Our Voice

Millions of Californians are Drinking Toxic Water
Millions of people in California are drinking toxic water, whether they know it or not. In some cases, the water quality is so toxic that families must buy water in the gallons to use for drinking, cooking with, and bathing. A report from 2013 documented the severity by county and contaminated...
Vote to Protect Reproductive Freedom
  Families have the opportunity to decide the future of access to reproductive freedom in California. This November 8th election, Proposition 1 is on the ballot to enshrine current freedoms to access abortion and contraceptives within the state’s constitution. Why does this matter? This summer, the U.S. Supreme Court took...
Democrats Must Immediately Codify Roe v. Wade to Protect Human Rights
May 3, 2022 CONTACT: Ariana Marmolejo | [email protected] Democrats Must Immediately Codify Roe v. Wade to Protect Human Rights  The potential overturning of the landmark legislation legalizing abortion puts countless lives at risk for generations to come “We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled,” Justice Alito wrote in...
TAKE ACTION: Keep the Lights on at Fresno Parks using ARPA Funds!
The City of Fresno keeps shutting down Parks earlier and earlier by turning the lights off, making them unusable after dark. Parks are some of the only places where kids can safely play outside of school and where adults can be active outdoors after work hours. Fresno received $171 million as part of...
Rep Nunes Retires as Progressive Movement Grows
  MEDIA CONTACT: Karina Martinez I 858-752-1262 I [email protected]    Rep Nunes Retires as Progressive Movement Grows Progressive voters will continue to organize and mobilize for families Sacramento, CA –  Congressman Devin Nunes announced that he will retire at the end of the year to take a position as Trump...
COVID-19 Vaccine Now Available for Children Ages 5 through 11!
🎉The CDC recommends Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 through 11.  Here’s what you need to know about the vaccine for this age group:  The vaccine is safe and 91% effective Children ages 5-11 receive a lower-dose than the adult vaccine The vaccine is administered in 2 doses, 3...
Proposed Fresno County Redistricting Maps Violate State Law
Proposed Fresno County Redistricting Maps Violate State Law  Fresno Inclusive Families Coalition Maintains Vigilant Watch on Fresno County Redistricting Process   Fresno, CA — Fresno County’s three selected draft maps divide families and split Communities of Interest (COI), violating California’s state law just weeks away from the conclusion of the...
Inclusive Families Coalition Letter to Fresno County Board of Supervisors
November 1, 2021 Via e-mail and hand delivery   Fresno County Board of Supervisors Fresno County Hall of Records 2281 Tulare Street, Room 301 Fresno, CA 93721 clerk/[email protected]   RE: Supervisorial Redistricting Process   For decades, city and county redistricting processes in California were completed with minimal public participation and...
Shaping Our Future with CNC
  Happy Birthday, Pablo! CNC wishes Founding Executive Director, Pablo Rodriguez, a very happy birthday! Pablo’s leadership, guidance, and heart drives everything CNC does, and we couldn’t be prouder to wish our favorite boss the best this year and every year. We can’t wait to see what the next year...
Congratulations, Sarah!
After almost two years with CNC, Sarah Martinez Peña is graduating onto the next step of her career journey as she pursues her dream of being a hairstylist at The Coterie in Sacramento, CA! In her time at CNC, Sarah’s creativity, passion, incredible energy, and work ethic were evident in all that...
COVID-19 Booster Shots are Here!
  Millions of people are now eligible to receive a booster shot and will benefit from additional protection. There are now booster recommendations for all three available COVID-19 vaccines in the United States. Eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. Some people may have a...
Boo! The Scariest Thing About Halloween Is the American Healthcare System!
Spooky season is here! That means full moons, vampires, witches, that guy with the chainsaw, COVID-19 … there are so many spooky things lurking around to be afraid of! What could be scarier than any of that?  … Maybe I shouldn’t have asked, but realistically the scariest thing you’ll have...
CNC Changemakers Speak Up for California
  Redistricting in Fresno:  CalMatters en español ICYMI: CNC’s Founding Executive Director, Pablo Rodriguez, and CNC’s Redistricting and Communications Associate, Ariana Marmolejo, were able to speak with CalMatters about the importance of our redistricting work and the impact that it is having on Fresno. “Even at the state level, because...
City of Fresno Certified Election Results: An Emphatic 12 point NO to Gubernatorial Recall
  October 21, 2021 CONTACT: Karina Martinez 858/752-1262 or [email protected] City of Fresno Certified Election Results: An emphatic 12 point NO to Gubernatorial Recall Fresno Speaks 2021 provides insights into how voters of color are shifting the Fresno political landscape  Fresno, CA - The City of Fresno recently released their...
Merced Residents To Use $27 Million Rescue Funds on New Mega Ice Skating Rink
The City of Merced has received roughly $27 million in federal funding as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). ARPA funds must be used by the end of 2024 and work to support the community through and after the COVID-19 pandemic, with all of its many negative effects...
Community Redistricting Workshops Replace Monday Night Football
In an effort to increase statewide participation throughout this key phase of the redistricting process, California has decided to replace Monday Night Football with an exciting new kind of programming.
The End of California's Statewide Eviction Moratorium
The California eviction moratorium has ended and only a few local moratoriums remain in place. COVID-19 created an unprecedented emergency that required local, state, and federal intervention. The California eviction moratorium was a necessary measure that has helped renters survive the financial duress onset by the pandemic, endure the mental...
Fighting for a New California with CNC
Important in California today: Redistricting in Fresno: The Fresno Bee has been covering redistricting at the County and City level in Fresno. This week, CNC organizers, volunteers, and our partner organizations spoke directly to the Fresno County Redistricting Advisory Commission in support of The Fresno Inclusive Families Map, the only map that...
Ghostly Apparition of Landlord Appears at Foot of Bed as California Rent Moratorium Expires
As of September 30th, California’s rent moratorium expired, leaving many Californians still burdened by the effects of COVID-19 living in fear of eviction amidst an evolving work landscape. While this has left many California renters and residents empathetic towards those still heavily burdened by pandemic hardships, another group of Californians...
Create Change in California with CNC!
The latest that you need to know in California: California’s Eviction Moratorium Expires:  Though the state’s eviction moratorium is expired on September 30, some places in California have local laws that will continue to prevent landlords from evicting tenants. Those include Fresno County, Alameda County, Solano County as well as...
Fresno Redistricting Coalition Calls for Language Accessibility in Fresno County Redistricting Process
Fresno Redistricting Coalition Calls for Language Accessibility in Fresno County Redistricting Process
Forging Ahead with CNC!
The latest in California:  California takes steps to end the use of racist, dehumanizing language against immigrants. California Gov. Newsom signs a law to replace the term 'alien' with 'noncitizen' or 'immigrant'.  The California eviction moratorium ends Thursday, September 30th, except in areas like Fresno where local eviction moratoriums exist....
It Wasn’t ‘Election Fraud,’ People Just Don’t Like You
California’s failed recall of Governor Gavin Newsom took place last week, culminating in Governor Newsom beating the recall with over 62% of Californians in support of Newsom remaining in office. Of his win, Governor Newsom said, “We rejected cynicism and bigotry and chose hope and progress.”
CNC Celebrates This Historic Moment With YOU.
California,  We're proud of what we've done together to mobilize voters to resoundingly defeat this recall attempt! Today, the nation watches as Californians proudly stand by the progressive agenda represented by Governor Newsom, leaving NO DOUBT that the Golden State would not bend to conservatives.  We recognize that the journey...
Today Is Election Day! Cast Your Ballot by 8:00 PM!
Today is election day! Cast your ballot and vote NO on the recall to fight for the future of California and to protect our progressive values. Here’s how: The California Gubernatorial Recall Election is on September 14. You can return your ballot by mail or in person at a drop box. If you...
Fresno Residents Rally to Support Newsom and Defend Progress
Media Release  September 10, 2020   Contact:Karina Martinez 858-752-1262 / [email protected]    Fresno Residents Rally to Support Newsom and Defend Progress Fresno, CA - A coalition of Fresno residents met with governor Newsom in his support and against the recall on Thursday morning, less than a week before the deadline to...
Meeting the Moment with CNC: Vote by September 14th!
Our moment is here, California! Election Day is only four days away - voting is well underway and September 14th is our deadline to vote in this historic election. It’s time to roll up your sleeves, cast your ballot, and fight for the future of California. Conservatives have weaponized the...
Hottest Trends for Election Day!
  Things have a way of always coming back in style, and Y2K fashion is a trend I didn’t foresee becoming popular again. Yet, Gen Z has made low-rise jeans, among many other trends, cool again. Not that anyone asked for it, but another trend that’s come back in full...
Do It for the Workers: Vote by September 14th!
  CNC celebrates the progress we’ve made securing labor rights for working families, and we commit to continue working towards greater progress. Help us protect fair wages, workers’ safety, childcare, and more labor protections by voting on your progressive values in this recall election. Here’s how: The California Gubernatorial Recall...
Casting Our Ballots for Our Future
It’s almost here! The recall election is happening on September 14th! CNC is working hard to help prepare our neighbors for this upcoming election by getting ready to vote. We know the news cycle moves fast and can change in the blink of an eye, so here’s what you need...
Saying “No” to the Recall and “Yes” to Gavin Newsom
Imelda Rodriguez pictured performing community outreach on the 2020 Census The recall election is now only a few weeks away, and I’m concerned that Californians aren’t aware of the gravity of our current situation. As an organizer with Communities for a New California Action Fund, I see every day the...
The Future of California: Recall Weather Forecast
The future is bright and sunny! Well, it should be. California is known for its great weather, but depending on how this recall election goes … sunny skies could certainly change! I’m not even talking strictly metaphorically – if a climate change denier gets elected Governor, I can’t say exactly...
California Youth Voters Rally to Build on Progressive Gains Via a NO Vote on the Recall
MEDIA CONTACT: Karina Martinez  [email protected]    California Youth Voters Rally to Build on Progressive Gains Via a NO Vote on the Recall The F*#K No to the Recall Rally highlighted Newsom’s achievements, what’s at stake if a Republican were to become governor Sacramento, CA –  Young California organizers made an impassioned...
Our Voice, Our California, Our Future: This Week with CNC
Now is an incredible time to be a Californian, and we have the opportunity to show the world exactly what we stand for by participating in the upcoming recall election! There’s so much going on in our golden state, so here’s a breakdown of the most important things happening in...
California Youth Voters Rally to Shut Down the Recall Election Stunt
***MEDIA ADVISORY*** MEDIA CONTACT: Karina Martinez  [email protected]  California Youth Voters Rally to Shut Down the Recall Election Stunt  The F*#K No to the Recall Rally aims to motivate younger voters to vote NO on the recall Sacramento, CA –  Young California voters are stepping into the fight against the recall...
Side Eye’s No B.S. Recall Voting Guide
California’s recall election is happening and heaps of ballots will be mailed back today before you can even finish your vanilla oat milk iced latte! The last day to vote is on September 14th, but we’ve created a voter guide to make sure you can vote as early as TODAY! ...
Why Redistricting Matters to Me: Standing up for My Neighborhood
We’re proud of CNC Volunteer, Monserrat Ramirez Hernandez, who spoke up for her family and her neighborhood at her most recent regional redistricting meeting. In Coachella, "communities of interest" are currently being formed, which are neighborhoods, communities, or groups of people who have common concerns and who benefit from being...
Ranking Good Things Governor Gavin Newsom Has Done Based on What Your Mom Will Like Hearing About the Most
Have you called your mom lately? I’m sure she’d love to hear from you. She thinks about you a lot, you know. With the September 14th recall election only a month away, now is the perfect time to check in with your parents to say hello and to make sure...
CNC: El Censo 2020 es un Triunfo para la Comunidad Latina
13 de Agosto de 2021 CONTACTO: Karina Martinez 858 / 752-1262 o [email protected]   CNC: El Censo 2020 es un Triunfo para la Comunidad Latina     Sacramento, California - Los datos del Censo 2020 ​​que ofrecen información detallada sobre población y datos demográficos ya se están publicando. Los resultados del censo ofrecen...
CNC: Census 2020 a Story of Latino Triumph
August 13th, 2021 CONTACT: Karina Martinez 858 / 752-1262 or [email protected]   CNC: Census 2020 a Story of Latino Triumph     Sacramento, California - Long-delayed census data has been released offering detailed information on population and demographic data. The census results offer a glimpse of the racial composition of our nation and...
CNC: Latinos Poised to be Decision Makers in Recall Election
August 11th, 2021 CONTACT: Karina Martinez 858/752-1262 or [email protected]   CNC: Latinos Poised to be Decision Makers in Recall Election     Sacramento, California -- In less than five weeks, Latinos will seal Governor Gavin Newsom’s fate in the upcoming recall election. Latino voters in the San Joaquin and Coachella Valleys, ...
Horoscopes for California’s Recall Election!
Greetings, California! I’m sensing there is something brewing on the horizon, something of immense importance ... It’s roughly five weeks away, and it will greatly impact your future. It rhymes with shhmmecall shhmelection… Oh, that’s right! California’s recall election is on September 14th and is rapidly approaching! Every responsible voter...
CNC Targets Young Latinos With COVID-19 Radio Ads Across Sacramento and Merced
August 6th, 2021 ***MEDIA ADVISORY*** CONTACT: Karina Martinez 858/752-1262 or [email protected]   CNC Targets Young Latinos With COVID-19 Radio Ads Across Sacramento and Merced Listen to the COVID-19 Radio Ads Here Fresno, California -- Communities for a New California Education Fund (CNC EF) is partnering with reggaeton and Top 40 stations in...
How-To: Dating Safely During COVID-19
Ah, summer… The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, love is in the air, and—oh no! It looks like COVID-19 is still in the air, and especially present in poorly ventilated indoor spaces! Just because this pandemic has forcibly changed the ways we can safely socialize and interact doesn’t...
Statewide Leaders and Advocates Call on Californians to Vote “NO” on the September 14 Recall
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT: Angela Chavez [email protected]    Statewide Leaders and Advocates Call on Californians to Vote “NO” on the September 14 Recall  California leaders share what is at stake for our communities, state, and nation – should the unnecessary recall of Governor Newsom succeed  WATCH: No to the...
California Leaders and Advocates Unite: Call on Voters to Stop Recall of Governor Newsom
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT: Karina Martinez at [email protected] / 858-752-1262 Angela Chavez [email protected]  MEDIA ADVISORY: VIRTUAL PRESSER California Leaders and Advocates Unite: Call on Voters to Stop Recall of Governor Newsom Los Angeles, Calif., – In response to the September 14, 2021 California recall election and announcement of recall...
Californians on the Recall Election: “Wait, What?”
Roughly eight weeks away, California’s recall election of Governor Gavin Newsom will take place on Tuesday, September 14, 2021. In response to the recall election, most Californians have looked up from their phone screens for long enough to collectively ask, “wait, what?”
Fresno Redistricting Coalition Sounds the Alarm on Fresno City Council and County Supervisors
Fresno Redistricting Coalition Sounds the Alarm on Fresno City Council and County Supervisors  Community Coalition says Local Leadership is Failing to Ensure Fair Redistricting Process with Controversial Consultant    Fresno, CA — The City of Fresno and Fresno County hired a demographer who has been on the wrong side of key civil rights fights...
Communities for a New California Action Fund Aims to Ramp Up Recall Election Engagement Across California
July 14, 2021 Press Statement  CONTACT: Karina Martinez 858/752-1262 or [email protected] Communities for a New California Action Fund Aims to Ramp Up Recall Election Engagement Across California Employing manifold strategies and uniting a diversity of community stakeholders, CNC will embolden voters to protect California values  Sacramento, CA —  Communities for...
Local Conservative Reluctantly Admits Free Healthcare Kind of Nice
  Staunch Central Valley conservative Billy Murica recently received his COVID-19 vaccination and has a lot to say about the momentous event. As a diabetic, not getting the vaccination was not an option for Billy. Ultimately, he knew that if he wanted to keep his family safe and get back...
Latest Teen Craze: Redistricting
BREAKING: An exciting new craze has swept over Central Valley teens and it has taken over faster than you can say “Tik Tok!” Ha ha! The craze in question is what teens are calling “redistricting” and it’s reportedly “really interesting and important, actually,” and is what one local teen described...
DIY Climate Change Hacks: Stay Cool This Summer!
Sure, this summer is the hottest summer you’ve ever experienced living on this planet, but try to stay positive! This summer is also the coldest summer of the rest of your life. Climate change has been the talk of deniers and tree-huggers alike for the last decade, but who needs...
Restaurant Workers Really Excited for Public to Yell in Their Faces Again
Rejoice, fellow Californians, for restaurants that have been open for an entire year are now open a little more!  Last week, Governor Gavin Newsom reopened the State of California, ending a majority of the COVID-19 safety restrictions that have been in place since March 2020. While the state is still undergoing...
Local Government’s Response to Housing Crisis: Aww
Local Government’s Response to Housing Crisis: Aww :'( The official press release was signed "HAGS," which is an acronym that stands for "Have A Great Summer." This is often used by students signing the yearbooks of classmates who they do not like and have no intention of hanging out with...
CNC Changemakers Improving California Vaccination by Vaccination!
Don’t you just love being vaccinated against COVID-19? Wouldn’t it be great if everyone in your neighborhood knew how safe, effective, easy it is to get protected against the virus? Well, worry no more! CNC has got your neighborhood covered with our extensive COVID-19 vaccination outreach and education program, and we’re...
CNC Partners with Univision to Uplift California Latino Pandemic Stories
The storytelling Facebook live series uncovers how the COVID-19 vaccine has been a resource for the Latino community Fresno, CA —  Communities for a New California (CNC) is diversifying COVID-19 vaccination outreach efforts through community voices through a storytelling series of Facebook lives produced in partnership with Univision Fresno. 
Canvassers Fried to Delicious Perfection in Blistering California Heat
California is no stranger to the sun, but with increasing temperatures every year as a result of climate change, many residents are spending their summer leisure time indoors instead of out. While that may be a solution for some, not everybody has the option to beat the heat indoors. There...
CNC Welcomes a Healthy Summer with Vaccination Outreach
CNC is kicking off June the best way we know how: by celebrating the start of Pride Month! We are proud of who we are today and every day, and we are ecstatic to be highlighting our LGBTQ+ community all month long. We have so much to celebrate, and one...
Merced Needs Streetlights!
Since the inception of UC Merced, the city of Merced has been on the rise in almost every way. In every way except for streetlights and fair housing, that is. Lack of adequate street lights across the city has increasingly become a safety issue local government has refused to address,...
CNC Launches Weekly Satirical “Side Eye” Blog to Address Community Issues
Making neighborhood issues inclusive through attitude  Communities for a New California (CNC) is launching a new weekly satirical blog, aptly titled Side Eye, which aims to highlight local issues throughout the San Joaquin, Central, and Coachella Valleys. Looking through a lens of humor and adding a touch of mischief, the...
Supporting Health Equity One Household at a Time
The future of our health is rooted in our neighborhoods. That’s why we’re working to bring health equity for California families whether it be by supporting vaccination efforts or providing mental health reminders and hotlines. There are so many gaps in our systems, but here’s what we’re doing to support...
Foro de Vivienda: The UCLA Latino Policy & Politics Initiative Provides Comment on California Housing Struggles
Nicholas González, Policy Analyst at the UCLA Latino Policy & Politics Initiative (LPPI), provided remarkable insights into California’s housing crisis during our virtual COVID-19 housing forum. The research corroborated and supplemented the testimonies of the forum participants who have experienced the brunt of this housing crisis. Featured below are Gonzalez’ full remarks...
Covid-19 in Our Neighborhoods: Israel and Janine
Covid-19 in Our Neighborhoods: Israel and Janine COVID-19 seemingly stopped the world in its tracks, but with over 285 million vaccinations in the United States and counting, many are claiming the long-awaited return to normalcy is finally here, marked by none other than Disneyland’s grand reopening. Despite this progress, the privilege of returned normalcy...
Mid-May Successes with CNC
Communities for a New California organizers continue to surpass their goals in a remarkably speedy and effective fashion. Our COVID-19 education and outreach program is successfully reaching even more residents in our neighborhoods, with organizers working to ensure that every household is vaccinated and informed on the processes to stay...
Vaccinating Our Children Against COVID-19
Living in a three-generation home, Lorena Lopez knows the importance of getting every family member vaccinated against COVID-19 – both young and old alike. “It’s not only adults or the elderly who catch it, it's also children,” Lorena said of the virus. She stressed the importance of not leaving out children...
Hustling Through May with CNC!
The pandemic has changed our lives and increased the inequality in our neighborhoods, and Communities for a new California (CNC) is responding to our needs by ramping up life-saving vaccine outreach. This week, our teams continued our COVID-19 education program and also coordinated a virtual COVID-19 housing forum, giving residents...
CNC Charging Into May!
Communities for a New California (CNC) has been hard at work organizing and educating throughout the Coachella and Central Valleys with our COVID-19 education program, helping to register residents for their COVID-19 vaccination appointments, and working to address local housing concerns in each region. Here’s a closer look at what...
CNC Celebrates Cinco de Mayo with Latino Centered ‘Súbete la Manga’ Challenge
 CNC Celebrates Cinco de Mayo with Latino Centered ‘Súbete la Manga’ Challenge The ‘Súbete la Manga’ challenge relies on community members to encourages COVID-19 vaccination  Sacramento, CA —  Communities for a New California (CNC) is dancing into Cinco de Mayo with a call for eligible Californians to participate in the ‘Súbete...
CNC Launches ‘Súbete la Manga’ Campaign to Spur COVID-19 Vaccinations Among California Latinos
CNC Launches ‘Súbete la Manga’ Campaign to Spur COVID-19 Vaccinations Among California Latinos Súbete la Manga campaign aims to inspire confidence and promote awareness of the COVID-19 vaccine Coachella, CA —  Communities for a New California (CNC) is ramping up COVID-19 vaccine outreach efforts through the ‘Súbete la Manga’ campaign, a...
Earth Day 2021
There is no time to waste on Earth Day platitudes. The COVID-19 pandemic has made the burdens unloaded onto families of color sharply visible, and many of these are intensified by their marginalization into neighborhoods with contaminated water, toxic lands, bad air quality, and no green spaces. Restoring our earth...
CNC Covid-19 Outreach
Communities for a New California (CNC) is committed to ensuring that COVID-19 information, including crucial information about the vaccination process, is accessible to California families from the Coachella Valley to Sacramento.  Throughout the course of the pandemic, we’ve gotten creative with how we’ve done our outreach, and how we’ve gotten...
Fresno Coalition Demands Independent Redistricting Commissions
Fresno, CA — A Fresno coalition representing civic engagement, good government, civil rights, and immigrant rights organizations has been formed to advocate for the establishment of Fresno City and Fresno County’s first-ever independent redistricting commissions. Every ten years, new district boundaries must be drawn at every level of government, including...
CNC Kicks Off Hispanic Heritage Month with Ramped up Census Latino Outreach Campaign “Tortillas y Más”
WHAT: The California Census Office and CNC’s Cuenta Conmigo program launched “Tortillas y Más” a campaign focused on reaching Latinos in the spaces they most frequent and through the products that are most essential to their households. The name of the campaign references the popular food item that is a...
Marvin Lemus, Celebrity Latinx Director and Co-Creator of Gentefied, Joins CNC EF Census Outreach in the Central Valley
Los Angeles, CA – Communities for a New California Educational Fund (CNC EF) welcomes  Marvin Lemus to help  innervate and empower Californians in Hard-to-Count (HTC) regions with some of the lowest Census completion rates to urgently complete the Census. CNC EF has been providing weekly interactive Census community programs broadcast...
California Community Leaders Denounce Congressmen Complicit in Attempted Insurrections
Sacramento, CA - Statewide progressive allies denounce attempted insurrections at our state and national capitol buildings by MAGA mobs fueled by Trump and several Republicans. Seven California members of Congress are complicit in supporting these concerted efforts to thwart American democracy through violence and unconstitutional means.
Prop 5: A tax-break that could break the bank
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — For decades, longtime homeowners in California have received a break on their property taxes. Proposition 5 is designed to let these home owners keep that benefit, even if they move into a new, more expensive house.
Afraid of rent control? Here’s why you should vote yes on Proposition 10 anyway
Few phrases in California politics are more likely to send people scurrying to their respective corners than “rent control.