Support our cause by becoming a monthly or yearly member. 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 MAKE A ONE-TIME DONATION BECOME A MEMBER Why become a member? Without you, we can't tap into the passion, creativity, and out-of-the-box perspective that youth bring to the table. Last year, we recruited hundreds of youth to make a brighter future possible. We need your help in order to continue this work. Why monthly or yearly? We ask for a recurring donation because our work is an ongoing effort — day to day, month to month, and year to year. We need consistent resources to deliver sustained results, and we want to foster a robust relationship with you to take meaningful strides toward achieving our mission. Membership levels BECOME A MEMBER PEEP Invitation to quarterly members-only "Coffee Chats!" $5/mo $60/yr FRIEND Invitation to quarterly members-only "Coffee Chats!" 50% off of our Annual Gala Ticket ($50 value) $15/mo $180/yr SUPPORTER Invitation to quarterly members-only "Coffee Chats!" 1 Annual Gala Ticket ($100 value) Public recognition on our website (Optional) $25/mo $300/yr ADVOCATE Invitation to our quarterly members-only "Coffee Chats!" 2 Annual Gala Tickets and special recognition as Gala Co-Host ($350 value) Public recognition on our website (Optional) Invitation to quarterly "Roundtable Discussions" with Staff & Board Leadership $50/mo $600/yr Membership Goals In order to provide stability for our nonprofit, we set membership goals every month. Become a member today to help us reach our goals and fund our cause! New members (out of 50) Raised (out of $10,000)

< 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 . Next Previous

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

< Back Thank you to those who made it out to our API & Youth Voter Engagement Community Kickoff! Saturday, April 16, 2022 Sparky Mitra, Voter Engagement Project Manager Next Previous

< Back Two young leaders, Nicole Lillie and Yvania Rubio, take new leadership roles on staff team Tuesday, January 17, 2023 Aidan Lin, Executive Director In the new year, we at Our Time to Act (OTTA) United are proud to announce two brand new positions in our staff team: Housing Projects Director and Director of Organizing . These positions represent the trailblazing work we are doing to advance housing solutions for youth and the broader San Diego community and the intentional focus on organizing youth that our mission calls for. Joining us in these new roles are renowned youth leaders and previous OTTA United staff members Nicole Lillie and Yvania Rubio, respectively. Nicole Lillie (she/her) served as the Project Director for OTTA United’s Youth Voter Engagement Project in the 2022 election. As a high school student, Ms. Lillie got her start in advocacy and voter engagement by organizing multiple voter registration drives at her high school. She also built up her school’s Rotary Interact Club as President for three years. She has demonstrated remarkable leadership capability both within and outside of OTTA United, engaging with thousands of youth and championing the cause of youth participation in politics. In her new role as Housing Projects Director, Ms. Lillie will work to organize and engage youth in local housing solutions, with a specific emphasis on Community Planning Groups and Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in San Diego. Yvania Rubio (she/her/élla) worked alongside Ms. Lillie in OTTA United’s Youth Voter Engagement Project. She currently serves as a Youth Commissioner for the City of San Diego, and recently completed internships with Youth Will and the Live Well Youth Sector at the County of San Diego. During her time at OTTA United and in our community, Ms. Rubio demonstrated an incredible talent for building relationships with youth and policymakers, sharing her own lived experiences as a source of empowerment, and being a strong advocate for her own communities and those around her. As Director of Organizing, Ms. Rubio will drive bold change in local and regional communities that places more power in the hands of youth for an inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future. She will lead OTTA United’s organizing strategy, support new and capable youth leaders, and deepen our relationships with the broader communities we serve. We have immense confidence in these two young leaders, and we look forward to working with them in their new roles to expand OTTA United’s reach, impact, and advancement of our mission. Next Previous

< 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

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

Aarohan (he/him/his) is a Housing Justice Director of Enacting Social Housing at Our Time To Act. He is a sophomore at University of California, San Diego, and is majoring in Political Science. He has been involved in the legal field and community service projects. He is looking forward to helping his community and pushing Our Time To Act towards its goals. He is enthusiastic about soccer and is a cinephile. He is considering minoring in theatre and still has not made a decision. < Back Aarohan Hariharan Housing Justice Director Aarohan (he/him/his) is a Housing Justice Director of Enacting Social Housing at Our Time To Act. He is a sophomore at University of California, San Diego, and is majoring in Political Science. He has been involved in the legal field and community service projects. He is looking forward to helping his community and pushing Our Time To Act towards its goals. He is enthusiastic about soccer and is a cinephile. He is considering minoring in theatre and still has not made a decision. aarohan.hariharan@ourtimetoact.org

Vedant Patel (he/him/his) is the Communications Chair of CYAN and currently a student studying Computer Science at the University of California, San Diego. He has been invested in US and global politics since the 2016 US Presidential election, and became particularly interested in issues surrounding housing, transit, and the environment during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-21 after delving into the history of urban planning of his hometown of Los Angeles and the country and world more broadly. He has advocated for increased housing density, improved transit access and infrastructure, and greater adoption of mixed-use communities at University Community Plan Update Meetings and has helped plan and organize events for Our Time To Act (OTTA). After graduation, he hopes to continue his involvement in CYAN and OTTA and contribute to a brighter future for San Diego and California as a whole. Outside of learning more about housing, transit, urbanism, and environmentalism, Vedant is an international relations and history buff. Additionally, as a Computer Science major, he is always open to expand his knowledge and skills related to the field and its various subfields such as full stack development and artificial intelligence. In his spare time, he avidly follows Formula One and is an aspiring cinephile and telephile. < Back Vedant Patel CYAN Advisor Vedant Patel (he/him/his) is the Communications Chair of CYAN and currently a student studying Computer Science at the University of California, San Diego. He has been invested in US and global politics since the 2016 US Presidential election, and became particularly interested in issues surrounding housing, transit, and the environment during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-21 after delving into the history of urban planning of his hometown of Los Angeles and the country and world more broadly. He has advocated for increased housing density, improved transit access and infrastructure, and greater adoption of mixed-use communities at University Community Plan Update Meetings and has helped plan and organize events for Our Time To Act (OTTA). After graduation, he hopes to continue his involvement in CYAN and OTTA and contribute to a brighter future for San Diego and California as a whole. Outside of learning more about housing, transit, urbanism, and environmentalism, Vedant is an international relations and history buff. Additionally, as a Computer Science major, he is always open to expand his knowledge and skills related to the field and its various subfields such as full stack development and artificial intelligence. In his spare time, he avidly follows Formula One and is an aspiring cinephile and telephile. vedant.patel@ourtimetoact.org

Isaac Lara holds a Bachelors of Science in Clinical Psychology and Global Health, and is currently a graduate student studying Global Health at the University of California, San Diego. He officially joined Our Time To Act in December 2021 as the Assistant Director of Outreach. In the past, Isaac received the Excellence in Promoting Mental Health and Distinguished Senior Service Awards, along with recognition from various organizations for his dedication and service. Isaac enjoys going to music festivals, trying new food and boba spots, reading, and spending time with his yorkie in his free time. < Back Isaac Lara Director of Communications Isaac Lara holds a Bachelors of Science in Clinical Psychology and Global Health, and is currently a graduate student studying Global Health at the University of California, San Diego. He officially joined Our Time To Act in December 2021 as the Assistant Director of Outreach. In the past, Isaac received the Excellence in Promoting Mental Health and Distinguished Senior Service Awards, along with recognition from various organizations for his dedication and service. Isaac enjoys going to music festivals, trying new food and boba spots, reading, and spending time with his yorkie in his free time. isaac.lara@ourtimetoact.org

< Back to Open Positions Co-Director of Engagement Staff Director (Volunteer) San Diego and/or Remote APPLY Rolling application. Priority given to applications submitted before February 28th, 2024. ABOUT THE ROLE About the Role We seek a driven and enthusiastic Co-Director of Engagement to join our Engagement Team. This is a great opportunity for students or recent graduates to gain hands-on experience and mentorship. Position responsibilities: Work closely and coordinate with the other Co-Director of Engagement to manage the Engagement Team of 5 Strategize the direction of OTTA United’s marketing and branding efforts Set objectives and plans to create consistent engagement content for the community Lead the development of the following marketing channels: press releases, emails, social media (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube), and website Assist in planning events to drive membership and donorship Learn how to navigate MailChimp, Meta Manager, and Google Ads Manager Lead and facilitate weekly team meetings Lead bi-weekly one-on-one check-ins with Engagement team members Attend weekly Directors’ meetings What We Offer: The Co-Director of Engagement's main focus will be learning and applying the trade in a professional setting. Learn how to operate within a non-profit organization, including event logistics, social media management, and team management Develop strong leadership and communication skills Opportunity to work on and apply your skills to real-life marketing projects and gain practical experience Exposure to various marketing strategies, procedures, and systems A chance to develop and showcase your skills and creativity Insight into different areas of marketing Hourly Commitment: 6-12 hours per week, with flexible start and end times to fit your schedule If you are passionate about marketing and have a desire to learn and grow, we encourage you to apply! REQUIREMENTS 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 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 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