Saludos Dear Neighbor,

The past two years have taken us all through unbelievable changes in our communities, with all the joy and all the challenges that change brings. We all have had to dig deep and find our fortitude. When I step back to look at all we’ve accomplished with your support this year, I’m reminded of the power we truly have when we face challenges together.

With each opportunity and each obstacle we face, we weigh the cost and benefit of decisions that impact our quality of life on the West Side. Whether it’s the fight to keep our neighborhood safe and affordable, or evaluating new land use and development plans, we are always focused on the question: How are the people of the West Side benefiting? 

In the coming months, we are looking forward to slowing down. Now is a time to take a breath, reflect, and sharpen our focus moving into 2022. WSCO will be moving into a period of growth that we can’t wait to share with you. We’ll be pausing public events in January to focus on professional development and internal organizational growth.

Today, I invite you to take some time, close your eyes, slow your pace, dream, and imagine the neighborhood you see for your family, yourself, and generations to come. I invite you into your neighborhood organization, WSCO. If you are passionate about neighbors helping neighbors, or access to green space, dignified housing, robust parks, and cultural corridors, I invite you to boldly take risks with us to bring our collective community vision of a safe, vibrant, and thriving West Side to reality.

We are looking forward to seeing you in the new year! 

Wishing you a safe, and restful winter break,

Monica Bravo

Executive Director, West Side Community Organization 

p.s. Pictured above is our wonderful team at WSCO! Clockwise from top left: Ellie Leonardsmith, our Health and Environmental Justice Organizer; Cintya Canales, our Housing Justice Organizer; Genevieve Roudané, our Program Manager for Organizing and Communications; Mayra Avila, our Office Administrator; myself, and RaRa Navarro, our Community Organizer.