Together we kicked off our 2025 IMAGINE agenda and are pushing for more equitable revenues and forward-looking policies that shine a light toward a liberated future. Let’s make clear the contrast between real progress and cruel proposals that seek to undermine our children’s futures. We believe in the power of our communities and elected champions to make sure that every child is valued and free.

A big THANK YOU to all the parents, children, advocates, leaders, and legislative staff who joined us for our 2025 IMAGINE Legislative Briefing. You brought the positive, focused energy we all need right now! Our team is so grateful for the way you show up each year to end child poverty. We will keep coming together to recognize the real impact of public programs on people’s lives. We know that poverty is a policy choice, and we’re moving forward together. No going back!

Our speaker line up included our powerful elected champions alongside coalition partners and advocates. Willie Mendoza from Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano spoke to the importance of healthy, nourished children. “The foundation of our community is based in what can we provide for our children. We’re not just feeding people, we’re changing the health of their bodies and minds and creating a solid foundation. What we want to do here is to bring awareness to these situations and hopefully through some legislation we can change some of the access to fresh and healthy food.”

Alicia Dominguez from John Burton Advocates for Youth shared her story of how homelessness affected every part of her life and how the support she received made all the difference. Dominguez shared, “what’s giving me hope is new voices and more people hearing my experience and that of other youth in California. I’m hoping we can get policies passed to help the youth of America.” Leilani Reed from SEIU Local 2015 (the long-term care workers union) shared her story of raising four children in a low-income neighborhood and how education lifted her family out of poverty. Our speakers shared powerful stories and put a face and family to the policies that effected millions of California children and families.

“I lived in an area with a lot of poverty with four children. There were barriers in our community because of zip code but we pushed through and my child now as his Master’s from Morehouse and was accepted to Howard University. How we end child poverty is through education and using our resources.”

LEILANI REED from SEIU Local 2015

I experienced homeless from sixth grade to freshman year. It affected every aspect of my life, including in school with academics and sports. I hope when I share my story people feel connected and want to help students that were like me get the help that they deserve.

Alicia Dominguez from John Burton Advocates for Youth

We also awarded our first “Valued and Free’ and “Dare to Imagine” awards. Senator Caroline Menjivar received the “Dare to IMAGINE” award for her tireless work championing children and families.

Assemblymember Issac G. Bryan received the “Valued and Free” award for his leadership focusing on eliminating racial disparities and replacing oppressive systems with values-driven change.

I’m daring to imagine that we don’t have to live with budget cuts year after year, and that what you all are fighting for will no longer be on the chopping block. I’m daring to imagine that we actually have a deadline to the child care rate reform.

California State Senator Caroline Menjivar (D – Burbank)

Thank you to our speakers!

• Senator Caroline Menjivar
• Assemblymember Isaac G. Bryan
• Jennifer Greppi from Parent Voices CA
• Food Bank of Contra Costra and Solano
• Kalisha Goodwin from
• Jazzi Rich from SPARC (Student-Parents Are Reimagining CalWORKs) & the ReImagine CalWORKs Coalition
• Willie Mendoza California Association of Food Banks
• Alicia Dominguez from John Burton Advocates for Youth
• Guadelupe from Hayward Promise
• Opportunity for All Coalition

Read more