Since 2010, Alianza has successfully engaged residents in addressing some of the most critical issues impacting the Coachella Valley through policy and systems change. They have brought together policymakers like Congressman Raul Ruiz and former CA Assy. Eduardo Garcia  to meet with residents to develop a mutual understanding of the issues at hand and explore ways to move forward.

With an emphasis on a unified Coachella Valley that works on behalf of everyone, Alianza takes pride in its local roots. Civic & social justice organizations and residents from Palm Springs to the Salton Sea work together to address a range of issues dependent on community and government collaboration.

With Alianza’s support, people in the Eastern Coachella Valley are:

• working with key stakeholders to protect immigrant families
• counteracting environmental hazards - particularly air pollution - at the Salton Sea
• improving local community representation on the region’s water district board
• connecting neighbors to affordable health services
• bringing parks, paved roads, and public transportation to underserved neighborhoods including those in mobile home parks
• bringing a more positive learning environment into schools
• planning new culturally-inclusive community festivals

This is just a small list of their big accomplishments within the short time they have been around. On April 19th, please give as generously as you are able to assist Alianza in bringing more people together to solve complex issues that affect all of us. Thank you

On Sunday, January 18th, we will Share the Plate with Safe Schools Desert Cities. Your generous donations will again go to The UUCOD Gloria Kapp Scholarship, which will assist a LGBTQ+ high school senior to be able to go to college and fulfill their dreams.

When not fiercely advocating as a longstanding member & Co-Chair of the Social Justice Committee, Gloria was Vice President of Safe Schools Desert Cities as well as their Scholarship Committee Chairperson. In this last role, she worked tirelessly so each year between twenty to thirty LGBTQ+ students could receive scholarships to support their post-secondary education. Students receiving these scholarships often comment that the support for them personally to be who they are is as important as the funding they receive.

Safe Schools Desert Cities also provides educational and social activities for students including the Rainbow Youth Summit and the annual Pride Prom. They work directly with area schools to empower LGBTQ+ youth, allies, and advisors through education, guidance, and opportunities for self-expression. Working with over 30 Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) clubs in middle and high schools in the Coachella Valley and surrounding communities including Banning, Beaumont, Yucca Valley, and Twentynine Palms, GSA clubs provide a safe, welcoming, and accepting environment for all youth, regardless of their sexuality and gender identification.

This January 18th, please honor Gloria Kapp’s memory by giving as generously as you are able. Thank you!

This month, we are moving forward once again with our holiday tradition of sharing the plate in November as a holiday gift drive for SafeHouse of the Desert. On Sunday, November 16, your generous giving will be used to purchase Target e-gift cards from our Scrip program, which SafeHouse, Harrison House, and Riverside Shelter recipients will use to buy their own presents. Thanks to us, these young adults will again receive something for the holidays. SafeHouse even identifies us as one of its significant donors; check out our name and logo on its website donor page here: https://safehouseofthedesert.com/donors/.

Safehouse of the Desert, part of Operation SafeHouse, has been doing its important work in our county for more than three decades. It is a life-saving shelter for youth ages 11 to 17 who have run away from home, have no available parent or guardian, or whose parents no longer want them. Without SafeHouse, these youth are vulnerable to human trafficking and the myriad of other undesirable elements of life on the streets.

SafeHouse operates two shelters, one in Riverside and the other here in our backyard. Both provide approximately 400 runaway, homeless, and at-risk youth with crisis intervention services annually. Harrison House in Thousand Palms is SafeHouse’s transitional housing facility for young adults 18 to 21 years of age, who have limited ability and resources to live on their own. Besides housing, it provides on-site schooling, including GED classes, individual cognitive behavioral therapy, group counseling, financial education, employment assistance, and life skills. SafeHouse’s transitional living programs serve approximately 40 youth and their children annually.

As in past years, Billy William, counselor/case manager will attend our service, talk about SafeHouse, and bring a client to illustrate what our generosity means to them. It’s always inspirational and heartwarming - be sure to attend if you can!

Please give as generously as you are able. Thank you in advance and let’s make this our most generous year yet!