Eight statewide seats are up for election in 2026, including the Governor's race, where DOZENS of candidates have entered the field. Needless to say, there's a LOT to follow, all set against the backdrop of the chaotic national political stage.

Join us at our March Monthly Meeting with special guest Jorge Contreras, Interim California Director of the Working Families Party (WFP). We'll discuss the statewide political landscape, how the Governor's race fits in, and WFP's plan to build progressive power. 

This is also a great place to get caught up on our organizing work across our 7 different issue areas and get plugged in!

RSVP below or here.

Do you live in the San Gabriel Valley? Join us to explore opportunities to organize in 2026 and make a real impact on policy and power in your community.

Building on our last gathering, we’ll take a deeper dive into improving quality of life in the SGV and advancing efforts to push ICE out of our neighborhoods. We’ll work to identify key policies and funding structures that are impeding or accelerating solutions for each of these issue areas. Then, we’ll walk away with next steps, together. 

This gathering will be on Zoom, and the following one (to be scheduled) will return to Monterey Park!

RSVP below or here.

LA County allocates nearly $48 billion every year. That’s more than the state budget of Colorado, and 32 other states! So where does all that money actually go? Who decides how it’s spent? And how can residents influence those decisions?

Join us for a Zoom teach-in breaking down the fundamentals of the LA County budget. We’ll explore what the County funds and the key players involved in shaping the budget process.

We’ll be joined by guest presenter, Michael Nailat of Catalyst CA.

RSVP below or here.

Join us for the 5th installment of our housing justice Thursday evening series! 

This session will cover social housing: what it is, why we’re fighting for it as a solution to our housing crisis, and opportunities to bring social housing to LA. 

More info coming soon.

RSVP below or here.

Join us for our upcoming South Bay Convening as we continue our organizing work around affordable housing, renter protections, and immigrant safety. In particular, we’re preparing to meet directly with city and county leaders to identify relevant policy opportunities on the horizon.

These priorities were identified by South Bay community members at our last two gatherings, and now it’s time to turn our questions and concerns into an effective strategy. Come connect with neighbors, sharpen your advocacy skills, and help build the people power we need to push for a fair, flourishing South Bay. 

Whether you attended previous gatherings or this is your first LA Forward event, we’d love to have you in the room.

RSVP below.

This Thursday, March 5th, LA's City Charter Commission has devoted its entire meeting to discussing whether or not to pass any of 13 police reforms onto City Council, as part of the commission's recommendations for city charter reform. In particular, there is a real threat of the City Charter Commission moving to create a different commission altogether to punt all of these reforms too -- a separate commission that could take years to set up and have any impact. We don't have time to wait. Come learn more about the reforms on the Commission's desk, and how you can advocate to push the City Charter Commission to send police reform proposals to City Council.

RSVP below or here.

California is pushing to build more housing near public transit, but what does that actually mean for Los Angeles?

Join our Housing and Transportation Justice Working Groups for a teach-in on SB-79, the new state legislation aimed at encouraging more housing development along major transit corridors. We’ll break down what the bill does and how conversations about implementation are unfolding here in LA City.

If you care about housing policy, public transit access, or climate, this teach-in is for you.

RSVP below or here.

Will rent always be too damn high? Last year, a coalition of tenants, labor and housing advocates worked with the LA City Council to lower the allowable rent increase or rent cap for the first time in 40 years! How did they accomplish this historic win? How can we take these efforts state-wide so that more people can Cap the Rent, and make renting affordable for more of us and our neighbors?

Join us for a zoom teach-in looking at what we won last year, how it was accomplished, and how you can join the movement to cap the rent for the entire state of California. RSVP below or here.

Endorsements can make or break a candidate’s chances.

There’s a lot that goes into deciding who gets endorsed, and it isn’t always about who’s genuinely the best candidate. From the Democratic Party and clubs to unions, community groups, elected officials, and high-profile media outlets — everyone has their own process for deciding and criteria they choose to prioritize.

Join us for our Monthly Meeting as we break down what endorsements actually mean and how these decisions are made. We’ll be joined by a special guest, Danielle Cendejas, who is an experienced political consultant, a Partner at The Strategy Group, and a former board member of LA Forward Institute.

RSVP for the Zoom link below or HERE.

Los Angeles is facing two crises at the same time, the ever-evolving climate crisis and a severe lack of housing supply. But these issues and their solutions don't need to be at odds with each other, climate experts and housing experts can work together to create a green and affordable future for Los Angeles.

Join us for a Zoom teach-in exploring how our City and County are working to best use our space to build new sustainable buildings in Los Angeles and how we can improve existing buildings so they no longer emit dangerous pollutants. Together we will explore how we can hit our climate and housing goals and improve our public health. RSVP below or here.

Do you live in the San Gabriel Valley? Have you been curious about getting involved with LA Forward? Are you looking to build community with other SGV residents ready for local progressive change at the city and county level? Join this facilitated conversation about opportunities to organize in 2026, and to make a difference in policy and power in YOUR community.

This event will be held at Blossom Market Hall in San Gabriel. RSVP below.

For the first time, Los Angeles will be getting a Capital Investment Program (CIP), which will coordinate all departments around a vision for infrastructure to improve the standard of living of all Angelenos. Over 2026, the LA community will be receiving draft CIPs and multiple opportunities to influence what the final CIP looks like.

Come join LA Forward Institute’s CIP working group and the Mayor’s Office of Infrastructure on February 9 from 6:00pm -7:00pm to learn more about what the CIP is and what it can do for our city, what’s on the horizon this year, and how you can make an impact on LA’s first CIP.

RSVP below, or here.

The Westside deserves a councilmember who will fight for families, workers, and renters. Faizah Malik is the right choice for District 11. She has dedicated her career to protecting tenants and expanding affordable housing — and now we are going to help her win!

Join a group of LA Forward community members as we launch our Faizah Working Group! Be part of creating a Westside for everyone.

RSVP below, or here.

We all know we have a housing crisis, but once you begin hearing about different housing solutions, things can be really confusing! What does "affordable" housing really mean? Why does the news keep pointing to LAHD, LAHSA, and LACAHSA -- and what do those things even mean? And as we think about housing, what does "zoning" have to do with anything? What does that even refer to?

Join this Zoom for a bit of a "Housing 101." You should NOT come to this if you're already a policy wonk! You SHOULD come to this Zoom if you've always wanted to know what you're talking about re: housing, but haven't had access/time to dig into basic terminology. RSVP below for the Zoom link, or click here.

In 2024, voters passed Measure G — bringing massive reforms to LA County government. The measure creates a new budget oversight process, strengthens ethics compliance, expands the Board of Supervisors from 5 to 9 members, establishes a Charter Review Commission, and creates a new County Executive position (potentially the second most powerful elected role in the entire state of California)!

So what’s happening now? Join us for an overview of what Measure G includes, key timeline milestones, the Measure G task force responsible for implementation recommendations, and ways you can prepare to plug in and shape what comes next.

RSVP below, or here.

Join us and Greenhouse South LA for a tour of an all-electric home in South LA. Learn how building electrification can improve indoor air quality and create good local green jobs. You’ll also hear about Greenhouse South LA’s workforce development program and youth-focused community engagement.

Event location and logistics will be emailed to registrants before the event.

Registration for this event is full. If you would like to join the waitlist, please email Jason@laforward.org

Do you live in the South Bay? Join us to learn about opportunities to organize in 2026, and to make a difference in policy and power in YOUR community!

Building on our last gathering, we will be digging into issues of housing injustice and immigrant safety in the South Bay, working to identify key policies that are impeding or accelerating solutions for each issue area.

RSVP below.

Do you live in the San Fernando Valley? Have you been curious about getting involved with LA Forward? Are you looking to build community with other SFV residents ready for local progressive change at the city and county level? Join this facilitated conversation with members of LA Forward about opportunities to organize in 2026, and to make a difference in policy and power in YOUR community.

Don’t live in the SFV but want to get involved? You’re invited too!

RSVP below.

Join us as we kick off Marissa Roy’s campaign for City Attorney with a community celebration!

Enjoy free food, music, family activities, resource fair, and special guests, as we come together to make the law work for the people!

Where: Gloria Molina Grand Park, across from 200 N. Spring Street

Click here to RSVP

Have you always wanted to learn more about how our city, county and state politics work? Did you catch Zohran fever and want to get involved in your local government? Are you just tired of nothing in your community working the way it should? Then maybe LA Forward is right for you. We are a community organization that helps educate everyday people to make positive progressive change in their communities. Plus, we have fun doing it!

Join us for our first LA Forward 101 of the year and make your resolution in 2026 to get more involved and change your community for the better!

RSVP below, of HERE.

2026 is a BIG electoral year, from the race for LA Mayor and California Governor, to key city council seats. You’ve heard about those. But what about the races that no one is talking about but will have major impacts for everyday Angelenos? Join us for our first Monthly Meeting of the year where we’ll cover what’s on the political calendar for 2026. We’ll talk about the big races that are on everyone’s minds, plus the lesser-discussed elections – at all levels of government. Don’t miss our rundown of what’s on the horizon for this year!

RSVP for the Zoom link below or HERE.

We’re removing the fence between the public and commissioners evaluating recommendations for the LA City Charter*. Commissioners Martin Schlageter and Carla Fuentes have expressed that they want to hear directly from you about your vision for the future of LA City.

Expect an engaging evening filled with:

• Short remarks from commissioners about their goals and reflections

• Creative opportunities to share your own ideas, hopes, and solutions

• Opportunities to socialize, connect, and see our amazing commissioners as accessible neighbors as much as civic leaders

This is your opportunity to share your ideas for LA with the people who will be making recomendations on some major ways the city could change!

*The LA City Charter is the foundational legal document that governs the structure and operation of the city government. It serves as the City's constitution, outlining the roles, powers, and responsibilities of City officials and departments.  The Commission is tasked with making recommendations for how to improve it.

This event will be hosted in Downtown LA. Location coming soon. RSVP below.

For active members of our community!

Do you live in the South Bay? Have you been curious about getting involved with LA Forward? Are you looking to build community with other South Bay residents ready for local progressive change at the city and county level? Join this facilitated conversation with members of LA Forward and Indivisible South Bay LA about opportunities to organize in 2026, and to make a difference in policy and power in YOUR community.

We’ll be meeting at Hermosa Brewing Company *Torrance Branch*, 1855 Del Amo Blvd, Torrance, 90501.

Food provided. RSVP below.

In January, Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur has the opportunity to  move legislation out of key Sacramento committees: the Make Polluters Pay bill, the Affordable Rent Act, an Affordable Housing Bond, and more. Join us and the Housing Now coalition in collecting letters from local constituents in support of these efforts. This is some of the easiest canvassing you'll ever do, and we'll make sure you're fed too. Bring your friends, family, and walking shoes. RSVP below.

Special thanks to DSA-LA and Westside Young Democrats for turning out for this canvass!

In January, Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur has the opportunity to  move legislation out of key Sacramento committees: the Make Polluters Pay bill, the Affordable Rent Act, an Affordable Housing Bond, and more. Join us with the Housing Now coalition in collecting letters from local constituents in support of these efforts. This is some of the easiest canvassing you'll ever do, and we'll make sure you're fed too. Bring your friends, family, and walking shoes. RSVP below.

Special thanks to DSA-LA and Westside Young Democrats for turning out for this canvass!

LA City has the largest city council districts by population of any city in the entire country — more than 260,000 people live in each of the 15 districts! And the number of districts hasn’t changed since 1925 despite the city’s massive growth. Many Angelenos have felt poorly represented as a result.

Now, LA's City Charter Commission is preparing to discuss three different models of council expansion, each with unique benefits and challenges for Angelenos.

Join LA Forward Institute, AAPI Equity Alliance, and LA Voice as we explore the three models, and support community members to consider pros and cons of each model. We'll also share how community members can make sure that commissioners hear their voices!

RSVP for the Zoom below, or here.

LA, we need your help! As of today, LA's City Charter Commission has not yet agendized ANY conversation that explores revisions to the City's charter, as it relates to policing: nothing about police discipline, police oversight, police budgeting -- nothing. Commissioners have acknowledged,  time and again, that police reform is necessary. But right now, reform keeps getting dodged. ZERO charter commission meetings have been dedicated to explore this topic. We're going to do something about it.

Join LA Forward Institute, along with partners from League of Women Voters of Greater LA and Ground Game LA, for a Zoom teach-in on November 20th 6-7pm. We'll spotlight ways in which police reform is a necessary component of LA's City Charter Reform process — and more important, launch YOU (the public) into action. RSVP to find out more.

RSVP for the Zoom link below or HERE.

Boycotts have been a powerful tool in social movements across history. In the face of rising authoritarianism, many are asking whether boycotts can help us fight back. But boycotts only work when they’re strategic. So what makes a boycott strategic? What makes them succeed in driving change and undermining authoritarianism? How do we choose targets that build real power and make a significant impact? Join us at our November Monthly Meeting as we break down considerations for strategic boycotts, and explore potential targets right here in LA.

RSVP for the Zoom link below or HERE.

THIS CANVASS HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED DUE TO RAIN. THE NEW DATE IS DECEMBER 14.

In January, Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur has the opportunity to  move legislation out of key Sacramento committees: the Make Polluters Pay bill, the Affordable Rent Act, an Affordable Housing Bond, and more. Join us and the Housing Now coalition in collecting letters from local constituents in support of these efforts. This is some of the easiest canvassing you'll ever do, and we'll make sure you're fed too. Bring your friends, family, and walking shoes. RSVP below.