< Back Manu Agni, OTTA Board Director, participates in Voice of San Diego's Politifest as a panelist Saturday, October 8, 2022 Aidan Lin, Executive Director On Saturday, October 8th, one of the largest local government forums in San Diego, the Voice of San Diego's Politifest , commenced at the University of San Diego. OTTA United was proud to be represented by Manu Agni, Board Director, in the Fast Bus! panel. The Fast Bus! report authored by Circulate San Diego describes relatively quick and low-cost initiatives to improve bus speed, frequency, and dwell time. Manu is known for his work in transit. As an Urban Studies Planning student, he has worked for transportation consultants, partaken in advocacy work, and led projects at UC San Diego to expand access to transit for students and youth. Manu contributed a valuable youth perspective—armed with extensive knowledge and firsthand experience—to the discussion. OTTA United's work and mission were well-represented by his voice. We look forward to relentlessly championing youth involvement in all spaces, including transit, and thank Circulate San Diego for the invitation to join the panel and Voice of San Diego for hosting the event. Next Previous

< Back to Open Positions Assistant Director of Research Volunteer San Diego and/or Remote APPLY Rolling application. Priority given to applications submitted before September 30th. ABOUT THE ROLE The Assistant Director of Research works to further our organization's scientific understanding of youth empowerment and development. By proposing and answering applicable and tangible research questions, Our Time to Act United can improve our approach, methodology, and actions to further our impact on youth. REQUIREMENTS Prior academic experience required. Preferred in the fields of psychology, sociology, education, political science, or related subjects. Demonstrates ability to identify research questions and strong project management. Undergraduate or beyond. Exceptions for exceptional candidates can be made. Highly flexible hours. Meetings dependent on research schedule. 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

Hadil Salih (she/her) is a senior at San Diego State University studying Comparative International Studies with a double minor in interdisciplinary studies and Arabic and Islamic Studies. Born in Germany, raised in Sudan for five years of her life, and migrating to the United States contributed to Hadil’s passion to learn more about foreign relations as well as legal diplomatic procedures. This led her to study abroad via the federally funded and operated Critical Language Scholarship, intern for the Superior Court of San Diego, become the External President of the national club Empowering Women in Law, and branch into other forms of public service. Hadil was also a resident advisor for two years, and she was trained to help first-year college students through many hardships. This includes economic instability, mental health problems, and Title IX cases. Currently, Hadil is Our Time To Act’s executive assistant. She manages the schedule for the Executive Director, the Office of the Executive Director, and Senior Management. She also fulfills various administrative tasks and has been aiding in drafting the Standard Operating Procedures. Hadil is new to Our Time To Act and is excited to continue to watch OTTA grow and reach various communities. < Back Hadil Salih Executive Assistant Hadil Salih (she/her) is a senior at San Diego State University studying Comparative International Studies with a double minor in interdisciplinary studies and Arabic and Islamic Studies. Born in Germany, raised in Sudan for five years of her life, and migrating to the United States contributed to Hadil’s passion to learn more about foreign relations as well as legal diplomatic procedures. This led her to study abroad via the federally funded and operated Critical Language Scholarship, intern for the Superior Court of San Diego, become the External President of the national club Empowering Women in Law, and branch into other forms of public service. Hadil was also a resident advisor for two years, and she was trained to help first-year college students through many hardships. This includes economic instability, mental health problems, and Title IX cases. Currently, Hadil is Our Time To Act’s executive assistant. She manages the schedule for the Executive Director, the Office of the Executive Director, and Senior Management. She also fulfills various administrative tasks and has been aiding in drafting the Standard Operating Procedures. Hadil is new to Our Time To Act and is excited to continue to watch OTTA grow and reach various communities. hadil.salih@ourtimetoact.org

Faith is an Accountant at Our Time To Act and a student at UC Davis. She is a junior majoring in Managerial Economics and minoring in Accounting. In addition to her position at Our Time To Act, she works an on-campus job at UC Davis and is the Professional Relations Director of the Davis Accounting Society (DAS). On her free time, Faith enjoys watching YouTube and playing video games with her friends. Some of her favorite games are Valorant, Phasmophobia, Cave Crawlers, and Minecraft. < Back Faith Xiong Accountant Faith is an Accountant at Our Time To Act and a student at UC Davis. She is a junior majoring in Managerial Economics and minoring in Accounting. In addition to her position at Our Time To Act, she works an on-campus job at UC Davis and is the Professional Relations Director of the Davis Accounting Society (DAS). On her free time, Faith enjoys watching YouTube and playing video games with her friends. Some of her favorite games are Valorant, Phasmophobia, Cave Crawlers, and Minecraft. faith.xiong@ourtimetoact.org

MIDWAY PROJECT BACKGROUND Midway District, neighboring Old Town San Diego, is home to many notable attractions in SD such as Kobey’s Swap Meet and Pechanga Arena. In 2020, voters approved an increase in the development. Recently, however, the city has recently blocked bids that prioritize housing over building a new stadium. We are advocating for housing to be the first priority in new development. TAKE ACTION GOALS ADVOCATE for housing to be the top priority in Midway development. CALL for the City Council to reject the Mayor's recommendation to cut two bidders out, and instead implement a clear process for analysis and selection. MORE RESOURCES "Politics Report: What San Diegans Are Worried About Now, " Voice of San Diego (April 2022) "Not only do housing and homelessness now rank as the biggest problem for nearly 60 percent of the city, according to this poll, but virtually every other concern has faded from view. No single issue gets more than five percent of people’s attention." "San Diego’s sports arena site is up for grabs. These are the 5 teams competing to remake the property, " San Diego Union-Tribune (January 2022) "What is the strongest bid for San Diego’s sports arena site? " San Diego Union-Tribune (February 2022) "City Staff Picks Preferred Sports Arena Bid, " Voice of San Diego (April 2022) "The staff recommendation shows how much Mayor Todd Gloria is prioritizing a new arena on the land, at least in the case of one of the bidders, over affordable housing.” "San Diego Has a Housing Crisis, Not an Arena Crisis, " Voice of San Diego (April 2022) "Public lands should be used for the greatest public good – which in San Diego means housing, housing, and more housing. City leaders have articulated the importance of housing but the real test will be their decision at Midway." "For the city to give priority to a state-of-the-art entertainment complex, intended to attract more concerts and minor-league sports teams, would be a gross example of misguided public planning. Without sufficient housing, San Diego can’t attract new jobs. Higher education can’t attract students."

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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

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THE LIBERATED PEEP Check back soon Once posts are published, you’ll see them here. Search Aathmika Radhachandran Jan 1 3 min Aathmika: Your Guide to Changing Your Community In a constantly changing world, it's important to fight for what you believe in. Our Time to Act United's (OTTA United) Board of... 39 0 comments 0 4 likes. Post not marked as liked 4 Michael Nguyen Dec 4, 2023 2 min Michael Nguyen: Chess at OTTA I was first introduced to chess in the eighth grade. I joined my school's chess club, which was ran by my math teacher, Mr. S. He taught... 30 0 comments 0 6 likes. Post not marked as liked 6 Benjamin Wang Dec 3, 2022 2 min Our First Annual Winter Gala... And You're Invited! It has been a busy year for Our Time to Act United (OTTA United). From advocating for equitable representation during the redistricting... 96 0 comments 0 9 likes. Post not marked as liked 9 ARTICLES