Advocacy

West Valley Community Services believes that in order to create a world that supports the self-sufficiency and self-determination of our clients, we need to be engaged in supporting meaningful legislative change in our communities.

Below, we have outlined a set of policy positions that express our core values as they apply to current issues facing our clients and community. The purpose of these statements is to lay the foundation for Advocacy Actions that we can take during the year as opportunities arise. Scroll to the bottom to learn how to TAKE ACTION on these policy areas.

If you have any questions, please contact our Public Policy Coordinator, Kylie Clark, at kyliec@wvcommunityservices.org or call (408) 471-6122.

Housing Programs

Key Housing Facts

Resources

Housing Policy

Housing Policy:

We believe that everyone should have the equal right to safe and affordable housing. We believe that having a permanent and stable home is the first step to establishing self-sufficiency. We support:

City, state and federal policies that encourage development of affordable housing.
Active participation in below-market rental programs.

Housing Element

Social Justice Policy:

We believe nonprofit organizations have a responsibility and opportunity to work with our institutions, government, and communities to fight systemic racism and inequities. We see diversity, inclusion, and equity as connected to our mission and critical in ensuring the well-being of our clients, our staff, and the communities we serve. We support:

Movements that promote changes in systems and institutions that perpetuate racism and other inequities.
Public and private-sector policies that do not discriminate against members of our community on the basis of characteristics including, but not limited to, race, gender, sexual identity, nationality, documentation status, socioeconomic status, educational attainment, veteran status, age, and physical ability.
Collaboration with other organizations and cross-sector allies to build the capacity of communities of color and organizations led by these communities to achieve an equitable and thriving community together.

Social Justice Book Club

Resources

Key Social Justice Facts

Educate Yourself

Food Policy:

We believe that adequate and healthy food is essential to self-sufficiency. We support:

Permanent and unrestricted access to sufficient quality, quantity and choice of food that meets the dietary and cultural needs of our clients.
Legislation that protects and strengthens federal nutrition programs toward ending food insecurity.
Reduction of food waste
City, state and federal policies that encourage development of affordable housing.
Active participation in below-market rental programs.
Opposition to spending cuts for food assistance programs such as food stamps, CalFresh, free and reduced school lunch programs.
Defend current access to quality and affordable healthcare including strengthening and protecting Medi-Cal, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

Healthcare Policy:

We believe that everyone should have access to comprehensive, quality and affordable healthcare coverage. We support initiatives that:

Defend current access to quality and affordable healthcare including strengthening and protecting Medi-Cal, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program

Economic Policy:

We believe that economic opportunity is a positive driving force in our society. We support efforts to increase economic security for those who struggle to provide the basic necessities for themselves and their families. We support:

Public benefits for those in need.
Opposition to Payday Lending.
Education and assistance in seeking employment.
Living Wage laws.

Immigration Policy:

We believe that immigrants and refugees are integral to every aspect of our society. We support policies that:

Reflect our nation’s founding principles of welcoming those seeking refuge and a better life.
Promote cohesion and inclusion.
Instill hope and show compassion.

Transportation Policy:

We believe that affordable, accessible, efficient and age-friendly public transportation benefits everyone in our community, especially those with low income. We support:

Expanding public transportation options
Public investment in mass transit systems

Nonprofit Organizations Policy:

We believe that Nonprofit Organizations have a highly valuable role in our community and deserve public support at all levels of government in order to provide needed services that cannot effectively be provided directly by government agencies. We support:

Federal and state legislation that funds public services provided by local Non-Profit organizations
County and city contracts that provide funding that allows us to pay competitive wages to our staff