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Part-time Organizing Fellow Job Posting

by | Jul 14, 2022 | Blog

Part-time Organizing Fellow 

Job Summary: The Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition Action Fund (CIRC Action) is seeking 12 part time Organizer Fellows to assist with our advocacy for the 2022 Electoral Program! We are seeking someone who is passionate about human rights and believes in the dignity of all people. This position will primarily be focused on having conversations with voters about the immigration issues at stake in midterm elections this year. The ideal candidate for this position has experience in organizing and is interested in developing skills in community outreach and political advocacy. 

Organizational Summaries:  CIRC Action Fund (CIRC AF) is a corporation organized to operate exclusively for the promotion of social welfare under Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. CIRCAF believes in the inherent dignity and human rights of every person, regardless of immigration status.  CIRC AF works to build a strong and thriving Colorado where all residents are treated with dignity and respect and have equal access to a fair and just quality of life and the opportunity to live united with family members. We achieve mission through advocating for fair, humane and workable public policies at the state and local level and by increasing the civic participation of new Americans.

Specific Role and Responsibilities

Carry out door-to-door canvassing in BIPOC communities to educate voters on immigration issues at stake in municipal elections

  • Learn about candidates running for office in state, local and federal elections across the state
  • Work with the Regional Campaign Manager and Mobilization Manager to craft messages that connect with voters, particularly in BIPOC communities
  • Submit nightly reports of doors knocked, contacts, and commitment cards 
  • Organize literature and tablets on policy issues at stake in municipal elections
  • Complete required reports and enter data accurately and on time
  • Assist and support the Relational Campaign Manager  and C4 senior staff  as needed

Strong Commitment Towards Anti-Oppression:

  • All staff are expected to be active participants in CIRC’s equity and inclusivity efforts to make progress toward a vision of an organizational culture that reflects the values and principles that we are fighting for.

Qualifications 

    • Preferred: Some campaign and/or field organizing experience 
    • Preferred: Experience using VAN and knowledge of Microsoft Word & Excel
  • Bilingual/Multilingual Spanish is a huge plus
  • Valid driver’s license, auto insurance, and a reliable vehicle.
  • Ability to work independently and in a fast-paced electoral environment 
  • Detail-oriented
  • Strong collaboration skills, and a desire to work as part of a team and respond to the needs of the team.
  • Experience working with diverse communities, in particular, communities of color and low-income communities.

Employment Dates: July 18 – November 15, 2022

Hours: 15-30 hours per week. Weekdays after 2. Saturday and Sunday afternoons. 

Pay: $20/Hour

Benefits: $300 monthly Health Care Stipend, Additional Bonuses Available

Location: Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, 2525, W. Alameda Ave, Denver, CO 80219 

(Note: Location will vary depending on campaign that you are working on)

Professional Development and Training: CIRC Action will provide onboarding and training before upon hire and offer  professional development opportunities.

COVID-19 considerations: 

  • CIRC Action will be following CDC guidelines for PPE, masks and Social Distancing.  Organizers will be expected to wear masks and practice social distancing while going door-to-door to talk to voters. Additional precautionary measures will be discussed during onboarding and training. 
  • Organizers are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 unless there is a religious or medical reason for not getting the vaccine. Organizers will be required to show proof of vaccination or the basis for a religious or medical exemption before hire

To Apply:

Please email a resume, cover letter, and two references to info@circaction.org  with the title “CIRC Action Organizing Fellow Application.”

CIRC Action Fund is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact gladis@circaction.org. CIRC Action Fund is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, age, or any other category protected by local, state, or federal laws. We are committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive staff team. We strongly encourage applicants who are people of color, LGBTQ, women, trans and gender non-conforming people, people with disabilities; and/or formerly incarcerated people.

Denver Metro Regional Campaign Manager

by | Jun 2, 2022 | Blog

 

Denver Metro Regional Campaign Manager 

Job Summary: The Denver Metro Regional Campaign Manager’s primary responsibility will be executing successful organizing programming for the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC) Action Fund and related entities. The ideal candidate has campaign management experience and a proven track record in immigrant rights and/or social justice work. We will be hiring a Denver Metro Regional Campaign Manager that staffs Denver, Aurora, and Jefferson County.

Organizational Summaries:  CIRC Action Fund (CIRC AF) is a corporation organized to operate exclusively for the promotion of social welfare under Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. CIRCAF believes in the inherent dignity and human rights of every person, regardless of immigration status.  CIRC AF works to build a strong and thriving Colorado where all residents are treated with dignity and respect and have equal access to a fair and just quality of life and the opportunity to live united with family members. We achieve mission through advocating for fair, humane and workable public policies at the state and local level and by increasing the civic participation of new Americans.

Specific Role and Responsibilities: 

  • Build relationships with C3 organizational members to create a volunteer network that engages BIPOC voters on immigration issues in their communities. This would include leading in-person trainings and events where we highlight the importance of organizing when empowering POC and immigrant voters to turn out, and train them on the specific tactics necessary to effectively implement organizing (ex: recruiting other volunteers, committing friends/family to vote, organizing social events to commit friends of friends to also get involved 
  • Recruit volunteers from non-member organizations and individuals from the community we engage with. Our strategy will mirror our work with our C3 members as it relates to training and recruitment. We will target organizations that have large POC memberships as well as local businesses, churches, unions, and student organizations. 
  • Manage a team of Organizers that will conduct voter outreach via doors, phones, and texts. Organizers will primarily talk to voters via canvassing (knocking doors), and it will be your responsibility to oversee and track voter contact metrics on your team, including: doors knocked, voters contacted, pledges to vote, and volunteer shifts recruited. Regional Campaign Managers will also be expected to contact voters directly via canvassing, phonebanking, and/or texting on a weekly basis
  • In coordination with the C4 Mobilization Manager and Communications Manager, create canvassing, phonebank, and texting actions for Organizers and volunteers using voter contact platforms VAN, Impactive, and ThruTalk. Training for these platforms will be provided.
  • Create content for organizing activities, such as friend-to-friend call and text language for staff and volunteers to use, trainings for members and volunteers, and, in coordination with the C4 Communications Manager, digital call to actions. 
  • Coordinate with the Mobilization Manager to build voter contact and volunteer recruitment strategies within the respective region.
  • Coordinate with C4 Managing Director and Mobilization Manager on working with state and national partners, such as CO America Votes and Community Change Action, on crafting an effective 2022 organizing strategy. 

Strong Commitment Towards Anti-Oppression:

  • All staff are expected to be active participants in CIRC’s equity and inclusivity efforts to make progress toward a vision of an organizational culture that reflects the values and principles that we are fighting for.

Qualifications:

  • Substantive experience working in advocacy, community organizing, or a non-profit
  • Background in managing field operations in an electoral setting is strongly preferred. This position will also manage field metrics (doors, phones, texts).
  • Experience with VAN or PDI
  • Bilingual/Multilingual is strongly preferred
  • Valid driver’s license, auto insurance, and reliable vehicle
  • Preferred:
    • Experience with peer-to-peer and relational texting tools such as Hustle and Impactive
    • Knowledge of, and relationships within, local and state immigrant rights movement
  • A passion for building a reflective democracy and power building in communities of color
  • Excellent communication skills, writing, budgeting, and time management skills

Salary and Benefits: 

  • Full-time position, competitive salary starting at $4,200  a month with a $500 monthly healthcare stipend ($4,700 total) and a $75/month cell phone stipend
  • Up to 15% travel within state for training and organizing events with $.65/mile reimbursement
  • This position has a start date of July 1 and will end on November 15

COVID-19 considerations:

  • Potential candidates are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 unless there is a religious or medical reason for not getting the vaccine. Potential candidates  will be required to show proof of vaccination or the basis for a religious or medical exemption before hire

To Apply: Submit a resume, cover letter, and contact for three references to info@circaction.org

CIRC Action Fund is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact gladis@circaction.org. CIRC Action Fund is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, age, or any other category protected by local, state, or federal laws. We are committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive staff team. We strongly encourage applicants who are people of color, LGBTQ, women, trans and gender non-conforming people, people with disabilities; and/or formerly incarcerated people.

CIRC Action Fund Condemns Senator Hickenlooper and His Vote to Block Stimulus Payments to Undocumented Immigrants.

CIRC Action Fund Condemns Senator Hickenlooper and His Vote to Block Stimulus Payments to Undocumented Immigrants.

by | Feb 4, 2021 | Blog, Press Release

 For Immediate Release

February 4, 2021

Contact: Ian Pham; ian@circaction.org or 713-679-0948

CIRC Action Fund Condemns Senator Hickenlooper and His Vote to Block Stimulus Payments to Undocumented Immigrants.

Denver, CO – Today Senator John Hickenlooper voted to block vital stimulus payments to undocumented immigrants. This was a direct slap in the face to the thousands of immigrants in Colorado working on the frontlines to keep our country running throughout the pandemic and we at CIRC Action Fund strongly condemn his vote. This sends a message to the record turnout of Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) voters who showed up to fire Cory Gardner and elect John Hickenlooper to the Senate that he is not voting in Coloradans interests and the interests of the immigrant community.

As the largest pro-immigrant organization in the state CIRC Action Fund worked to contact over 300,000k voters and made over 1.4 million voter contacts to BIPOC voters across the state to support John Hickenlooper – this vote was an intentional breach of trust to the very community who got him elected.

John Hickenlooper campaigned on the promise to support all immigrants and to reverse Trump’s harmful immigration policies. CIRC Action Fund has proven to have the capacity and the power to ensure that a true pro-immigrant candidate will stand by their promise to support all Coloradans, regardless of their immigration status. 

Looking to 2026, we look forward to electing real immigrant champions who will not leave the essential immigrant community behind. 

“CIRC Action Fund did not work to elect John Hickenlooper to watch him turn around and backstab us in his vote to not provide stimulus checks to undocumented workers. We look forward to the following days to see how he remedies today’s action, specifically how he will pass immigration reform that includes pathway to citizenship for all 11 million undocumented people. ” Ian Pham, Communications Manager – CIRC Action Fund

###

Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) that promotes dignity and human rights by building and increasing the civic participation of new Americans. CIRC AF strives for a strong and thriving Colorado where all residents are treated with dignity and respect with equal access to a fair and just quality of life and the opportunity to live united with family members. More at: https://circaction.org/

 

CIRC Action Fund Condemns Senator Hickenlooper and His Vote to Block Stimulus Payments to Undocumented Immigrants.

CIRC Action Fund’s Work in 2020

by | Nov 9, 2020 | Blog, Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts:

Ian Pham, Communications Manager, English Speaking – ian@circaction.org, 713 679 0948

Alex Galeana, Managing Director, Spanish Speaking – Alex@circaction.org, 949 702 1188

Colorado Voters Turn Out In Historic Numbers Embracing The Need for Change

When we started our campaign in July, our goals were clear: elect pro-immigrant rights champions into office on a federal, state and local level. We knew that in order to address the issues affecting the immigrant community — not just in Colorado, but across the nation — we had to organize a massive voter information outreach program targeting eligible voters from the Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) community. These voters tend to be left behind by voter outreach campaigns as low propensity voters – but we knew that in order to build progressive political power in Colorado, we had to do the work in reaching out to our own community. CIRC Action Fund’s mission in 2020 and beyond is to radically transform the Colorado electorate to reflect the community that resides here and we believe that the outcomes of the 2020 election is moving us in that direction.

CIRC Action Fund had very clear goals set when we started; make 350,000 calls; send over 1,000,000 texts; make 3,000 relational contacts; send 100,000 mailers; get 2.4 million views on digital ads and 10 earned media opportunities. Our mighty team of 40+ achieved that and more. And on top of that Colorado smashed voting records with a rate of 86.8% voter turnout among active registered voters currently ranking in the top 5 for voter turnout nationwide.

Our notable candidate victories include flipping a closely watched Senate seat to elect John Hickenlooper. Against incumbent Cory Gardner, Hickenlooper did not have a small task and all eyes were on Colorado. It was the grassroots work that our organization took part in that propelled him to take the Senate seat. CIRC Action Fund made 300,000 calls, sent 1,000,000 texts and 75,000 mailers to grow support for Hickenlooper. Facebook ads raked in over 300,000 impressions and reached nearly 196,000 digital users. By growing pro-immigrant political power in the U.S. Senate, we are one step closer to ensuring that 11 million undocumented people will have a pathway to citizenship and true comprehensive immigration reform.

In Congressional District-6, Jason Crow was comfortably favored over his challenger, building off his success to flip this seat in 2018. What was once a Republican district has now become a Democrat leaning swing district due to the changing demographic. As a testament to this, the district is anchored by the city of Aurora, a multicultural haven where people from all religions, origins and languages come together and celebrate their diversity. CIRC Action Fund made 84,000 calls and texted 125,000 people to provide support for Crow in his bid. In Crow, CIRC Action Fund sees someone who will support, and fight for, immigration reform, protection of DACA recipients and increased data privacy. Crow will continue to represent the values and will of the people from this district in Washington D.C.

On the state level, Daneya Esgar and Tony Exum Sr. were re-elected as State Representatives to serve residents of Southern Colorado and build a stronger coalition to advance immigrants rights in the state legislature.  For Daneya Esgar, we made 21,000 phone calls and sent over 14,000 texts. For Tony Exum Sr. we made 15,000 phone calls and sent over 11,000 texts. Brianna Titone and Mary Young were also able to clinch victories in their re-election campaigns ensuring a Democratic majority in the Colorado House of Representatives.  Additionally, we were able to grow a progressive majority in the State Senate, with Chris Kolker’s historic victory. We made 23,000k phone calls, sent 21,000k texts, sent out 5,800 mailers, reached over 22,000 digital users with our digital ads and made over 34,000k impressions in support of Chris. In the State House of Representatives, a victory for Iman Jodeh means she will be the first Muslim-American lawmaker in Colorado. These legislators support initiating a Legal Defense Fund, increasing data privacy and protections to better serve marginalized people across the state, a giant step forward for our communities.

In our endorsement process, we recognized the value of having County Commissioner positions be held by someone who believes in holding police departments accountable and championing the  data privacy of immigrants. Our very own CIRC member Marta Loachamin was victorious in her race for Boulder County Commissioner. As a member of our sister organization, Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, Marta’s commitment to advancing immigrant rights is deeper than just this election cycle. In Garfield County, Beatriz Soto is virtually tied in her race and there is no clear winner yet. Votes will continue to be counted but CIRC Action Fund stands behind Soto for her support of immigrants and advocacy for public lands. For Soto, we made 5,000 phone calls and sent 5,000 texts. This is just the beginning of CIRC Action Fund’s mission of running our very own members, who have been doing the work on the ground to advance immigrant justice in their communities, in order to grow pro-immigrant power across the state and build an electorate that reflects community.

District Attorneys wield the power to hold police departments accountable. As we have seen throughout years and a culmination in the protests over the summer, police violence against People of Color, disproportionately against Black people, continues to weigh heavily in voters’ minds. In Judicial District 18, CIRC Action Fund endorsed Amy Padden. With our support she has been competitive in this race, despite running in a conservative-leaning area. We made 47,000 calls and sent 113,000 texts to encourage the vote in her favor. If she wins this race, it is a huge step for increasing protections for immigrants and People of Color.

In regards to specific ballot initiatives that positively impact our communities and we endorsed, CIRC Action Fund celebrates the passing of Amendment 118 which guarantees Paid Family & Medical Leave. This will have a tremendous impact as people will no longer have to make the tough choice between a paycheck or a sick family member. Furthermore, Colorado has remained a safe place for aboriton access with a resounding denial of Amendment 115, which we opposed, ensuring that women of color, working women and families can continue to make the best decisions for themselves without intervention.

We are extremely proud of all the efforts made to advance equitable opportunities, immigrant rights and justice for all.  The Colorado electorate wielded their power and voted for what matters to them. While there is a lot of work to be done still, this is a moment to look at what has been gained and be appreciative of all the hard work from our staff. To Colorado, thank you for showing up for what you believe in and together we can build the future we want to see in our great state.

Los votantes de Colorado participan en números históricos para apoyar cambios necesarios

Cuando comenzamos nuestra campaña en julio, nuestros objetivos eran claros: elegir defensores de los derechos inmigrantes en el cargo a nivel federal, estatal y local. Sabíamos que para abordar los problemas que afectan a la comunidad inmigrante, no solo en Colorado, sino en todo el país, teníamos que organizar un programa masivo de divulgación de información al votante dirigido a los votantes elegibles de la comunidad afroamericana, indígena, y de color (BIPOC). Personas de esta comunidad son vistos como votantes de baja propensión en campañas de alcance electoral y por ende, son excluidos de procesos cívicos, pero sabíamos que para construir un poder político progresivo en Colorado, teníamos que extender la mano a nuestra propia comunidad. La misión de CIRC Action Fund en 2020 y más allá es transformar radicalmente el electorado de Colorado para reflejar la comunidad que reside aquí y creemos que los resultados de las elecciones de 2020 nos están moviendo en esa dirección.

CIRC Action Fund tenía metas muy claras establecidas cuando comenzamos; hacer 350.000 llamadas; enviar más de 1.000.000 de mensajes de texto; hacer 3000 contactos relacionales; enviar 100.000 correos; obtener 2,4 millones de visitas en anuncios digitales y 10 oportunidades de medios ganadas. Nuestro poderoso equipo de 40+ logró eso y más. Y además de eso, Colorado rompió récords de votación con una tasa de participación de votantes del 86.8% entre los votantes registrados activos que actualmente se ubican entre los 5 primeros en participación de votantes en todo el país.

Nuestras notables victorias de candidatos incluyen cambiar un escaño del Senado para elegir a John Hickenlooper. Contra Cory Gardner, Hickenlooper no tuvo una tarea pequeña y el país observó a esta carrera en Colorado. Fue nuestra participación con la base que ayudó para que Hickenlooper pudiera ganar este escaño en el Senado. CIRC Action Fund hizo 300,000 llamadas, envió 1,000,000 de textos y 75,000 correos para aumentar el apoyo a Hickenlooper. Los anuncios de Facebook obtuvieron más de 300.000 impresiones y llegaron a casi 196.000 usuarios digitales.  La victoria de Hickenlooper significa que en el Senado, habrá más proponentes de reforma inmigratoria.  Estamos un paso más cerca de garantizar que 11 millones de indocumentados tengan un camino hacia la ciudadanía y una verdadera reforma integral.

En el Distrito Congresional-6, Jason Crow fue favorecido cómodamente sobre su rival, aprovechando su éxito para cambiar este escaño en el 2018. Donde antes era un distrito republicano, ahora se ha convertido en un distrito de inclinación demócrata debido a los cambios demográficos. Como testimonio de esto, el distrito está anclado por la ciudad de Aurora, un refugio multicultural donde personas de todas las religiones, orígenes e idiomas se reúnen y celebran su diversidad. CIRC Action Fund hizo 84,000 llamadas y envió mensajes de texto a 125,000 personas para brindar apoyo a Crow. En Crow, CIRC Action Fund ve a alguien que apoyará y luchará por la reforma migratoria, la protección de los destinatarios de DACA y una mayor privacidad de los datos personales de inmigrantes.. Crow continuará representando los valores y la voluntad de la gente de este distrito en Washington D.C.

A nivel estatal, Daneya Esgar y Tony Exum Sr. fueron reelegidos como representantes estatales para servir a los residentes del sur de Colorado y construir una coalición más fuerte para promover los derechos de los inmigrantes en la legislatura estatal. Para Daneya Esgar, hicimos 21,000 llamadas telefónicas y enviamos más de 14,000 mensajes de texto. Para Tony Exum Sr. hicimos 15,000 llamadas telefónicas y enviamos más de 11,000 mensajes de texto. Brianna Titone y Mary Young también consiguieron victorias en sus campañas de reelección asegurando una mayoría progresiva en la Cámara de Representantes de Colorado. Además, pudimos lograr una mayoría progresiva en el Senado estatal, con la histórica victoria de Chris Kolker. Hicimos 23.000.000 llamadas telefónicas, enviamos 21.000.000 mensajes de texto, enviamos 5.800 correos, llegamos a más de 22.000 usuarios digitales con nuestros anuncios digitales e hicimos más de 34.000.000 impresiones en apoyo de Chris. En la Cámara de Representantes del Estado, la victoria Iman Jodeh marca la primera vez que alguien musulmán americano sea elegido como legisladora en Colorado. Estos legisladores apoyan el comienzo de un Fondo de Defensa Legal, aumentar la privacidad y la protección de los datos para servir mejor a las personas marginadas en todo el estado, un gran paso adelante para nuestras comunidades.

En nuestro proceso de aprobación, reconocimos el valor de que los puestos de comisionado del condado estén a cargo de alguien que cree en responsabilizar a los departamentos de policía y defender la privacidad de los datos de los inmigrantes. Nuestra propia miembro de CIRC, Marta Loachamin, salió victoriosa en su carrera por la Comisionada del Condado de Boulder. Como miembro de nuestra organización hermana, Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, Marta demuestra que su apoyo a los derechos de los inmigrantes es más profundo que solamente este ciclo electoral. En el condado de Garfield, Beatriz Soto está empatada en su carrera y aún no hay un ganador claro. Se seguirán contando los votos, pero CIRC Action Fund respalda a Soto por su apoyo a los inmigrantes y la defensa de las tierras públicas. A favor de Soto, hicimos 5,000 llamadas telefónicas y enviamos 5,000 mensajes de texto. Este es solo el comienzo de la misión de CIRC Action Fund de apoyo a nuestros propios miembros que obtengan oficina electa. Más allá, queremos respaldar a gente que han estado haciendo el trabajo sobre el base para promover la justicia de los inmigrantes en sus comunidades, con el fin de aumentar el poder a favor de los inmigrantes en todo el estado y construir un electorado que refleja la comunidad.

Los fiscales de distrito ejercen el poder de responsabilizar a los departamentos de policía. Como hemos visto a lo largo de los años y como culminación de las protestas del verano, la violencia policial contra las personas de color, de manera desproporcionada contra los negros, sigue pesando mucho en la mente de los votantes. En el Distrito Judicial 18, CIRC Action Fund apoyó a Amy Padden. Con nuestro apoyo ha sido competitiva en esta carrera, a pesar de correr en un área de tendencia conservadora. Hicimos 47.000 llamadas y enviamos 113.000 mensajes de texto para incentivar el voto a su favor. Si gana esta carrera, es un gran paso para aumentar las protecciones para inmigrantes y personas de color.

En respecto a las iniciativas electorales específicas que impactan positivamente en nuestras comunidades y cuales respaldamos, CIRC Action Fund celebra la aprobación de la Enmienda 118 que garantiza la Licencia Pagada Familiar y Médica. Esto tendrá un impacto tremendo y las personas ya no tendrán que tomar la difícil decisión entre un cheque de pago o un familiar enfermo. Además, Colorado ha seguido siendo un lugar seguro para el acceso de aborto con una rotunda denegación de la Enmienda 115, a la que nos opusimos, asegurando que las mujeres de color, las trabajadoras y las familias puedan continuar tomando las mejores decisiones por sí mismas sin intervención.

Estamos extremadamente orgullosos de todos los esfuerzos realizados para promover oportunidades equitativas, derechos de los inmigrantes y justicia para todos. El electorado de Colorado ejerció su poder y votó por lo que les importa. Aún queda mucho trabajo por hacer, este es un momento para ver lo que se ha ganado y agradecer todo el arduo trabajo de nuestro personal. A Colorado, gracias por presentarse por lo que cree y juntos podemos construir el futuro que queremos ver en nuestro gran estado.

CIRC Action Fund Condemns Senator Hickenlooper and His Vote to Block Stimulus Payments to Undocumented Immigrants.

CIRC Action Fund Hits Over 1 Million Voter Contact Attempts Before Election Day

by | Nov 2, 2020 | Blog, Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts:

Ian Pham, Communications and Development Manager – ian@circaction.org, 713-679-0948

CIRC Action Fund Hits Over 1 Million Voter Contact Attempts Before Election Day

With so much at stake in 2020, Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC) Action Fund has worked tirelessly to reach Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPoC) voters across the state of Colorado in the 2020 Election Cycle. Our campaign started in July and quickly scaled to a 40 person team by October. We continue to phone-bank and textbank to voters about the power of their vote.

Additionally, CIRC Action Fund endorsed 16 candidates at state and federal levels. We were strategic in hand-picking candidates that are pro-immigrant, advocates for working families, and strong supporters of progressive values.  Our endorsement of three pivotal candidates at the federal level — John Hickenlooper, Jason Crow, and Diane Mitsch Bush — ensures that our values are represented in Washington D.C. This election cycle we are fighting to bring a pathway to citizenship for 11 million undocumented folx, for all immigrant communities to be included in future COVID-19 relief, and for cruel familial separation to end.

Focusing on state offices, building a progressive majority in the Colorado legislature is crucial to serving the needs of the immigrant community in 2021 and beyond. CIRC Action was one of the few organizations to endorse candidates and  organize digital and field campaigns in the Southern and Western parts of Colorado. These areas have a high number of BIPOC voters and have been historically excluded from civic processes. We knew that an effort to reach out to voters in these areas and inform them of our candidates would build momentum in these races. We knew that in order to build progressive pro-immigrant power – these areas had to be included.

Some of the closest races in these areas include HD-47 – Bri Buentello’s District where we have called 35,000 people, sent 14,000 texts, sent 8,500 mailers, and with our digital ads – reached 77,000 people and made over 548,000 digital impressions.

In these same regions , CIRC Action Fund also endorsed Tony Exum, Daneya Esgar and Bri Buentello for State Representatives and Karl Hanlon for State Senate.  These candidates are eager to work with us to increase data privacy and start the process to set up a legal defense fund, both of which are essential to the well-being of immigrants. These issues are priority for immigrant communities and these candidates will ensure that we win on them in the 2021 Colorado Legislature session.

Other key races that we endorsed, such as Paula Dickerson and Chris Kolker for State Senate, will ensure that we build that progressive majority in the State Senate and ensure our priorities win. In one of the most closely watched races in the state — Paula Dickerson for SD-25 — we have called 62,000 people, sent 109,000 texts, sent 75,000 mailers, and with our digital ads – reached 149,000 people and made over 494,000 digital impressions.

Local offices like County Commissioners and District Attorneys are crucial in holding anti-immigrant sheriffs accountable to their actions. Of the three endorsed County Commissioners, two are members of our sister organization — Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition.  These are candidates that understand, work for the betterment of immigrant justice and are members of the immigrant community. As we look beyond the 2020 Election cycle, we are building a strong unit of allies that will push for and promote legal protections for undocumented people, like the aforementioned increased data privacy and a legal defense fund. CIRC Action Fund’s mission is to elect community members to the table, who will fight for their communities tirelessly every step of the way.

CIRC Action Fund also banded together with local organizations like ACLU of Colorado to oppose Amendment 76. This ballot initiative is widely seen as a push to disenfranchise immigrant and young voters. If it were to pass, it would be a step back in the liberties we have in the state of Colorado. By organizing textbanks, online events, and digital messaging, CIRC Action Fund’s reach was expansive to encourage the ‘NO’ vote. Beyond that, we took official stances on six other ballot measures that will improve the lives of our community.

Since the start of the campaign we’ve made over 300,000 phone calls, sent 1,000,000 texts, sent 100,000 mailers, made 2,400 relational contacts, had 10 earned media pieces, hosted 15 digital events and with our Facebook ads, we reached 431,000 digital users and made over 2,000,000 digital impressions — ensuring that voters in every corner of Colorado understand why our candidates will build a more equitable future for all. We are anticipating these numbers will grow today and tomorrow, as we have two days of GOTV action planned. Staff members, including coordinators, fellows, and volunteers, reached into their own address books to talk to their friends and families about important issues. Research has shown that people are more receptive to political content from someone they know. With an emphasis on online communications bigger than ever, this is the perfect space for folks to do some organizing of their own.

“This consequential election will have an impact for generations. Our efforts and messaging around voting will have motivated people to wield their power and vote for prosperity and justice. This election and beyond, we are committed to advocating for immigrant rights, working families, racial justice and progressive values.” – Ian Pham

Below is the work that CIRC Action Fund has done since the start of our campaign in July 2020 to build political power in some of the closest, most razor-razor thin races in the entire state such as the race for Congress in CO-3. These numbers will continue to rise as we work to get out the vote until the polls close at 7pm on November 3, 2020.

CIRC Action Fund Condemns Senator Hickenlooper and His Vote to Block Stimulus Payments to Undocumented Immigrants.

A vote for Diane Mitsch Bush is a vote for my family’s future

by | Oct 30, 2020 | Blog

Natasia Martinez

Resident of Pueblo, Colorado

I’ve grown up in Pueblo, Colorado all of my life. My grandpa, Nicholas Rodriguez really shaped me to become the person I am today. He was a social worker and was heavily involved in advocating for health care rights for everyone. Growing up he would make us practice the speeches that he would write for other Mexican-Americans running for office. He taught me that politics is something that affects everyone, no matter where they come from. My grandma, Molly Martinez, was the first woman to walk the prison yard by herself as a guard at Arkansas Valley Correctional, and she taught me the great power and resilience of being a Latina woman. She also taught me to be the woman I am today—one who cares for not only my family but also my community.

I grew up with 5 other siblings, raised by teen parents, in poverty. Though my parents were young they were devoted to working and supporting myself and my brothers and sisters. We were surrounded by love. The phrase, “It takes a village” was really how I was raised. Even though my family and I struggled growing up, smushed into a 2 bedroom house, we had each other.a

Now, I am a single mother raising two children – with my own village. My devoted selfless  parents, siblings , ex-in laws and neighbors are my community and my village. We are a family that sticks together no matter what.

But there was a time when I was really struggling. However, I was able to use Pueblo’s public services to help me and my family survive. Without help from the government here in Pueblo, I wouldn’t be able to feed my children or give them a safe place to live.

When I saw what was happening with the George Flloyd protests, I knew I had to get involved with the Pueblo community fighting for justice. We live in a world where black people are 6 times more likely to be killed by police and black and brown people are dying from covid-19 at much higher rates. Right now, half of Colorado is burning – with no end in sight.

Climate change is here and now. Police brutality is something we must address as a nation. COVID-19 is killing my community.

That is why I am voting for Diane Mitsch Bush for Congress and Daneya Esgar for House District 46 and working with CIRC Action Fund and the I Am America 2020 civic engagement campaign who is working in coalition with SEIU and iAmerica to get the vote out.

Diane has had years of experience advocating for Coloradans. She will work with Republicans and Democrats across the aisle, working to protect our water and wildlife habitats and bring opportunity to our communities. We need someone in Congress who will address the climate crisis happening right here in Colorado. I want my children to be able to travel to every corner of Colorado and see the beautiful place we live in. Diane will also keep families together and fight back against Trump’s cruel immigration policies.

Daneya Esgar is a true champion for her community. I actually grew up knowing her when she was my Resident Advisor for a program I did where low income students could stay on a college campus for a summer. She was my role model and watching her political career thrive is so inspiring to me. She has worked to improve healthcare for all Coloradans and make Pueblo a welcoming place for all, no matter who they love.

I am voting for these two women not for me but for my young children who deserve a community that respects their land, rights and well-being. I am voting for their future.