By Aria Overli, ACTIONN Community Organizer “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.” - Moses What does it mean to form authentic community? That’s a question that I think all of us struggle with. Community is not easy. It is not easy when the pressures of society and of living leave us with little … Continue reading My Inadequacy Cannot Be An Excuse. We Must Be Better.
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My thoughts After a Semester of Developing Leadership in Weekly Motels
By Kyra Rehard Note: Kyra served as ACTIONN's intern this past semester, and did an incredible job! She worked tirelessly to build relationships with the members of our Speakers' Bureau and help them develop their stories. Her social work skills allowed her to really delve into the trauma of poverty with them in order to … Continue reading My thoughts After a Semester of Developing Leadership in Weekly Motels
It’s not a Generosity Problem. It’s a Justice Problem.
What if a baby floated down the Truckee River today? We pick her basket out of the water. We get her medical care and find her a loving family. Then, another baby floats down the river tomorrow. We do the same thing for him. Then, more babies start following. What do we do? Do … Continue reading It’s not a Generosity Problem. It’s a Justice Problem.
People are Dying Because of the Housing Crisis. It’s time to step-up.
Sometime between Monday night and Tuesday night last week, a man froze to death on a bike path in Sparks. His death was preventable, and the solutions are available. It is time for the City of Sparks to step up and make those solutions a reality. In 2017, the number of homeless people who died … Continue reading People are Dying Because of the Housing Crisis. It’s time to step-up.
There are so many stories to tell. We’re ready to listen.
We are so excited about the release of our new video giving a glimpse into the lives and stories of weekly motel residents in Washoe County. Thanks to our volunteers Azzi and Vera, we were able to complete this video despite the limitations of our non-profit budget. It gives us the opportunity to provide people … Continue reading There are so many stories to tell. We’re ready to listen.
We accomplished so much in 2017. But, there is still so much to do.
by Aria Overli Nearly three years ago, I walked into a room with very little understanding of what I was walking into. It was for an ACTIONN Immigration Reform Strategy Team meeting. I sat quietly in the corner and listened, unsure of what this organization was or what their role in the community was. I … Continue reading We accomplished so much in 2017. But, there is still so much to do.
Relationships Matter: an update on the Weekly Organizing Initiative
The basis of community organizing is relationships. Some of us came out the womb with a sign in hand, ready to attend our first protest. For most people though, the pressures of everyday life supersede the importance of structural change. This is especially true for the people most affected by the issues that we fight … Continue reading Relationships Matter: an update on the Weekly Organizing Initiative
What Now? The Continued Conversation After DACA Ends.
On September 5th, 2017, we received the anticipated, but hurtful news that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (better known as DACA) program would be rescinded. The announcement came early that morning through United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Within his brief statement, Sessions not only informed Americans of the programs end; he also managed … Continue reading What Now? The Continued Conversation After DACA Ends.
Weekly Motel Residents Should be Leading Conversations about Affordable Housing
ACTIONN is working to make that happen. By Aria Overli As the Economic Justice organizer for ACTIONN, I have been tasked with organizing the weekly motels. Due to its size, connections with current residents, and access to its residents, we identified a weekly motel to begin our organizing efforts. At this motel, I have begun … Continue reading Weekly Motel Residents Should be Leading Conversations about Affordable Housing
Meli and David: We Depend on Medicaid
Meli and David used to live on the streets. Because their dogs were not allowed at the shelter, David would take of the dogs at night, and Meli would stay at the shelter. David would sleep during the day when Meli could keep an eye on him. A year ago, the Reno Initiative for Shelter … Continue reading Meli and David: We Depend on Medicaid