January eNews: Funding and Recognition for Water
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Dear Supporter,
CWC and its community partners are starting off 2024 strong! We are looking towards funding and enforceable policy that can advance the Human Right to Water for all of California.
To begin, Governor Newsom released his proposed 2024-25 budget, and we were glad to see California will maintain its allocation for safe drinking water projects . This signals a continued state commitment to advancing safe drinking water solutions, which is needed to solve this crisis.
Community members from Tulare County met with Assemblymember Arambula last May to provide community input.
In addition to the budget, we’ve already begun our legislative advocacy for the year and water affordability remains a top priority. Clean drinking water and affordability go hand in hand because even when water is safe to drink, if you can’t afford it then you still lack access to a vital resource.
We will continue to push alongside our community partners for an accessible low-income rate assistance program and continue our work on Assembly Bill 805 to grant the State Water Board authority to mandate wastewater consolidations at the same time as drinking water.
Stay updated on our socials for information on safe and affordable water policy this year!
Adelante,
Susana De Anda
Co-Founder and Executive Director
California Primary Ballots in the Mail
California’s March 5th Primary Election is just under one month away! If you are registered to vote, your county elections office should have mailed your ballot. A reminder that completed vote-by-mail ballots can be returned by mail, at a drop-off location, or at your county elections office by March 5th.
If you are not registered to vote, the last day to sign up is February 20, 2024. Make sure you are registered to vote at register to vote.ca.gov.
This election is important for the future of California. We must elect leaders at all levels of government who will prioritize safe and affordable water for all!
2024 Water Justice Leadership Awards
AGUA members at the 2023 WJLA. The AGUA Coalition was honored last year, as it coincided with the ten-year anniversary of the Human Right to Water, a bill AGUA helped pass.
Community Water Center is excited to host the 8th annual Water Justice Leadership Awards (WJLA)! We will be honoring hard-working water justice leaders for their continued efforts in fighting for safe and affordable water across California:
Legislative Champion: State Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula
Community Leadership Champions: Raquel Sanchez and her children Ramses Sanchez, Montserrat Santiago, Edgar Urbina, and Martin Urbina
Local Government Champion: Pajaro Sunny Mesa Community Services District
Our celebration is on March 20, 2024 in downtown Sacramento at Cafeteria 15L at 5:30 p.m. We hope you can join us!
If you are interested in being a sponsor for this event please reach out to Natalie Garcia-Grazier at 559-301-8224 or natalie.garcia@communitywatercenter.org.
CWC is Hiring
Do you have a passion for environmental and social justice? Are you looking for an opportunity to work alongside those on the frontlines of the safe and affordable drinking water movement in California?
Community Water Center is hiring for multiple positions across all three of our offices:
Administrative Assistant — Visalia Office
Support day–to–day activities to ensure sustainable, efficient and effective operations of the organization and its three offices.Communications Intern — Visalia, Sacramento, or Watsonville Office
Help build an enduring movement for water justice by serving as a catalyst for community-driven water solutions online.Community Solutions Advocate — Visalia Office
Work in partnership with communities in the Southern San Joaquin Valley to help secure access to safe and affordable drinking water.Contracts Manager — Visalia, Sacramento, or Watsonville Office
Lead the administration and billing of our government funding agreements and subcontracts.San Joaquin Valley Community Advocacy Manager — Visalia Office
Leading San Joaquin Valley-based community advocacy campaigns, and working collaboratively with CWC’s community solutions and policy teams to advance safe drinking water projects and policies.View all open positions here.
Community Resources
Low-income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)
California received $116 million in one-time funding through this program to cancel out outstanding water and wastewater debt. Recently, this program expanded to allow qualified residents to receive one-time payments even if they are current on their water bill!
If you are struggling with water or wastewater affordability, or know someone who is, the first step is to contact your water district to ask about this program. Click here for more information or call us at (559) 733-0219.
California Flood Relief Program
In response to spring flooding, California created a $95 million state-funded storm recovery program to provide support to eligible individuals impacted by the storms who cannot access federal assistance due to immigration status. This includes direct assistance payments for housing, food, and transportation costs. Resources will be available through May 2024 or until all funds are spent. Click here for more information!
Thank you to our Generous Donors!
Huge thank you to our sustaining monthly donors! Your ongoing commitment to water justice ensures everyone will have access to safe, clean and affordable drinking water.
Bessma Mourad, Bob Simone, Carly Yoshida, Claire Sarraille, Claire Wilkens, Elizabeth Callaway, F Thomas Biglione, Jonathan Nelson, Jose Pablo Ortiz Partida, Kathryn Gilje, Kelsey Hinton, Kirk Demartini, Kristin Dobbin, Lauren Gordon, Max Meyer, Natalie Garcia-Grazier, Temma Kaplan, Vicki Woods, Tori Klug
And thank you to our December/January donors!
Martha Conklin, Jenny Rempel, Linda Harris,Roger Bales, Peter Vorster, John Erickson, Alex C., Kenneth Mullen, Khalouk Mourad, Robert Kimberling, Max Gomberg, Iris Biblowit, Erbie Hernandez, Robert Finkelstein, Karen Kramer, Elizabeth Ferguson, Robert Bollinger, Elissa Callman, Horacio Amezquita, lindi Ramsden, Karen Skold, Sandi Matsumoto, Brian Hinton, Julia Emerson, Alf Brandt, Joan Poss, Ashley Boren, Ellen Hank Valletta, Richard Haberman, David Weinsoff, Jennifer Rosner, Carrie McNeil, and Winter Lewis
Be a water champion and support safe water for all.
