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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!

Our team is crucial to the work we do. Scroll down to see where you can join in. Open Positions Open Positons On-Site (San Diego) Housing Justice Team Member Volunteer Position View Position San Diego, CA, USA Associate Executive Director (AED) Volunteer View Position 1 1 ... 1 ... 1

Stay up to date with Our Time To Act's latest announcements, updates, and news. Press Releases Empty Home Tax Proposal Coming to a Ballot Near You Mar 4, 2026 Announcing a new chapter of leadership at Our Time To Act! Jul 17, 2024 Announcing our new name: Our Time To Act Mar 4, 2024 Circulate San Diego Designates OTTA as Sustainable Growth Award Winner Sep 21, 2023 Activating Youth: Catalyst Leadership Second Workshop Aug 22, 2023 OTTA United Completes Youth Activation & Workplace Motivation Workshop Series with Catalyst Jun 10, 2023 OTTA United Celebrates Positivity and Community in Pro-Housing Listening Session May 6, 2023 Press Conference and Rally: The University Community is Pro-Housing Mar 11, 2023 OTTA United & students play a major role in successful push for more housing in San Diego Feb 15, 2023 OP-ED: "More Housing, For Us and Our Climate" by Nicole Lillie, Housing Projects Director Feb 6, 2023 Aidan Lin appointed by California Senate to new state-wide Youth Empowerment Commission Jan 18, 2023 Two young leaders, Nicole Lillie and Yvania Rubio, take new leadership roles on staff team Jan 17, 2023 1 2 3 1 ... 1 2 3 ... 3

< Back OP-ED: "More Housing, For Us and Our Climate" by Nicole Lillie, Housing Projects Director Monday, February 6, 2023 Our Time to Act United Our Time to Act (OTTA) United's new Housing Projects Director is making waves. On February 6th, 2023, Nicole Lillie's Op-Ed titled " More Housing, For Us and Our Climate " was published in the UC San Diego Guardian newspaper. In her piece, Housing Projects Director Lillie advocates for more "high-density, multi-family, mixed-use housing" to address both the housing and climate crisis. Housing Crisis Ms. Lillie uses historical data to identify the root cause of housing unaffordability in San Diego and in Southern California. "The ultimate origin of San Diego’s housing crisis is that San Diego has failed to build enough homes overall ... '[b]y one simple measure, San Diego’s lack of homebuilding since 2010 has resulted in 59,000 fewer units than what’s needed to match the population growth in that time.' In order to address the root cause of housing unaffordability and homelessness, we need to build more homes." The status quo in California and across the country holds up single family homes as the solution. But this is a dangerous trend. In fact, single family homes are "rooted in exclusionary housing practices like redlining and racial steering" and are still widely inaccessible to non-white families today. San Diego needs the most effective and economical option: high-density, multi-family, mixed-use housing. Climate Crisis This type of housing also helps us address and combat the climate crisis. Ms. Lillie explains, " 50% of local emissions in the City of San Diego come from transportation. When you build high-density housing near transit, it enables more people to take public transportation instead of personal vehicles. Mixed-use development is also key. This is when you put housing next to commercial buildings. On UC San Diego’s campus, you can study, work, and live — all within a walkable or bikeable distance." In contrast to single family homes, which have higher per capita carbon emissions and reinforce car dependency, high-density and mixed-use are clearly a cleaner choice. OTTA United is proud to be a leader in the housing organizing space in the City of San Diego. Last year, OTTA United helped pass city-wide Community Planning Group reform and pushed high-density housing in University City at a Planning Commission hearing. Housing Projects Director Lillie will continue to trailblaze youth involvement in housing policy and direction in 2023. Read the full Op-Ed here: ucsdguardian.org More Housing, For Us and Our Climate - UCSD Guardian Nicole Lillie is the Housing Projects Director at Our Time to Act United and a second year TMC student studying political science at Next Previous

< Back to Open Positions Social Media Manager Volunteer South Bay Area, San Diego, and/or Remote APPLY Rolling application. Priority given to applications submitted before September 30th. ABOUT THE ROLE The Social Media Manager is responsible for keeping our social media accounts engaged with supporters, organizations, and youth. They will be tasked with creating and executing an upload schedule and work closely with the graphic designer to bring design concepts into reality. REQUIREMENTS Prior experience preferred. Must be demonstrate ability to engage others through social media. Strong and memorable personality in social media (to stand out from the other social media accounts!). High school student or beyond. 6-8 hours, 1-2 meetings a week. Our scheduling is highly flexible. Values cooperation, creativity, growth-mindset. Exhibits organization, diligence, and dedication. Passion for youth empowerment. ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION While pursuing our mission of youth empowerment, Our Time to Act United understands the importance of fostering a safe, welcoming, and positive environment for all. As such, the actions we take align with our values as an organization and as individuals. We value meaningful impact. We always seek to genuinely support those that we serve and the people within our organization. We are committed to being an inclusive and diverse group of people. These values are reflected in our hiring practices, decision-making, and programs. Our team and organization is growth-minded and development-focused. We always have room to improve! Our organization promotes honesty, communication, and integrity. These values allow for us to be a cooperative, productive, and effective team. We praise creativity and ingenuity. Nothing is more exciting than thinking outside of the box or challenging the status quo. Applications are a two-way street. We make our values as an organization clear to you in order to make sure our team is the right fit—and we hope we are! Do not hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions regarding our organization, values, workplace environment, or the application process. APPLY

< Back March Against Gun Violence in Downtown San Diego Tuesday, March 14, 2023 Our Time to Act United On Tuesday, March 14th, youth, parents, and concerned citizens gathered to March Against Gun Violence. Next Previous

YOUR GUIDE TO VOTING CHECK YOUR REGISTRATION 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 registration deadline has passed, but you can still vote on or before Tuesday, June 2nd. 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. I MISSED THE REGISTRATION DEADLINE, NOW WHAT? If you missed the May 18th registration deadline, you can still vote in this primary. While you will not be able to vote by mail, you can still vote in-person. If your name is not on the voting rolls when you get to the polling place, you have the right to cast a provisional ballot. A provisional ballot is a regular ballot that is placed within a special envelope before going into the ballot box. This envelope has a form where voters can include the same information needed for voter registration, when this envelope is received the information on the outside of the envelope will be reviewed to ensure registration/voter eligibility and if approved the ballot will be separated from the envelope to be counted while maintaining anonymity. To learn more about provisional ballots and their history in California visit the registrar's website here . 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 in partnership with Youth Will, Our Time To Act, San Diego Library, Reality Changers, and more. 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.

Born and raised in Orange County, Benjamin Wang (he/him/his) is a proud Taiwanese-American and a member of the LGBTQIA+ community. Ben studies Political Science and Education Studies at the University of California, San Diego. A champion for education equity, Ben is a Supplemental Instruction Leader for the UC San Diego Academic Achievement Hub. In addition, Ben served as Recruitment Manager for STEMup4Youth, a nonprofit organization serving over 50000 students dedicated to bringing interactive science activities to underserved communities. Ben joined Our Time To Act in August of 2022 as a Voter Engagement Researcher, and is committed to increasing voter engagement for historically disenfranchised groups as well as speaking out for youth and student affairs. Ben is currently involved in an Our Time To Act initiative to study voter disengagement and apathy. Outside of his work, Ben is a distinguished violinist and pianist, a frequent gym-goer, an avid gamer, and a nationally recognized Naval JROTC cadet officer. In his free time, Ben enjoys volunteering at his local food bank and is a volunteer English tutor for non-native speakers. < Back Benjamin Wang AVEP Researcher Born and raised in Orange County, Benjamin Wang (he/him/his) is a proud Taiwanese-American and a member of the LGBTQIA+ community. Ben studies Political Science and Education Studies at the University of California, San Diego. A champion for education equity, Ben is a Supplemental Instruction Leader for the UC San Diego Academic Achievement Hub. In addition, Ben served as Recruitment Manager for STEMup4Youth, a nonprofit organization serving over 50000 students dedicated to bringing interactive science activities to underserved communities. Ben joined Our Time To Act in August of 2022 as a Voter Engagement Researcher, and is committed to increasing voter engagement for historically disenfranchised groups as well as speaking out for youth and student affairs. Ben is currently involved in an Our Time To Act initiative to study voter disengagement and apathy. Outside of his work, Ben is a distinguished violinist and pianist, a frequent gym-goer, an avid gamer, and a nationally recognized Naval JROTC cadet officer. In his free time, Ben enjoys volunteering at his local food bank and is a volunteer English tutor for non-native speakers. benjamin.wang@ourtimetoact.org

Mehran is a master of Finance graduate from UCR. Currently, enrolled in Accounting program at UC Berkeley to obtain his CPA. Mehran has worked in different companies for the past eight years had has gain substantial amount of knowledge and experience in rolls such as office Administrative and Loan office assistant. He is very keen about accounting and as an accountant is very excited about join the Our Time To Act. He sees great potential in the organization and looks forward to growing his skills and accounting knowledge. < Back Mehran Piroozmand Accountant Mehran is a master of Finance graduate from UCR. Currently, enrolled in Accounting program at UC Berkeley to obtain his CPA. Mehran has worked in different companies for the past eight years had has gain substantial amount of knowledge and experience in rolls such as office Administrative and Loan office assistant. He is very keen about accounting and as an accountant is very excited about join the Our Time To Act. He sees great potential in the organization and looks forward to growing his skills and accounting knowledge. mehran.piroozmand@ourtimetoact.org

< Back to Open Positions Executive Assistant Volunteer San Diego, South Bay Area, and/or Remote APPLY Rolling application. Priority given to applications submitted before September 30th. ABOUT THE ROLE The Executive Assistant supports the Executive Director and Associate Executive Director in administrative tasks to keep Our Time to Act United running smoothly. This includes internal and external communication, meeting management, presentation preparation, meeting minutes, and more. REQUIREMENTS No prior experience required. High school student or beyond. 6-8 hours, 1-2 meetings a week. Our scheduling is highly flexible. Values cooperation, creativity, growth-mindset. Exhibits organization, diligence, and dedication. Passion for youth empowerment. ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION While pursuing our mission of youth empowerment, Our Time to Act United understands the importance of fostering a safe, welcoming, and positive environment for all. As such, the actions we take align with our values as an organization and as individuals. We value meaningful impact. We always seek to genuinely support those that we serve and the people within our organization. We are committed to being an inclusive and diverse group of people. These values are reflected in our hiring practices, decision-making, and programs. Our team and organization is growth-minded and development-focused. We always have room to improve! Our organization promotes honesty, communication, and integrity. These values allow for us to be a cooperative, productive, and effective team. We praise creativity and ingenuity. Nothing is more exciting than thinking outside of the box or challenging the status quo. Applications are a two-way street. We make our values as an organization clear to you in order to make sure our team is the right fit—and we hope we are! Do not hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions regarding our organization, values, workplace environment, or the application process. APPLY

< Back to Open Positions Marketing & Media Specialist Paid San Diego APPLY Rolling application. Priority given to applications submitted before March 31st, 2022. ABOUT THE ROLE The Marketing & Media Specialist will assist the Outreach Team in developing OTTA United’s outreach and marketing campaigns, specifically in developing promotional material and digital assets. The ideal candidate is familiar with social media and corresponding trends; provides an exciting and creative approach to promoting OTTA United’s work; and has relevant experience in media and content creation (e.g. video, photography, digital media, etc.) REQUIREMENTS Position Responsibilities: Collaborate with the Assistant Director of Outreach and Graphic Designer & Marketing Strategist to curate marketing and outreach campaigns. Create visual content for various social media platforms, including, but not limited to, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Modality of content may vary across multiple disciplines (e.g. photo-editing, videography, video editing, audio editing, graphic design, etc.) Research ongoing trends in social media (e.g. trending content, keywords, hashtags, etc.) to develop relevant content. Assist in creating and managing content for the website. Attend staff meetings. Additional duties as assigned. Experience & Education: Current high school or undergraduate students preferred. Although not required, experience in the following is preferred: Photo editing software (e.g. Photoshop, Lightroom) Video editing software (e.g. iMovie, Adobe Premiere) Social media content creation Trend and data analysis Hourly Commitment: Average 8-12 Hours/Week Compensation $17.30 per hour ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION As a 501(c)(3) youth empowerment nonprofit, OTTA United is dedicated to building youth power (aged 15-24) in areas predominantly occupied by adults to benefit the community as a whole. OTTA United values authenticity and passion. We play the role of coalition builders and mentors within our communities, sharing knowledge, resources, credit, and impact. And as a justice-oriented, impact-driven, and people-centered organization, our perspective grounds us with who we serve and the work we do while advancing our mission. APPLY

< Back Aashika Srinivas, Policy Analyst, presents redistricting reform research to SD City Council Wednesday, April 20, 2022 Leana Cortez, Director of Advocacy If one were to describe the 2020-2021 San Diego Redistricting process, “equitable” would scarcely be used. The current structure of the process enforces the power of wealthy, single-family homeowners while leaving San Diego’s youth and BIPOC communities vastly underrepresented. As youth ourselves, OTTA United endeavored to disrupt this structure and begin our research for reform. These measures included: Changing the appointing authority. Partial district detachment. Implementation of a two-part selection process. These proposed changes would simply bring San Diego’s City redistricting process up to par with our neighboring cities and the state. Aashika Srinivas, policy analyst at OTTA United, brought these reform suggestions to the San Diego City Council Rules Committee on April 20th, 2022. She did a wonderful job presenting during non-agenda public comment and caught the attention of two councilmembers. Councilmember Chris Cate commented that he was "encouraged by some of [Aashika's] ideas." Council President Sean Elo-Rivera was "intrigued by the presentation," "appreciate[d] the level of civic engagement of the youth who presented," and thanked us for "having engaged in the redistricting process." With this encouragement, OTTA United will continue to meet with councilmembers to figure out the further development and implementation of such reforms to ensure just representation occurs for the diverse city of San Diego. Next Previous