Whole Life Times: Get Involved! WLT Guide to Grassroots Activism

November 2004 | November 3rd and Beyond

Get Involved! WLT Guide to Grassroots Activism

By Eliza Thomas

‘Tis the season of post-election blues. Now that you’ve cast your ballot, you may find yourself experiencing a little post-partum depression. After all, haven’t many of us spent the last nine months worrying, reading, predicting, arguing and obsessing over the outcome of the 2004 presidential election? Now that the race is over, whether your candidate won or lost, it is natural to feel a certain sense of loss.

Yes, the big day may have come and gone—but the greatest challenges still lie ahead. Now is the time to channel the momentum of the past election year and put those slogans into action to create change on the local level. The Southland is brimming with causes to fit every conscientious citizen. To assist you in tailoring your own campaign for change, WLT has compiled the following resource guide.

Greening the Beast

With our infamous pollution, notorious sprawl and population congestion, many perceive L.A. as a city with a Shaq-sized environmental footprint. Fighting diligently to offset this bad rap are hundreds of committed agencies, community groups and nonprofits who would greatly appreciate the support and involvement of a volunteer like you.

For nearly 20 years, HEAL THE BAY has been on the frontlines of the effort to make SoCal beaches and oceans safe and healthy for all who love them. Promising volunteer opportunities “in every shape and size,” Heal the Bay holds volunteer orientations at their Santa Monica offices on the second Monday of each month. www.healthebay.org, 310.453.0395 800.HEALBAY (in California only).

Working community by community, ECOLUTIONS is committed to empowering L.A. neighborhoods to create long-term pollution solutions. Striving to “unite the concepts of economic enterprise and environmentalism, progress and practicality, success and sustainability,” Ecolutions spearheads a series of educational projects in the classroom and hands-on programs in the community. To lend a hand, contact Ecolutions Outreach Coordinator Aimee Dewing at adewing@ecolutions.org, www.ecolutions.org or 310.203.0683.

And Justice For All

In a city pushing 13 million, there are about as many opportunities to fight for issues of social justice. As WLT readers know, our lives can be a political statement—as nearly every choice we make has the potential to effect profound change on those around us. For a more direct approach to issues of equality, spend some quality time with organizations like the following:

With their hands in every major issue on the progressive agenda, CODEPINK’s righteous warriors in rose defy categorizing. Los Angeles is blessed to be one of the hubs of the CodePink movement, so if your closet is at a loss for blush tones, pick up a package of Rit dye and hit the streets for some creative uprising. www.codepink4peace.org.

An organization that has provided over $19 million in funds since 1976, LIBERTY HILL FOUNDATION is a powerhouse for change in the greater L.A. community. While the Foundation itself primarily relies on donors rather than volunteers, their detailed website is a valuable resource for those new to L.A. activism (school yourself by clicking on “issues 101”), and their list of grantees serves as a ready-made roster of worthy grassroots efforts in need of your support. www.libertyhill.org.

Envision Whirled Peas

World Peace can be more than a daily prayer. These organizations are among those that hold themselves accountable:

What began as a community outreach program after the 9/11 tragedy has evolved to become an ongoing hub of peace and justice activism. Beginning 11/9, the Los Angeles-based COALITION FOR WORLD PEACE (CFWP) will resume weekly Tuesday public meetings at the Peace Center, 8124 W. 3rd St., L.A. Meetings start at 7 p.m. www.coalitionforworldpeace.org, 323.281.7322.

At the headquarters of their many chapters around the state, CALIFORNIA PEACE ACTION trains activists to organize the public on issues of peace and justice. 310.559.3441, www.californiapeaceaction.org.

Your Democracy

At the headquarters of the political parties, the party never stops. Contact the local chapter of your affiliation of choice, and find out how to lend your support.

As a grassroots effort, the CALIFORNIA GREEN PARTY depends on volunteers to table, fundraise, campaign and provide office and administrative support. www.losangelesgreens.org, 323.651.5539.

The Southern California chapter of AMERICANS FOR DEMOCRATIC ACTION (ADA) is the largest and most active chapter of a group that calls itself “the nation’s most preeminent independent liberal organization.” home.earthlink.net/~socalada/ADAWebsite/fnation.html.

The LOS ANGELES DEMOCRATIC PARTY has many opportunities to get involved. A major source of LACDP’s organizing is through the encouragement and facilitation of Democratic Clubs (of which there are currently more than 80 in the L.A. area). www.lacdp.org, 213.382.0063.

More than 50 Libertarians hold public office in California. You can find their official home on the Web at www.ca.lp.org, 818.782.8400.

If You Can’t Beat ‘Em

Sometimes the best way to create change is to get on the inside. There are countless opportunities to run for elected office in Los Angeles, from county commission to city council, state legislature to school board. Most cities in L.A. County provide information and requirements for running for public office on their individual websites. In addition, the CALIFORNIA VOTER FOUNDATION (www.calvoter.org) serves as an excellent non-partisan resource guide for politically-minded Californians.

Go Further

To be an activist in a city as large as ours takes courage, determination and the right set of tools. While our guide has hopefully given you a place to begin, it is merely the tip of the tip of the iceberg. Some applied Web sleuthing, beginning with these worthy Web sites, is sure to pick up where we’ve left off:

www.volunteermatch.com — Their motto? “Get out. Do good.”

www.actionla.org — Keeping your finger on the pulse.

www.progressivela.org — Great minds think alike.

Eliza Thomas is WLT’s Associate Editor.

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