Masaki (he/him/his) is a student at the University of California, San Diego majoring in Joint Mathematics-Economics, and Urban Studies and Planning. He has been passionate about issues in American cities and communities since learning about the field in October 2021 right after arriving at UCSD. In the summer of 2022, he led a group of 15 young people to advocate for housing and transit at City Council and Planning Commission meetings in his hometown of Jurupa Valley, CA, garnering recognition from elected and appointed officials. He hopes to continue this work in his hometown and San Diego. Outside of Our Time To Act as a Housing Justice Director of Eliminating Exclusionary Zoning, Masaki is also interested in learning about issues regarding transportation, particularly public transit. He is currently working with his city to study the current status of transit in the community, surveying the population about their perceptions of it and what could be done to improve it. After graduation, he hopes to work as an urban planner in Southern California to continue advocating for better public transit and housing policies to benefit everyone in the region. < Back Masaki Mendoza Housing Justice Director Masaki (he/him/his) is a student at the University of California, San Diego majoring in Joint Mathematics-Economics, and Urban Studies and Planning. He has been passionate about issues in American cities and communities since learning about the field in October 2021 right after arriving at UCSD. In the summer of 2022, he led a group of 15 young people to advocate for housing and transit at City Council and Planning Commission meetings in his hometown of Jurupa Valley, CA, garnering recognition from elected and appointed officials. He hopes to continue this work in his hometown and San Diego. Outside of Our Time To Act as a Housing Justice Director of Eliminating Exclusionary Zoning, Masaki is also interested in learning about issues regarding transportation, particularly public transit. He is currently working with his city to study the current status of transit in the community, surveying the population about their perceptions of it and what could be done to improve it. After graduation, he hopes to work as an urban planner in Southern California to continue advocating for better public transit and housing policies to benefit everyone in the region. masaki.mendoza@ourtimetoact.org

< Back OTTA United celebrates three new board directors, two youth and one youth ally Sunday, October 9, 2022 Our Time to Act United After confirmation at our October 9th Board Meeting, OTTA United is honored to welcome three new volunteers to our Board of Directors: Leana Cortez, Former OTTA United Advocacy Director & Clean4Kids Board Member Abbey Reuter , Former OTTA United Advocacy Director & current Community Representative for County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher Scott Warren , Co-founder and former CEO of Generation Citizen & current Youth Civic/Political Engagement and Leadership Specialist at USAID These individuals bring incredible lived experiences, unique perspectives, and the right mindset to our organization. Together, with their diversity and skills, we are better equipped to tackle our mission to "organize powerful youth for an inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future." Next Previous

< Back to Open Positions CYAN Lead Organizer Volunteer San Diego, CA, USA APPLY Rolling application. Priority given to applications submitted before March 31st, 2024. ABOUT THE ROLE THE ROLE We are looking for a CYAN Lead Organizer (0.75 FTE). The Lead Organizer reports to the Executive Director and works in close partnership with the Director of Housing Justice, the Housing Justice Team, and the Engagement Team. The Lead Organizer will develop our flagship program—the Civic Youth Action Network (CYAN)—by working with the CYAN leadership team to accomplish CYAN-related membership and organizing objectives. This position will also support the housing justice organizing and research work led by the Housing Justice Team. JOB DESCRIPTION Key responsibilities include to: This role is empowered to plan, launch, and execute organizing events that draw youth and youth allies into our youth organizing (CYAN) and housing work Build people power by building relationships with youth, including individuals, youth-led organizations, and youth-serving organizations and institutions Manage volunteers that are essential to building capacity for organizing and direct action Develop the leadership capacity of CYAN leaders and members, aiding the planning and execution of the CYAN Conference and monthly events Assist in research-related projects, including the Youth Housing Safety Net which identifies how youth fall into homelessness and are failed by the system and the history & impacts of exclusionary single-family zoning Become a clear and powerful voice for organizing and the principles thereof inside and outside of the organization This is the dream job for someone passionate about organizing people to disrupt the status quo; lifting up marginalized voices, including youth; working directly with individuals and groups with diverse identities, lived experiences, and perspectives; and engaging youth and the community to build long-lasting power and a brighter future. We are looking for someone who: Has strong organizational and time management skills Has the ability to work both independently and as part of a team Has a desire to learn organizing skills and expand youth power in San Diego Is passionate about our mission REQUIREMENTS EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE Previous organizing experience or related work experience is preferred, with priority given to individuals with experience organizing youth or for youth-related issues. A high school diploma is preferred, although not required if a candidate has exemplary youth organizing experience. ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION WORK MODALITY & LOCATION The work modality of this role is either hybrid or remote. Work is welcome in person at OTTA United’s office, located in San Diego, California (3252 Holiday Court Ste 103, San Diego, CA 92037), but it is not required. PAY & BENEFITS This position is on a volunteer basis. There is no monetary compensation for this position at this time. OTTA United deeply values the potential for personal and career development and strives to uplift its team members to best position them for their bright futures. Non-monetary benefits include: Tailored work experience and growth to fit your desired career path Hands-on experience with Quickbooks and resources to foster exploration Letters of recommendation Certified Volunteer Hours, if requested A tight-knit team and community of fellow change-makers 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

Evan (He/Him/His) is a Housing Justice Organizer for the Enacting Social Housing team, and a high school student at The Bishop's School. He love biology, the history of the atomic bomb, the Los Angeles Rams, and is very excited to learn more about legal advocacy. He looks forward to developing relationships with likeminded individuals that last for years to come. < Back Evan Hamadeh Housing Justice Organizer Evan (He/Him/His) is a Housing Justice Organizer for the Enacting Social Housing team, and a high school student at The Bishop's School. He love biology, the history of the atomic bomb, the Los Angeles Rams, and is very excited to learn more about legal advocacy. He looks forward to developing relationships with likeminded individuals that last for years to come. evan.hamadeh@ourtimetoact.org

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

Check out our impact in 2024! Download

The Civic Youth Action Network (CYAN) is a community hub for youth organizing, giving power to youth as leaders for direct action on the housing crisis. Become a Changemaker. Ever wonder why our systems never seem to change? 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 . "We are living now inside the imagination of people who thought economic disparity and environmental destruction were acceptable costs for their power. It is our right and responsibility to write ourselves into the future. All organizing is science fiction." - adrienne maree brown, Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds What is CYAN ? The CIVIC YOUTH ACTION NETWORK is a network of youth-led and youth-serving organizations, teams, and leaders committed to training and resourcing grassroots youth organizers for system-level changes that foster a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future. Joining CYAN is a commitment to collaborative learning and teaching for and by youth leaders. As a youth-founded, youth-led nonprofit, Our Time To Act has grown and evolved at the pace of our lessons learned. We have had incredible intergenerational mentors and powerful youth leaders to help us along our journey. CYAN is a means of sharing the wealth of knowledge San Diego has to offer. Together we will provide trainings, teach and practice critical skills, and support our collective work for a better future. We need more youth activists and organizers. Most adult-led youth programs have small cohorts, focus on specific skills, or fail to address the systems that disadvantage us in the first place. At the same time, many youth-led groups, at no fault of their own, lack the resources and networks to harness the power of collective action. We want to transform the field of youth-led organizing. We want to eradicate the disillusionment, disengagement, and disempowerment we experience as youth. For that, we need you. CYAN Interest Form Definitions from Oxford Languages COM•MU•NI•TY OR•GAN•IZ•ING noun NORTH AMERICAN the coordination of cooperative efforts and campaigning carried out by local residents to promote the interests of their community. "San Diego's youth engaged in community organizing to address housing insecurity and create a better future." LEARN CYAN members gain access to trainings and workshops that teach you how to organize, mobilize, network, give public comment, analyze policy, fundraise, network, and so much more. The overwhelming majority of learning is youth-to-youth. We invite members of CYAN to create and facilitate their own trainings and workshops to expand the breadth of knowledge shared within our network. We promise we’ll learn just as much from you as you from us. CREATE CHANGE Member-led collective action campaigns open opportunities in activism and leadership for youth to apply learned skills to better our future. Housing, transportation, social and racial justice, climate action, and inclusive governance all require systems-level change. Members will have the opportunity to share their ongoing changemaking campaigns with the network to gain support and facilitate collective action. FIND COMMUNITY Perhaps the most cherished part of CYAN is the close community it fosters. There’s something unparalleled about fighting for change together, and it forges strong relationships that are fun, unique, and powerful. Members of CYAN will support one another's learning and changemaking journeys. The best lessons don't always have to be learned the hard way. Our future will be filled with joy, laughter, and shoulders to cry on. C IVIC Y OUTH A CTION N ETWORK The CIVIC YOUTH ACTION NETWORK is a network of youth-led and youth-serving organizations, teams, and leaders committed to training and resourcing grassroots youth organizers for system-level changes that foster a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future. . " Youth can breach the political realm — they just need knowledge and community." – Ken Fesler, Board Director at Our Time To Act STAY IN TOUCH subscribe to newsletter @ottaunited @our time to act united

Join us in advocating for more housing opportunities through the City's Housing Action Package 2.0.

Oliver has lived in Boston, Chicago, Denver, and Los Angeles but considers the Bay Area home. He is a Stanford and Harvard trained clinical psychologist and has returned to Stanford University to serve as Operations Director at Counseling and Psychological Services, teach courses in Asian American Studies, supervise the next generation of psychologists, and provide outreach workshops and trainings. Oliver is humbled to serve on the Board of Our Time To Act and truly inspired to see the youth make such a meaningful impact in their local communities. < Back Oliver Lin Treasurer Oliver has lived in Boston, Chicago, Denver, and Los Angeles but considers the Bay Area home. He is a Stanford and Harvard trained clinical psychologist and has returned to Stanford University to serve as Operations Director at Counseling and Psychological Services, teach courses in Asian American Studies, supervise the next generation of psychologists, and provide outreach workshops and trainings. Oliver is humbled to serve on the Board of Our Time To Act and truly inspired to see the youth make such a meaningful impact in their local communities. oliver.lin@ourtimetoact.org

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

Welcome to a night full of excitement, including food from local businesses, a project showcase highlighting this year's efforts, and keynote speakers. MENU: ITINERARY:

Samyak Jain is majoring in Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He spends his free time dancing and spending time with his family. In his past few years being a Vice President with Our Time To Act, he has made countless priceless memories and connections and is looking forward to seeing what Our Time To Act will accomplish next. < Back Samyak Jain Secretary Samyak Jain is majoring in Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He spends his free time dancing and spending time with his family. In his past few years being a Vice President with Our Time To Act, he has made countless priceless memories and connections and is looking forward to seeing what Our Time To Act will accomplish next. samyak.jain@ourtimetoact.org