Solidarity

Solidarity equips Latino immigrant families from under-resourced neighborhoods for community transformation.

Solidarity is a faith-based non-profit that was originally founded by a group of college students from Hope International University that were looking for a way to authentically put their faith in practice. They first began engaging an under-resourced neighborhood in 2002 by creating an after school program providing homework help to dozens of elementary students. It was there that Solidarity got to know the children, and in turn, began to have relationship with the parents, and eventually started to earn trust within the neighborhood. Although many viewed the neighbors and neighborhood by the problems and issues that resided in the community, The deeper that Solidarity engaged the community, the more they began to recognize the true beauty, value, and asset, of the neighborhood. By being present, entering into deep relationship, and intentionally listening, Solidarity uncovered 5 Identified Barriers that inhibit neighbors and clients from truly flourishing, therefore masking the aforementioned beauty, value, & assets that is present in the community. We recognize that there are strong leaders, thinkers, and mobilizers within the neighborhood, when able to overcome barriers, have the full capacity to transform their own community, and this is why Solidarity equips Latino immigrant families for community transformation.

Past accomplishments:
1. Our moms and women empowerment group has expanded into two neighborhoods (Mamas de Maple and Mamas de Garnet) providing over 40 moms with opportunities to lead their families and community towards flourishing and community transformation.
2. Camino Immigration Services has a 99% case approval rate, increasing opportunity and access to higher paying jobs & decreasing stress and anxiety related to immigration status.
3. 122 students receive daily trauma informed educational based programing designed to provide safe learning environments, social/emotional learning exercises, and increasing access to positive adult role models that leads to community transformation.
4. In 2023 the Tilt Outdoors gang prevention outdoor adventure program provided over 150 students with outdoor adventure experiences that replaced destructive patterns of life with thriving ones. It was one of 4 programs in California funded by the Vamos a Pescar Education Fund.

Current Goals:
1. Diversify and uplift neighbors to a 50/50 representation on Board & Executive Staff levels of Solidarity.
2. Empower moms and women from each neighborhood through life skills classes, workshops, and entrepreneurship opportunities.
3. Establish a South Fullerton youth council, in collaboration with other youth serving organizations to organize around issues affecting South Fullerton youth.
4. Invest in & develop the next generation of neighborhood leaders, staff, and volunteers for community transformation in Latino immigrant neighborhoods in Fullerton.

1. Full staffing ($260,650): Increase current staff's salaries to be up to competitive wages and fill gaps in missing program/operation staff.
2. Neighbors Leadership Development ($36,270): Allow the next generation of leaders coming up after two decades of work, to have the opportunity to create change and community transformation from within and across generations.
3. Stabilize crucial neighborhood after school programs to be sustainable throughout the year ($50,200): 4 daily teen and elementary after school programs across two neighborhoods provide 100 + students and their families with much needed after school program support in the areas of education, mentoring, and gang prevention. These programs are at risk of being reduced in capacity and staffing due to a lack of funding.

Fullerton, Orange County, CA

As a person of faith, I deeply believe that dignity and love can tear down the walls of inequity, exclusion, and unjust systems that lead to the inability for ALL to flourish. Regardless of one's country of origin, the language they first spoke, their sexuality and gender, their affiliation or record, that everyone should have an opportunity to thrive. In some ways, this belief is what fuels Solidarity to engage our neighbors and clients as we do. I would love to invite you to be a part of the transformation that has occurred for the past 20 years and what is to come.