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< Back to Open Positions Local Leaders Program Manager Volunteer South Bay Area APPLY Rolling application. Priority given to applications submitted before September 30th. ABOUT THE ROLE Program Managers oversee the establishment of our Local Leaders program across various schools in the South Bay Area. Responsibilities include conducting site research to determine if the Local Leaders program is a good fit for it, securing funding sources, recruiting site coordinators, and developing the Local Leaders curriculum. REQUIREMENTS No prior experience required. Demonstrates adequate research and planning skills. 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

How we go about pushing for change is just as important as why. Community organizing is one of the only ways to build enough power to challenge — and win — against the status quo. And we have a severe need for youth organizing in our local communities.

< Back Aidan Lin, Executive Director, awarded "2022 Community Service Award" from SD Pride Thursday, June 30, 2022 Our Time to Act United Our Time to Act United is pleased to announce that our Executive Director, Aidan Lin, has been awarded the 2022 Spirit of Stonewall Community Service Award from San Diego Pride. Aidan has been honored for his work with OTTA United in the City of San Diego's 2020-21 redistricting process where he sought to uplift the many diverse groups of San Diego—including the LGBTQIA+ community. Aidan shares his sentiment of Pride: Pride is a celebration, but it is also a powerful demonstration of collective power and collective action. It is a demonstration of a world where love always prevails over hate, where pain is soothed by community, and where diversity is our strength. That is why Pride means so much to me, and why I am honored to receive the 2022 Spirit of Stonewall “Community Service Award” from San Diego Pride. Please join me, Our Time to Act United, and our wonderful community in marching in the Pride Parade on July 16th. Join Aidan Lin, OTTA United, and the San Diego community in marching in the Pride Parade on June 16th at 9am! Sign up to march with OTTA's contingent here . sdpride.org Community Service Award Community Service: An individual who is recognized as an up-and-coming leader within the LGBTQ community or whose contribution to the community in the past year was of particular significance. Next Previous

< Back to Open Positions Marketing Intern Intern (Volunteer) San Diego and/or Remote APPLY Rolling application. Priority given to applications submitted before May 31st. ABOUT THE ROLE We are seeking a driven and enthusiastic Marketing intern to join our Communications team. This is a great opportunity for students or recent graduates to gain hands on experience and mentorship. Position responsibilities include to: Collaborate with the Communication’s team to develop and execute campaigns and strategies Conduct market research and analyze data to support marketing initiatives, contribute to the creation of marketing materials such as fliers, emails, and social media contents Help manage social media accounts and website Assist with strategizing event programing and outreach efforts Assist with Search Engine Marketing using Google Keyword Ads Attend Communication and staff meetings Further duties as assigned REQUIREMENTS Enrolled in a marketing, communications, or related field of study Strong writing and communication skills Familiarity with social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube Ability to balance multiple projects and meet deadlines Able to work both independently and as part of a team Basic knowledge of graphic design software, such as Canva, is a plus ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION OTTA United is a youth-founded, youth-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit with the mission to organize powerful youth for an inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future. 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. Applications are a two-way street. We make our values as an organization clear to you to make sure our team is the right fit—and we hope we are! Here are some things to keep in mind: Our team values flexibility and taking initiative over structure and top-down delegation. This philosophy is not a good fit for all, so we want to be clear upfront. If you thrive in dynamic, open environments, this is the place for you. We value meaningful impact and support. We seek to authentically serve both our audience and our team members alike. 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 are growth-minded and development-focused. We always have room to improve, at all levels of our organization! Our organization promotes honesty, communication, and integrity. These values allow us to be an effective team. We praise creativity and ingenuity. Nothing is more exciting than thinking outside of the box or challenging the status quo. We prefer personability over professionalism, at least in internal settings. APPLY

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Learn about our mission, values, and strategy as a youth-founded, youth-led nonprofit. About Us WHY WE'RE HERE Mission and Strategy "To organize powerful youth for an inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future." Simply put, we strive to build and exercise youth power. We are often called the leaders of tomorrow but youth are the leaders of today. At Our Time To Act we organize alongside our peers to shape our future collectively. When youth are able to get involved, the entire community benefits. According to our research , youth engagement within decision-making creates more effective representation, fosters pluralistic leadership, and strengthens democratic institutions. Socially, youth experience greater self-awareness, positive identity development and social bonding, and a sense of purpose. It’s a win-win for everyone! We constantly are practicing the future we want to create in the present. Our team is defined by our commitment to authenticity and passion for justice and our communities. Each member of our team has their own unique experience that has brought them into this work and we all come together to share, grow, and shape a brighter future. We are creative, resilient, and determined. Issues that disproportionately affect young people have been predominately controlled by adults. We exercise our collective power to create new pathways for youth voice and perspectives to be heard and valued in our sociopolitical systems. Youth own the future, we're shaping it now. WHAT WE'RE MADE OF Our Philosophy 1. Authentic & Passionate We value authenticity and passion in the work we do. By acting with integrity and remaining impact-driven, we constantly put these values into practice. 2. Mentors & Coalition-builders We play the role of mentors and coalition-builders in our communities. We can achieve the most by collaborating, openly sharing resources, and fostering robust networks. 3. Justice-seeking & people-centered Justice-seeking and people-centered perspectives are the lenses through which we perceive the world. They help us keep our highest priorities in clear view. YOUTH FOUNDED. YOUTH LED. THE FACES Meet the Team Our team is the heartbeat of our organization, and our passion and drive are at the core of our success. Connect with and get to know the individuals who work tirelessly to create a better future for all. VIEW THE TEAM OPEN POSITIONS OUR TEAM IN ACTION This video was put together for and played at our second annual gala. It told our staff stories through photos and videos of our work incorporated with interview of our team. Our March Pro-Housing rally. Featured in ABC10, CBS8, NBC7, and the Times of San Diego, we surged to the stage bringing diverse voices into the community planning process. OUR BRAND Inside Scoop We are professional and youthful . Our brand demonstrates that youth are capable and powerful while maintaining their playful and imaginative nature. At Our Time To Act, this powerful combination generates unique innovation. Professionalism Our presence is a statement, and we have the experience, skills, and drive to back it up. We strategically shape the future ahead of us. In our communities, we are trailblazers for youth in spaces where they are not welcomed or considered. Youthfulness Bold Determined Capable Creative Playful Imaginative We inspire others and ourselves. Our creativity leads to our passion and ideas. We embody our youthfulness, using our energy and enthusiasm to collaborate with community members and challenge the unjust. OUR WORK AND NEWS More About What We Do View our Advocacy and News pages for a deeper understanding of our mission and the impactful work we undertake. Here, we invite you to explore the intricate web of initiatives, projects, and causes that define us. OUR WORK NEWS JOIN OUR EFFORTS Get Involved We're more than just a collective of individuals; we're a vibrant, passionate community committed to making a change. We invite you to take an active role in shaping our shared future. BECOME A MEMBER DONATE JOIN OUR TEAM

< Back to Open Positions Logistics Event Coordinator Volunteer South Bay Area APPLY Rolling application. Priority given to applications submitted before September 30th. ABOUT THE ROLE Event Coordinators for Logistics aid the Assistant Director of Logistics in smoothly running events. When an operational or program event is commissioned, they help by creating an event plan, calculating event expenses, communicating with event personnel, and facilitating event execution and wrap up. 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

Learn more about Our Time To Act's youth-led change-making work for housing justice in San Diego. OUR WORK Eliminating Exclusionary Zoning San Diego is still severely segregated. Our team is focused on identifying and eliminating the reasons why. Learn More Enacting Social Housing Many youth have little hope for stability in their housing futures. Social housing could be the solution, help us enact it in San Diego. Learn More Ending Youth Homelessness Youth are experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity at unprecedented levels. Help us achieve a roof for every youth. Learn More Overview Our Time To Act utilizes our G.O.A.T. (grassroots organizing, advocacy, and trainings) changemaking model to engage and build youth power. We focus our work on the local level convening youth and our allies to shape a just present and future for San Diego. Our work is primarily centered around housing justice and youth-led transformative organizing. Housing is a human right and we pursue housing justice in three main areas. These areas are Eliminating of Exclusionary Zoning, Enacting Social Housing, and Ending Youth Homelessness. The elimination of exclusionary zoning practices is absolutely essential to tackling lasting segregation and systemically racist housing practices in San Diego and beyond. Enacting social housing will allow for a future of affirmatively fair housing that creates more opportunity for youth of all backgrounds. While we strongly believe in the work of these two focus areas, we understand that change takes time. Youth are trying to survive the housing crisis now . That is why ending youth homelessness is an essential part of achieving housing justice. Finally, we focus on building the capacity and skill of youth in transformative grassroots organizing through our flagship program the Civic Youth Action Network (CYAN). To learn more about CYAN check out the Organize Youth page on our website and get involved with CYAN's first campaign, focused on placing crucial limitations on the use of electronic price tagging to prevent price gouging at the grocery store.

Leana Cortez (she/her/hers) is a UC San Diego student studying Global Health and Sociocultural Anthropology. After beginning her activism journey in high school, Leana understands the need for youth power in the sociopolitical sphere. After spending years in the environmental advocacy realm, Leana joined Our Time To Act in October 2021 as Director of Advocacy. As Director, Leana has mobilized many youth for initiatives and projects relating to affordable housing, voting and civic engagement, and redistricting efforts. She has also worked alongside OTTA’s policy analyst, Aashika, to develop redistricting reform policy for the City of San Diego, which received high praise from city councilmembers. She now serves on OTTA's Board of Directors. Beyond her work in OTTA, Leana has aided in research relating to adolescent mental health with the Center for Global Mental Health, stem cell signaling with the Reya Lab at UCSD, and invasive plant species with a local nonprofit in San Diego. Leana hopes to pursue a PhD in Global Health and Medical Anthropology post-graduation. < Back Leana Cortez Board Director Leana Cortez (she/her/hers) is a UC San Diego student studying Global Health and Sociocultural Anthropology. After beginning her activism journey in high school, Leana understands the need for youth power in the sociopolitical sphere. After spending years in the environmental advocacy realm, Leana joined Our Time To Act in October 2021 as Director of Advocacy. As Director, Leana has mobilized many youth for initiatives and projects relating to affordable housing, voting and civic engagement, and redistricting efforts. She has also worked alongside OTTA’s policy analyst, Aashika, to develop redistricting reform policy for the City of San Diego, which received high praise from city councilmembers. She now serves on OTTA's Board of Directors. Beyond her work in OTTA, Leana has aided in research relating to adolescent mental health with the Center for Global Mental Health, stem cell signaling with the Reya Lab at UCSD, and invasive plant species with a local nonprofit in San Diego. Leana hopes to pursue a PhD in Global Health and Medical Anthropology post-graduation. leana.cortez@ourtimetoact.org

Redistricting 2021 Background Redistricting is a process that takes place every 10 years to redraw districts and determine who votes for who. The process typically goes one of two ways: it either lifts up underrepresented communities or it continues to suppress their say in government. GOALS BOOST AAPI numbers in District 6, the city's AAPI empowerment seat. Establish STUDENTS as STAKEHOLDERS in the redistricting process. IMPACT We partnered with over 40 community-based organizations to create the San Diego Communities Collaboration Map , the most diverse map on the table. We worked with the Associated Students of UC San Diego’s Office of Local Affairs to mobilize over 120 students during the redistricting process–––totaling 50% of all vocal public comments related to La Jolla/University City and 10% of all comments. We earned recognition for students as major stakeholders in the process, first acknowledged by the press on September 9th, 2021, and by the Redistricting Commission on November 4th, 2021. We successfully lobbied the commission to increase AAPI representation in District 6 to above 40%. The previous district was 35% AAPI, a difference of about eight thousand people. "There was significant testimony from students attending the University of California – San Diego (UCSD) and other community members seeking to move UCSD and University City to this district." "The Commission determined that the portion of University City east of Interstate 5 should move to District 6 based on the students’ requests and to achieve a 40% Asian population in this district." SAN DIEGO REDISTRICTING COMMISSION 2021 Final Redistricting Plan

Ashley Cha (she/her) is a graphic design intern at OTTA and is currently a sophomore at Santa Clara University studying Studio Art with an emphasis in graphic design and a minor in Management Information Systems. She is experienced in graphic design, specifically UI/UX, and is passionate about creating creative and effective art and design. At Santa Clara University, she is the Public Relations Officer for DayBreak, a K-POP cover dance crew, and the Korean Student Association. She also works at the De Saisset Museum as a Visitor Services Ambassador and contributes to creating promotional materials for the museum. In 2024, she participated in the Rice Design-a-Thon. Outside of work, she enjoys listening to music and dancing. < Back Ashley Cha Graphic Design Intern Ashley Cha (she/her) is a graphic design intern at OTTA and is currently a sophomore at Santa Clara University studying Studio Art with an emphasis in graphic design and a minor in Management Information Systems. She is experienced in graphic design, specifically UI/UX, and is passionate about creating creative and effective art and design. At Santa Clara University, she is the Public Relations Officer for DayBreak, a K-POP cover dance crew, and the Korean Student Association. She also works at the De Saisset Museum as a Visitor Services Ambassador and contributes to creating promotional materials for the museum. In 2024, she participated in the Rice Design-a-Thon. Outside of work, she enjoys listening to music and dancing. ashley.cha@ourtimetoact.org

Support our cause by making a charitable donation. Contributions of any size help us continue doing our work and advancing our mission. Help us organize the future in the present WHY GIVE? BECOME A MEMBER OTHER WAYS TO GIVE Looking for other ways to give? The best way to support our work is to become a member . But if that's not for you, we welcome and appreciate other ways to support our cause. Action hub for alternative giving: If you'd like to make a one-time donation, it's simple and easy. MAKE A ONE-TIME DONATION For other types of giving listed below, please reach out to Aidan Lin, Executive Director, at aidan.lin@ottaunited.org . Major Gifts In-Kind Donations Corporate Sponsorships Foundation Grants Donating your time If you are interested in giving your time through volunteering, the best way to let us know is to sign up for our newsletter and check the "volunteering" box as one of your interests. Share our cause with your network The easiest way to help us fundraise is to share our cause with your friends, family, and colleagues. Fundraisers that are shared on social networks raise up to 5 times more. Our youth organizing is depending on it!