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Become a campaign leader & check out our June events!

We're fighting June gloom with LAFI's new campaign leadership academy and our first-ever assembly for our dues-paying members! Read and RSVP below.

Thank you to our amazing supporters for joining us at our Spring into Action garden party, which raised more than $60,000 to power our work this election year and beyond! Check out our photo album from the event, as well as our digital program. If you weren't able to attend but want to support our work, we're grateful for your contributions here.

Apply to LA Forward Institute's Campaign Leadership Academy by June 23

Do you want to learn how to run and win grassroots campaigns? LA Forward Institute's nonpartisan Campaign Leadership Academy (CLA) will recruit and train LA County residents to be effective campaign leaders and candidates, positioning participants with the knowledge, skills, and vision to lead campaigns and win this year and beyond.

Read more about this summer program (held on three Saturdays: July 20, August 3, and August 17), and apply HERE by Sunday, June 23, 2024.

Our First-ever Dues Paying Member Assembly: Sunday, June 23

LA Forward's organizing work is driven by its members: that's why we're advocating for unarmed crisis response systems, pushing for funding for a climate action plan for LA City, and fighting for affordable housing to be built everywhere, including historically exclusionary neighborhoods.

On Sunday, June 23, we're bringing together ALL of our dues-paying members for the first time to say, "Thank you for investing in and leading our work! Let’s bring you behind the scenes so you can help us determine where we go next as a community." Expect relationship-building, "lifting the curtain" on some of our organizing strategy, and brainstorming to build a fairer and more flourishing LA County over the next few years. RSVP here.

(If you're not yet a member, you can become one by signing up for a monthly donation of any amount at laforward.org/member, qualifying you to attend this gathering!)

Learn about A Bold New Way to House LA and much more on Saturday!

We're gearing up for a busy summer of making change together and we hope you can be part of our community. Join us in person this Saturday to learn about key housing justice efforts, including a super important ballot measure, A Bold New Way to House LA, check out the debrief of our campaign to build out LA City's unarmed crisis response system on Monday, and be part of our 1st ever Dues-Paying Member Assembly on June 23. Keep reading for details!

MONTHLY HOUSING JUSTICE MEETING SPOTLIGHTING NEW COUNTY MEASURE + KEY STATE HOUSING POLICIES

You're invited to our second in-person monthly assembly to bring residents across LA together around the number one issue in LA: housing. Plug into the latest housing justice issues and actions across local housing justice coalitions, and figure out how you want to get involved. This month, we'll be getting more comfortable talking about "landmark" state legislation that limits our housing realities: Costa-Hawkins, Ellis Act, and Prop 13. We'll also be hearing about a new countywide ballot-measure, A Bold New Way to House LA.

Join us in person this Saturday, June 1, 10am - 2pm. RSVP here to help us with planning and to make sure we have enough lunch for everyone!

FUNDING UNARMED CRISIS RESPONSE SERVICES: WHAT HAPPENED? WHAT'S NEXT? - Monday, June 3, 7 - 8pm

Over the last few months, we built toward a campaign to influence unarmed crisis response funding in the 2024-2025 LA City budget. We sought $2.5 million to centralize dispatch of unarmed crisis response services and an additional $2 million to evaluate existing unarmed crisis response services. On this Zoom, we'll recap what we did, what happened as a result of our advocacy, and what's next for our organizing work around unarmed crisis response at LA Forward. RSVP here.

OUR FIRST-EVER DUES-PAYING MEMBER ASSEMBLY - Sunday, June 23

LA Forward's organizing work is driven by our members. It's why we're advocating for unarmed crisis response systems, pushing for funding for a climate action and adaptation plan for LA City, and fighting for social and affordable housing to be built everywhere, including historically exclusionary neighborhoods.

On Sunday, June 23, we're bringing together ALL of our dues-paying members for the first time to say, "Hey! You're literally investing in our work. Let's bring you behind the scenes so you can be partners and leaders helping us determine where we go next as a powerful organization of community members in LA County." Expect relationship-building, "lifting the curtain" on some of our organizing strategy, and some visioning for work that can transform Southern California.  RSVP here.

If you’re not yet a member, you can become one by signing up for a monthlydonation of any amount at laforward.org/member, qualifying you to attend this gathering!

Urge your rep to fund unarmed crisis response services, before it's too late

It’s our last chance to influence the LA City's 2024-2025! City Council is making one last set of revisions this week – and we need them to step up and fund community safety initiatives like unarmed crisis response. Despite a year of working with council offices, we’re not certain that council will include $4.5 million for unarmed crisis response – less than 0.1% of the budget. It's critical that YOU take action to make sure council does the right thing, by taking 1 minute right now to send a message and by showing up at LA City Hall on Wednesday morning!

SEND AN MESSAGE TO YOUR COUNCILMEMBER BEFORE THURSDAY, 5/23 at 9 AM

Head to our Unarmed Crisis Response advocacy page at here to send a one-click email to your councilmember. (If you did this earlier this month, we need you to do this again! We’ve modified our ask to fit the most up-to-date budget context.)

When you’re done, use our toolkit here to take action via social media, phone, and official written comment.
 

TAKE ACTION IN-PERSON - WEDNESDAY, 5/22

Join us on Wednesday at LA City Hall:

  1. Attend LA Forward’s rally and press conference at 8:30am. In solidarity with Represent LA, a local immigrant rights coalition, we’re calling for council members to step up and fund community safety initiatives that make up less than 0.1% of the current budget.

  2. Then stay for public comment. City Council will meet at 10am, and whether it’s your first time or you’re a regular we need you to elevate the need to fund unarmed crisis response services in LA by giving public comment. Use our toolkit here for some sample language, and let me, Godfrey Plata (LA Forward's Deputy Director) know if we should expect you at the council meeting by emailing godfrey@laforward.org.

If you’d like to join our ongoing work around unarmed crisis response, LA Forward’s Unarmed Crisis Response working group meets every Monday at 7pm, on Zoom. Email me at godfrey@laforward.org to be added to that meeting invite.

LA Budget 101 with the Councilmembers & advocating for unarmed crisis response

It’s budget time for LA City! Every spring, the Mayor is required to share a draft of the upcoming year’s City budget – and advocates have the opportunity to push for changes before the final budget is adopted by City Council. The draft budget has been released – and now it’s time for us to make our voices heard in the budget process.

Join us Wednesday night for LA City Budget 101 where we’ll learn about how the budget process works from former Councilmember Mike Bonin. We’ll also launch ways you can support funding unarmed models of crisis response (alternatives to policing) in this year’s budget.

RSVP now to join us 4/24 at 7:30 p.m. on Zoom.

    

LA Forward Institute’s first LA City Housing Justice Monthly Assembly

Based on interest from community members, LA Forward Institute is launching a monthly gatheringto bring Angelenos together around the number one issue in LA: housing. The first meeting will be held Saturday, May 4! With these meetings, you’ll learn about housing justice policies and advocacy efforts, build community with other residents who are passionate about affordable housing, and get plugged into local housing justice coalitions. Sign up now to join in-person on May 4 from 10 am to 2 pm. Lunch provided!    

We’re bringing our supporters together on May 18 to raise money to support LA Forward’s work this election year – and we’re honoring long-time collaborators in our work to transform Los Angeles into a fair, flourishing place for everyone. Join us for a spring garden party to celebrate these accomplishments and continue to build people power.Purchase a ticket, reserve space in the award journal or or become sponsor by April 30! 

Join us for SGV election debriefs over the next two weeks!

The primary election results are in – and now it’s time to talk about how these results impact communities in the San Gabriel Valley and what work we have ahead of us in the November election.

We’re hosting a series of election debrief gatherings across the SGV and we’d love to see you there! These are great opportunities to meet other community members and learn more about critical issues in the SGV and the candidates running to represent us.

We’ll be in Claremont this coming Thursday 4/25 at 6:30 p.m. RSVP to join us now to talk about the election results with community members from Claremont and the surrounding cities.

Then we’re bringing the party to Covina on 4/28. RSVP now to join us at 2 p.m. on Sunday to talk about local election results in Covina and the SGV.

Our Pasadena election debrief will be Tuesday, 4/30 kicking off at 6:30 p.m. Join us to learn together about the March results and what’s ahead for November in Pasadena and San Gabriel Valley communities.

Last but not least, we’ll be in Pomona on 5/2 at 6:30 p.m.! Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with residents from Pomona and other passionate SGV leaders. Sign up now!

    

Community Leadership for Affordable Housing

This is your last chance to sign up for the cohort that begins on Saturday, April 27! For the second year in a row, LA Forward Institute is launching a six-month leadership development fellowship to support San Gabriel Valley community members to become stronger advocates for affordable housing and housing justice. Members of this unique cohort will come together for in-person learning/site visits one Saturday each month to build knowledge, skills, and networks that will help them ensure that their communities have sufficient affordable housing for current and future generations. Apply now!

Unarmed crisis response advocacy, trivia night, affordable housing academy & more!

We have a packed week of events — Unarmed Crisis Response Budget Advocacy Teach-In on Monday, Post-Election Trivia Night with WFP on Tuesday, and a Sawtelle/West LA Community Convening on Wednesday. Keep reading for details on those, plus opportunities to apply LA Forward Institute's Community Leadership for Affordable Housing Academy.

Votes are still being counted from Tuesday's election but many of our endorsed candidates look to have won a spot in November general election. Congrats to Councilwoman Nithya Raman, Jillian Burgos, and Ysabel Jurado in LA City Council districts 4, 2, 14, plus LA County District Attorney George Gacon and LA County judicial candidates Ericka Wiley, George Turner, and La Shae Henderson! 

    

📅 Upcoming events 📅

Unarmed Crisis Response Budget Advocacy Teach-In: Join us Monday, March 11 for a virtual teach-in with members of LA Forward's Unarmed Crisis Response Working Group who have been meeting weekly, coordinating with government offices, and learning how to advocate for expanded funding and resources for unarmed response in the city of LA. We'll be on Zoom Monday night from 7-8 PM. Register now.

Post-Election Trivia Night with WFP: We're co-hosting a Post Election Trivia Night with our friends at CA Working Families Party! Don't miss this fun community event Tuesday, March 12 at 6 PM in Glendale. We'll get to know each other, compete for some fun prizes, and reflect on lessons learned during the March primary. Join us.

Sawtelle/West LA Community Convening: Do you live in the Sawtelle/West LA neighborhood? If you live north of I-10 but west of I-405, this virtual LA Forward Institute community gathering is for you. Join your fellow residents on Zoom on Wednesday, March 13 from 7-8 PM to build community, talk about what future elections could mean for you, and how to build power together. RSVP now.

  

Community Leadership for Affordable Housing Academy: LA Forward Institute is launching a six-month leadership development cohort to support San Gabriel Valley community members to become stronger advocates for affordable housing and housing justice. Participants will come together one Saturday each month to build knowledge, skills, and networks to ensure their communities have affordable housing. Applications are due April 12. Please share and apply!

Last min election resources - cram session @ 6:30, TONIGHT voter guides, and interviews with candidates!

Early turnout for tomorrow's is running super low and so your vote matters even more than usual! Confused by the ballot? Check out our voter guide and come to our "cram session" at 6:30pm TONIGHT. We’re here to help walk you through it and understand your options. Bring your ballot and join LA Forward staff on Zoom for any last minute questions or resources you need! RSVP here.

Want to get other perspectives? We love LAist's Guide to Voter Guides, which links to LA Forward's guide PLUS others.

Want to go deeper? Check out former LA Councilmember Mike Bonin's podcast What's Next, Los Angeles! Over the last few months, he's conducted accessible, in depth interviews with a ton of City Council candidates. He's also hosted episodes the anti-LGBTQ attempted takeover of the Glendale School Board, on the power of the District Attorney, and an overview of the different City Council races. Plus re-airings of interviews of candidates running for Congress in Adam Schiff's current seat, including Laura Friedman, Mike Feuer, Nick Melvoin, Sepi Shyne, and Maebe A. Girl. It's the kind of deep coverage we need far more of. Thank you Mike!

For another overview of some local races and general commentary on local happenings, check out the most recent episode of the LA Podcast, which includes a special appearance by LA Forward Deputy Director, Godfrey Plata.

In recent episodes, Mike has interviewed many of the candidates running for LA City Council:

📓 Ballot Cram Session 📓

💻  TONIGHT, Monday, March 4th, we're hosting a last-minute ballot cram session on Zoom from 6:30-7:30 pm. If you need any help navigating some of the choices on your ballot, join our team and community members to share resources and help each other vote. RSVP here.    

🗳️ Voter guide 🗳️

Check out LA Forward's online voter guide to read more about the local candidates and ballot measures we've endorsed. Share this guide with your friends and family.

🗳️ Election countdown: 27 hours left to vote

Vote Centers are open every day until the election — or you can drop off your mail-in ballot at any Drop Box. Find locations and vote now. 

Let's get out the vote! Join us to take action before March 5

The March 5 election is almost here! Join us to make your voice heard. 

💪 CANVASS WITH LA FORWARD 💪

We're in the final crunch time before the election -- Get Out the Vote (GOTV) weekend!

✅ Saturday, March 2 – we’ll be out in Little Ethiopia knocking doors for our endorsed candidate Eddie Anderson for LA City Council in District 10. Join us from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. -- we'll have coffee and all the training and materials you need to talk to voters. Come meet Eddie and learn about his race for City Council. Sign up now. (Can't make it? Donate today :)

Council District 10 is one of the most racially, ethnically, and diverse districts in Los Angeles and we’re proud to endorse Eddie Anderson to represent it on the City Council. Eddie has a stellar record as a coalition builder across communities and he’s been a trusted partner in many of LA Forward’s campaigns for housing justice, criminal justice reform, and governance reform. Our membership believes he would make a rock solid addition to the City Council’s growing progressive bloc. Eddie is building a growing coalition with endorsements from the Los Angeles Times, LA City Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, California Working Families Party, Run For Something, LA Voice Action, Asian Democrats of Los Angeles County, Bamby Salcedo (Founder of Trans Latin@ Coalition), and more.

✅ Sunday, March 3 – Join us in North Hollywood for a joint canvass with our endorsed candidate Jillian Burgos for LA City Council District 2 and Measure HLA. We will knock on doors and talk to voters from 10 am-1:30 pm. Meet us in the North Hollywood Park to hear directly from Jillian about her campaign and Measure HLA. Sign up to get out the vote. 

If you can’t make it for our events, you can find other ways to support our endorsed candidates here.

🎉 BALLOT PARTIES 🎉

Need help with your ballot? Don't miss our final ballot parties, where you can spend time with other community members and talk about the issues and candidates so you can mark your votes with confidence.

📍TONIGHT 2/29, we'll be in downtown Los Angeles from 6-8 pm at Audio Graph Beer Co. for our final in-person ballot party. RSVP now.

💻 Monday 3/4, we're hosting a last-minute ballot cram session on Zoomfrom 6:30-7:30 pm to go over any final voting decisions before election day. RSVP here.    

🗳️ Voter guide 🗳️

We've updated our voter guide with new endorsements! Read more about the candidates and issues that are important to us.

Ballot parties across LA County, meet endorsed candidates & more!

Please join us for our upcoming events to get out the vote and ensure progressive victories across LA County in the March 5 election.

🗳️Election countdown: 13 days left to vote

🎉BALLOT PARTIES🎉

Need help filling out your ballot? Come join us for our ballot parties all over LA County! These are great events to meet other LA Forward members, talk about all the things on your ballot, and have confidence you are voting your values for the March 5 election. Check out the calendar for all the dates and bring your friends along 👐

📍The rain has stopped and we’ll be in North Hollywood TONIGHT 2/21 at Lawless Brewing Co. from 6-8 pm – join us for our SFV ballot party. RSVP.

📍Tomorrow night, we’ll be in the SGV with our members in Covina. Can’t wait to see our old friends and make new ones as we fill out our ballots 2/22 from 6-8 pm at Arrow Lodge Brewing. RSVP.

📍We’ll be in Culver City on Monday, 2/26 with our Westside members for our ballot party. Don’t forget to join us from 6-8 pm at 33 Taps Culver City. RSVP.

📍Last but not least, our final ballot party before the election will be in downtown Los Angeles. Join us from 6-8 pm on Thursday, 2/29 at Audio Graph Beer Co. RSVP.

    

💪CANVASS WITH LA FORWARD💪

We know it can be hard to find time on the weekend to volunteer, but it is so important and rewarding to get out in the community and talk to voters. We’d love to have you with us to meet our endorsed candidates and help get out the vote. You’ll get to hang with other LA Forward members and make new friends. If you’ve never canvassed before, all our events provide all the training and materials you need to make an impact. Join us!

✅ Saturday, February 24 – we’re knocking doors for our endorsed candidate Ysabel Jurado for LA City Council in District 14. Join us at 10 a.m. in Eagle Rock to talk to voters. We are working to get KDL out of office and elect a leader who has a proven track record of fighting for renters and marginalized communities. It’s time that CD14 has the representation that community members deserve! Sign up now.

✅ Sunday, February 25 – Did you know that LA County has NEVER had a permanent revenue stream to fund affordable housing, renter protections, and homelessness services? Help get an initiative on the ballot to change that. Join us in South LA to gather signatures to get this important measure on the ballot. Join us.

If you can’t make it for our events, you can find other ways to support our endorsed candidates here.

🗳️ Voter guide 🗳️

Check out our voter guide with information about our endorsed candidates and why we support them.Share the linkwith your friends and family to help them fill out their ballot.

📅 More events 📅

February 28: We’re hosting a virtual teach-in on 2/28 from 7-8 pm to talk about proposals for LA City Council charter reform. The Council is considering establishing a new Charter Commission for the first time since the late 1990s but may limit public participation. Join LA Forward, along with the OUR LA coalition, to learn more and take action to ensure our voices are heard. RSVP for the Zoom.

March 2: Join us to knock doors for Eddie Anderson for LA City Council District 10! We’re excited to support Eddie, a progressive community organizer and faith leader, for this seat. Sign up to join us.

Tonight's singles mixer for a cause, LA City Council races, ballot parties & more!

we’re so excited for these upcoming events and can't wait to see you there! There are so many ways we’re bringing our community together to make a difference before the March 5 primary.

🗳️ Election countdown: 19 days left to vote

In honor of 💝 Valentine’s Day 💝, we’re helping local progressives meet and mingle – all while supporting four women running for LA City Council! Join us TONIGHT, February 15 for “Leading with Love”! The funds raised from this event support four LA Forward-endorsed candidates – Nithya Raman, Serena Oberstein, Jillian Burgos, and Ysabel Jurado. Whether you’re single or just love to play matchmaker, come join us tonight 6-8 p.m. in DTLA. Get your ticket fast.    

Endorsed Candidate Events This Week

✅ Saturday, February 17 – we’re knocking doors for our endorsed candidate Jillian Burgos! Join us at 10 a.m. in North Hollywood to talk to voters about Jillian’s campaign for LA City Council in District 2. RSVP now.


✅ Sunday, February 18 – we’ll be in Northridge from 12-3 p.m. to canvass for Serena Oberstein, our endorsed candidate for District 12. We have a chance to win back the most conservative held seat on the LA City Council. Join us!    

🗳️ Voter guide 🗳️

Don’t forget to read our voter guide with information about our endorsed candidates and why we support them.Share the linkwith your friends and family to help them fill out their ballot.

📅 More events 📅

  • Ballot parties: Don’t miss our ballot parties all over town! Next week, we’ll be in Pasadena on 2/20, North Hollywood on 2/21, and Covina and 2/22. Then we’re coming to Culver City on 2/26 and DTLA on 2/29. Check out the calendar & RSVP now!

  • February 24: Sign up to knock doors for Ysabel Jurado for LA City Council District 14.

  • February 25: Join us to gather signatures for the LA Housing Solutions Measure.

  • March 2: Register to knock doors for Eddie Anderson for LA City Council District 10.


Volunteer for Nithya Raman & George Gascon this weekend! And much more this month...

We have a big weekend ahead and we need your help to get out the vote for our endorsed candidates. Join us Saturday & Sunday in the San Fernando Valley!

Mail-in ballots dropped this week and voting is already under way! 🗳️ Don’t forget to check out our voter guide with information about our endorsed candidates and ways to support them. And if you missed our recent virtual candidate rally, you can watch the video here.

The final day to vote in the March 5 election is only four weeks away!

Endorsed Candidate Events This Week

✅ Saturday, February 10 – we’re excited to be in Sherman Oaks at 10 a.m. knocking doors for Nithya Raman. Join us at 10 a.m. for a very special kick-off and meet Councilmember Raman, Mayor Karen Bass, and other special guests. RSVP now!

    

✅ Sunday, February 11 – we’ll be in North Hollywood at 10 a.m. to canvass and talk to voters with George Gascón. Join us to meet the District Attorney, learn about his work to reform our criminal justice system, and support his campaign for re-election. Don’t worry, football fans – you’ll be home in time for the Super Bowl. Sign up now!

    

Leading with Love: A Singles Mixer & Fundraiser with CA Women's List

Next week, we’re helpinglocal progressives find love. 💗 Singles, don’t miss this fun mixer, “Leading with Love” February 15 from 6-8 p.m. in DTLA! Tickets raise money for four LA Forward-endorsed candidates – Ysabel Jurado, Serena Oberstein, Nithya Raman, and Jillian Burgos – all amazing women running for LA City Council. Everyone is welcome! Coupled people, come play matchmaker for your friends and support progressive leadership on City Council.Sign up now.

    

First Ballot Party!

We’ll be in Pomona on Tuesday, February 13 for our first ballot party of the month! This event is a great opportunity to fill out your ballot with friends, meet your neighbors, and dialogue with other voters about the candidates and issues that are important to you. We’ll be at Innovation Brew Works in Pomona 6:30-8:30 p.m. RSVP now! Info about other ballot party dates and locations below.

    

📅More events 📅

A majority of our budget comes from our members’ monthly donations. In 2025, our goal is to raise 80% of our budget from dues-paying members. That will enable us to be 100% accountable to people like you. Your gift allows us to respond rapidly to emerging issues, to take on powerful interests, and spend as little time possible on fundraising so we can focus on the crucial work that needs to get done every day.