[We are on WhatsApp. Start following us now]

Social justice is a never-ending task, so it is important to have representatives who care about the needs and rights of all communities, since people have the right to food, housing, medical care, fair wages and a dignified life regardless of their race or culture, said Ofelia Bello, candidate for the East Palo Alto City Council. 

 “I am passionate about social justice work, being part of positive changes, but at a local level,” said Bello in an interview with Manuel Ortiz, during the Península 360 Press radio program and Hecho en California with Marcos Gutierrez.

Ofelia Bello is running for a seat on the East Palo Alto City Council, as she has worked hand in hand with several organizations for a long time supporting the community, and she herself states that “she feels that she has something to offer to the community to continue with everyone's efforts.”

The member of Young People United for Community Action (YUCA) is also the daughter of two Mexicans, her mother from Guerrero and her father from Michoacán, and it was from them that she learned to always help people regardless of their origins, race or culture.

A fundamental part of his life has been his mother, who has shown him kindness and social commitment without expecting anything in return. 

“My mother is my greatest example, she always helps people we know, friends, family, neighbors, people close to us of all races and ethnicities; she seeks to support them and I have always said that I inherited this vocation from my mother.”

The social activist explained that it is important to go out and vote, “let us remember that someone outside is making important decisions for the community, people who sit on the boards of directors, on the Municipal Council, and those who do have the right to vote are letting other people make decisions for each one of them and although electoral politics is not the only way to make changes in the community, it is something that has great value.”

On the other hand, he commented that Last Saturday, August 31, she supported groups of tenants from East Palo Alto who were asking for their right to decent housing to be respected. Fortunately, they obtained the attention of the owners of the houses to make improvements or adjust payments in light of the poor conditions of the properties.

There are about 60 units spread across three buildings. Ofelia Bello explained that they began knocking on doors and explaining the tenants' rights and then people began to unite and take action.

In this regard, a letter has been submitted with a list of demands for administrative improvements, including requests for improved communication, dissemination of information not only in English, and some physical improvements. The letter explains that the tenants want to negotiate in good faith to resolve the problems in a particular way.

Most of the tenants are Hispanic and have a minimal command of English, which causes the documents to be confusing and unclear. In addition, the tenants have suffered harassment and discrimination for wanting to demand their rights, a situation that Bello lamented, while assuring that having a more complete and united group helps combat insecurity and the fear of speaking up. 

“It is wonderful to see people come together, and not necessarily just Latinos or Mexicans, for something we all have in common, which is our home, it is something sacred, because everyone deserves a decent, safe and sanitary home regardless of culture or race,” she said.

If elected, she said, her main focus will be on decent housing rights and defending tenants' rights to prevent people from becoming homeless.

For Ofelia, housing is a primary issue in East Palo Alto and tenants' rights must be defended. "They have the right to demand that these improvements be made and this is usually presented to the City Council, to the Rent Stabilization Working Group, speaking of East Palo Alto, and if these improvements are not made, one possibility is that their rent will be reduced or that they will be reimbursed for what they have invested for each tenant," she concluded. 

You may be interested in: East Palo Alto residents demand better housing conditions from developer

[We are on WhatsApp. Start following us now]

Listen to this note:

From August 26 to 30, the Mexican consular network in the United States held the 16th edition of Labor Rights Week (LRW), under the motto “Rights, health and safety for workers: the power of collaboration.”

During the day, more than 430,000 Mexicans attended more than 800 informative events and workshops, both virtual and in-person, on labor rights. 

According to the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs, some 371 possible cases of protection were identified, and the necessary consular assistance was provided, and they will be closely monitored.

He also reiterated that, with the support of 530 participating allies, more than 40 visits were made to workplaces and the validity of 91 agreements signed with government organizations was maintained and renewed. 

Consular representatives from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras also participated in preventive events.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the SDL has established itself as the main tool for preventive and consular protection in labor matters, strengthening the defense and empowerment of workers in the United States. 

“Through this initiative, key information is provided to the Mexican community to exercise their labor rights, prevent abuse and demand safe conditions in their workplaces, both in rural and urban areas,” she said.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the General Directorate of Consular Protection and Strategic Planning and the Mexican representations abroad, reaffirmed its commitment to continue providing preventive and timely protection to the Mexican community, regardless of their immigration status.

You may be interested in: Campesinas in Tulelake, between natural beauty, community unity and abandonment

[We are on WhatsApp. Start following us now]

By Annalize Freimarck. San Jose Spotlight.

Listen to this note:

Campbell está ajustando su política de vivienda asequible con la esperanza de crear más hogares y recaudar más fondos para el desarrollo, a pesar de una recomendación oficial de no hacerlo.

La semana pasada, el Ayuntamiento de Campbell votó por 4 a 1 a favor de ampliar su política de vivienda inclusiva, que exigiría que los proyectos más pequeños conviertan al menos el 15 por ciento de las viviendas en viviendas asequibles o contribuyan a los esfuerzos de vivienda de la ciudad. El cambio se aplica a proyectos con cinco o más viviendas, lo que reduce el umbral actual de 10 o más viviendas, y se espera que genere unos 237 mil dólares anuales. Campbell lo implementará en aproximadamente un año. El vicealcalde Sergio López votó en contra.

El mes pasado, los miembros del consejo se opusieron a la recomendación unánime de la Comisión de Planificación de mantener el mismo umbral. La recomendación se debió en gran medida a que los comisionados dijeron que no tenían claras las ramificaciones del cambio de política. Algunos comisionados también dijeron que podría obstaculizar el desarrollo porque los pequeños desarrolladores tendrían que pagar una tarifa adicional o asumir los costos adicionales de una vivienda asequible.

El presidente de la Comisión de Planificación, Alan Zisser, dijo que los comisionados necesitaban más tiempo para comprender y analizar la importante política, lo que llevó a la recomendación en contra de ella. Zisser, sin embargo, dijo que acepta la decisión del ayuntamiento.

“Esa es la belleza del sistema: podemos estar en desacuerdo y el asunto pasará al consejo”, dijo a San José Spotlight. “A veces, el consejo tiene más información y es quien toma las decisiones finales”.

La alcaldesa Susan Landry dijo que votó a favor del cambio porque construir viviendas más asequibles es fundamental y agregó que los miembros del consejo a veces no están de acuerdo con las recomendaciones de la comisión.

El estudio del nexo de la política concluyó que no dañaría el desarrollo de la ciudad, pero Landry dijo que si lo hiciera, el consejo puede hacer ajustes durante sus evaluaciones anuales.

“La esperanza es que básicamente empecemos a acumular dinero y unidades para ayudar a nuestra vivienda”, dijo Landry a San José Spotlight. “Tenemos gente que necesita vivienda desesperadamente, y se ha demostrado que para construir viviendas asequibles y para personas de bajos ingresos, es necesario algún tipo de apoyo financiero o subsidios. Y esta es una forma de lograr esos objetivos”.

Campbell podría avanzar en sus objetivos de vivienda con el cambio de política. La ciudad pretende crear 3 mil 870 viviendas para 2031 para cumplir con los mandatos estatales, mil 542 de las cuales deben considerarse asequibles para residentes de bajos ingresos.

Residents do not fully support the change.

Raja Pallela, residente de Campbell desde 2018, dijo que le preocupa el efecto de la política en la falta de viviendas de clase media: viviendas asequibles para los residentes que ganan demasiado para calificar para una vivienda de bajos ingresos, pero no lo suficiente para una vivienda a precio de mercado. Dijo que la falta de viviendas de clase media a menudo aparece en proyectos con cinco a nueve casas, que los desarrolladores pueden evitar construir debido a las limitaciones del cambio de política.

“Los salarios (de la clase media), teniendo en cuenta el Área de la Bahía, no son muy altos. No pueden tener una vivienda unifamiliar tradicional y completa, pero se trata de parejas y personas jóvenes”, dijo a San José Spotlight. “Al hacer esto, el ayuntamiento ha eliminado la oportunidad para las familias jóvenes”.

El vicealcalde López votó en contra porque compartía preocupaciones similares sobre la falta de viviendas de clase media. Apoyó los demás aspectos de la política, incluido el cobro de 9 dólares por pie cuadrado en los nuevos edificios comerciales, y dijo que está orgulloso del progreso de Campbell en materia de vivienda.

“Lo que demostró la discusión es que Campbell está avanzando en términos de apostar por la vivienda y no hay vuelta atrás”, dijo a San José Spotlight. “El progreso que hemos logrado en esa área durante los últimos cuatro años ha sido realmente tremendo”.

Campbell tiene en marcha algunos proyectos de viviendas asequibles en las principales vías públicas. VTA está trabajando con Campbell para llevar 90 apartamentos asequibles a la estación de tren ligero de Winchester. Otro proyecto agregará 12 mini casas cerca de Campbell Park.

Zisser quiere que la política tenga éxito.

“En el pasado no hemos hecho un buen trabajo en lo que respecta a recaudar tasas compensatorias que podríamos utilizar para estimular y conseguir que se desarrollen viviendas asequibles”, dijo. “Con suerte, lograremos eso sin que los desarrolladores piensen que es un precio demasiado alto para desarrollarlas”.

Read the original note giving Click here.

You may be interested in: Funding approved for largest affordable housing project in San Mateo County history

At a vibrant community meeting held recently, representatives from various Latino organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area came together to discuss strategies and strengthen collaboration among them. Moderated by Manuel Ortiz of Social Focus, the gathering took place at Casa Circulo Cultural, a center dedicated to Latino culture and community.

That Sunday, August 25, 2024, quiet music was heard, among the coffee, Mimosas and eggs with bacon and sweet bread were served. 

A Call for Latinx Unity and Power

Manuel Ortiz began the discussion by reflecting on the perception of solidarity within the Latino community. “There is a perception that Latinos do not support each other, but that is not necessarily true,” said Ortiz. “We need to sit down and discuss how we can collaborate among our organizations to change this narrative and strengthen our community.”

The meeting focused on the need for collaboration and solidarity among Latino organizations, especially in a context where resources are limited. 

Less than 11% of philanthropic aid reaches Latino communities in the United States and Latin America. Although our communities have grown exponentially, this proportion has not changed in decades.

“It’s not about competing for the 1% of philanthropy that goes to Latino organizations,” Ortiz argued, “but about demanding a higher percentage that reflects our contributions in taxes, culture, and much more.”

Latinos in the United States helped drive the national economy with a total economic output, or gross domestic product, of $3.2 trillion. And, notably, Latina women’s contribution to the U.S. economy amounted to $1.3 trillion in 2021, according to a new study by UCLA researchers and their colleagues.

“The 2023 U.S. Latino GDP Report not only underscores the undisputed economic power of the U.S. Latino community, but also predicts the future trajectory of our nation,” said Arizona State University President Michael M. Crow.

Future Initiatives and Collaborations

Listen to this note:

The meeting La Tertulia in Casa Circulo Cultural It served as a starting point for a series of future meetings that will seek to strengthen collaboration between organizations present in the Bay Area. The importance of networking and outreach to respond quickly to community needs was highlighted.

Among the meeting's conclusions, the participants agreed to focus their efforts on the upcoming elections, using simple and accessible language to attract a greater number of Latino voters. In addition, the creation of simple recorded commercials to be widely distributed was proposed.

A Diversity of Voices

The discussion included the participation of key figures such as Vicky Ávila and Karla Peralta, community promoters; Yurina Guzmán from Luna Latinos Unidos; Aurelio Huizar, Program Manager of El Concilio of San Mateo County; Teresa Pérez, Beatriz Orozco, and Laura Rubio from the Renaissance Entrepreneur Center; Connie Guerrero from the League of Women Voters; Veronica Escamez and Sofi Ortiz from Casa Círculo Cultural; Anna Lee Mraz from Peninsula 360 Press; and Andrea Avilés, a student committed to the cause.

Each of the attendees had the opportunity to introduce themselves and share the stories and missions of their organizations, promoting an environment of mutual understanding and cooperation. This qualitative approach, focused on personal stories and experiences, was highlighted as a powerful tool to evaluate and measure the impact of community initiatives.

Looking to the Future

The central objective of the discussion was to establish a collective agenda for the Latino community, focused on collaboration, solidarity and a fair distribution of philanthropic resources. In the words of one of the attendees, “We need to project the strength of the Latino community and seek more resources for all these organizations.”

The event concluded with a call to action: invite more people to the next meeting and continue building a strong network of support and collaboration. With a growing awareness of the need for unity and a strategic focus on the upcoming elections, this gathering promises to be the start of a significant movement in the Latino community in the San Francisco Bay Area.

You may be interested in: 15 years of Casa Círculo Cultural: A flight to the future