The James Irvine Foundation Leadership Awards

Through The Campaign for College Opportunity, 2024 #IrvineAwards recipient Michele Siqueiros (She/Her/Ella) has advocated for equitable access to higher education. Learn more about Michele and The Campaign: https://lnkd.in/g2DtsDdj

2024 #IrvineAwards recipients Brian Poth & Nick Vargas founded The Source LGBT+ Center. The Source LGBT+ Center address provides support and safe spaces for LGBTQ+ youth and ensures access to vital resources. Learn more about Brian Poth & Nick Vargas, and the Source: https://lnkd.in/dAK5m8N6

2024 #IrvineAwards recipient Manjusha Kulkarni leads AAPI Equity Alliance, a coalition of 40+ organizations fighting for policy change, mental health access, and stronger protections for AAPI communities. Learn more about Manjusha and AAPI Equity: https://lnkd.in/gyyZc83U

Mark your calendars for February 10, 2025! We will announce the 2025 James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award recipients. Stay tuned to learn more about these seven inspiring leaders shaping a better future for Californians. #IrvineAwards

College graduates are more likely to be employed, have health insurance, own a home, and earn a significantly higher income than their peers with only a high school diploma. However, access to a college degree remains inequitable. California’s economy depends on a well-educated workforce, and The Campaign’s research suggests the state may face a deficit of 1.65 million workers with college degrees and credentials by 2030. Through her work with the Campaign for College Opportunity, 2024 #IrvineAwards recipient Michele Siqueiros @mscollegeopp advocates to ensure equitable access and success in college. Learn more about Michele and The Campaign: https://lnkd.in/g2DtsDdj

LGBTQ+ individuals face significant challenges, including higher rates of discrimination, poverty, and mental health issues, especially in rural areas. The HIV epidemic is also impacting these communities, where access to care is limited. The Source LGBT+ Center provides support through over 30 programs, creating safe spaces for LGBTQ+ youth and ensuring everyone has access to the resources they need. #IrvineAwards

At the turn of the 21st century, California saw 200,000 minors arrested annually. Thanks to years of reform, that number has dropped to 26,000 in 2022. Frankie Guzman and the National Center for Youth Law National Center for Youth Law are dedicated to continuing this progress and addressing the alarming number of youth still caught in the system. #IrvineAwards

Big News Coming Soon! The recipients of the 2025 #IrvineAwards will be announced on February 10, 2025. Stay tuned to learn more about these leaders and their impact across California.

In the last 50 years, San Diego County has welcomed thousands of immigrants and asylum seekers and resettled more refugees than any other California county. It is now home to 698,000 people from 115 countries who speak 70 different languages. However, these communities face challenges like food and housing insecurity, limited access to education, and inadequate healthcare. Under the leadership of 2024 #IrvineAwards recipients Blanca Meléndrez and Amina Sheik Mohamend, the Center for Community Health (CCH) co-founded the San Diego Refugee Communities Coalition. The SDRCC unites ethnic community-based organizations serving diverse refugee communities and enhances the regional refugee support system. Learn more about Blanca and Amina and CCH: https://lnkd.in/d2BTXqdg

Asian American and Pacific Islander residents constitute 15.5% of California's population. However, they face persistent hate-based violence and institutional racism, particularly after the surge of anti-AAPI sentiment during COVID-19. Acts of hate frequently occur in public spaces where civil rights protections are limited, and many of these acts go unclassified as crimes, rendering traditional policing ineffective. 2024 #IrvineAwards recipient Manjusha Kulkarni leads AAPI Equity Alliance, a coalition of over 40 organizations fighting for AAPI communities, advocating for legal and policy changes that promote mental health access and confront discrimination. Learn more about Manjusha and AAPI Equity: https://lnkd.in/gyyZc83U