Peoples’ lives are changing and our communities are safer through a restorative approach to justice in Orange County.
Could we help protect these programs?
We all want to feel safe, whether we’re in our homes with our families, in our communities, or on our streets. Safety is the foundation to keep our families thriving and our communities at peace.
This November, voters in California have a choice to make about the best ways to keep our communities safe.
A decade ago, we, the voters in California, passed a law to redirect funding from prisons to instead invest in more effective safety measures like drug and mental health treatment and funding for homelessness prevention and housing. (Proposition 47)
In Orange County, programs like Project Kinship and Conexiones were started in collaboration with the Board of Supervisors and School Districts across Orange County to help lives impacted by incarceration, gangs and violence, at-risk youth, and young adults.
The holistic support provided includes counseling, a process of healing, mental health, legal consultation, family support, wellness, housing, and job training. Project Kinship works with the school districts of Santa Ana, Garden Grove, Brea, Cerritos, Newport Beach, and Costa Mesa.
Learn more about how lives in Orange County were transformed by programs like Project Kinship by viewing the Project Kinship video story on its website.
Studies have shown that these programs change peoples’ lives, prevent drug addiction and falling into cycles of crime and ensure everyone in our communities stay safe.
Billy Taing and his family fled violence in Cambodia when he was three years old, coming to the United States as refugees. Then, like so many immigrant youths, he joined a gang where he thought he found belonging and acceptance. A terrible decision led to a life sentence in prison, an order for deportation, and separation from his family until the age of 43.
As his life purpose came into focus, his spiritual training deepened, and his desire to serve grew – Billy successfully petitioned and received a full and unconditional pardon, a set aside of the deportation order, and an acceptance into a union-wage electrician apprenticeship program. He now works as the co-director of the nonprofit organization API RISE, supporting currently and formerly incarcerated Asian Pacific Islander American community members.
Stories like Billy’s are like many others in our communities.
Despite the success of these restorative justice programs, this year we are being asked to vote on Proposition 36. Prop. 36 will re-classify petty crimes like shoplifting and drug possession as felonies, and increase prison time for people convicted of such crimes.
Because more money would be used towards keeping people in prisons, Prop. 36 would take away $100 million a year from rehabilitation and crime prevention programs, including more than $15 million from programs in Orange County.
What our communities need are real, proven solutions like investing in good schools, getting guns off our streets, ensuring good jobs for all, and youth programs that open doors of opportunity for our next generation. We believe in prevention and we also believe in redemption. Because when we prioritize care and support, we can transform lives.
It’s up to you to decide this November, so use your voice and be heard.
Let’s Vote on Tuesday, November 5.
Another reason we should be showing up to vote is to secure homes for everyone in California:
How to Vote
You can choose to vote from home by mail, or in person at a Vote Center.
- October 7: all voters start receiving their ballots by mail, and can Vote by Mail at any time through Election Day.
- Saturday, Oct 26: some Vote Centers start opening on this day and remain open every day until Election Day. Vote at any Vote Center in your county!
- Saturday, November 2: the remaining Vote Centers start opening on this day.
- Election Day is November 5. This is the last day you can mail your ballot (must be postmarked) or vote in person.
First time voting? During the November 2-5 period, you can visit any Vote Center in your county to register and cast your vote in one sitting.
What’s on my ballot?
At the November 2024 Elections, we will be voting to elect the President and Federal, State, County, City and Local government officers, vote for Propositions, and impact our communities’ health, housing, environmental and other policies.
Need help?
The Orange County Registrar’s website has tools to help you check whether you are registered, getting a new ballot, or update your information.
You have the right to vote! If you feel vote center personnel are wrongfully preventing you from voting, call the Election Voter Protection Hotline at (866) 687-8683.
