TITLE

COPA
Ready For Action

2015

Table of Contents

1. What is COPA?
2. Who is COPA?
3. Leadership Development Stories
4. Timeline Highlights
5. 2014 Actions
6. 2015 Action
7. Budget & Thank You to Investors
8. How can I Give?
9. Contact
10. Thank You CSUMB

What is COPA?
The Cycle of Organizing
Relational Meetings. The relational meeting is a face-to-face, one-on-one meeting where people
begin to share real stories and concerns with one another. It is through these meetings that leaders
begin to form public relationships wit one another.

House Meetings. In these small group meetings leaders dig deeper into their institutions by

listening to others stories, discerning common issues, and finding new leaders. It is through the
house meeting process that the potential for action on issues begins to emerge.

Research Actions. As issues arise, leaders conduct research actions where they build their
expertise and develop a course of action. Often, research actions involve conversations with
key political, business, academic, nonprofit, educational leaders, and with others who are
knowledgeable about the issue at hand.

Civic Academies. With a newfound understanding of the issue at hand, COPA leaders conduct
civic academies in their institutions where they are able to teach others, hear new stories and
concerns, and begin to move others into action.

Public Action. In public meetings with political, business, or other officials, COPA leaders seek

action on specific proposals that will create positive change for their community. COPA leaders and
institutions find allies in these public officials who will work with them on the agenda that has been
developed through the Cycle of Organizing.

Formerly Womens Crisis Support - Defensa de Mujeres

Formerly Womens Crisis Support - Defensa de Mujeres

24-Hour Domestic Violence and

Sexual Abuse Crisis Line

24-Hour Domestic Violence and

Sexual Abuse Crisis Line

24

1-888-900-4232

1-888-900-4232

If you or someone you know needs help

because of domestic violence or sexual
abuse, contact our crisis line or offices.
Watsonville 722-4532
Santa Cruz 425-4030
All services are confidential.

If you or someone you know needs help

because of domestic violence or sexual
abuse, contact our crisis line or offices.
Watsonville 722-4532
Santa Cruz 425-4030
All services are confidential.

If y
be
ab

Reflection and Evaluation. Central to the Cycle of Organizing are reflection and evaluation.

These are the primary tools by which leadership is developed. As part of a culture of reflection and
evaluation, COPA leaders fine-tune their skills for public life
and make their voices more effective.

COPAs Mission:

History

Formerly Womens Crisis Support - Defensa de Mujeres

Founded in 2003, COPA, is a regional nonprofit organization spanning

Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties. and is made up of25
member institutions, churches, synagogues, public schools,labor
organizationsand nonprofits, who work together in civil society for
the common good.

Formerly Womens Crisis Support - Defensa de Mujeres

24-Hour Domestic Violence and

24-Hour Domestic Violence and
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House Meeting at Sacred Heart Church in Salinas

Leaders in a one-on-one meeting
Rabbi Richard M.
Litvak, Senior Rabbi
Rabbi Paula Marcus,
Rabbi and Congregational Cantor

Who is COPA?

Member Institutions

COPAs Regional Strategy Team Left to Right:

Sabino Lopez(Center for Community Advocacy), Martina OSullivan(Resurrection Catholic Church), Carol Keeny(Alianza Charter School)), Alicia
Hernandez-Sanchez(Central Coast Center for Independent Living)), Maria Rochas(Assumption Catholic Church), Mary Litel Walsh(Resurrection
Catholic Community),
Steve Ellis(St.Johns Episcopal Church), Jackey Frey (Walking Together Ministry) and Tim McManus (Lead Organizer)
Organizers

Tim McManus Lead Organizer

Staff

Lionella Rivera Youth Organizer

Alianza Charter School

Aptos Community Methodist
Church
Assumption Catholic Church
Calvary Episcopal Church
Center for Independent Living
Center for Community Advocacy
CHISPA
Live Oak Family Resource
Center
Live Oak School District
Lutheran Community Church
Monterey Bay Central Labor
Council
Peace United Church of Christ
Pajaro Valley Federation of
Teachers
Pajaro Valley Unified School
District
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Resurrection Catholic Church
St. Angela Merici Catholic
Church
St. Georges Episcopal Church
St. John the Baptist Episcopal
Church
St. Lukes Episcopal Church
St. Mary of the Nativity Catholic Church
St. Stephens Lutheran Church
Temple Beth El
Trinity Presbyterian Church
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Walking Together Ministry of
St. Marys by-the-Sea Episcopal Church
Watsonville First United Methodist Church

Rosa Vitale

Leadership Development Stories

Making History: CCCILs ALA Leaders Organize to Make a Safe Community
Were not part of history, We are making history, was ALA (Aging Latinos in Action) leader,
Fermin Solars quote in the front page Monterey Herald article that followed the ALA Community Walk celebrating their victory for a safer crosswalk on the corner of Main and Bernal in
Salinas. During the event, ALA leader Carmen Hererra told the story about Doa Francisca who
had been hit and fatally wounded as she was coming home from a musical event at Sherwood
Hall. Over the past 4 years, four Sherwood Village residents had been hit by cars, two with fatal
injuries.
ALA leaders developed and led a Healthcare Academy last December at CHISPAs Sherwood
Village to educate and engage Latino seniors around the Affordable Care Act and Medi-Cal
expansion. During the academy they held house meetings where potential leaders shared stories
about what they liked about living in Salinas, and what they wanted to improve. The ALA core
team then met to develop an action agenda.
One issue emerged as a priority from those discussions, the nearby busy crosswalk where vehicles would often not stop before making right turns at each of the corners. After receiving training
from COPA and CCCIL staff, the ALA leaders began their research actions and met with their city
council person. Councilwoman De la Rosa agreed to address the issue and to schedule a meeting
for ALA Leaders to meet with the local planning department. ALA leaders were able to secure
commitments and actions to install new signage, increased countdown time to cross, and chirping
audio for persons with visual impairments.
Creating opportunities for ongoing civic engagement within CCCILs mission is critical to
peoples independence. ALA invites aging community members with disabilities to engage in
their communities and build power rather than living isolated and alone that us what community
organizing is all about.
COPA member institution CCCIL the Central Coast Center for Independent Living initiated the
ALA Leadership team in October 2013 to develop core team of Latino seniors with disabilities to
educate and engage others to act on local policy issues and effect build power in their community.
Sherwood Village is an affordable senior living community developed by fellow COPA member
institution CHISPA.

CCILs Aging Latino Association leaders celebrate their victory for a safer crosswalk a the corner of Bernal and Main in Salinas

Leadership Development Stories

Foreclosure Story - Maria Rocha
Six years ago, when the foreclosure crisis hit California, 120 people at my church were in the
process of foreclosure. Our Lady of Assumption belonged to COPA,
The banks didnt have a program in place to help homeowners who were in foreclosure.
I started working with other people in COPA to learn how to stop foreclosures and keep families in their homes.
It took 2 years of struggle and learning.
We met with another IAF organization
in Los Angeles and learned how to run Foreclosure Workshops.
We met with county and state officials and CALHEF in Sacramento. We worked with some of
the bigger banks to set up face to face interviews between loan officers and homeowners to see
if they were qualified for loan modifications.
During those long years, I became an
expert on filling out modification applications for different banks. I also gained the trust of
many families that
were fighting to keep their homes.
The most rewarding part for me was when families started to qualify for loan modifications or
principal reductions. 72 families were able to stay in their homes.
Because of the experience of working with others in my church and in COPA to save our
homes I feel I am a better human being. COPA gave me the opportunity to meet and work with
many amazing people who
care about their communities and want
to make them a better place for everybody regardless their background.

Maria Rocha tells her story of foreclosure at an IAF press coference before metting with the CA Housing Finance Authority

2014 Actions

Acosta Plaza Project

The Acosta Plaza Project brought together
a partnership between three organizations:
CCA, CHISPA, and COPA to build a base
of adult and youth resident leaders to take
action on issues impacting health, safety and
the well-being of the neighborhood. COPA
began recruiting young people from the
Acosta Plaza neighborhood and later, Everett
Alvarez High School to develop leadership
skills by taking on projects such as, the
building a basketball court and neighborhood
clean-ups. Through the basketball court project, Acosta Plaza youth went through a series
of visioning exercises, presentations with
community allies, meetings with other youth
and residents and presentations at
city council meetings that finally
culminated on a ground breaking
ceremony on August 14, 2014.
Elsa Quezada, who is seen at the microphone at the Monterey County Board of Supervisors Meeting is the executive director of the
Central California Center for Independent Living and Alicias Boss. The caption for that was Health Care Win

Healthy Kids Initiative

In February 2014 COPA offered two day bi-lingual Health Academy at
First United Church in Watsonville to answer questions about the Affordable Care Act and to help
folks sign up for health insurance. Partnering with Salud para Gente many uncovered families
signed up.
Over 30 leaders were trained to knock on doors and have conversations with people in the city
around medical health care and find those who have fallen through the cracks.
In particular, to see if Healthy Kids,
is defunded, undocumented children
will clearly suffer.
In May COPA leaders sponsored a Health care Forum presenting their findings to Community
leaders and members of the Santa Cruz
Board of Supervisors.
At the next Supervisors meeting COP Leaders got a commitment from the county to budget
$300,000 towards a fund of $325,000 already pledged by the Monterey Peninsula foundation, Palo
Alto Medical Foundation, Lucille Packard ChildrensHospital and Dominican Dignity Health Care
to keep Health Care for All Children in Santa Cruz County

2000

The Central Coast Interfaith Sponsors announces it will

invest $250,000 in training lay leaders for Public Life

2010
Canterbury Cottages project completed providing 40 affordable units

2003

1500 lay leaders assemble to celebrate the founding

of COPA on June 8 at Sherwood Hall, Salinas

2015 Action

COPA is launching a heavy investment in

leadership development. Beginning with a
3-Day regional training in November 2014,
COPA will be organizing to strengthen institutional core teams with new leaders, as well
as to recruit new member institutions. These
newly trained leaders will be able to embark
on house meeting campaigns leading to local
action in the following areas:
Health Care: leaders will continue the county-level work to improve and expand services
for people who do not qualify for all the
benefits of federal health care reform.
Education: leaders will work with school
districts so that funding priorities from
Californias new Local Control Formula align
with community needs.
Public Safety: leaders will organize to increase
funding for preventative approaches to addressing crime, especially in services and opportunities for youth. Leaders will also work
at a local level to improve restorative justice
approaches to crime.
Immigration: leaders will work to ensure
that the new California drivers license for
immigrants is successfully implemented, and
will continue to mentor and train Dream Act
students at UC Santa Cruz.
Housing: leaders will continue to organize at a
local and regional level to increase
the availability of affordable housing
for working families.

2011

Building Peace goes public with a Peace Procession through the Alisal in Salinas to reclaim this historic neighborhood from gang members and their associates. 5000
residents and marchers walk that day..homicides decline for the next year.

7
Get Out the Vote 10,000 voters endorse COPAs Stand Up and Take Charge Agenda and pledge to vote in the national election

Budget

2014-15 Organizational Budget

Income

Organizational Dues $55,000

Training Contracts $37,000

*Episcopal Diocese
*Pajaro Valley USD

+Live Oak SD

+United Way Monterey County

+Nonprofit Alliance Monterey County

+Monterey Bay Central Labor Council
Investment Campaign $75,000

Grants $157,000

+ Santa Cruz Community Foundation
+California Endowment

+California Wellness Foundation
+CCHD National Grant

+Monterey Community Foundation

TOTAL INCOME

$324,000

Expenses
Personnel $179,000
Program Costs $82,150
General and Administrative $24,755

TOTAL EXPENSES $285,905

Contribution to COPA Reserve Fund
Total Reserve Fund after 2014-15

Art Anton
Nancy Ausonio,
Ellen Burton

Don Chapin, The Don Chapin Company

Diocese of Monterey Bishop Richard Garcia

Kurt Gollnick, Scheid Vineyards
John Grunder
Charlie Higuera

Basil Mills, Mills Family Farms

Sylvia Panetta, The Panetta Institute

Rowland and Pat Rebele

Warren Wayland, Hayashi & Wayland Certified

$38,085
$100,000

Public Accountants

George Ow and Gail Michaelis-Ow

Foundation Grants
Catholic Campaign for Human Development
Community Foundation of Monterey County
Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County
The California Endowment
The California Wellness Fund

How Can I Give?

How Can I Invest in COPA?
Members of COPA have the potential and the power to do much more and your tax deductible
investment will support all the important work of COPA our investors include

member institutions who pay dues

foundations, individual and corporate donors who believe that our work to build
leadership skills of engagement in the civil sector is complementary to their ability
to do well in the Market sector.
Consider a recurring gift in installments every month or quarter. You can mail your investment in
our work in the envelope provided, or online at copa-iaf.org.
Thank you for considering an investment so that COPA can continue to develop leaders who are
ready for action to create change for good.

For more information about COPA, and to

speak with a COPA Organizer, please contact
us at our Watsonville office:
Telephone:
(831) 728-3210
Fax:
(831) 851-6523
Email:
info[at]copa-iaf.org
Address:
95 Alta Vista Ave, Watsonville, CA 95076
Staff:
Tim McManus, Lead Organizer
Lionela Rivera, Acosta Plaza Youth Organizer
Rosa M. Vitela, Administrative Assistant

To Bobbi Long and the Publishing Design Class at CSUMB.

it is with much appreciation and gratitude that the investment team at, COPA recognizes the
generosity of spirit and hard work that went into their design of this Partners Book
Many Thanks

Celebrating

95 Years of Excellence
in 2015

At Hartnell College we are growing leaders with

opportunity, engagement, and achievement.

411 Central Avenue, Salinas, CA 93901

www.hartnell.edu

Sherrie Isaac, CPA, Partner

sherrei@hw.cpa | 813.759,6232
Hayashi WayLand
1188 Padre Drive, Suite 101
Salinas, CA 93902
Fax: 831.759.6380

7600 Soquel Drive

Aptos, CA 95003
Voice: (831) 688-4300 Fax: (831) 688-6921
www.resurrection-aptos.org

10
Founding Member of COPA