PICO California creates innovative solutions to pressing community issues; translates faith into action; builds a legacy of leadership; and raises a new vision for California.

PICO organizations and community leaders continually respond to the need to create safe streets and neighborhoods. Here are just some examples of how PICO California gets to the roots of the conditions that make communities unsafe:

Revitalizing Neighborhoods

Inland Congregations United for Change (ICUC) is working with parents and faith communities in the Coachella Valley, one of the most economically segregated regions in the United States, to improve long neglected parks and recreational facilities. Coachella City recently agreed to make $4 million available for capital improvements to parks and to do a feasibility study on a parcel tax for recreation services. In summer of 2006, 300 people participated in an ICUC meeting to expand opportunities for children and youth.

Youth Focus

The San Francisco Organizing Project launched the "Avenues of Hope" campaign in November 2005 to create real opportunities for youth and families in order to stem the violence that has plagued the City. SFOP leaders worked with other community organizations, Mayor Gavin Newsom, and the Board of Supervisors to help allocate over $8 million for violence prevention from 'unexpected revenues' for the 2005-2006 general fund. Over $4 million of the funds went directly to employment programs for youth and young adults. Funding will create 300 additional employment opportunities targeted specifically to youth referred by the Juvenile Probation Department. In addition, leaders worked with a coalition of affordable housing advocates and the Board of Supervisors to allocate $20 million for affordable housing development and construction for the homeless, low-income families and seniors.

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