The James Irvine Foundation held the 2023 Leadership Awards in which seven women and men who have provided solutions to critical problems such as homelessness, education, food insecurity, climate change and economic justice in California were recognized.
Much has been said about the problems suffered by the population of California, from health effects, segregation of some communities? such as those of color?, to economic and labor problems. As a result of this phenomenon, the James Irvine Foundation ?which seeks that all low-income workers have the possibility of economic progress? recognized leaders who have helped combat issues facing thousands of Californians on a daily basis.
Restaurant industry seeking to improve their labor rights
Saru Jayaraman, president of One Fair Wage, an organization that seeks to eliminate all wages that are below the minimum wage in the United States, said at a press conference organized by Ethnic Media Services that “we are seeing a truly historic moment of worker revolt, where low-wage employees across the economy—particularly in the restaurant industry—are for the first time refusing to work for these very low wages.”
And it is that, according to Jayaraman, "the restaurant industry has been one of the largest employers and with the fastest growth in the private sector in California and the United States."
However, he also highlighted that the industry itself has been one of the lowest paying for generations, and that immigrant communities have been the most affected by this situation, since the majority are workers in the restaurant industry in places like New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.
Ex-convicts and prisoners fight for their rights
Dorsey Nunn, executive director of All of Us Or None, a civil and human rights advocacy organization that fights for the rights of people who have been or are incarcerated and their families, noted that "the method of sanctions has failed to society”, as they have been segregated due to their history.
«People can only see us as an inconvenience; they have yet to see us as a benefit. At what point can we really prove that you can't lock up two million people without locking up brilliance, without kicking out a bunch of people?, Nuun questioned. And it is that, for years they have struggled to be reintegrated into society and until now they have managed to be considered for the elections.
Homeless seek support
Chris Contreras, director of programs for Brilliant Corners, an organization that provides supportive housing for people in need, noted that California is home to at least a third of the United States population that is homeless, while pointing out that "more than 170,000 Californians are homeless."
In the same way, he stressed the importance of offering housing solutions for Californians, since there is a housing construction crisis in the state due to economic problems and the restrictions that do not allow people in California to not have a home.
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