Vecinos Unidos

Goals of the Vecinos Unidos:

(1) Identify and Resolve Issues in their neighborhoods

(2)  Disseminate Information

(3)  Move People to Action

Forming Los Vecinos Unidos

Following a house-meeting (base-building) campaign that can last up to two months.  Two (2) coordinators and one (1) secretary are elected. They are responsible for calling meetings and conducting outreach for meetings. Neighborhood meetings are attended by 15-40 people.

Vecinos Unidos are the result of the successful organizing in Lamont, Weedpatch and Arvin, CA.  Through Vecinos Unidos information of resources that becomes available can be quickly dispersed and rapid mobilizations are possible.

VECINOS UNIDOS VICTORIES

Passed a $4.8 million bond measure to build fences at two schools and a new gymnasium at Sunset/Vineland Schools in Weedpatch, CA

Leveraged over $2 million dollars for the reconstruction of the two public swimming pools in Arvin and Lamont, CA.   

CHARITY: 

Distributed 13,000 food boxes in 10 months to over 2,000 farm worker families affected by the Citrus Freeze.

3^rd annual Toy Giveaway in Lamont, Arvin & Weedpatch to 1,000 children.  

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT:

60 active leaders and hundreds of volunteers of Vecinos Unidos have accomplished the following:

Improvements of Streets, Sidewalks and Street Lights.

Community clean-up days.

Participation in hearings of pesticide regulation, air quality and county general plan.

Advocating in Sacramento for Environmental and Health Care Legislation                                                        

YOUTH

Sponsored farm worker youth camping trip to do environmental work in the rivers of the Sequoias.

Alternative Spring Break projects with Loyola Marymount University, San Jose State University and the National Association of Social Workers.

EDUCATION

Monthly educational  meetings with average attendance of 100 people with topics such as:Civil Rights, Domestic Violence,  Childhood Obesity, Energy Conservation, Health Care, Labor Laws, Citizenship Campaigns, Truancy, Diabetes, and Youth Programs.