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< Back Circulate San Diego Designates OTTA as Sustainable Growth Award Winner Thursday, September 21, 2023 Our Time to Act United MEDIA CONTACT: Mariya Grabovska, Press Intern ( mariya.grabovska@ottaunited.org ) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: OTTA United has been honored by Circulate San Diego with the prestigious “Sustainable Growth” Award in recognition of its outstanding efforts in the San Diego region. "OTTA United has been side-by-side with Circulate San Diego in advocating for more housing and promoting denser, walkable, and more vibrant neighborhoods," says Masaki Mendoza, Housing Justice Organizer at OTTA United. The organization has been actively demonstrating its commitment to sustainable growth through its advocacy for policies that foster denser housing, particularly around public transit stations in San Diego. OTTA United firmly believes that denser housing addresses affordability concerns and contributes significantly to environmental preservation and climate action. By utilizing less land for accommodating the same or larger populations, OTTA United aims to combat urban sprawl which poses environmental challenges, transportation difficulties, and high land prices. Circulate San Diego has acknowledged the hard work being done by the very talented and passionate young individuals at our organization as well as what we have been able to accomplish in collaboration with their mission. The award ceremony took place at the San Diego Natural History Museum in Balboa Park from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm. The event aimed to acknowledge organizations, individuals, and projects that have significantly contributed to the mission of Circulate San Diego. Among the recognized individuals was California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who was lauded for his efforts in addressing the state’s housing crisis. OTTA United expresses gratitude for the recognition and remains dedicated to its mission of promoting sustainable growth; advocating for policies that create vibrant, walkable communities; and collaborating with organizations like Circulate San Diego to make a positive impact on urban development. In addition, receiving this recognition wouldn’t be possible without the hard work of the Housing Team at OTTA. We thank the individuals behind the scenes and those on the frontline. Next Previous

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

< Back Aidan Lin, Executive Director, awarded "Bridge Builder of the Year" for API Heritage Month Thursday, May 19, 2022 Our Time to Act United On May 19th, 2022, Aidan Lin was awarded the "2022 Bridge Builder of the Year Award" at the Asian Pacific Islander Leaders of the Year Awards hosted by the San Diego Business Journal and Asian Business Association San Diego . Aidan was recognized for his work with Our Time to Act (OTTA) United in his capacity as Executive Director for his leadership during the City of San Diego's 2020-21 redistricting process, during which OTTA United partnered with dozens of community-based organizations to push for equitable representation for the Asian, Latine, Black, and youth communities of San Diego. OTTA United is honored to have its principal leader recognized for his work in the community—particularly as a force for coalition-building and intersectional collaboration. As we celebrate Asian Heritage Month, we are proud of Aidan's accomplishments and the invaluable relationships we have built with San Diego's API community. Next Previous

< 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

Arianna (she/her) is one of the Housing Justice Organizers of Our Time To Act, she's currently a junior attending Lincoln High School. She is ASB Class of 2025 president, and founded the "ASB Class of 2025 Fundraising Committee" with the help of her fellow officers, which is a club that allows students to have the opportunity to be included in ASB other than just the elected officers. Arianna is also a student athlete who plays basketball, softball, and was JV Captain during her sophomore season. Arianna is in the Aaron Price Fellowship program, which exposed her to opportunities such as being the moderator of the youth panel at the 2022 Politifest which highlighted the importance in youth being politically involved, co-hosting at a County event about gun violence, being a youth intern at Project AWARE, which is a program that focuses on developing a advocating for troubled youth, and being Region 12 CASC's committee director. < Back Arianna Alvarado Housing Justice Organizer Arianna (she/her) is one of the Housing Justice Organizers of Our Time To Act, she's currently a junior attending Lincoln High School. She is ASB Class of 2025 president, and founded the "ASB Class of 2025 Fundraising Committee" with the help of her fellow officers, which is a club that allows students to have the opportunity to be included in ASB other than just the elected officers. Arianna is also a student athlete who plays basketball, softball, and was JV Captain during her sophomore season. Arianna is in the Aaron Price Fellowship program, which exposed her to opportunities such as being the moderator of the youth panel at the 2022 Politifest which highlighted the importance in youth being politically involved, co-hosting at a County event about gun violence, being a youth intern at Project AWARE, which is a program that focuses on developing a advocating for troubled youth, and being Region 12 CASC's committee director. arianna.alvarado@ourtimetoact.org

< Back Press Conference and Rally: The University Community is Pro-Housing Saturday, March 11, 2023 Our Time to Act United Media Contact: Aidan Lin, Our Time to Act United aidan.lin@ottaunited.org On March 11, nonprofit Our Time To Act United (OTTA United) hosted a rally and press conference to support more housing in the University Community Plan Update. San Diego is in a housing and climate crisis. We need more mixed-use, multi-family, high-density housing, paired with employment and transit, to tackle both issues at once. “The housing crisis is an intersectional issue that affects our entire community. Solving the housing crisis means changing the way we develop our land to encourage high-density development that realistically plans for our future,” said Nicole Lillie, Housing Projects Director at Our Time to Act United. “Housing is a human right, it's time we start enacting policies and pursuing strategies that will actually achieve providing it." "The vibrancy of the University area will be destroyed if people of all stages of life can't afford to live here,” said Rachel Graham, Housing and Transit Advocate. “Lack of housing means that young adults can't stay in the neighborhood where they grew up. A lack of housing means that seniors must choose between downsizing and remaining in their community. No one should have to leave an area because they can't afford it." "We must take a holistic approach to solving the ongoing climate and housing crises concurrently,” said Mikey Knab, Policy Director at Climate Action Campaign. “I hope we can all agree that at the bare minimum everyone deserves affordable housing in close proximity to safe, reliable public transportation, good schools, family sustaining jobs, grocery stores, and green open spaces." "As young people advocating for housing, we are aware that we may not reap the benefits of our efforts soon, but we aren't working and organizing for ourselves, we are planning for our future community members that wish to have an affordable home as they serve San Diego as powerful community leaders and trailblazers," said Yvania Rubio, Student at UC San Diego. Rally attendees called upon the local community planning group, planning commission, and city council to support a Plan Update that allows for the most density in accordance with the Planning Department's smart growth principles. They also asked the broader San Diego community to come support housing across the city. The University Community is not the only one that needs more housing—we need it across all highest resource areas in San Diego. Next Previous

< Back to Open Positions Advocate Academy Program Manager Volunteer South Bay Area APPLY Rolling application. Priority given to applications submitted before September 30th. ABOUT THE ROLE Program Managers for the Advocate Academy support the Advocate Academy. This role is tasked with further developing our academy's curriculum, marketing this opportunity to potential participants, securing speakers and guest teachers, and directly teaching classes to equip youth with the skills they need to become effective advocates. REQUIREMENTS No prior experience required. Demonstrates ability to teach educational material. 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

2nd Annual Winter Gala: Dawn In The Mountains Our Time To Act proudly presents our 2nd annual gala on January 13th! Join us for our midday celebration of our collective accomplishments. There’ll be delicious food, featured speakers, and project showcases. We can’t wait to see you there. TICKET PRICES BUY TICKETS DATE Saturday, January 13th, 2024 TIME 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. PT LOCATION The Great Hall at UCSD (9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093) ADMISSION PRICES $100 $25 $250 INFO Co-hosts have the option for a full table for $600. Along with all co-host benefits, you will receive 7 extra tickets for you to bring 7 guests to our gala! (full table typically costs $800) BUY TICKETS price SPONSOR THE EVENT By sponsoring us, you’ll be a large part of our Gala. Even after, you’ll play an active role in supporting Our Time To Act by funding our future events and projects. BECOME A SPONSOR VIEW SPONSOR PACKET CO-HOSTS Martin Campos Judy Ki Kevin Shin Abbey Reuter Tama Becker-Varano Indroneal Banerjee Josh Kavanagh YMCA of San Diego County Leif Gensert SPONSORS San Diego Youth Homelessness Consortium San Diego Youth Marina Tostado & Oliver Lin QUOTES FROM OUR BOARD “The gala in three words: inspiring, impressive, and community—there were so many great people we were able to connect with.” “If anyone has the ability to support, empower, or champion youth and have the passion for it, this is for them – it’s so meaningful to invest in the next generation” “I’m grateful to be a part of something bigger than myself, to be involved in youth empowerment and see the impact in communities” Anna Pierce Oliver Lin Gabrielle Darisme A Glimpse into Last Year's Gala 2022's Winter Gala: A Sky Full of Stars celebrated our accomplishments, which could not have been possible without our community. After all, it's only when together that we shine brightly, dazzling the dark night with shimmering stars. View our collection of photos, videos, and blog below. READ MORE

< 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