California

Standing Up in San Francisco

ONE pm on Friday would have been a typical foggy, drizzly afternoon in San Francisco. But citizens took to the street during their lunch hour, under the backdrop of City Hall to Stand Up Against Poverty. Hosted by San Francisco Supervisor David Campos, community leaders and partners spoke at this annual event about the MDGs and the importance of supporting a full replenishment of the Global Fund this year!

In October President Obama will announce the US contribution levels to the Global Fund for the next three years. Across the country local leaders and members of Congress are urging the President to show bold American leadership for the Global Fund. Today in San Francisco, constituents stood up and spoke in support for this replenishment. As The Global Fund continues to play a key role in stabilizing communities with unprecedented health results, the time is now to secure our commitment to this smart mechanism. Once again San Francisco influencers join together in the fight against extreme poverty. Extraordinary!

Young ONE member inspired by fellow students’ enthusiasm

Cameron’s team smiles at success

The aroma of grilled food, the sounds of a jazz and rock ensemble and the adrenaline-addled voices of students, staff and parents greeting one another after three months apart permeated the air, adding to the afternoon’s high spirits. We were at the New Roads High School annual back-to-school picnic, where our New Roads ONE chapter had a table.

Our goals for the afternoon were to obtain signatures from students and staff in support of a petition to city council members, asking them to declare Santa Monica a ONE City. Additionally, we needed student signatures to make New Roads a ONE high school, and we hoped to raise awareness about the causes ONE supports, like the Global Fund. We hoped to recruit more New Roads ONE chapter troopers to boot.

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ONE attends CARE’s ‘Power to the Peaceful’ forum in San Francisco

CARE’s panel discussion

Standing on the corner of Fillmore St. and Geary Blvd. in San Francisco, you can just feel the history around you. The Fillmore Theatre has provided a stage for artists and causes for over four decades — and last Friday, the majestic space once again hosted artists, activists, humanitarians and Bay Area constituents as we ignited the weekend with a festival of peace and action.

CARE’s second annual Power to the Peaceful Global Action Forum & Celebration kicked off with two short films: one on Michael Franti’s recent visit to CARE programs in East Timor and the second, an excerpt from “A Powerful Noise,” a documentary depicting a Malian girls’ education crusader who beat insurmountable odds to stand up for the rights of powerless girls in her community.

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Recap: August recess meet ‘n greets

ONE members across the country are using the August recess as an opportunity to meet with their congressional leaders to advocate for the world’s poorest people. So far, ONE members have attended more than 45 meetings with their senators or house representatives. Here’s a compilation of some of last week’s visits:

ONE member Steve with a member of Sen. Nelson’s staff

Meeting at Nebraska Sen. Ben Nelson’s Omaha Office
Recently, I met with one of Sen. Ben Nelson’s, (D-Neb.), staff members, Patrick Leahy. After briefly discussing ONE’s history, agenda and the strong membership we have here in Nebraska, we got on to some more urgent matters. I asked that Nelson sign the Lugar-Casey letter in support of the Global Food Security Act and increase funding for GAVI and the Global Fund.

I asked Patrick to relay our thanks to Nelson for his support in these areas. I also told him that we are aware and proud of Nelson’s important position on the appropriations committee and how lucky we are to have him representing Nebraska.

- Steve White, ONE Nebraska

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In LA with Bishop Blake

Jun 14th, 2010 1:24 PM UTC
By Keren Dongo

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Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of speaking on a panel with Bishop Charles E. Blake Sr., Pastor at West Angeles Church and presiding Bishop of Church of God in Christ. Over 300 people from Los Angeles joined in the global advocacy discussion and it was fantastic to see young and old so enthusiastically signing up with ONE and our partner organization Save Africa’s Children.

A particular moment that stuck with me was when Bishop Blake reminded us of the power of people united towards one cause. He reminded us that as we seek to eradicate poverty; as we seek to treat HIV/AIDS, malaria and TB; as we seek to educate girls and keep mothers and their babies alive, we’re that much stronger because we’re doing this as many committed voices coming together as one.

When it was my turn to address the crowd, I took Bishop Blake’s words to heart and asked the crowd for just one thing: that each person in that room—regardless of their background—lend their voice to ending poverty and saving lives.

At the Daughtry concert in Fresno

I have been helping with the ONE campaign for a while now, but yesterday was my first time signing people up at a large scale event. What better way to start than at the Savemart Center in Fresno for a Daughtry concert?

ONE Fresno/Clovis took a group of 20 people, all passionate about ONE, to invite others to join. All of us, clipboards and wrist bands in hand, walked up and down the lines before the show, letting people know that their voices can make a difference. There were 6,500 people attending the concert and quite a few were very receptive to the mission of making poverty history.

Once the doors opened we set up a table inside and circled the arena spreading the word. All of us went out with the utmost dedication and enthusiasm rejoicing over every sheet we filled, and every wrist band placed on another person’s arm. In the end we signed up 674 people to join ONE in the fight against global poverty. I am proud to say that I was a part of something so spectacular and downright fun, and I can’t wait for the next opportunity to help!

-Danielle Minassian, ONE member Fresno/Clovis, CA

Bed nets in Fresno

In recognition of World Malaria Day on Sunday we had an opportunity to share the mission and purpose of ONE with nearly 500 adults at Northpark Community Church in Fresno, CA. Bob Willis, our senior pastor and I were able to present the current prevention and treatment challenges surrounding the potentially fatal disease. Many in our community of faith were surprised to learn that Malaria claims 2,000 lives a day, most of those children under the age of 5.

Partnering with ONE partner World Vision, we emphasized advocating to political representatives to follow through with funding and also gave people an opportunity to purchase bed nets for $6 to be distributed to those who are at-risk for infection. Currently, with money still coming in, we’ve raised enough for over 230 nets. We also collected many signatures for the Declaration and postcards to be mailed directly to members of Congress. Both the youth group and Studio 56 (5th and 6th graders) got on board to raise money for bed nets. In fact, Studio 56 have launched a month-long campaign to raise enough for 50 nets. Several students heard about the presentation on Malaria and came up with the idea on their own!

Most of all, we had the opportunity to deliver the message that each persons voice matters when it comes to issues of extreme poverty. Our Christian faith compels us to care about the least fortunate among us, whether they are suffering from disease, hunger, war or drought. Pressuring members of Congress to follow through with commitments to the poor is not about politics but rather about love, and about standing up for what is right!

-Ryan Townsend, Young Adults Pastor and ONE member