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- Events | Our Time To Act
If you're interested in our upcoming events, you've found the right place. Check out our program events, services, and socials here! EVENTS Upcoming Events Event Highlights Past Events No events at the moment Upcoming Events Event Highlights Below are three events showcasing the different sectors of work we do. None of it would be possible without our hardworking team and volunteers. TRITON'S CHOICE DEBATE This debate provided an opportunity for students to practice voting on social issues that impact them. READ MORE AAPI POSTCARD CAMPAIGN Last November, student volunteers from Rancho Bernardo High School Asian Heritage Club and the Bishop's School East Asian Student Association wrote over 500 postcards to engage Asian American Pacific Islander voters in the 2022 election cycle for our postcard campaign. SUPPORT US PRO-HOUSING COMMUNITY LISTENING SESSION We held a pro-housing community listening sessions where we discussed and brainstormed solutions to the growing issue of housing in San Diego. READ MORE COFFEE CHAT Our Coffee Chat event is a token of appreciation to the members who support us from the back. SAN DIEGO PRIDE FESTIVAL In 2022, we had the honor to table at the San Diego Pride Festival and to march in the parade. Event Highligts Past Events Rooted & Resilient: Our Time To Act's 4th Annual Gala Sat, Mar 21 San Diego Made Factory More info Details Join us for our Third Annual Gala! Sun, Feb 23 San Diego More info Details Youth Changemakers Summit Sat, Sep 28 San Diego City College More info Details San Diego Pride Festival Sat, Jul 20 San Diego More info Details CYAN June Meeting: The Nuances of College Applications / Inequities of the Educational System Sat, Jun 29 San Diego More info Details Spring Coffee Chat Affogato Edition Sun, May 19 San Diego More info Details May CYAN Event Sun, May 19 San Diego More info Details April CYAN Meeting Sun, Apr 21 San Diego More info Details Housing Talk Sun, Apr 07 San Diego Central Library Courtyard More info Details Winter Coffee Chat Sun, Mar 03 San Diego More info Details CYAN House Party Sat, Feb 24 San Diego More info Details CYAN Kick-off Sat, Jan 20 Water Front Park (at the main fountain) More info Details You OTTA Re-Member Us Sat, Aug 19 Kate Sessions Park More info Details Coffee Chat w/ OTTA United Thu, Jun 22 "The Club" at Regents La Jolla More info Details Say YES To Housing For Our Future Sat, May 06 Doyle Community Park More info Details Virtual Info Session: Housing Organizing Efforts Fri, Apr 07 Virtual Event More info Details March Against Gun Violence Tue, Mar 14 Hall of Justice More info Details Pro-Housing Rally in University City Sat, Mar 11 Nobel Trolley Stop Platform More info Details Load More Past Events
- Your Guide To Voting | Our Time To Act
YOUR GUIDE TO VOTING [RE-]REGISTER TO VOTE IN SAN DIEGO BALLOTPEDIA VOTE 411 PREPARING TO VOTE: INFO + SAMPLE BALLOT GOING TO VOTE: VOTING LOCATIONS DROP BOXES POLLING SITES SAVE THE DATES! Above are quick links to guide your registering and voting process. Continue to scroll to learn more about the upcoming election, and ways to be civically engaged year-round! The deadline to register to vote before the June 2nd election is Tuesday, May 19th! THE ISSUE 47% According to research by Tufts University, only 47% of registered youth voted in the 2024 election. To make matters worse, youth in San Diego County already make up one of the smallest segments of registered voters, above only voters 85+ years old. Our success counts on our ability to shape our own future, and voting is one essential part of wielding that power. Over 30% of voters who do submit a ballot leave much of it blank. Though races at the top of the ballot get the most attention, it is the options down the page that make the biggest impact on your everyday life. Though the federal government and governors' certainly have power, it is often local representatives, propositions, initiatives, and measures that decide your future. THE SOLUTION We must vote and we must stay engaged year-round. Our future is at stake, and we can't afford not to utilize all the tools we have at our disposal. Voting can be difficult, but there are ways to make it easier and ensure you are choosing people and policies that work for you. Down-ballot voting means voting on local candidates, propositions, measures, initiatives, and other races that aren't always top of mind when it comes to elections. Your local officials (state assemblymembers and senators, county supervisors, sheriff, city councilmembers, mayor, city attorney, etc.) decide your everyday circumstances. They decide how to utilize local budgets and whether or not state, county, and municipal tax dollars will be used to close gaps created by federal cuts or go towards police, surveillance, and benefits for corporations. They decide whether or not to enter contracts with surveillance tech or private parking agencies, how and where housing can be built and used, and much more. Down ballot voting also includes decisions on local tax revenue, like this June's Measure A, determining whether or not owners of homes that sit completely empty for more than half the year will be taxed to create new revenue for essential programs. In November, there will be an initiative determining whether or not you will need to provide ID before you vote in the next election. Critical decisions impacting your ability to afford and access housing, healthcare, groceries, and basic needs are made everyday. Registering to vote, and completing your ballot in June is one essential part of being civically engaged in your community. ENGAGE WITH YOUR COMMUNITY CANVASS WITH US Reach out to our team about joining us to canvass your neighbors ahead of the June 2nd election. VOTING PARTY You don't have to vote alone, bring your ballot and your questions for a nonpartisan voting party! JOIN THE YOUTH SUMMIT Register for the upcoming citywide Youth Summit hosted by the Office of Child and Youth Success. Tickets are free, and the day will be filled with workshops, activities, and opportunities to tap into civic action happening in your community. POLICY OVER... Join us at our next Policy Over... event where we will discuss a tenant protections ordinance being considered in San Diego. VOLUNTEER WITH US Fill out the form above to join our Civic Youth Action Network and volunteer with us.
- Our Time To Act | Building Youth Power
Our Time To Act is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizing powerful youth for an inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future. Join the fight to eliminate exclusionary zoning in San Diego READ MORE WE BELIEVE IN OUR MISSION The future is not something that just happens. It is created with intention, either by the status quo or by the people who dream of something better. Our society is suffering because we — future-shaping youth and youth allies — need more power to solve society's most existential problems: housing unaffordability, lack of public transportation, neighborhood segregation, the climate crisis and environmental injustice; inequality of outcomes perpetuating injustice by class, race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, ability, and more. Our mission is to build the power we need to make our dreams reality. We organize powerful youth for an inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future. Will you join us in forging this ambitious, better future for us and the generations to come? ABOUT US Donate You power our work. Be a change-maker and help us advance our mission. DONATE Youth own the future. We're shaping it now. NAVIGATE TO: GOAT Model Events Support Us OUR STRATEGY Our GOAT change-making model Our Time To Act's dynamic approach to change-making is our "GOAT" Change-Making Model, which encompasses grassroots organizing, advocacy, and training programs. Rooted in the Trifecta Model for Youth Empowerment, we strive to foster a virtuous cycle of adaptation, opportunity, problem-solving, and impact. GOAT IN ACTION VIEW THE TEAM Grassroots Organizing Building power by building capacity for the cause; relationships between ordinary people that inspire and facilitate transformative changemaking. SCHEDULE A 1:1 HOST A HOUSING CHAT VOLUNTEER WITH US RESEARCH ADVOCACY Advocacy and Research Advocacy is a policy-based change-making using a small, well-trained team of advocates. Research and public input are critical to effective advocacy. Trainings and Workshops Trainings help youth and our community claim our power by growing our network, skills, and resources to be impactful leaders. SCHEDULE A TRAINING GOAT Change-Making Model A COLLECTIVE EFFORT Be Part of the Team If you resonate with your mission or are interested in making an impact, consider joining the OTTA family by applying as a staff or board member! You can learn more about who's on the team here. JOIN THE TEAM FUND A DIFFERENCE Support the Work The biggest bottleneck in accomplishing our goals are funds. Right now, we work completely on a volunteer basis. Help donate today to rise money for resources and labor, enabling youth to make their voices heard. DONATE YOU'RE INVITED TO Upcoming Events Your chance get involved is right around the corner. With many events coming up, this is your opportunity to learn more about us, become involved in your community, and expand your network. Join us for our Third Annual Gala! Our Time To Act proudly presents our Third Annual Gala: Envisioning Home. Come support our youth organizing and power building work! BUY TICKETS! View our Past Events Our past events stand as milestones in our mission to create a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future. Each event was a unique chapter in our journey, bringing together passionate individuals, inspiring discussions, and unforgettable moments. VIEW MORE Events STAY CONNECTED Make a Change The biggest bottleneck in accomplishing our goals are funds. Right now, we work completely on a volunteer basis. Help donate today to raise money for resources and labor, enabling youth to make their voices heard. Supprort Us Become a Member Join our community as a paying member to enjoy exclusive benefits, network with like-minded individuals, and be a driving force behind our work. Join Today Volunteer Roll up your sleeves and get involved directly in our initiatives. Your time and skills are invaluable in creating a tangible impact on the ground. Sign Up Donate Your contributions fuel our efforts and drive our projects forward. Your financial support ensures we can continue working toward a better future. Donate Today WE HAVE FUTURE PLANS Stay Updated By staying updated, you become an integral part of our mission. Your awareness and engagement contribute to positive change in the world. Here, you'll also discover the incredible impact our community and supporters are making as well as a behind-the-scenes look at our projects, initiatives, and events. Our Newsletter Our newsletter is your gateway to an exclusive world of updates, insights, and inspiring stories. Join our ever-growing community of newsletter subscribers and keep your finger on the pulse of all things happening at Our Time To Act! SUBSCRIBE Press Releases COMMUNITY FEEDBACK We Value Your Opinion We believe that the most valuable insights come directly from our community. Whether you have a question, a brilliant idea, or constructive criticism, we're eager to hear it all. Feedback Form SUBMIT Thanks for submitting!
- Eliminating Exclusionary Zoning | Our Time To Act
ELIMINATING EXCLUSIONARY ZONING OUR GOAL We will eliminate exclusionary zoning and segregation in San Diego by passing intentional, community-led policies that will advance inclusive, equitable, and sustainable housing practices in the city. We will organize a coalition of value-aligned organizations and individuals who advocate for and shape policies that will dismantle historically segregationist zoning policies in the city of San Diego. Eliminating segregation will require unraveling the fundamentally unjust and exclusionary practices built into our housing policies. We must take ownership over the reshaping of our future. OUR PLAN We will begin working towards our goal by eliminating minimum lot sizes in single-unit residential zoned areas across the city. Minimum lot sizes were created to exclude residents by driving up housing prices through land cost, and it still accomplishes this segregationist goal today. This policy also contributes to environmentally damaging sprawl and growing burden on city resources. The impacts of this policy lead to consequences that cause disproportionate harm to non-white, under resourced, and historically marginalized communities. We want to see community-informed policy to eliminate minimum lot size and related development restrictions like minimum lot dimensions and maximum floor area ratios. OUR TIME TO ACT We must act now to eliminate minimum lot size and reshape single-unit residential zones. Single-unit residential zoning was created to preserve and continue segregation, and still makes up 81% of our residentially zoned land in San Diego. Eliminating minimum lot size in these zones is an essential first step to reduce the harms these policies were implemented to create. It will finally allow for the creation of denser, more diverse for-sale housing in our city. While new homes may still be expensive, a recent study found the policy has the potential to reduce average new-sale townhome prices by up to 40% . Newer, more attainable housing also serves to reduce the cost-pressure of older homes, making them more affordable for first-time homebuyers. In the face of major budget deficits, the reports also found it could significantly increase property tax revenue needed to support our city's growing needs. HOUSING SEGREGATION A TIMELINE First recorded racial covenant 1843 1910 First racial-zoning ordinance First single-unit only residential zoning ordinance 1916 1917 Buchanan v. Warley rules racial-zoning unconstitutional San Diego adopts single-unit only residential zoning ordinance 1923 1926 Euclid v. Ambler Realty Co. rules single-unit only zoning constitutional Corrigan v. Buckley upheld racial covenants 1926 1934 Federal Housing Administration adopts red-lined maps Second Great Migration of Black Americans begins 1940 1948 Shelley v. Kramer rules racial covenants unconstitutional Fair Housing Act passes making racially explicit forms of housing discrimination illegal 1968 1970 From 1940 to 1970 the percentage of municipalities with minimum lot size restrictions grows from 20% to 79% 94% of municipalities have minimum lot size restrictions 2019 2019 Berkeley researchers find 81% of municipalities are more segregated in 2019 than they were in 1990 San Diego will eliminate minimum lot size restrictions 2026 Get Involved Canvassing Actions Share the Knowledge Join Us. Eliminating minimum lot size is only a first step, and it is long overdue. San Diego must act swiftly and intentionally to eliminate policies preserving severe racial and class segregation in our city. We are fighting century old exclusionary policies, and we can't do it alone. We need you to join us in the fight to eliminate segregation. Schedule a Housing Chat San Diego Perspectives We canvassed all nine council districts of the City of San Diego to administer a survey on housing and minimum lot sizes. This survey identified the perspectives and considerations of San Diego residents regarding their housing, neighborhoods, and the future of the city. We knocked on 3,528 doors and received 319 responses from across the City. Check out the numerical results by hitting the button! 1/11 Canvassing Results Take Action! We can't win this fight alone, join us! You can take action by joining us at one of our upcoming meetings or events! Events Interest Form 1/7 Knowledge is power! Housing policy is incredibly complicated, but it doesn't need to be. Its complexity has long served to leave the most impacted stakeholders out of the conversation, but that ends now. Wealthy homeowners have the funds and resources to hire lawyers, complicate and block housing, and play victim. We have facts and a drive for justice. By organizing our community for justice we build people power. By learning the facts and sharing the truth of our past and present far and wide, we build the power of knowledge. Use the links to share this information in PDF form with your friends, family, and neighbors. We won't let convoluted policy hide the racism and classism of our exclusionary zoning code anymore. Minimum Lot Size Fact Sheet History Fact Sheet
- Housing Justice | Our Time To Act
Join us in organizing youth towards fighting for Housing Justice in San Diego! Our efforts to eliminate exclusionary zoning, enact social housing, and end youth homelessness will create a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable future for us all! SAN DIEGO IS PRO-HOUSING PAST EVENTS UPCOMING EVENTS SHARE YOUR STORY CYAN INTEREST FORM OUR SOLUTIONS THE PROBLEM HOUSING RESOURCES SCHEDULE A MEETING #HOPESD THE PROBLEM 12% of the unsheltered population of San Diego County are youth. That number represents more than 1,500 youth . source: sdyouthservices.org San Diego , like many cities across California and the country, is facing a major housing crisis . While in recent years leaders have begun trying to address this human rights crisis, we've simply been fighting the symptoms. To take steps in tackling the housing crisis, we must address and target the root causes. Some of the root causes of the housing crisis we seek to address through our projects are as follows: Lack of commitment to smart development and policies, that will begin to address the systemic issues we face from decades of inaction on housing and transportation planning and development. Failure to plan for our city's growth in the past and present. The stigmatization of and misinformation around increased density, multi-family homes, and public housing. History of exclusion in land planning and housing and transportation policy decisions, especially of youth and other marginalized communities WHAT WILL IT TAKE? 108,036 is the number of housing units the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) determined San Diego would need to build by 2029 in order to adequately serve our rapidly growing city. However, since the report was released in 2021, San Diego's built less than 20,000 new units to reach that goal. This crisis is so much more than the numbers though. To achieve housing justice in San Diego we need to tackle the systemic and harmful policies of our past as we reimagine our lived environments for the future. Using our lived experiences and youthful creativity, we must collaboratively create the solutions we want to see. What is the solution to such an overwhelming and long-term problem? We need to tackle the systemic and harmful policies of our past as we reimagine our lived environments for the future. We play our part in advancing this solution by organizing youth in San Diego, stakeholders that have been historically excluded. Youth are overwhelmingly pro-housing, but our voices and perspectives are often left out of the decision-making process due to intentional and circumstantial barriers to entry. Our strategy is to increase the capacity, confidence, and ability of impacted groups, predominately youth, to be a part of the solution. Together we will: Host educational community events Foster a supportive pro-housing community by organizing Connect youth stakeholders to the broader pro-housing community Bolster passionate young leaders in the pro-housing movement Find ways to maximize the benefits of current investments in infrastructure as our city continues to grow and develop Inspire creative collective action to call for smart future-oriented solutions Counter-overrepresented anti-housing voices currently dominating the narrative We have recently split this work into three focus areas. Eliminating Exclusionary Zoning Eliminating decades old policies denying justice to many San Diegans seeking a home in our region. Enacting Social Housing Creating opportunities for mixed-income communities free from rent burden. Ending Youth Homelessness Addressing the very present crisis impacting youth across the region by connecting youth with resources and providing lived-experience-informed feedback to service providers. Problem Solution Consider applying to an open position on one of our Housing Justice teams and join the fight for housing justice in San Diego! APPLY TO A HOUSING TEAM Apply now on our Open Positions page! This crisis is more than statistics and bullet points; housing is a human right and storytelling is part of the solution. TELL YOUR HOUSING STORY Make your voice heard and share your perspective. TIME FOR SOME HOPE ... San Diego is Pro-Housing! No, literally... At the end of 2022, San Diego was one of 6 cities to earn the State Pro-Housing Designation. However, the fight is far from over. We must continue to push for pro-housing policies and ensure the progress we've already made to earn such a designation is not lost. Join us in this effort. At Our Time to Act, we have HOPE for the future of housing and transportation in San Diego. We believe that more housing options for our fellow residents mean preventing exclusion in this beautiful place we call home. If you also believe that there is HOPE for our future, we would love for you to join us in the fight. There are plenty of ways to get involved. If you want to learn more about our work and how to get involved in housing justice, please check out one of our past info-videos. Keep an eye out for new videos related to our current work coming soon. Please consider joining our newsletter to keep up to date on ways to support the cause, or meet with one of our Housing Justice Directors if you have any questions! Applications to join one of our housing justice teams are open, if you are passionate about creating more housing opportunities to prevent exclusion in San Diego, consider joining our team! OPEN POSITIONS Apply to join one of our Housing Justice teams working to end the housing crisis. PAST #HOPESD INFO & VIDEOS Want to learn more about the housing crisis and policies in San Diego? We have you covered. SCHEDULE A ONE-ON-ONE Schedule a one-on-one with our Executive Director JOIN THE NEWSLETTER Keep updated with our progress and other projects. YOUTH ARE PRO-HOUSING! Find more videos on our Youtube Channel ! HOPESD HOUSING RESOURCES We understand that much of the work we do in housing justice is pushing for long-term solutions to lasting and systemic problems. Due to the nature of housing and land-use policy and development, the housing crisis is impossible to solve overnight. While this can be discouraging, we cannot let this get in the way of our fight for a better future. If we don't start now, we will never achieve a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable housing and transportation future for San Diego. That being said, we are also aware that many of the problems we intend to solve are everyday realities for many San Diegans, especially youth. Below are some resources that seek to address the housing crisis in the short-term and provide some relief to the issue of housing insecurity and the challenges that can arise as a result of it. TRANSITIONAL AGED YOUTH SERVICES THE CENTER HOUSING SERVICES UCSD BASIC NEEDS ASSISTANCE FORM SD YOUTH SERVICES RESOURCES CAL FRESH (GROCERIES) SDSU ECONOMIC CRISIS RESPONSE TEAM GROSSMONT COLLEGE BASIC NEEDS CALWORKS (CASH AID AND SERVICES) SDCCD BASIC NEEDS RESOURCES SD MESA COLLEGE BASIC NEEDS Resources PHOTOS FROM PAST EVENTS Past Events MEET THE TEAM! MASAKI MENDOZA he/him/his Director of Housing Justice Eliminating Exclusionary Zoning masaki.mendoza@ourtimetoact.org AAROHAN HARIHARAN he/him/his Director of Housing Justice Enacting Social Housing aarohan.hariharan@ourtimetoact.org ALONDRA HERRERA she/her/hers Housing Justice Organizer Ending Youth Homelessness alondra.herrera@ourtimetoact.org NOAH GONZALEZ he/him/his Housing Justice Organizer Eliminating Exclusionary Zoning noah.gonzalez@ourtimetoact.org LOUIS AVALOS he/him/his Director of Housing Justice Ending Youth Homelessness louis.avalos@ourtimetoact.org
- Youth Voter Engagement Project | Our Time To Act
Our Youth Voter Engagement Project (YVEP) supports the UCSD student community in registering to vote and participating in civic engagement. Learn more about our impact! YOUR GUIDE TO VOTING [RE-]REGISTER TO VOTE IN SAN DIEGO INFO ON CANDIDATES + SAMPLE BALLOT INFO ON CANDIDATES + ELECTION RESULTS SAVE THE DATES Above are quick links to guide your registering and voting process. Continue to scroll to read more about our Youth Voter Engagement Project! ENGAGE WITH OUR PROJECT LEARN MORE Learn about the problem and background of our project. SURVEY Fill out a 15 minute survey on voting registration at San Diego. BECOME AN AMBASSADOR Come join us as an ambassador and make an impact. Read more RSVP FOR THE DEBATE Come to our big event: the Political Candidate Debate. Read more ABOUT US Learn more about the people and passion behind the project. 60.6% of the undergraduate population at UCSD consists of students who are eligible to vote but are registered outside of San Diego or simply not registered at all . We spend nearly the entirety of our academic year in San Diego versus the three months possibly spent at home. As you attend UCSD you are going to be impacted by the initiatives on the ballot in local elections. It is essential we [re-]register to San Diego in order to ensure our voice, opinions, and needs are heard and represented by the political candidates that will govern us during our time in San Diego County. If we do not become voters we leave our fate in the hands of only La Jolla’s non-youth voters, out of touch with the needs of students and youth. If we choose not to become voters we lose the ability to influence decisions that disproportionately affect us. WHAT WILL IT TAKE? What will it take to create a culture of Civic Engagement at UCSD? What will it take for you to [re-]register in San Diego County and hit the polls this November? UCSD students are already civically engaged and politically active. YVEP does not believe the “politically apathetic” stereotype that has been pinned to our campus. On the contrary, we see the politically active and empathetic reputation UCSD students have created, whether it be through striking for better working conditions in the dining halls, or protesting for higher wages and affordable housing. We want to tap into that already existing culture of civic engagement and expand it to voting in order to ensure the concerns we voice are addressed by the people who are chosen to represent us. We want to not only make voting more accessible to students through our [re-]registration efforts but also through providing the resources necessary to become confident and informed voters at the polls this year, and in the future. To further encourage a lasting culture of civic engagement at UCSD, YVEP is also bringing the candidates to you! We will bring local San Diego candidates to campus to engage in town-hall style debate and attempt to win the student vote. This project has never been done before! UCSD students will lead us in our efforts to encourage overall youth engagement and participation at the polls. The student response we receive at UCSD will be extremely valuable to us when expanding our efforts to solve the issue into a national agenda in the future. HELP US SURVEY Help us by filling out a quick, 5 minute survey! This will help us understand how to best tailor our resources and engagement efforts to provide the most impactful support possible to the student body! THE ISSUE learnmore ambassador JOIN US BECOME AN AMBASSADOR We want to Unite with you! Join us in our efforts to increase San Diego registration and overall voter engagement on UCSD’s campus! What can Our Time To Act do for your organization and its members in order to assist you in creating a lasting culture of civic engagement at UCSD? Fill out this form if your organization has an interest in meeting with us to discuss becoming an ambassador for voter and civic engagement on the university’s campus! THE BIG EVENT Tritons' Choice @ Price To further encourage a lasting culture of civic engagement at UCSD, YVEP is also bringing the candidates to you! We will bring local San Diego candidates to campus to engage in town-hall style debate and attempt to win the student vote. WHEN WHERE October 24th 11:00 am - 3:00 pm The Forum @ Price WHO District 6 City Council candidates Kent Lee and Tommy Hough District 35 Superior Court candidates Rebecca Kanter and Mike Murphy RSVP FOR THE DEBATE debate about us NICOLE LILLIE YVE Project Director Nicole.lillie@ottaunited.org Nicole was born and raised in San Bernardino county, where she committed herself to civic engagement through peer-led voter registration drives, and a devotion to community service through Rotary International. Currently, she is studying Political Science with a focus on Public Law at the University of California San Diego and devoting herself to voter/civic engagement efforts in her new home of San Diego County. YVANIA RUBIO YVE Asst. Project Director Yvania.rubio@ottaunited.org Yvania is from City Heights San Diego however, she did study in South East Los Angeles, Tijuana, and Ensenada Mexico. She is now a part of the La Jolla Community as she pursues her Double Major in Political Science and Sociology for the next three years. ABOUT US Hi! We met in a Political Science class during our first year at UCSD and now we work together as youth leaders at Our Time To Act! We both care deeply about issues that disproportionately affect UCSD students, like affordable housing. We are dedicated to ensuring our peers needs are met and represented by San Diego County political candidates!
- Marina Tostado
Marina grew up in south central Los Angeles. She is a graduate of Stanford University (B.A.,B.S.), University of CO (M.D) and USC (residency). She currently works as an Internist at Palo Alto Medical Foundation. Her hobbies include traveling, carpentry, gardening, hiking and reading. < Back Marina Tostado Marina grew up in south central Los Angeles. She is a graduate of Stanford University (B.A.,B.S.), University of CO (M.D) and USC (residency). She currently works as an Internist at Palo Alto Medical Foundation. Her hobbies include traveling, carpentry, gardening, hiking and reading. marina.tostado@ourtimetoact.org
- Our Team | Our Time To Act
Meet the people that make our mission into our reality—from our dedicated staff to our volunteer board of directors. Our Team Our Staff Directors The people leading the everyday operations of Our Time To Act. Nicole Lillie Executive Director Howard Truei Chief of Staff Masaki Mendoza Housing Justice Director Aarohan Hariharan Housing Justice Director Our Staff The people handling the everyday operations of Our Time To Act. Noah Gonzalez Housing Justice Organizer Jordan Koster Housing Justice Organizer Evan Hamadeh Housing Justice Organizer Ethan Leem Housing Justice Organizer Alondra Herrera Housing Justice Organizer Selena-Marie Espinoza CYAN Lead Organizer Board of Directors The governing body responsible for Our Time To Act's mission, priorities, long-term development, and finances. Aidan Lin-Tostado President UC San Diego alumn & former San Diego Youth Commissioner Ken Fesler Secretary Ray Lin Board Director Rachel Choy Vice President, Internal Affairs Oliver Lin Treasurer Abbey Reuter Vice President, External Affairs San Diego resident & UC San Diego alumn Anna Pierce Board Director Gabrielle Darisme Vice President, Governance Holly Harwood Board Director San Diego resident & UC San Diego masters student Learn More About Us Explore our mission, strategy, and values. Our story is one of purpose, passion, and a collective commitment to making a difference. ABOUT US OUR WORK
- Janice Park
Janice is a current student at the University of California, Irvine studying Public Health Policy. Her primary mission in life is to fight for equity, particularly in the field of health and wellness. Janice initially became involved with Our Time To Act's pandemic response as the Student Response Initiative Regional Director of Health. As the former Executive Director for Students Against Period Poverty, she now works as a Senior Advisor for the nonprofit she co-founded, partnering with schools and shelters to make menstrual products accessible. She also works to educate people at community health fairs, reaching underserved populations through a combination of activism and volunteerism. < Back Janice Park Janice is a current student at the University of California, Irvine studying Public Health Policy. Her primary mission in life is to fight for equity, particularly in the field of health and wellness. Janice initially became involved with Our Time To Act's pandemic response as the Student Response Initiative Regional Director of Health. As the former Executive Director for Students Against Period Poverty, she now works as a Senior Advisor for the nonprofit she co-founded, partnering with schools and shelters to make menstrual products accessible. She also works to educate people at community health fairs, reaching underserved populations through a combination of activism and volunteerism. janice.park@ourtimetoact.org
- Aidan Lin-Tostado
Aidan Lin-Tostado (he/him) is the President of Our Time To Act. He co-founded Our Time To Act in 2018, serving as Executive Director during its rise as a powerful youth organizing nonprofit in San Diego. As President, he is honored to lead the volunteer Board of Directors in matters of general governance, budgeting, and mission advancement. Aidan works full-time at Nonviolent Peaceforce, an international civilian protection nonprofit. He also serves on the new California State Youth Empowerment Commission advising the State Legislature and Governor, the City of San Diego Youth Commission, and the San Diego Youth Homelessness Consortium Steering Committee. Aidan has received recognition for his work in the community, including the 2022 Community Service Award from San Diego Pride and the 2022 Bridge Builder of the Year from the API Leaders of the Year Awards. He is a student at UC San Diego and a 2024 McNair Scholar. < Back Aidan Lin-Tostado President Aidan Lin-Tostado (he/him) is the President of Our Time To Act. He co-founded Our Time To Act in 2018, serving as Executive Director during its rise as a powerful youth organizing nonprofit in San Diego. As President, he is honored to lead the volunteer Board of Directors in matters of general governance, budgeting, and mission advancement. Aidan works full-time at Nonviolent Peaceforce, an international civilian protection nonprofit. He also serves on the new California State Youth Empowerment Commission advising the State Legislature and Governor, the City of San Diego Youth Commission, and the San Diego Youth Homelessness Consortium Steering Committee. Aidan has received recognition for his work in the community, including the 2022 Community Service Award from San Diego Pride and the 2022 Bridge Builder of the Year from the API Leaders of the Year Awards. He is a student at UC San Diego and a 2024 McNair Scholar. aidan.LT@ourtimetoact.org
- Holly Harwood
Holly (she/they) is a dedicated Vietnamese-American educator, project manager, and organizer born and raised in Eastside San Jose. Currently, Holly is Chief of Staff at Sustainable & Just Future, expanding solution-based environmental curriculum around the United States. Their work focuses on intersectional environmental justice, youth empowerment, and international climate policy. Their unique background in the legal industry, non-profit sector, creative storytelling, and climate education have strengthened their dedication to serving communities disproportionately impacted by the climate crisis. Holly believes it’s imperative that movements that center human rights and dignity must work together to create a more equitable and harmonious future. < Back Holly Harwood Board Director Holly (she/they) is a dedicated Vietnamese-American educator, project manager, and organizer born and raised in Eastside San Jose. Currently, Holly is Chief of Staff at Sustainable & Just Future, expanding solution-based environmental curriculum around the United States. Their work focuses on intersectional environmental justice, youth empowerment, and international climate policy. Their unique background in the legal industry, non-profit sector, creative storytelling, and climate education have strengthened their dedication to serving communities disproportionately impacted by the climate crisis. Holly believes it’s imperative that movements that center human rights and dignity must work together to create a more equitable and harmonious future. holly.harwood@ourtimetoact.org
- Abbey Reuter
Abbey currently works for Supervisor Nathan Fletcher at the County of San Diego Board of Supervisors as a Policy Associate for land use and environment as well as youth issues. She previously served for a year and a half as a Community Representative for Supervisor Fletcher. Her other experiences include working with the San Diego City Council as a Management Intern in District 7 and serving as the Associate Vice President of Local Affairs in student government at UC San Diego. Abbey had also previously served as the Advocacy Director for Our Time to Act United and was thrilled to continue working with this amazing team as a board member. She is passionate about creating positive change for our society, especially for youth. In her free time, she lives to do sewing projects and read. < Back Abbey Reuter Vice President, External Affairs Abbey currently works for Supervisor Nathan Fletcher at the County of San Diego Board of Supervisors as a Policy Associate for land use and environment as well as youth issues. She previously served for a year and a half as a Community Representative for Supervisor Fletcher. Her other experiences include working with the San Diego City Council as a Management Intern in District 7 and serving as the Associate Vice President of Local Affairs in student government at UC San Diego. Abbey had also previously served as the Advocacy Director for Our Time to Act United and was thrilled to continue working with this amazing team as a board member. She is passionate about creating positive change for our society, especially for youth. In her free time, she lives to do sewing projects and read. abbey.reuter@ourtimetoact.org










