California’s Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications has launched California Connects, a statewide initiative aimed at enhancing collaboration between government agencies and grassroots organizations.
In a significant move to bolster partnerships between government entities and grassroots organizations, the Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications (OCPSC) launched California Connects on October 8 in San Francisco. This initiative kicked off a series of networking events designed to foster collaboration and resource sharing among community-based organizations, state agencies, local leaders, and philanthropic partners.
The inaugural event took place at The Hyatt Regency and marked the first of eight regional convenings scheduled across the state. Participants from the Bay Area engaged in hands-on workshops, skill-building sessions, and discussions focused on accessing resources and funding opportunities.
Following the San Francisco event, California Connects will continue its journey to cities including Los Angeles, Anaheim, Sacramento, Riverside, Oxnard, San Diego, and will conclude on November 18 in Fresno.
Nearly 250 attendees, representing around 100 local community organizations, nonprofits, and government agencies, participated in the San Francisco gathering. The convenings are spearheaded by GO-Serve, the Governor’s Office of Service and Community Engagement, which aims to unify programs that promote both paid and volunteer services, enhance youth and community engagement, and raise awareness about outreach campaigns.
Aubrie Fong, the acting executive director of OCPSC, emphasized the importance of this initiative during an interview. “This is the first time that the Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications is housed within the Governor’s Office of Service and Community Engagement. We are bringing all of our partners together for the first time,” she stated. This collaboration is intended to improve coordination among local partners from the OCPSC, California Volunteers, and the Youth Empowerment Commission.
Fong noted the increasing scarcity of resources for organizations and highlighted the event’s focus on building relationships and regional collaboration. “Today is about building relationships, regional collaboration, and hopefully connecting them with some great state resources,” she said.
During her address, Fong pointed out that the organizations represented at the convening serve a diverse and vulnerable population. Over 70 percent of the attending organizations focus on youth services, with offerings available in 50 languages. More than half of the groups present cater to households with limited English proficiency, immigrants, refugees, older adults, and LGBTQ+ communities.
Josh Fryday, the GO-Serve director and California Chief Service Officer, addressed the audience about the importance of grassroots organizations. He remarked on the necessity of connecting communities amid a climate of division and polarization. “You can’t engage people when you’re in silos,” he said. “We have to acknowledge that we are living in a different moment right now.” Fryday expressed hope that the convening would provide attendees with new resources and collaborative opportunities to better serve their communities.
State Senator Scott Wiener, representing District 11 in San Francisco and serving as the Chair of the Senate Budget Committee, delivered a keynote address that underscored the significance of local engagement. “Ultimately, everything has to be organized and executed at the local level… that’s who people trust in their community,” he stated. Wiener emphasized the urgent need to rebuild the “social infrastructure” that has been deteriorating in recent years, noting that increased disconnection among individuals can lead to negative societal impacts.
Amy Lerman, a political science professor and executive director of the Possibility Lab at UC Berkeley, echoed this sentiment. She urged attendees to seek partnerships beyond their immediate communities. “It’s not enough anymore just to talk to the people in your own community or who look like you, think like you,” she said. Lerman encouraged participants to identify “unusual allies” and collaborate on shared goals.
With nearly 70 percent of the organizations at the convening focused on youth, many are actively collaborating with state agencies. The event also highlighted the California Men’s Service Challenge, a GO-Serve initiative that encourages young men and boys to serve as mentors, coaches, and tutors through the California Service Corps. This initiative follows Governor Gavin Newsom’s executive order aimed at addressing rising mental health challenges among young men and boys, including high suicide rates and social isolation.
For those interested in state resources, volunteer and paid service opportunities, and funding options, additional information can be found on the California Grants Portal, GO-Serve, OCPSC, the California Men’s Service Challenge, the Youth Empowerment Commission, and California Volunteers.
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