A Community Comes Together
One Community Action (OCA) evolved as a community response to a significant increase in gang violence deaths in 2015 and 2016, many of which were youth.
Members of the community started a dialogue about causes for the heartbreaking violence -- and solutions that would address the root issues. Meetings included parents, teens, young adults, community members from Santa Maria and Guadalupe, who through personal experience understood the culture of our community, the culture of the local gangs, and why our youth were choosing to became involved or affiliated. We came together as individuals who want to make a difference and help youth while accepting the reality of what families are experiencing day to day.
Those meetings would prove to be invaluable in setting the foundation for One Community Action Coalition, a group of community leaders advocating for social change in government and institutions, and the work continues today: OCA is an established 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to education, community building, and resources that meet the needs of the community. We are actively working for greater cultural competency in community services, and our Por Vida program is in its third year, serving youth and parents at all four SMJUHSD high schools, evolving to meet families' needs through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Members of the community started a dialogue about causes for the heartbreaking violence -- and solutions that would address the root issues. Meetings included parents, teens, young adults, community members from Santa Maria and Guadalupe, who through personal experience understood the culture of our community, the culture of the local gangs, and why our youth were choosing to became involved or affiliated. We came together as individuals who want to make a difference and help youth while accepting the reality of what families are experiencing day to day.
Those meetings would prove to be invaluable in setting the foundation for One Community Action Coalition, a group of community leaders advocating for social change in government and institutions, and the work continues today: OCA is an established 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to education, community building, and resources that meet the needs of the community. We are actively working for greater cultural competency in community services, and our Por Vida program is in its third year, serving youth and parents at all four SMJUHSD high schools, evolving to meet families' needs through the COVID-19 pandemic.