Orange County Congregation Community Organization

OCCCO develops transformational leaders within diverse, multicultural, interfaith communities who together have the power to shape equitable public policy and create belonging throughout Orange County.

OCCCO was founded in 1976 by a group of community leaders, including Michael Clements, Sam Romero, Ralph Kennedy, Jovita Hernandez, Ruby Gonzalez, Sr. Armida Deck, Andy and Lupe Savedraa, Nancy Plevin, Fernando Moreno, Jeanne Blackwell, and others. Fr. Jerry Helfrich, a Jesuit priest from the Pacific Institute for Community Organizing (PICO), served as the founding director and assembled a team of organizers, including Fr. Mike Mandela, Meg Gafney, Mike Clements, and Fernando Moreno.

The OC Sponsoring Committee, which comprised OCCCO's founding leadership, aimed to amplify the voices of low-income community members, many of whom were Mexican immigrants. This was initially achieved through a grassroots, neighborhood-based community organizing approach, starting with the Santa Ana Neighborhood Organization (SANO).

In 1985, SANO's organizing strategy was shifted to a congregation-based approach, expanding its reach countywide and rebranding as the Orange County Congregation Community Organization (OCCCO). Under the leadership of PICO organizer Rev. David Mann, 14 Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish congregations united to elevate the voices of the disenfranchised.

PICO's influence expanded on a national level, and in 2017 changed its name to Faith in Action network, which connects faith-based low-income community organizations across the country. Today, OCCCO continues to empower low-income communities of color and creating belonging for all, without othering, through bridging and systemic change.

Accomplishments from the past year
OCCCO held over 8000 conversations with low-income and undecided voters to promote voter turnout and at least 500 deep-canvassing conversations in Anaheim, Fullerton and La Habra.
OCCCO also focused on building community leadership, developing over 60 community members with a deeper understanding of narrative change for systemic impact
OCCCO and its partners organized a public community meeting with policymakers to advocate for affordable housing in Anaheim. Approximately 40 residents participated in this event. An important milestone was the passage of an inclusionary housing ordinance in Anaheim.

Goals for the current year
Faith-rooted Deep Canvassing: At least 500 deep-canvassing conversations in Anaheim, Fullerton Santa Ana and La Habra to create belonging and systems change.
Leadership Development: Engage and train at least 100 grassroots leaders in leadership training from partner congregations and strategic communities to engage local policymakers around equity in housing, education or immigration.
Strategic Narrative Implementation: Engage at least 1000 community members and 10 policy makers using appropriate narrative messaging to create belonging and bridging stories through various means such as social media and deep canvassing.

Most Pressing Needs
Raise $100,000 annually to enhance year-round faith-rooted canvassing capacity.
Invest in staff professional development to boost organizational capacity.
Improve internal financial management systems, structures, and processes.
Strengthen the skills of existing volunteer leaders to effectively implement faith-rooted deep canvassing and narrative strategies.
Expand the number of active partner congregations and community members in key cities.

OCCCO is currently active in fait-rooted community organizing in Santa Ana, Anaheim, Fullerton and La Habra.