Monument Impact (MI) was founded in 2001 to address the many social, economic and political barriers that impact low-income immigrants living in Concord’s Monument Corridor. Given the opportunity to engage in identifying solutions to the challenges they face, our community members possess the leadership, social connections and drive to build a vibrant and healthy community. Our mission is to actively engage residents in training and tools that promote economic self-sufficiency, civic engagement, health and safety, community connections, and lifelong learning.
This past year, Monument Impact served well over 12,000 local residents through these inter-related programs:
Workforce Development: Our workforce programs focus on economic advancement and serve 250 people annually. They include Technology classes (beginner through advanced Career Track); CalWorks job readiness for refugees; emerging business support; and our long-standing Day Labor Program. These programs offer multiple pathways for community members to improve their income. In addition, ESL and professional development augment skill-building for residents to secure better paying jobs and promotions.
Community Engagement: We work with community leaders to build their leadership and advocacy skills. Residents identify issues of great concern and then advocate for policy to improve our community. MI also offers immigration legal services in partnership with Jewish Family & Community Services as well as our free Monument Community Shuttle. As part of Stand Together CoCo, we look forward to strengthening civic engagement across communities in Central Contra Costa.
Healthy Community: Our evidenced-based mental health program, Mentes Positivas en Acción (MPA), is led by trained community promotores. Designed to reach Spanish-speaking residents who self-identity as living with stress and depression, MPA reaches 140 people a year. Our Monument Moves program, also led by promotores, offers weekly physical activity and monthly nutrition workshops in the parks to 160 people annually.