California Partnership (CAP) was founded in 2003 in response to the gutting of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. The response grew into a statewide coalition of community groups responding to the continued cuts in programs which serve people living in poverty. CAP has worked to end the maximum family grant from CalWORKs and the lifetime ban for people with felony convictions. We worked to support Health4All Kids for undocumented youth. CAP was part of Mills vs Kern County, with Western Center on Law and Poverty, a suit brought on behalf of the homeless and disabled, over systematic and unlawful failure to provide aid. We lead California’s HHS Network. In 2016, CAP began monitoring the Housing and Disability Advocacy Program. HDAP is targeted at individuals with disabilities who are experiencing homelessness. Our work on the HDAP has grown into working on the housing crisis affecting all low income people in California.
CAP is a statewide economic justice organization building civic power among California’s low income, marginalized communities and communities of color. Our objective is to identifying state and local problems and identify lead targets (systems/decision makers) that can create solutions. CAP members define and drive our work by guiding our campaign process and lifting the voices of the individuals most affected. CAP chapters set their own chapter priorities. Our member organizations are service providers, immigrant rights, economic justice organizations, community based organizations, unions and other community groups. CAP campaign priorities empower diversity and amplify the voice of the community. Alliances and leaders from TODEC Legal Services (Training Occupational Development Educating Communities), Catholic Charities, Option House Inc, ACLU Southern California (American Civil Liberties Union), Diocese of San Bernardino, SEIU 2015, TruEvolution Inc., Street Life Project, Coachella Valley Rescue Mission, Lideres Campesinas, Sigma Beta Xi, Clinicas de Salud de Pueblo, Latino Commission Mental Health and other partners doing local work of statewide significance. These groups represent In Home Support Service workers, homeless people living with AIDS, immigrants, people fleeing domestic violence, and formerly incarcerated people. We empower these organizations doing local work together identifying housing needs and solutions to improve the quality of life and combat the multi-issues of poverty.
California Partnership Board:
George Aguilar, CAP Board Chair President Aguilar and Associates. Mr. Aguilar is a business owner (Aguilar and Associates) with strong ties to the local community. Former President of The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) of Inland Empire, Mr. Aguilar is part of the Chicano Latino Caucus and Vice Chair of the Colton Utilities Commission. He helped create La Esperanza Market in the city of San Bernardino. LULAC of Inland Empire works closely with CAP on the local and statewide Health4All advocacy, Fight for 15, ethnic studies, and in engaging youth through LULAC’s youth Health Ambassador program. He has been part of developing businesses and mentoring many others. Mr. Aguilar is passionate about developing an effective organization that makes a positive impact on his community.
Clarissa Woo, Director of Policy Advocacy of ACLU Southern California, helps identify policy change opportunities and develops strategic campaigns at the local, state, and national level related to economic and criminal justice policies. Clarissa has advocated with California Partnership on various anti-poverty state legislation, and attended regular CAP LA Chapter meetings and has helped identify policy change opportunities and develop strategic campaigns at the statewide level.
Michael Milan, Interim Chapter President for Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA) Inland Empire chapter
Cynthia Buiza, Executive Director for California Immigrant Policy Center
James Sweeney, Consultant for Black American Political Association of California
Ed Anderson, California State President of National Association of African American State Housing-NIOAAH
Mailing Address:
California partnership 41-550 Eclectic Street Palm Desert, CA 92260
