MAKING OUR YOUTH
​A HIGHER PRIORITY: 
California Urban Partnership Joined Sacramento Kids First Coalition Signature Gathering Effort

The California Urban Partnership staff was excited to be a part of the Sac Kids First Coalition that collected over 38,000 signatures, and delivered them to the Sacramento City Clerk in order to place the Sacramento Children’s Fund Act for voters to consider in 2020. Winning investments for community-based youth programs, especially those most harmed by the War on Drugs, has been one of the important parts of our mission to build economic security in communities of color.

​SACRAMENTO, CA -  As a part of its work to achieve racial and health equity in marijuana policy, the California Urban Partnership joined the Sac Kids First Coalition to help collect over 38,000 signatures during a 5 month period.  The Coalition has collected signatures to place a measure on the March 2020 ballot which would require the City of Sacramento to designate 2.5% of its unrestricted revenue, which includes marijuana taxes, to raise about $12 million annually to fund children and youth services.  This Children’s Fund would be an early investment of resources for all children but most importantly for the children of traumatized and underserved communities.

The last five and a half months of signature gathering has been an amazing journey.  A dedicated and energetic group of community advocates maintained their enthusiasm, overcame a variety of challenges and established many amazing professional relationships.  These relationships will continue to grow and expand as the City validates the signatures, and a ballot measure campaign (hopefully) moves into the next phase. 

UPDATE:  SATURDAY MARCH 2ND, 2019

WE’RE PUTTING IN WORK FOR THE KIDS!

Rain or shine, our SAC KIDS FIRST volunteers will do the work that needs to be done to get this initiative on the March 2020 ballot.  CALIFORNIA URBAN PARTNERSHIP, YOUTH FORWARD and SACRAMENTO YOUTH ALLIANCE led a signature gathering effort in North Natomas on Saturday March 2nd.  Despite the rain, this coalition of youth and adults were eagerly gathering signatures so that Sacramento can have the opportunity to establish a children’s fund which will expand services to children, youth and their families.  #SacKidsFirst

UPDATE: FRIDAY MARCH 1ST, 2019
 
​ACTIVISTS CARVE OUT TIME FOR FUN AND SELF CARE

As a CALIFORNIA URBAN PARTNERSHIP-supported effort continued to gather signatures to place the SACRAMENTO KIDS FIRST (SKF) youth program funding measure on the ballot, it was time to pause for a good time.   On Friday March 1st,  Jim Keddy and Nia MooreWeathers of YOUTH FORWARD – along with Jay Franco - hosted a night of fun and fundraising for SKF at Luna’s Café in downtown Sacramento.  Nia MooreWeathers warmed the crowd up with her unique singing style, followed with a bit of spoken word from Jay Franco. The Booms with Jim Keddy wowed the crowd with a jamming mixture of rock and blues.  These great leaders have many talents and know how to have a good time! 

MAKING OUR CHILDREN A HIGHER PRIORITY:
California Urban Partnership Joins Effort To Gather Signatures With The Sacramento Kids First Coalition

Sac Kids First petitioners gather before heading out to gain 50,000 signatures.  On November 10, the California Urban Partnership, Roberts Family Development Center, Youth Forward, East Bay Asian Youth Center (EBAYC) along with several other youth leaders, children’s advocates and educators, participated in the signature gathering launch for Sacramento Kids First (Sac Kids First) at the offices of EBAYC.

​SACRAMENTO, CA -  As a part of its work to achieve racial and health equity in marijuana policy, the California Urban Partnership has joined the Sac Kids First Coalition.  The Coalition is collecting signatures to place a measure on the March 2020 ballot which would require the City of Sacramento to designate 2.5% of its unrestricted revenue, which includes marijuana taxes, to raise about $12 million annually to fund children and youth services.  This Children’s Fund would be an early investment of resources for all children but most importantly for the children of traumatized and underserved communities.  ​

Approximately sixty enthusiastic community leaders and volunteers were greeted with coffee and doughnuts but were quickly motivated and energized by community leaders Derrell Roberts and Jim Keddy, along with Sacramento City Unified School Board members Mai Vang and Darrel Woo.  After hearing incredible words of encouragement from these community leaders, a brief training was held covering how to collect signatures, volunteers received their petitions, t-shirts and headed out to gather signatures.  The goal is to collect 50,000 by early April.