The Dolores Huerta Foundation was established in 2003 by Camila Chávez, daughter of civil rights leader and co-founder of the United Farm Workers with Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta. DHF oversees training for low-income community members in the areas of leadership and organizing skills specific to civic and electoral participation so that they can become catalysts for change in their own communities. Areas of expertise include education and youth development and economic development. Their geographic focus is in the Central Valley (Kern, Tulare, and Fresno counties).

CONTACT:
P.O. Box 2087
Bakersfield, CA 93303
(661) 322- 3033
www.doloreshuerta.org