Echos Landing Draft

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.

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.

Raymond’s Story

Growing up, Raymond was shot as a result of gang violence and struggled with domestic violence at home. His only support network were other young people in gangs. He was jailed, but instead of falling into a cycle of crime, he received employment support at Project Kinship, a Prop. 47 funded program in Orange County, and now works at Project Kinship helping other youth find the support they need.

But 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:

What’s on my ballot?

At the November 2024 Elections, we will be voting 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.