Orange County Congregation Community Organization (OCCCO) worked with over 10 community partners through a collaborative from Central Santa Ana called the Santa Ana Collaborative for Responsible Development (SACReD) to win significant improvements to their community. The collaboration yielded $60,000 in historical markers, development of open spaces, a new park, and increased access to affordable housing units.

SACReD fell just short of securing Orange County's first-ever Community Benefits Agreement.  The city offered a non-binding MOU, and residents responded during an action at City Hall and in their community, carrying signs "An MOU will not do" and "CBA all the way."

OCCCO relies on passionate volunteers with a desire to make their community better, Ramon Guzman is one such volunteer.  

Ramon Guzman

Ramon Guzman has lived in the same home on Eastwood Avenue for 27 years. He raised his children his Central Santa Ana home and, over the years, has seen his neighborhood change for the better. In the 80s, there were frequent drive-bys and gang violence, so Ramon remained involved in improving his community, volunteering for his neighborhood watch and attending St. Joseph Catholic Church regularly.

Central Santa Ana is still a difficult place to live, with high density, little affordable hous­ing and access to open spaces and underperforming schools. In 2009, Ramon stepped up again in volunteer service within his community, this time as a member of an OCCCO-led collaborative, Santa Ana Collaborative for Responsible Development. In 2010, SACReD drafted community-inspired recommendations for responsible development in their neighborhood... and nearly won passage of Orange County's first Community Benefits Agreement (CBA). What did they win? A commitment from the City of Santa Ana to build a community center, investments in public art, and more affordable housing units.

In Ramon's words, he engaged with SACReD because "he was tired of looking at empty lots that the city owns" and "wants something nice to be there." The community came together and there is a real "sense of pride - the council now knows me by name." A sense of pride and accomplishment, believing every community deserves some beauty and nice things, rallying communities - this is why OCCCO matters.

Poverty Task Force

OCCCO members lead a Poverty Task Force that presented a community-drafted 5-year P lan for Ending Homelessness in Anaheim.  The plan was shaped through hundreds of 1-1s, research meetings with policy makers and experts, and using Orange County's 10-year Orange County's to End Homelessness as a foundation. The homeless population in Orange County has grown by 600% over a recent 15 year period.  During that same period, general population grew by 26.8%.

 The plan was presented to the City of Anaheim in June for review and potential approval.  OCCCO's Poverty Task Force continues to advocate for passage.