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The 5th California Latino Disability Community Leadership Summit Fostering Collaboration and Building Power in San Diego

The California Latino Disability Community Leadership Summit took place at the San Diego Regional Center on December 5-6, 2024. The summit gathered a diverse group of California leaders, advocates, self-advocates, regional center representatives, and members from Association of Regional Center Agencies (ARCA) and the Department of Developmental Services (DDS). All participants were united in their commitment to improving the lives of Latino Californians with disabilities.

The summit welcomed 41 leaders from various organizations engaged in meaningful dialogue and collaboration. The two-day summit was marked by inspiring moments that emphasized the power of collective action and the importance of building capacity for leadership within the Latino disability community. The summit served as a vital step toward developing a more inclusive and equitable future for Latino Californians with disabilities and their families.

Joe Perales, Director of El Arc de California and Grace Huerta, Vice President, The Arc of California Board of Directors and Chair, El Arc de California, opened the event by emphasizing the collective mission of equity and inclusion. Their message was further amplified by opening remarks from Pete Cervika, Interim Director of DDS, who emphasized the importance of collaboration, stating, “Events like these are vital in fostering collaboration and driving meaningful progress.” I am inspired by the dedication of this community and look forward to the systemic change we will achieve together.”

Michi Gates, Chief Deputy Director of DDS, shared heartfelt welcoming remarks, stating, “It is a privilege to join such a dedicated group of leaders and advocates at this summit. The work we do together is essential in breaking down barriers and ensuring equity for all individuals with disabilities. I am inspired by the passion and commitment in this room, and I look forward to seeing the transformative impact of our collaboration.”

Mark Klaus, Executive Director of San Diego Regional Center (SDRC), who hosted the meeting, added, “This gathering represents a critical step in our shared journey toward equity and inclusion. I am deeply inspired by the dedication and vision of everyone in this room, and I am confident that together, we will create a lasting impact for the communities we serve.”

Dynamic Sessions and Hands-On Training:

The agenda of the summit was designed to inspire action and provide practical knowledge. The sessions covered a variety of topics:

Grassroots Organizing and Power Building: Led by Jordan Lindsey, Executive Director of The Arc of California, this session emphasized community mobilization and empowering advocates. Jordan outlined strategies for building grassroots movements, focusing on community strengths, collective power, and sustainable networks. He shared real-world examples of successful efforts and provided actionable steps for participants to apply in their communities, inspiring a view of advocacy as a collaborative endeavor that highlights the power of collective action.

Chris Arroyo, the Los Angeles Regional Manager of the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, led a discussion on civic understanding, systemic change, and policy influence. He introduced the “Three Ps”—People, Politics, and Purse—as a framework for advocacy, emphasizing their interconnectedness in driving reform and offering actionable steps for participants.

The Latino Disability Community Leadership Summit was more than just a series of sessions; it was a catalyst for change. Participants left with a stronger sense of purpose, armed with tools to drive systemic advocacy, and a renewed commitment to addressing disparities. The connections forged among leaders and advocates strengthened the collective efforts to advance equity.

Acknowledgments:

El Arc de California extends its deepest gratitude to the sponsors and supporters who made the summit possible. Special thanks go to the San Diego Regional Center for hosting the event, as well as to Manos Home Care, Easterseals, Aveanna, The Arc of San Diego, and The Arc of Ventura County for their generous contributions.

To view images from the summit, click HERE

Dolores Huerta Inspires to Build Power and Influence Systemic Change at the California Latino Disability Leadership Summit in Los Angeles

By Tim Hornbecker, Grassroots Organizer, The Arc of California

I was inspired, informed, and challenged by attending the El Arc de California Latino Disability Leadership Summit in Los Angeles last week. I was inspired by meeting and listening to the co-founder of the United Farm Workers union, Dolores Huerta. I had the privilege of working with her and Cesar Chavez during the Grape Boycott (Huelga) march to Washington, D.C. in the late 1960’s. She was the organizer of the marches, and still inspires me at age 93! “Our voice matters” Dolores exclaimed! “We had a lot of power because of our numbers during the boycotts. Poor people can organize. Every person is an activist, every moment is an opportunity to give hope and transform. We need to love and organize more!” Her messages are still the same. Our presence and our voices are needed in these times of racism, inequality, and injustice. She had all of us raising our fists shouting, “Si, Se Puede”, Yes We Can!

Dolores’ opening speech at the second Leadership Summit of 2023 undoubtedly had a profound impact on the assembled leaders. As a legendary civil rights activist, Dolores bought a wealth of experience and wisdom to the gathering. Her speech likely served as a powerful catalyst for the leaders, inspiring them to engage in meaningful action and advocacy.

Dolores’ focus on the themes of power building, organizing for systemic change, and addressing disparities resonated deeply with the leaders. Her emphasis on creating power through unity and collective action encouraged the leaders to consider their own roles in effecting change within their respective communities. By emphasizing the importance of organizing and advocating for systemic change, she challenged the leaders to think strategically and proactively about their advocacy efforts.

Overall, Dolores left an indelible impact on the summit’s attendees, fueling their sense of purpose, solidarity, and commitment to advancing the rights and opportunities to Latinos with disability community in California.

Grace Huerta, daughter in law of Dolores, opened the Summit as the Chairperson of El Arc de California. “What is important to us and what are our challenges? We deserve a unique platform, and El Arc will provide this support with you,” Grace said. She emphasized the lack of support and respect, lack of communication and access to available services. “We won’t stay silent. We have rights. We are leaders, intelligent and brave with voices to change these disparities!”

If the voices of these two women weren’t enough, the Summit was facilitated by Ana Garcia-Ashley. She is Executive Director for the Gamaliel Foundation, where a young Barack Obama learned how to be a community organizer. But Gamaliel teaches there are no permanent friends or enemies in organizing. She was arrested with 1,000 families at the White House protesting Obama deporting more immigrants than any other President!

Ana clarified that El Arc is a grassroots movement of Latino disability advocates to build power, develop leaders and encourage change. To accomplish these outcomes, the over 40 leaders met together and worked in three separate groups. She facilitated and constantly challenged each of these groups. Group #1 – Relationship Building with DDS, Group #2 – Communicating Stories of the Latino disability community, Group #3 – Building Relationships with Legislators about the needs of the Latino disability community.

Thank you to our host, Emilio Sosa, Chief Executive Officer at The Arc of Los Angeles & Orange Counties for their meeting room, transportation, as well as meals provided by their Culinary Arts Program. They were an example of organizing families and informing their elected officials about their successes and challenges. Attending the evening reception was the Mayor of Downey, Claudia Frometa, as well as the Mayor Pro-Tempore Mario Trujillo. Also, the City of Downey Councilmember Hector Sosa and 64^th district Assemblymember Blanca Pacheco recognized and welcomed El Arc de California leaders!

An Important and Momentous Day for California’s Latino Disability Community

By Grace Huerta, Vice President, The Arc of California Board of Directors and Chair, El Arc de California Advisory Committee

Attendees of El Arc de California’s Latino Disability Leadership Summit held on August 24, 2023 in Sacramento, CA described how they felt after the event as determined, empowered, inspired, equipped, energized, and informed.

The evening before the summit we hosted a welcome reception that included a variety of guests who are advocates for the Latino disability community, including several members of the California Latino Legislative Caucus, as well as statewide professionals and family members of individuals with developmental disabilities. All attendees share in the vision of creating a world where all Spanish-speaking individuals with disabilities and their families have full access to supports and services.

The Department of Developmental Services disparity data continues to show that we must identify and reduce barriers for Spanish-speaking families of children with disabilities. El Arc de California was established to give Spanish-speaking parent leaders, professionals, and individuals with disabilities an action-driven platform to get involved, exercise their leadership and shape policy.

We kicked off the Latino Leadership Summit at the California State Capitol, where I proudly accepted a Resolution by Assembly Speaker Emeritus Anthony Rendon and presented by Assemblymember Dr. Joaquin Arambula, recognizing El Arc de California and its coalition members for their outstanding work in leading the disability rights movement to advance inclusion and equity for all Latinos with developmental disabilities and their families.

A special thank you to Assemblymember Arambula, who has been a long-time champion of disability rights in California. As I stood on the Assembly Chamber floor to receive the Resolution, I “spiritually” brought with me the thousands of Spanish-speaking families and individuals with disabilities who are counting on us to keep leading the charge.

The Latino disability rights movement has begun, and we aim to eliminate the many barriers to access and equality for the Spanish-speaking community. I hope that being part of this extraordinary event has inspired everyone in attendance to continue to get more involved with our advocacy efforts.

The Latino Disability Leadership Summit in Sacramento was made possible by the California Equitable Recovery Initiative, a grant by the California Department of Public Health.

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View images on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/media/set?set=a.791091119686547

El Arc de California Recognized by the California Latino Legislative Caucus

On August 24, leaders from the Spanish-speaking disability community across the state joined El Arc de California at the State Capitol to accept a Resolution by Assembly Speaker Emeritus Anthony Rendon, and presented by Assemblymember Dr. Joaquin Arambula, recognizing their outstanding work in leading the disability rights movement to advance inclusion and equity for all Latinos with developmental disabilities and their families.

Grace Huerta, Vice President of The Arc of California Board of Directors and Chair of the El Arc de California Advisory Committee, accepted the Resolution presented by Assemblymember Arambula, who has been a long-time champion of disability rights in California.

Several members of the California Latino Legislative Caucus showed support by attending a reception the evening prior with El Arc de California and its coalition members.

“I hope that being part of this extraordinary moment has inspired everyone in attendance to continue to get more involved with our advocacy efforts for the Latino community,” said Huerta.

Following the presentation at the State Capitol, Ana Garcia-Ashley, Executive Director of Gamaliel, facilitated the first in a series of California Latino Disability Leadership Summits, leading discussions on building a powerful coalition and taking action. The summit was intended to share ideas and garner alignment on priorities that will spark change and ultimately improve the quality of life for California’s Spanish-speaking disability community.

Click HERE to view more pictures from the special occasion.

The Arc of California Awarded Grant Funding to Strengthen California’s Spanish-Speaking Disability Community

The California Department of Public Health has awarded The Arc of California a grant as part of the California Equitable Recovery Initiative (CERI), a program to advance an equitable pandemic recovery through policy, systems, and environmental changes.

The funded project, named the “Colaboración Comunitaria para Acción Colectiva,” will create an equitable and resilient future for Spanish speaking Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, and do so by building political power through community organizing and cross-organizational collaboration. The effort will build upon and scale the actions of El Arc de California to launch a fully statewide movement that is native in language and culturally aware in outreach for the community.

This El Arc de California statewide coordinating project proposes to fill an important need in the Spanish speaking disability community by creating an organizing platform for all local and regional efforts to coordinate a movement across the state that achieves the goals as established at our first statewide summit:

Eliminate disparities in health and social services by improving our systems of support and services so that it prioritizes quality, inclusion, and equity for ALL Californians with disabilities;
Organize political power for the Latino disability community.

WE ARE HIRING for a Director of El Arc de California who will oversee this grant project and more. Click HERE to download job description.

Click HERE to Apply

Equity and Power are Priorities at Summit of Latino Disability Community Leaders

Last Saturday, September 10th, leaders from across California convened in Sacramento for a summit of leaders in the Latino disability community as a first-of-its-kind effort to organize local and regional activities into a coordinated statewide movement. The summit was a result of a year-long planning by the Advisory Committee of El Arc de California, which is chaired by Grace Huerta, Executive Director of the Exceptional Family Center and Vice-President of The Arc of California.

The day was kicked off by Mike Madrid, a nationally recognized expert on Latino voting trends, and facilitated by Ana Garcia-Ashley, Executive Director of the national Gamaliel Foundation. Attendees were led into a discussion to establish goals, strategies, and actions for the community and entered robust conversations about the needs of the community, the inequities they encounter, and the potential for change. The day was filled with passion, energy, and hope.

The summit will lead to action items and further organizing efforts across the state. CLICK HERE to stay connected with the movement!

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