Become a campaign leader & check out our June events!

We're fighting June gloom with LAFI's new campaign leadership academy and our first-ever assembly for our dues-paying members! Read and RSVP below.

Thank you to our amazing supporters for joining us at our Spring into Action garden party, which raised more than $60,000 to power our work this election year and beyond! Check out our photo album from the event, as well as our digital program. If you weren't able to attend but want to support our work, we're grateful for your contributions here.

Apply to LA Forward Institute's Campaign Leadership Academy by June 23

Do you want to learn how to run and win grassroots campaigns? LA Forward Institute's nonpartisan Campaign Leadership Academy (CLA) will recruit and train LA County residents to be effective campaign leaders and candidates, positioning participants with the knowledge, skills, and vision to lead campaigns and win this year and beyond.

Read more about this summer program (held on three Saturdays: July 20, August 3, and August 17), and apply HERE by Sunday, June 23, 2024.

Our First-ever Dues Paying Member Assembly: Sunday, June 23

LA Forward's organizing work is driven by its members: that's why we're advocating for unarmed crisis response systems, pushing for funding for a climate action plan for LA City, and fighting for affordable housing to be built everywhere, including historically exclusionary neighborhoods.

On Sunday, June 23, we're bringing together ALL of our dues-paying members for the first time to say, "Thank you for investing in and leading our work! Let’s bring you behind the scenes so you can help us determine where we go next as a community." Expect relationship-building, "lifting the curtain" on some of our organizing strategy, and brainstorming to build a fairer and more flourishing LA County over the next few years. RSVP here.

(If you're not yet a member, you can become one by signing up for a monthly donation of any amount at laforward.org/member, qualifying you to attend this gathering!)

Learn about A Bold New Way to House LA and much more on Saturday!

We're gearing up for a busy summer of making change together and we hope you can be part of our community. Join us in person this Saturday to learn about key housing justice efforts, including a super important ballot measure, A Bold New Way to House LA, check out the debrief of our campaign to build out LA City's unarmed crisis response system on Monday, and be part of our 1st ever Dues-Paying Member Assembly on June 23. Keep reading for details!

MONTHLY HOUSING JUSTICE MEETING SPOTLIGHTING NEW COUNTY MEASURE + KEY STATE HOUSING POLICIES

You're invited to our second in-person monthly assembly to bring residents across LA together around the number one issue in LA: housing. Plug into the latest housing justice issues and actions across local housing justice coalitions, and figure out how you want to get involved. This month, we'll be getting more comfortable talking about "landmark" state legislation that limits our housing realities: Costa-Hawkins, Ellis Act, and Prop 13. We'll also be hearing about a new countywide ballot-measure, A Bold New Way to House LA.

Join us in person this Saturday, June 1, 10am - 2pm. RSVP here to help us with planning and to make sure we have enough lunch for everyone!

FUNDING UNARMED CRISIS RESPONSE SERVICES: WHAT HAPPENED? WHAT'S NEXT? - Monday, June 3, 7 - 8pm

Over the last few months, we built toward a campaign to influence unarmed crisis response funding in the 2024-2025 LA City budget. We sought $2.5 million to centralize dispatch of unarmed crisis response services and an additional $2 million to evaluate existing unarmed crisis response services. On this Zoom, we'll recap what we did, what happened as a result of our advocacy, and what's next for our organizing work around unarmed crisis response at LA Forward. RSVP here.

OUR FIRST-EVER DUES-PAYING MEMBER ASSEMBLY - Sunday, June 23

LA Forward's organizing work is driven by our members. It's why we're advocating for unarmed crisis response systems, pushing for funding for a climate action and adaptation plan for LA City, and fighting for social and affordable housing to be built everywhere, including historically exclusionary neighborhoods.

On Sunday, June 23, we're bringing together ALL of our dues-paying members for the first time to say, "Hey! You're literally investing in our work. Let's bring you behind the scenes so you can be partners and leaders helping us determine where we go next as a powerful organization of community members in LA County." Expect relationship-building, "lifting the curtain" on some of our organizing strategy, and some visioning for work that can transform Southern California.  RSVP here.

If you’re not yet a member, you can become one by signing up for a monthlydonation of any amount at laforward.org/member, qualifying you to attend this gathering!

Urge your rep to fund unarmed crisis response services, before it's too late

It’s our last chance to influence the LA City's 2024-2025! City Council is making one last set of revisions this week – and we need them to step up and fund community safety initiatives like unarmed crisis response. Despite a year of working with council offices, we’re not certain that council will include $4.5 million for unarmed crisis response – less than 0.1% of the budget. It's critical that YOU take action to make sure council does the right thing, by taking 1 minute right now to send a message and by showing up at LA City Hall on Wednesday morning!

SEND AN MESSAGE TO YOUR COUNCILMEMBER BEFORE THURSDAY, 5/23 at 9 AM

Head to our Unarmed Crisis Response advocacy page at here to send a one-click email to your councilmember. (If you did this earlier this month, we need you to do this again! We’ve modified our ask to fit the most up-to-date budget context.)

When you’re done, use our toolkit here to take action via social media, phone, and official written comment.
 

TAKE ACTION IN-PERSON - WEDNESDAY, 5/22

Join us on Wednesday at LA City Hall:

  1. Attend LA Forward’s rally and press conference at 8:30am. In solidarity with Represent LA, a local immigrant rights coalition, we’re calling for council members to step up and fund community safety initiatives that make up less than 0.1% of the current budget.

  2. Then stay for public comment. City Council will meet at 10am, and whether it’s your first time or you’re a regular we need you to elevate the need to fund unarmed crisis response services in LA by giving public comment. Use our toolkit here for some sample language, and let me, Godfrey Plata (LA Forward's Deputy Director) know if we should expect you at the council meeting by emailing godfrey@laforward.org.

If you’d like to join our ongoing work around unarmed crisis response, LA Forward’s Unarmed Crisis Response working group meets every Monday at 7pm, on Zoom. Email me at godfrey@laforward.org to be added to that meeting invite.

LA Budget 101 with the Councilmembers & advocating for unarmed crisis response

It’s budget time for LA City! Every spring, the Mayor is required to share a draft of the upcoming year’s City budget – and advocates have the opportunity to push for changes before the final budget is adopted by City Council. The draft budget has been released – and now it’s time for us to make our voices heard in the budget process.

Join us Wednesday night for LA City Budget 101 where we’ll learn about how the budget process works from former Councilmember Mike Bonin. We’ll also launch ways you can support funding unarmed models of crisis response (alternatives to policing) in this year’s budget.

RSVP now to join us 4/24 at 7:30 p.m. on Zoom.

    

LA Forward Institute’s first LA City Housing Justice Monthly Assembly

Based on interest from community members, LA Forward Institute is launching a monthly gatheringto bring Angelenos together around the number one issue in LA: housing. The first meeting will be held Saturday, May 4! With these meetings, you’ll learn about housing justice policies and advocacy efforts, build community with other residents who are passionate about affordable housing, and get plugged into local housing justice coalitions. Sign up now to join in-person on May 4 from 10 am to 2 pm. Lunch provided!    

We’re bringing our supporters together on May 18 to raise money to support LA Forward’s work this election year – and we’re honoring long-time collaborators in our work to transform Los Angeles into a fair, flourishing place for everyone. Join us for a spring garden party to celebrate these accomplishments and continue to build people power.Purchase a ticket, reserve space in the award journal or or become sponsor by April 30! 

Join us for SGV election debriefs over the next two weeks!

The primary election results are in – and now it’s time to talk about how these results impact communities in the San Gabriel Valley and what work we have ahead of us in the November election.

We’re hosting a series of election debrief gatherings across the SGV and we’d love to see you there! These are great opportunities to meet other community members and learn more about critical issues in the SGV and the candidates running to represent us.

We’ll be in Claremont this coming Thursday 4/25 at 6:30 p.m. RSVP to join us now to talk about the election results with community members from Claremont and the surrounding cities.

Then we’re bringing the party to Covina on 4/28. RSVP now to join us at 2 p.m. on Sunday to talk about local election results in Covina and the SGV.

Our Pasadena election debrief will be Tuesday, 4/30 kicking off at 6:30 p.m. Join us to learn together about the March results and what’s ahead for November in Pasadena and San Gabriel Valley communities.

Last but not least, we’ll be in Pomona on 5/2 at 6:30 p.m.! Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with residents from Pomona and other passionate SGV leaders. Sign up now!

    

Community Leadership for Affordable Housing

This is your last chance to sign up for the cohort that begins on Saturday, April 27! For the second year in a row, LA Forward Institute is launching a six-month leadership development fellowship to support San Gabriel Valley community members to become stronger advocates for affordable housing and housing justice. Members of this unique cohort will come together for in-person learning/site visits one Saturday each month to build knowledge, skills, and networks that will help them ensure that their communities have sufficient affordable housing for current and future generations. Apply now!

Unarmed crisis response advocacy, trivia night, affordable housing academy & more!

We have a packed week of events — Unarmed Crisis Response Budget Advocacy Teach-In on Monday, Post-Election Trivia Night with WFP on Tuesday, and a Sawtelle/West LA Community Convening on Wednesday. Keep reading for details on those, plus opportunities to apply LA Forward Institute's Community Leadership for Affordable Housing Academy.

Votes are still being counted from Tuesday's election but many of our endorsed candidates look to have won a spot in November general election. Congrats to Councilwoman Nithya Raman, Jillian Burgos, and Ysabel Jurado in LA City Council districts 4, 2, 14, plus LA County District Attorney George Gacon and LA County judicial candidates Ericka Wiley, George Turner, and La Shae Henderson! 

    

📅 Upcoming events 📅

Unarmed Crisis Response Budget Advocacy Teach-In: Join us Monday, March 11 for a virtual teach-in with members of LA Forward's Unarmed Crisis Response Working Group who have been meeting weekly, coordinating with government offices, and learning how to advocate for expanded funding and resources for unarmed response in the city of LA. We'll be on Zoom Monday night from 7-8 PM. Register now.

Post-Election Trivia Night with WFP: We're co-hosting a Post Election Trivia Night with our friends at CA Working Families Party! Don't miss this fun community event Tuesday, March 12 at 6 PM in Glendale. We'll get to know each other, compete for some fun prizes, and reflect on lessons learned during the March primary. Join us.

Sawtelle/West LA Community Convening: Do you live in the Sawtelle/West LA neighborhood? If you live north of I-10 but west of I-405, this virtual LA Forward Institute community gathering is for you. Join your fellow residents on Zoom on Wednesday, March 13 from 7-8 PM to build community, talk about what future elections could mean for you, and how to build power together. RSVP now.

  

Community Leadership for Affordable Housing Academy: LA Forward Institute is launching a six-month leadership development cohort to support San Gabriel Valley community members to become stronger advocates for affordable housing and housing justice. Participants will come together one Saturday each month to build knowledge, skills, and networks to ensure their communities have affordable housing. Applications are due April 12. Please share and apply!

Last min election resources - cram session @ 6:30, TONIGHT voter guides, and interviews with candidates!

Early turnout for tomorrow's is running super low and so your vote matters even more than usual! Confused by the ballot? Check out our voter guide and come to our "cram session" at 6:30pm TONIGHT. We’re here to help walk you through it and understand your options. Bring your ballot and join LA Forward staff on Zoom for any last minute questions or resources you need! RSVP here.

Want to get other perspectives? We love LAist's Guide to Voter Guides, which links to LA Forward's guide PLUS others.

Want to go deeper? Check out former LA Councilmember Mike Bonin's podcast What's Next, Los Angeles! Over the last few months, he's conducted accessible, in depth interviews with a ton of City Council candidates. He's also hosted episodes the anti-LGBTQ attempted takeover of the Glendale School Board, on the power of the District Attorney, and an overview of the different City Council races. Plus re-airings of interviews of candidates running for Congress in Adam Schiff's current seat, including Laura Friedman, Mike Feuer, Nick Melvoin, Sepi Shyne, and Maebe A. Girl. It's the kind of deep coverage we need far more of. Thank you Mike!

For another overview of some local races and general commentary on local happenings, check out the most recent episode of the LA Podcast, which includes a special appearance by LA Forward Deputy Director, Godfrey Plata.

In recent episodes, Mike has interviewed many of the candidates running for LA City Council:

📓 Ballot Cram Session 📓

💻  TONIGHT, Monday, March 4th, we're hosting a last-minute ballot cram session on Zoom from 6:30-7:30 pm. If you need any help navigating some of the choices on your ballot, join our team and community members to share resources and help each other vote. RSVP here.    

🗳️ Voter guide 🗳️

Check out LA Forward's online voter guide to read more about the local candidates and ballot measures we've endorsed. Share this guide with your friends and family.

🗳️ Election countdown: 27 hours left to vote

Vote Centers are open every day until the election — or you can drop off your mail-in ballot at any Drop Box. Find locations and vote now. 

Let's get out the vote! Join us to take action before March 5

The March 5 election is almost here! Join us to make your voice heard. 

💪 CANVASS WITH LA FORWARD 💪

We're in the final crunch time before the election -- Get Out the Vote (GOTV) weekend!

✅ Saturday, March 2 – we’ll be out in Little Ethiopia knocking doors for our endorsed candidate Eddie Anderson for LA City Council in District 10. Join us from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. -- we'll have coffee and all the training and materials you need to talk to voters. Come meet Eddie and learn about his race for City Council. Sign up now. (Can't make it? Donate today :)

Council District 10 is one of the most racially, ethnically, and diverse districts in Los Angeles and we’re proud to endorse Eddie Anderson to represent it on the City Council. Eddie has a stellar record as a coalition builder across communities and he’s been a trusted partner in many of LA Forward’s campaigns for housing justice, criminal justice reform, and governance reform. Our membership believes he would make a rock solid addition to the City Council’s growing progressive bloc. Eddie is building a growing coalition with endorsements from the Los Angeles Times, LA City Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, California Working Families Party, Run For Something, LA Voice Action, Asian Democrats of Los Angeles County, Bamby Salcedo (Founder of Trans Latin@ Coalition), and more.

✅ Sunday, March 3 – Join us in North Hollywood for a joint canvass with our endorsed candidate Jillian Burgos for LA City Council District 2 and Measure HLA. We will knock on doors and talk to voters from 10 am-1:30 pm. Meet us in the North Hollywood Park to hear directly from Jillian about her campaign and Measure HLA. Sign up to get out the vote. 

If you can’t make it for our events, you can find other ways to support our endorsed candidates here.

🎉 BALLOT PARTIES 🎉

Need help with your ballot? Don't miss our final ballot parties, where you can spend time with other community members and talk about the issues and candidates so you can mark your votes with confidence.

📍TONIGHT 2/29, we'll be in downtown Los Angeles from 6-8 pm at Audio Graph Beer Co. for our final in-person ballot party. RSVP now.

💻 Monday 3/4, we're hosting a last-minute ballot cram session on Zoomfrom 6:30-7:30 pm to go over any final voting decisions before election day. RSVP here.    

🗳️ Voter guide 🗳️

We've updated our voter guide with new endorsements! Read more about the candidates and issues that are important to us.

Ballot parties across LA County, meet endorsed candidates & more!

Please join us for our upcoming events to get out the vote and ensure progressive victories across LA County in the March 5 election.

🗳️Election countdown: 13 days left to vote

🎉BALLOT PARTIES🎉

Need help filling out your ballot? Come join us for our ballot parties all over LA County! These are great events to meet other LA Forward members, talk about all the things on your ballot, and have confidence you are voting your values for the March 5 election. Check out the calendar for all the dates and bring your friends along 👐

📍The rain has stopped and we’ll be in North Hollywood TONIGHT 2/21 at Lawless Brewing Co. from 6-8 pm – join us for our SFV ballot party. RSVP.

📍Tomorrow night, we’ll be in the SGV with our members in Covina. Can’t wait to see our old friends and make new ones as we fill out our ballots 2/22 from 6-8 pm at Arrow Lodge Brewing. RSVP.

📍We’ll be in Culver City on Monday, 2/26 with our Westside members for our ballot party. Don’t forget to join us from 6-8 pm at 33 Taps Culver City. RSVP.

📍Last but not least, our final ballot party before the election will be in downtown Los Angeles. Join us from 6-8 pm on Thursday, 2/29 at Audio Graph Beer Co. RSVP.

    

💪CANVASS WITH LA FORWARD💪

We know it can be hard to find time on the weekend to volunteer, but it is so important and rewarding to get out in the community and talk to voters. We’d love to have you with us to meet our endorsed candidates and help get out the vote. You’ll get to hang with other LA Forward members and make new friends. If you’ve never canvassed before, all our events provide all the training and materials you need to make an impact. Join us!

✅ Saturday, February 24 – we’re knocking doors for our endorsed candidate Ysabel Jurado for LA City Council in District 14. Join us at 10 a.m. in Eagle Rock to talk to voters. We are working to get KDL out of office and elect a leader who has a proven track record of fighting for renters and marginalized communities. It’s time that CD14 has the representation that community members deserve! Sign up now.

✅ Sunday, February 25 – Did you know that LA County has NEVER had a permanent revenue stream to fund affordable housing, renter protections, and homelessness services? Help get an initiative on the ballot to change that. Join us in South LA to gather signatures to get this important measure on the ballot. Join us.

If you can’t make it for our events, you can find other ways to support our endorsed candidates here.

🗳️ Voter guide 🗳️

Check out our voter guide with information about our endorsed candidates and why we support them.Share the linkwith your friends and family to help them fill out their ballot.

📅 More events 📅

February 28: We’re hosting a virtual teach-in on 2/28 from 7-8 pm to talk about proposals for LA City Council charter reform. The Council is considering establishing a new Charter Commission for the first time since the late 1990s but may limit public participation. Join LA Forward, along with the OUR LA coalition, to learn more and take action to ensure our voices are heard. RSVP for the Zoom.

March 2: Join us to knock doors for Eddie Anderson for LA City Council District 10! We’re excited to support Eddie, a progressive community organizer and faith leader, for this seat. Sign up to join us.

Tonight's singles mixer for a cause, LA City Council races, ballot parties & more!

we’re so excited for these upcoming events and can't wait to see you there! There are so many ways we’re bringing our community together to make a difference before the March 5 primary.

🗳️ Election countdown: 19 days left to vote

In honor of 💝 Valentine’s Day 💝, we’re helping local progressives meet and mingle – all while supporting four women running for LA City Council! Join us TONIGHT, February 15 for “Leading with Love”! The funds raised from this event support four LA Forward-endorsed candidates – Nithya Raman, Serena Oberstein, Jillian Burgos, and Ysabel Jurado. Whether you’re single or just love to play matchmaker, come join us tonight 6-8 p.m. in DTLA. Get your ticket fast.    

Endorsed Candidate Events This Week

✅ Saturday, February 17 – we’re knocking doors for our endorsed candidate Jillian Burgos! Join us at 10 a.m. in North Hollywood to talk to voters about Jillian’s campaign for LA City Council in District 2. RSVP now.


✅ Sunday, February 18 – we’ll be in Northridge from 12-3 p.m. to canvass for Serena Oberstein, our endorsed candidate for District 12. We have a chance to win back the most conservative held seat on the LA City Council. Join us!    

🗳️ Voter guide 🗳️

Don’t forget to read our voter guide with information about our endorsed candidates and why we support them.Share the linkwith your friends and family to help them fill out their ballot.

📅 More events 📅

  • Ballot parties: Don’t miss our ballot parties all over town! Next week, we’ll be in Pasadena on 2/20, North Hollywood on 2/21, and Covina and 2/22. Then we’re coming to Culver City on 2/26 and DTLA on 2/29. Check out the calendar & RSVP now!

  • February 24: Sign up to knock doors for Ysabel Jurado for LA City Council District 14.

  • February 25: Join us to gather signatures for the LA Housing Solutions Measure.

  • March 2: Register to knock doors for Eddie Anderson for LA City Council District 10.


Volunteer for Nithya Raman & George Gascon this weekend! And much more this month...

We have a big weekend ahead and we need your help to get out the vote for our endorsed candidates. Join us Saturday & Sunday in the San Fernando Valley!

Mail-in ballots dropped this week and voting is already under way! 🗳️ Don’t forget to check out our voter guide with information about our endorsed candidates and ways to support them. And if you missed our recent virtual candidate rally, you can watch the video here.

The final day to vote in the March 5 election is only four weeks away!

Endorsed Candidate Events This Week

✅ Saturday, February 10 – we’re excited to be in Sherman Oaks at 10 a.m. knocking doors for Nithya Raman. Join us at 10 a.m. for a very special kick-off and meet Councilmember Raman, Mayor Karen Bass, and other special guests. RSVP now!

    

✅ Sunday, February 11 – we’ll be in North Hollywood at 10 a.m. to canvass and talk to voters with George Gascón. Join us to meet the District Attorney, learn about his work to reform our criminal justice system, and support his campaign for re-election. Don’t worry, football fans – you’ll be home in time for the Super Bowl. Sign up now!

    

Leading with Love: A Singles Mixer & Fundraiser with CA Women's List

Next week, we’re helpinglocal progressives find love. 💗 Singles, don’t miss this fun mixer, “Leading with Love” February 15 from 6-8 p.m. in DTLA! Tickets raise money for four LA Forward-endorsed candidates – Ysabel Jurado, Serena Oberstein, Nithya Raman, and Jillian Burgos – all amazing women running for LA City Council. Everyone is welcome! Coupled people, come play matchmaker for your friends and support progressive leadership on City Council.Sign up now.

    

First Ballot Party!

We’ll be in Pomona on Tuesday, February 13 for our first ballot party of the month! This event is a great opportunity to fill out your ballot with friends, meet your neighbors, and dialogue with other voters about the candidates and issues that are important to you. We’ll be at Innovation Brew Works in Pomona 6:30-8:30 p.m. RSVP now! Info about other ballot party dates and locations below.

    

📅More events 📅

Meet our endorsed candidates tonight!

Bvoting in California's March 5th election is about to start!

Join us tonight on Zoom, 7-8 PM to meet all of our endorsed candidates and hear directly how you can get involved to support their campaigns. And keep reading below for opportunities to volunteer with all our endorse candidates, plus ballot parties at breweries around LA County and a Valentine's FUNraiser party & mixer with California Women's List!

Sign up now to join us virtually tonight at 7. See you soon!

    Ballot Parties

You don’t need to face your ballot alone! Bring your mail-in ballot and fill it out in community with appetizers, refreshments, and more. If you’ve got questions, there’ll be people around you to help you figure out how to navigate your ballot and its many choices. Join us (bring your friends/family/neighbors!) for this informal, fun, and surprisingly productive way to participate in our democracy!

    

Leading with Love: A Singles Mixer & Fundraiser with CA Women's List

Thursday, February 15, 6:00 - 8:00 PM, Audiograph Beer Co, 1203 S Olive Street

Please join California Women's List and LA Forward for a Singles Mixer and FUNraiser benefiting LA City Council candidates endorsed by both organizations. All are invited, regardless of relationship status :). Tickets begin at $35. Proceeds will be distributed evenly to the following campaigns Councilmember Nithya Raman for Re-Election (CD4), Ysabel Jurado (CD14), Serena Oberstein (CD12), and Jillian Burgos (CD2). RSVP: https://www.laforward.org/events/lead-with-love

    

Volunteer Days with Our Endorsed Candidates

Sat, Feb 10: Nithya Raman for Re-Election - LA City Council District 4

Join Mayor Bass, the CA Working Families Party, SEIU, and other groups as we canvass for our endorsed candidate in LA Council District 4, Councilwoman Nithya Raman. RSVP for this gigantic door-knocking day: https://www.laforward.org/events/cd4-canvass

Sun, Feb 11: George Gascón for LA County District Atttorney

Join with San Fernando Valley Young Democrats to talk with voters!

RSVP: https://www.laforward.org/events/da-canvass

Sat, Feb 17: Jillian Burgos for LA City Council District 2

Join LA Forward community members as talk with voters in North Holllywood! 

RSVP: https://www.laforward.org/events/cd2-canvass

Sun, Feb 18: Serena Oberstein for LA City Council District 12

Join LA Forward commnity members as we talk with voters in Northridge!

RSVP: https://www.laforward.org/events/cd2-canvass

Sat, Mar 2: Eddie Anderson for LA City Council District 10

Join LA Forward commnity members as we talk with voters in Midcity!

RSVP: https://www.laforward.org/events/cd10-canvass

2023 victories, highlights and more to come!

2023 was LA Forward's most powerful year so far. We’re so proud and grateful for what our community – a growing team of staff, volunteer leaders, and members have achieved together. Some of the highlights:

* Progressive Campaign Leadership Academy: Our Progressive Campaign Leadership Academy is recruiting and training a diverse cohort of LA County residents to be candidates and campaign staffers in 2024 and beyond.

* Judicial Leadership Academy: Our Judicial Leadership Academy, a collaboration with La Defensa, equips a cohort of progressive attorneys and community members with the skills they need to run for and win seats as LA County Superior Court judges. These leaders are public defenders, civil rights attorneys, and community advocates who are committed to transforming the criminal justice system.

*District-by-District LA City organizing: In almost every LA City Council District, we organized community convenings to grow a progressive base and build political power that puts the issues that matter most to our members at the forefront. Thanks to these efforts, we formed an Unarmed Crisis Response Working Group, which champions unarmed crisis response that will shift resources and responsibilities away from police, and expand compassionate, people-centered responses for our most vulnerable residents.

* Housing Justice Action Team: This year, we launched our Housing Justice Action Team, a six-month cohort for dedicated LA residents eager to sharpen their organizing skills, deepen their housing policy knowledge, and take collective action. 

* Advocacy Actions: We’re empowering our communities with ways to take action on the issues they care about. Thousands of you are using our online tools press for policy change – fighting for affordable housing at Venice Dell, telling the LA City Council to expand unarmed crisis response, creating fair LA City Council districts and more.

    

And don't sleep on our 501(c)(3) nonprofit partner nonprofit, LA Forward Institute (LAFI)! If LA Forward isn't working on something, LAFI probably is... a few highlights

* Report Forward: LAFI launched Report Forward as a platform dedicated to highlighting the work of movement groups and emerging progressive policies. Spearheaded by journalist Alissa Walker, Report Forward is a monthly newsletter that shines a spotlight on policy proposals from LA County's vibrant social justice groups. Each issue also tracks the real-world impact of these efforts. We’re going to continue expanding our efforts to drive storytelling that empowers and equips our communities in 2024 and beyond.

* SGV Housing Justice Academy: This year, LAFI proudly introduced a six-month leadership development cohort in the San Gabriel Valley. Our goal is to nurture committed and skilled advocates in the fight for affordable housing and housing justice in the SGV and beyond.

* Cleaning Up LA City Hall:  In the wake of multiple corruption convictions, and leaked audio of Nury Martinez and Kevin de León that put an international spotlight on their racist and anti-renter efforts to gerrymander the City Council, it’s long past time for clean house at City Hall. LA Forward Institute is deeply involved in coalition efforts to end gerrymandering by creating an Independent Redistricting commission to determine district boundaries, create publicly financed elections, and many more anti-corruption pro-democracy reforms.

* LA City Council Candidate Forums: LAFI hosted the first set of LA City Council candidate forums of the 2024 cycle. These nonpartisan forums offered a chance for Angelenos to engage in robust, community-driven conversations with candidates running to represent them. LAFI hosted forums for City Council districts 2, 4, 10, and 14 – while over 600 of you attended, you can watch the videos on LAFI's website. 

* Best Start: LAFI worked with Strategic Actions for a Just Economy (SAJE) to advance the housing justice knowledge of dozens of community members primarily across Southeast LA – many of whom are monolingual Spanish-speaking residents. In 2024, participants will build on their workshops from 2023 with direct application to local housing justice work meaningful to them! 

Our LA Forward family of organizations has been able to achieve all of this thanks to a team that's rapidly growing in size. To keep up the momentum, we're counting on support from our community, from people like you.

I hope you'll donate today at laforward.org/contribute.

Direct contributions to LA Forward, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit, are best – they give us the flexibility we need to advocate for policy change and endorse candidates. 

Need a tax-deduction or have the ability to give through a foundation or donor-advised fund? We also encourage and welcome gifts to our 501(c)(3) nonprofit partner, LA Forward Institute (LAFI). More info on giving via check/DAF can be found on LA Forward Institute's website at laforward.institute/donate

Thank you for considering us in your year-end giving!

How We CAN prevent homelessness!

Ready to roll up our sleeves and fight for a people-powered affordable housing initiative in LA County? With your help, we can get it on the ballot in 2024!

Join LA Forward and the Our Future LA coalition virtually Thursday, November 30 from 8-9 p.m. on Zoom. We’ll discuss our efforts for the LA County Affordable Housing, Homelessness Solutions, and Prevention Now (LACAHSA) measure – to create a sustainable funding mechanism for a comprehensive homelessness response system, as well as invest in new strategies to prevent homelessness, address encampments, and create affordable housing.

You'll learn more about the critical need for this funding, gain insights into the strategies, and learn how YOU can contribute to getting this measure on the ballot. This isn’t your typical top-down plan – this is about our collective strength and ideas.

Together, we’ll need to gather hundreds of thousands of signatures across LA County in order to make this happen in 2024!

This briefing will take place right after a special session discussing affordable housing work in the San Gabriel Valley starting at 7 p.m.

Join us November 30! Register now!

November 2023 Newsletter

There are just 2 days left to apply for our Campaign Leadership Academy, which is open to anyone across LA County who wants to learn about working on a campaign or running for office. We’re also raising our voices about the importance of unarmed crisis response resources in the City of LA – check out our recent virtual teach-in to learn more or send a one-click email to your City Councilmember. Join us Thursday evening in Pomona for our SGV Housing Happy Hour! And later this month, we’re talking housing justice on Zoom with allies from across LA County – join us 11/30.

Apply now: Campaign Leadership Academy!

We’re so excited to launch our Progressive Campaign Leadership Academy, a free training program we're leading with the support of LA Forward board member and former LA City Council candidate Dr. Loraine Lundquist. The program is open to applicants from across LA County – whether you want to work on a campaign or run for office someday. Now is your chance to get irreplaceable training and hands-on experience from many of LA's best progressive campaign leaders. The program will run from December 2, 2023 to April 6, 2024. Apply now by November 17!

Take action for unarmed crisis response in LA:

Unarmed crisis response helps make LA safer by deploying appropriate alternative services, including trained mental health workers, to respond to Angelenos experiencing mental health emergencies or other crises – instead of sending armed police officers who often aren’t trained for these needs and can make the situation worse. We've launched an advocacy campaign to uplift four best practices that would make unarmed crisis responders easy to access for Angelenos AND not make armed police the default response to all calls for help! These best practices can be proposed by our city council members, and we can make sure they know the public wants this. Watch our virtual teach-in now and make your voice heard by sending a one-click email to your city councilmember!    

Upcoming events:

SGV Housing Happy Hour - Don’t miss us in Pomona this Thursday, 11/16 from 6-8 p.m. at Innovation Brew Works for our second SGV Housing Happy Hour. Hang out with our team and meet other housing advocates from the San Gabriel Valley at a brewery located on the campus of Cal State Poly Pomona. RSVP here to join us – we can’t wait to see you!

Housing Justice in the SGV: Looking Back, Looking Forward - There are over 30 cities in the SGV, and housing justice work in the region saw key wins and struggles in 2023! We know that next year is an important time for upcoming efforts and elections — from the City Council-level to Sacramento. Join us online on 11/30 for a debrief and strategy session on continuing to advance housing justice in the San Gabriel Valley and all across LA County in 2024. This session is available to advocates countywide – we’ll focus the conversation on the SGV for the first hour from 7-8 pm and then talk about LA County initiatives from 8-9 pm. Sign up now!    

Recent wins:

Congrats to tenants in South Pasadena and Claremont for elevating housing justice work in the SGV! Both cities successfully have limited (or eliminated!) "renovations" as just cause for eviction. In particular, South Pasadena Tenants Union and Claremont Tenants United have led these fights, with LA Forward in support. Congrats again!

Thanks for reading,
The LA Forward team


October 2013 newsletter

Fall is here – and there are so many ways to connect with your LA Forward fam! Don’t miss our housing happy hours in the SGV – we’ll be in San Gabriel on October 26 and Pomona on November 9! The next meeting of LA Forward Institute's Housing Justice Reading Group is coming up – read along with us and join us for an interactive community discussion in the Silver Lake/Echo Park area. And the LA City Council races are heating up! If you missed LA Forward Institute's candidate forums, watch now and learn more about the people and policies competing to represent these Los Angeles districts.    

Upcoming events:

We’re hosting not one, but two happy hours in the San Gabriel Valley this fall to bring our community together in conversation about how we can raise our voices in support of affordable housing. Join our team, and the volunteers and community leaders that make up our SGV membership.

  • We’ll be in San Gabriel on October 26 – come hang with us at Ogopogo Brewing from 6-8 pm! RSVP now.

  • Then, on November 9, we’ll be at Brew Works in Pomona from 6-8 pm for our housing happy hour. Sign up here.

This month, we’re reading Red Hot City by Dan Immergluck for LA Forward Institute's Housing Justice Reading Group. Immergluck explores recents trends in Atlanta that are inverting its late-twentieth century urban model. Read the book and join us for an in-person reading group meeting in the Silver Lake/Echo Park area on Sunday, October 29th at 7 pm. We’ll explore the book’s relevance to the Los Angeles context, and discuss the lessons for policymakers, activists, and residents.

RSVP now to join us to talk about Red Hot City.    

ICYMI: LA Forward Institute hosted the first candidate forums in the upcoming 2024 LA City Council races. Don’t miss these informative, non-partisan conversations with candidates for Council districts 2, 4, 10, and 14, which attracted 23 candidates and over 600 Angelenos to attend these conversations. Candidates engaged with district residents and community partners about important topics such as unarmed crisis response, social housing, City Council expansion, LA’s mobility plan, climate policy, and much more. If you missed the forums, you can watch now on LA Forward Institute's website.

Thanks for being a part of the LA Forward community. We’ll see you soon!

In solidarity,
The LA Forward team

September 2023 Newsletter

There's never been more national attention on LA City Council than now, in the wake of multiple federal corruption convictions of Councilmembers and the leaked audio from Councilmembers Nury Martinez, Gil Cedillo, and Kevin de León where their callous racism intersected with their gerrymandering conspiracy to undercut renter power. The good news is that we have a unique opportunity to pass sweeping reforms to clean up City Hall and expand our democracy. LA Forward Institute's all in -- TONIGHT, we’re talking charter reform with journalist Alissa Walker who just wrote about council expansion for our new monthly newsletter, Report Forward. Next week, we're hosting nonpartisan candidate forums for District 4 (where Nithya Raman faces a single challenger) and District 14, where incumbent Kevin de León has not filed for re-election and 7 candidates will be joining us.  Plus keep reading for updates on our SGV Housing Academy, recent appearances in the media, and an important action opportunity to support affordable housing on the westside!

Upcoming events:

TONIGHT, join journalist Alissa Walker in a live Zoom conversation about LA City Charter Reform with our Deputy Director Godfrey Plata. Learn more about possibilities to expand LA’s City Council and create an independent redistricting commission. This timely conversation will inform and activate Angelenos before next Monday’s Council Committee meeting where the public can weigh in! RSVP now to join at 7:30 p.m.

Join us on September 20 and 21 for the next candidate forums in our series to hear more from a dozen candidates about housing, climate, transportation, council reform, policing, and much more!  

On Wednesday the 20th, we’re hosting a District 4 forum with Councilwoman Nithya Raman and her challenger, Ethan Weaver. Sign up.

On Thursday the 21st, we’re hosting candidates for the Los Angeles City Council in District 14, which includes much of DTLA, Boyle Heights, and other Northeast LA communities. Sign up.     

Our wins:

Our first-ever San Gabriel Valley Housing Justice Leadership Cohort wrapped their learning journey with an ideas showcase in Baldwin Park. We’re so proud of these emerging leaders and the compelling housing justice proposals they shared with local elected officials and community members. We are grateful to LA County Supervisor Hilda Solis for recognizing our 22 participants with certificates of commendation. Check out their inspiring ideas!     

What we’re listening to and reading:

🎧 Deputy Director Godfrey Plata was interviewed in a recent episode of the podcast "What's Next, Los Angeles?" hosted by former LA Councilmember Mike Bonin. Listen now.

📓 Our new monthly newsletter, Report Forward, highlights key local issues and movement groups' thoughtful perspectives on them. Check out the most recent issue, focused on whether LA’s City Council can reform itself.   

In the news:

Our Executive Director, David Levitus, was featured in two news stories about how LA’s City Council might delay independent redistricting and council expansion until 2032 – and explained why they shouldn't wait! LA Times story, KNX News audio.

He also spoke out at a City Hall press conference yesterday that rallied 150 people to stop city official's absurd delays on the Venice Dell affordable housing project.

Despite having multiple approvals to move forward, Venice Community Housing is being held back from providing severely-needed affordable housing, to the westside. Using a housing and service model proven to save public funds and alleviate homelessness, the Venice Dell Community will provide:

➡️ 140 affordable apartments total—68 for residents experiencing homelessness, 34 for lower wage households, and 34 for low-income artists 
➡️ 8 on-site professionally trained staff 
➡️ 3 community rooms for tenant services and recreational activities, and
➡️ 246 public parking spaces

It’s housing that would make a huge difference for many people’s lives. But currently, it’s being stalled in the development process—despite having already been approved by the City Council in 2021 and 2022. You can send your own message to the mayor using LA Forward's 1-click tool here.

In solidarity,
The LA Forward Institute team

So many upcoming events with opportunities to learn and act together!

We have a big month ahead: Don’t miss opportunities to learn at our teach-in about the Venice Dell affordable housing site TONIGHT and our session about how the LA County Democratic Party works. We’re hosting candidate forums for LA City Council races in District 2 and District 10 so you can hear directly from some of the local leaders running in 2024. And we have our Housing Justice Reading group coming up in September - see what we’re reading!

And we were thrilled to have an amazing turnout of supporters and allies for our five year anniversary celebration and fundraiser. Thank you for your support and powering our work! Check out our photo album from the event.    

We have tons of amazing upcoming events! Join us to fight for affordable housing, learn about political candidates running for LA City Council, make progressive voices heard within the LA County Democratic Party and more.

Did you read the LA Times editorial about how LA City officials are stalling a long-awaited affordable housing project in Venice? We’re mobilizing urgent efforts to ensure Venice gets the affordable units it desperately needs. Join us TONIGHT at 7 ON for our virtual teach-in, a collaboration between LA Forward Institute, POWER, and Venice Community Housing. You’ll also hear from tenant organizers about the fight to prevent thousands of people from being displaced from Barrington Plaza. 

Many Southern California voters don’t know how the Los Angeles County Democratic Party (LACDP) works. What does it do, how is it structured, and how can it be used as a lever for change toward a more progressive LA? Join us August 22 at 7:30 pm to hear from stellar speakers like Jenni Chang, Loraine Lundquist, Elise Moore, Sasha Renee Perez, and Alton Wang! RSVP for our virtual teach-in, led by LA Forward leaders who have experience in the Democratic Party and want to make sure more Angelenos understand this powerful lever in LA politics.

Over the last six months, residents across the SGV have participated in LA Forward Institute’s inaugural SGV Housing Justice Academy to build policy, advocacy, and organizing skills so they can work for housing justice in their communities. Now, they’re ready to pitch their initiatives to community members who also want to preserve, protect, and produce affordable housing for their neighborhoods. Join us in Baldwin Park to hear their fresh ideas! RSVP now.

There are major elections for LA City Council coming up in 2024 and the outcome of these elections will have huge implications for a progressive majority on the Council and driving progressive policy forward. Join LA Forward Institute to hear from candidates in a few key districts.

  • Join us on Zoom August 30 at 6 PM to hear from the candidates for LA City Council District 2! Click here to see the district map. RSVP now to attend!

  • Join us on Zoom September 6 at 6 PM to hear from the candidates for LA City Council District 10! Click here to see the district map. RSVP now to attend! 

Join LA Forward Institute’s re-launched Housing Justice Reading Group at 7 PM on September 10 to discuss Race for Profit by Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor. Race for Profit uncovers how exploitative real estate practices continued well after housing discrimination was legally banned. RSVP now for the virtual discussion.    

LA Forward is in the news!

LA Forward’s SGV organizer, Allison Henry, talks with Streetsblog LA’s SGV Connect about housing, community organizing, and regional challenges in the San Gabriel Valley, followed by Connie Tamkin, a member of the SGV Housing Justice Cohort and the co-founder of the SGV Community Land Trust.

LA Forward is going new places. Join us!

LA Forward is investing heavily in building the progressive movement in the San Gabriel Valley, along with LA Forward Institute (our 501c3 partner). We started with advocacy around more equitable housing plans in SGV cities and recently launched a Housing Leadership Academy to support community organizers with the skills and knowledge to effectively advocate for housing justice in their cities. We’ve got two upcoming SGV events – a virtual discussion with SGV elected leaders about housing and a community picnic to bring our friends and allies together in San Dimas. We hope you’ll join us!

And don’t miss our upcoming celebration of 5 years of LA Forward organizing across LA County at a party and fundraiser near DTLA on August 6.

SGV Housing Cohort

We’re so proud of our San Gabriel Valley Housing Justice Cohort! This group is coming together this summer to build their skills and build community in the fight for housing justice in the SGV. Through these learning sessions, we’re empowering local residents to be advocates for affordable housing in their neighborhoods and to ensure that local government listens to our voices.    

Upcoming events:

A Conversation with Housing Justice Leaders in the SGV:
Join our very own Allison Henry in conversation with Alhambra Mayor Adele Andrade-Stadler and West Covina Mayor Pro Tem Brian Tabatabai talking about housing justice in the San Gabriel Valley. You’ll learn about key policies and strategies to protect tenants and expand affordable housing. RSVP now to join us July 20 at 7 p.m. on Zoom.

San Gabriel Valley Community Picnic:
Join us to meet members of our SGV Housing Justice cohort, along with other SGV residents motivated to be part of a movement for change. Bring friends, neighbors, and food and games to share! This family-friendly picnic will be held Sunday, July 30 from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Horsethief Canyon Park in San Dimas. Sign up now to join us!

SAVE THE DATE: LA Forward Summer Party & Fundraiser
We’re celebrating five years of LA Forward and we can’t wait to have you with us to look back on what we’ve accomplished and what the future holds for our work. Thank you for being an important part of our community. We can’t wait to celebrate Sunday, August 6 from 2-4 p.m. RSVP now to party with us!

We're in the news and on the move!

LA Forward is making the news — we're in the Washington Post and Spectrum TV for our work cleaning up corruption at LA City Hall, on KCRW for social housing, and in the SGV Tribune for renter protections! Plus we have opportunities tolearn about Vienna's social housing system from LA leaders who visited recently, one last chance to sign up for our LA Housing Action Team this year, and new organizing opportunities for people in the San Fernando Valley and San Gabriel Valley. And there's a note about the next phase of our growth as an organization.

  • Our Deputy Director, Godfrey Plata, was quoted in the Washington Post talking about government reforms we need in Los Angeles. Read more.

  • Our Executive Director, David Levitus, was featured on a KCRW's Greater LA program, talking about what social housing is and why and how we can create it here in Los Angeles County. Read or listen now.

  • Our SGV organizer, Allison Henry, was quoted in a story about the work of a broad coalition that successfully advocated for an Emergency Eviction Moratorium to stop renovation-based evictions in Alhambra! Read more.

  • Godfrey was featured on Inside the Issues with Alex Cohen about reforms to LA’s City Charter: independent redistricting and possible expansion of our number of City Councils seats. Watch now. (Godfrey's segment begins at 21:45)    

Don’t miss our latest opportunities to learn and take action about housing justice & much more around LA County!

  • SFV Meet Up: We’re bringing our San Fernando Valley community together in-person to talk about the biggest issues to tackle together and how we can organize for change. Bring friends, family, and neighbors out to join us Saturday, July 8! RSVP today.

  • LA Talks Vienna "Social Housing" Model: Join us for a panel discussion with local leaders who visited Vienna recently to learn about how their social housing system keeps rents low and prevents homelessness. We’ll be live on Zoom, June 28 at 7:30 p.m. to talk about the lessons learned and how they could inspire policy here in L.A. RSVP now.

  • Housing Justice Action Team: We’re kicking off our LA Housing Justice Action Team in July to train Angelenos to advocate in support of housing justice coalitions! This program will run from July to December – and will include two in-person training days and four virtual sessions. No prior experience necessary. Please sign up by Thursday, June 22.     

A new chapter for LA Forward

We’re excited to share that we recently left fiscal sponsorship, which meant we had been operating under the umbrella of another larger nonprofit. Now we have our own independent nonprofits — a 501(c)(4) named LA Forward and a sister 501(c)(3) organization named LA Forward Institute. Both work to make Los Angeles County a fair, flourishing place for everyone who lives here. LA Forward endorses candidates so contributions to it aren't tax deductible. The LAF Institute can accept tax-deductible donations and gifts from foundations but can't endorse candidate and focuses primarily on education and training programs. Thank you to everyone who has supported both organizations!

Excited about our growing impact? We’d be deeply grateful for your financial support. We literally can't exist without it! Become a member with a monthly donation of any amount here or make a one-time donation here.

Need to make a tax-deductible contribution? You can donate to our 501(c)(3) sister organization, LA Forward Institute, here. If you need updated information about how to contribute via check, DAF, or foundation, please reply to this email.

We’re thrilled to partner with you in this next stage of our growth, however you choose to participate and contribute!

With gratitude,
The LA Forward Team 

A majority of our budget comes from our members’ monthly donations. In 2025, our goal is to raise 80% of our budget from dues-paying members. That will enable us to be 100% accountable to people like you. Your gift allows us to respond rapidly to emerging issues, to take on powerful interests, and spend as little time possible on fundraising so we can focus on the crucial work that needs to get done every day.