As 41,000 central coast residents risk losing state-sponsored healthcare, COPA is expanding their constituency and urging California Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas to push back. 

At the urging of Communities Organized for Relational Power in Action (COPA) leaders in Monterey County, the County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the creation of Esperanza Care 2.0—a county healthcare program for undocumented adults, launching with 500 people and a commitment to expand.

After California Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed to drop undocumented immigrants from the state health insurance rolls, 120 California IAF leaders and allies traveled to the capitol by bus and persuaded legislators to restore access to the program.

“Immigrants pay taxes. They work in our communities with no safety nets," said COPA (Communities Organized for Relational Power in Action) Leader Mary Litel Walsh. “We came hundreds of miles from all over the state...took time off of work and away from our families to be here today. Why?

Because we need our legislators to fight for us.

The Rev. Susan Birkelo, with the Lutheran Community Church, sings "This Little Light of Mine" at COPA's 15th anniversary celebration [Photo credit: Joe Szydlowski, The Californian]

Maria Elena Manzo, a leader with COPA and Mujeres en Accion, speaking at the launching event of Esperanza Care [Photo credit: Tom Leyde, The Californian]

A St. Stephen's Church staff member prepares for the ground-breaking ceremony of a 40-unit, low-income senior housing complex, an initiative advanced by COPA [Photo credit: Shmuel Thaler, Santa Cruz Sentinel]

Bishop Mary Gray-Reeves of the Episcopal Diocese of El Camino Real celebrates Monterey County's expansion of health care services with COPA leaders [Photo credit: Laura Lawrence, Episcopal Diocese of El Camino Real]

COPA gathers community members for house meetings with Sheriff Phil Wowak [Photo credit: Dan Coyro, Sentinel]

COPA Press Release, Making Our Democracy Work 

Stand Up For Peace 2012

Register Pajaronian, Supervisor candidates address community group

Santa Cruz Weekly, Supe Candidates Agree to COPA Agenda 

Santa Cruz Weekly, COPA plans to fight foreclosure

Santa Cruz Sentinel, COPA in 2012, Taking it to the Polls with Stand up and Take Charge

The Californian, Community alliance revs up for June 5

Santa Cruz Sentinel, Campaign seeks to enlist voters in support of social change: COPA sets agenda for host issues including housing, immigration

Monterey County Weekly, Strength in Numbers