LA Voice has been a critical partner to my congregation, St. Luke’s of Long Beach, for many years. I don’t think we could engage in advocacy for these issues that matter to us in the meaningful way we do without continued partnership with LA Voice. I believe that the power in a congregation resides in the people, not the clergy, and I find a lot of confidence in LA Voice’s strategy of developing non-clergy leaders. Through organizing with LA Voice, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting so many different people from across Los Angeles County and California, from stay-at-home mothers, to field workers, regular people who stand in their power and the conviction of their faith to build real change. They inspire me to continue building power for a future of abundance for us all.

As part of the LA Voice Youth Cohort, I found my community within other youth leaders, while LA Voice gave me the skills and confidence to do meaningful advocacy work. Organizing with other young people of faith means that we can focus on issues that matter to us as young people, while also building multigenerational relationships with other LA Voice leaders outside of the youth cohort. I am so moved by all the stories I hear from other leaders; that’s what really motivates me to organize with LA Voice.

Organizing with LA Voice means I am building relationships within a diverse, faithful network where my perspective is both valued and challenged. In May, I traveled to Sacramento with a small team from LA Voice for a PICO California Restorative Justice Summit and Lobby Day. The task felt urgent, the learning curve was intense, and the camaraderie among old friends and new was exhilarating as we pushed ourselves to strategically rotate speaking roles, feel our power, and gather valuable information. At every appointment, whether being a mostly quiet support person, or telling an emotional personal story while pressing an Assemblyperson, organizing with LA Voice has given me the tools and experience to build power in California, LA County, and within my own community.