What’s New With WELL
Over the past two months, the WELL staff has been busy with different programs and activities. We are excited to share what we’ve been hard at work on:
- Announcing the WELL UnTapped Fellowship Class of 2024: 16 local elected officials will embark on a journey to find solutions to their communities’ water challenges.
- WELL AAPI UnTapped Fellowship Cohort is continuing their water education, learning about water challenges throughout the state.
- WELL UnTapped Network brought together graduates from throughout the state for a weekend in Richmond to continue their water education, meet new graduates, and refresh their own water education.
- WELL hosted the San Joaquin Valley Water Summit, bringing together over 40 local elected officials from throughout the valley to learn about the region’s most pressing water issues and how they can address their communities’ water challenges.
- Graduates of WELL’s UnTapped Fellowship partnered with their state legislators to host two regional water workshops in October. Each workshop brought more than 40 regional leaders together to learn about the history of water in the region as well as innovative policies and projects.
- WELLos Spotlight: As our WELLos continue their leadership roles and enact positive change, we highlight their efforts to embody WELL’s mission.
- Partner Spotlight: Learn about new collaborations, major achievements, and the positive impact our partners are making in California and the water sector.
- California Water News: Catch some of the latest noteworthy water news from November.
- WELL Associate Members: Want to support WELL’s mission? Become an Associate Member today! View our current members and learn more about the process in the link below.
November Newsletter Commentary
Since our last newsletter, we have been devastated and heartbroken by the violent war crimes happening in Palestine, Israel, and Ukraine. Innocent lives, namely those of children, have been lost, and countless individuals have been uprooted from their homes by this violence. We hope to see conversations for a ceasefire in Gaza and that support for humanitarian efforts will continue. Amid the conflict, respect for human life should be prioritized.
For many, November typically signals the start of the holiday season as well as a time to reflect on what we are grateful for. This year, WELL is thankful for the incredible network we have built, which continues to grow. WELL has trained more than 1,300 local elected Latino leaders, who have participated in our annual conferences, regional roundtables, legislative water workshops, and WELL UnTapped Fellowship Program. We are incredibly proud of the work the WELLos (graduates of the WELL UnTapped Fellowship Program) have completed in their communities. We have graduated 68 individuals from the WELL UnTapped Fellowship Program and have an additional 18 Fellows starting the next cohort in 2024. This cohort will be our biggest, after graduating our previous largest cohort earlier this year. As this network continues to grow, we rejoice in the knowledge that by educating these local elected officials about California water policy, we are moving our Latino communities toward water equity.
We are excited to announce that beginning in 2024 we will host two WELL UnTapped Fellowship Cohorts each year. Expanding the UnTapped program to twice yearly demonstrates the continuing and growing need for local elected officials to understand the state’s most important public policy issue: our water. Please contact our team to learn how you can be a water leader in your community — our next class will be hosted in the Summer of 2024. For more information, you can also contact our Program Manager, Stephanie Nava-Angeles, at stephanie@latinosforwater.org.
¡Sí Se Puede!
Victor Griego Paul C. Hernandez
Founder & Board President Executive Director
Announcing the WELL UnTapped Fellowship Program Class of 2024
Meet the WELL UnTapped Fellowship Program Class of 2024!
The WELL UnTapped Fellowship is a selective, six-month program for local elected leaders aimed at helping participants make an impact on California water policy while addressing individual community water challenges. The UnTapped program creates an opportunity for local leaders to engage with water issues by exploring California’s water history and governance, infrastructure, finance, and the impact of climate change on water supply and quality. This curriculum is taught through the lens of the human right to water, with eyes on diversity, equity, and inclusion within the water sector.
After a competitive application process, we have selected 16 locally elected Latino leaders in California to embark on the UnTapped Fellowship program. This class comes from all areas of the state, yet they are united by their passion for water knowledge and supporting their communities.
- Adonis Galarza-Toledo, President, Coachella Valley Unified School District
- Alma Hernandez, Mayor, City of Suisun
- Anamarie Avila Farias, Boardmember, Contra Costa County Board of Education
- Celeste Rodriguez, Mayor, City of San Fernando
- Cesar Garcia, Councilmember, City of Duarte
- Danielle Parra, Boardmember, State Center Community College District
- Denise Delgado, Councilmember, City of Coachella
- Destiny Rodriguez, Boardmember, State Center Community College District
- Doriss Panduro, Councilmember, City of Fairfield
- Evelyn Dominguez, Boardmember, Rialto Unified School District
- Dr. Frank Figueroa, Councilmember, City of Coachella
- Karin Eugenio, Director, Imperial Irrigation District
- Kelvin Moore, Director, West Valley Water District
- Samantha Rodriguez, Mayor, City of Rohnert Park
- Stephanie Virgen, Councilmember, City of Coachella
- Steve Gibson, Boardmember, Pasadena Community College District
SAVE THE DATE: WELL’s 12th Annual Conference
SAVE THE DATE: The Water Education for Latino Leaders (WELL) 12th Annual Statewide Conference will be held Friday, March 15 to Saturday, March 16, 2024, in San Jose!
Climate change is impacting our water resources. This is why local elected officials need to understand the water challenges we are facing and the impacts on their community.
WELL will bring together top water policy experts and practitioners to share their knowledge on California’s top water challenges and the opportunities to mitigate the impacts.
How will state cutbacks affect our local water supplies? What are the competing interests in managing our water resources? What job opportunities can be created by investing in water resources? Join us at our annual conference to expand your water knowledge, better understand these evolving public policy issues, and help provide water solutions for your community.
WELL-AAPI UnTapped Fellowship Session 4
The fourth UnTapped session for the WELL AAPI UnTapped Fellowship Class of 2023 was held in San Diego, September 15 – 16. The weekend meeting provided Fellows with a deep understanding of the issues surrounding contaminants alongside the border, a look into the solutions proposed to solve those issues, and an exploration of the work that still needs to be done. The session also included training on Relationship Building and harnessing collective power based on a connection of values!
The UnTapped session began with a visit to the Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center, where fellows received a tour to learn about the projects and outreach work the center’s team does to protect this important and fragile ecosystem. Fellows then interviewed Amy Chen, Director of the Metropolitan Water District Program, San Diego County Water Authority, to learn about its unique governance system and diverse portfolio of water management strategies.
The night ended with an engaging conversation with Heriberto Delute on the experiences of Filipino Farmworkers in California. This discussion deepened the Fellows’ understanding of the important contributions of Asian Americans to California.
On day two, the Fellows visited the International Wastewater Treatment Plant, where they explored the intricacies of wastewater management alongside the border. Fellows then interviewed Dr. Gabriela Munoz Melendez, Research Professor, El Colegio de la Frontera Norte, to learn about the source of contaminants on the Tijuana border and their impact on community members.
Coach Jake Waxman returned for a transformative training session on Relationship Building, designed to forge stronger connections and amplify our collective impact.
As is tradition, the session ended with a moment of unity by singing “De Colores.”
WELL-AAPI UnTapped Fellowship Session 5
On October 5, WELL hosted the fifth UnTapped Fellowship session for the class of 2023, conducted virtually.
The fellows interviewed Dr. Newsha Ajami, Chief Development Officer for Research, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory.
This session focused on teaching the Fellows about a varied portfolio of water management strategies. This topic emphasized the importance of diversifying and investing in water resources for each region, as well as recommendations for sustainable water management.
WELL-AAPI UnTapped Fellowship Session 6
On October 26, WELL hosted the sixth UnTapped Fellowship session, held virtually.
This session focused on preparing the Fellows for the Legislative Water Workshop and building a team to organize the event. The fellows also met with two graduates of the WELL UnTapped Fellowship Program, Cheryl Sudduth, President, West County Wastewater District, Class of 2022, and Rafael Trujillo, Councilmember, City of Rialto, Class of 2023, to learn about their experience organizing their water workshops.
The Fellows also received training on relationship building with Coach Jake Waxman, a session focused on practicing how to build a team and asking for their commitment to participate in their water workshop.
WELL-AAPI UnTapped Fellowship Session 7
On November 9, WELL hosted the seventh UnTapped Fellowship session for the class of 2023, which was again conducted virtually.
The Fellows interviewed Robert Grantham, General Manager, Rancho California Water District. This session focused on teaching Fellows about the topic of water finance, specifically the cost of delivering water to residents and the need for capital improvement projects.
The final UnTapped session will be held in person in Sacramento in December 2023. The session will focus on water issues along Delta Bay. The Fellows will also celebrate their five-month commitment to water education with a graduation dinner.
WELL San Joaquin Valley Water Summit 2023
On October 14, WELL hosted the San Joaquin Valley Water Summit. In attendance were 40 local leaders from throughout the region.
Community water outreach experts shared best practices to engage community input for the design and implementation of water conservation strategies. Panelists also shared the changing water landscape in the region and the projects needed to ensure reliable and long-term water supplies. Finally, researchers shared information on the Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program and the changes needed to improve environmental conditions for residents throughout the region. As is WELL’s tradition, the summit ended with a moment of unity by singing “De Colores.”
These kinds of educational opportunities allow local Latino elected officials to engage with WELL and learn about the most pressing water issues in their region and the solutions they can implement.
WELL UnTapped Fellowship Water Workshop in the Inland Empire
Fifty community leaders gathered at the San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District on Saturday, October 21, for the WELL UnTapped Fellowship Water Workshop in San Bernardino.
The water workshop was co-hosted by Assemblymember James Ramos of the 45th District and Councilmember Rafael Trujillo, City of Rialto. The workshop marked the completion of the 2023 fellowship program by Councilmember Trujillo.
Councilmember Trujillo opened the meeting by discussing his interest in public service and water issues that stemmed from his memories as a young child translator. He also shared his experiences in the WELL UnTapped Fellowship Program with the audience.
Featured in the workshop was a presentation on water recharge by Dr. Milan Mitrovich, Land Resources Manager, San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District, and a presentation on the Bioremediation Treatment Plant by Joanne Chan, Operations Manager, West Valley Water District. These presentations were followed by a panel on innovative water conservation strategies in new development projects with Joseph Zoba, General Manager, Yucaipa Valley Water District, and Sal Aridi, Director of Special Projects & Business Development, International Association of Plumbing & Mechanical Officials (IAPMO).
The workshop ended with WELL’s tradition of creating a moment of unity by singing the song “De Colores.”
WELL UnTapped Fellowship Water Workshop in the City of Baldwin Park
On October 28, two graduates of the WELL UnTapped Fellowship Program, Class of 2023 Councilmember Manny Acosta, City of South El Monte, and President Dr. Sabrina Bow, Azusa Unified School District, cohosted a water workshop in the City of Baldwin Park with Senator Susan Rubio, District 22, and Assemblymember Blanca Rubio, District 48. There were 40 local Latino leaders in attendance. Topics included a briefing on how water is managed in the San Gabriel Valley and a panel discussion about how we can teach water conservation to the next generation.
The workshop ended with WELL’s tradition of creating a moment of unity by singing the song “De Colores.”
These workshops signify the completion of the UnTapped Fellowship for the graduates and serve to solidify the Fellows’ commitment to sharing their water education with other local elected officials to promote timely and equitable changes that bring sustainable water strategies for all Californians.
WELL UnTapped Network Annual Retreat 2023
The WELL UnTapped Network (WUN) hosted its third annual WUN retreat Friday, November 17 – Saturday, November 18, in the City of Richmond. This retreat brought together graduates from the WELL UnTapped Fellowship Program.
On day one, the retreat featured training on the WELL Method of Inquiry by President and Founder Victor Griego. That training was followed by a refresher on Public Narrative that focused on preparing fellows to utilize their story of self for action and recruitment. The night ended with a dinner to reflect on the day’s topics.
On day two, WELLos traveled to Sausalito to view the Delta Bay Model and learn about the water history of the region, the history of the San Francisco Dam project, and the region’s wildlife. The second stop of the day was a trip to the China Camp Campgrounds with the Friends of China Camp and the San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve to learn about the camp’s history and the estuary’s wildlife restoration projects. Finally, the group interviewed Jennifer Clary of Clean Water Action (CWA) to learn about CWA’s work.
The retreat ended with a moment of unity, with the group singing “De Colores.” Having these opportunities allows graduates of the WELL UnTapped Fellowship to continue their water education and bring new ideas and innovative solutions to their communities.
WELLos Spotlight:
Oscar Ortiz, Mayor, City of Indio, and WELL UnTapped Fellowship Graduate, Class of 2022: Mayor Ortiz serves as the Director of Education for the Friends of the Desert Mountains, an organization that connects people to the land through conservation, education, and research. On December 7, Mayor Ortiz, alongside Dr. Lynn Sweet, hosted an event to delve into the ongoing climate change crisis, its effects globally and in the local Coachella Valley, and possible solutions moving forward. This presentation was created with UCR and Dr. J. Pablo Ortiz-Partida from the Union of Concerned Scientists.
Dr. Monica Sanchez, Councilmember, City of Pico Rivera, and WELL UnTapped Fellowship Graduate, Class of 2022: Councilmember Sanchez participated in the Latinas Lead Networking night in the city of Pico Rivera. Latinas Lead is the state’s first bipartisan political action committee focused on supporting Latinas running for elected positions. Councilmember Sanchez shared with other Latinas about her experience running for office and her current role in government.
Lamar Thorpe, Mayor, City of Antioch, and WELL UnTapped Fellowship Graduate, Class of 2019: Mayor Thorpe received an award on behalf of the City of Antioch from the Contra Costa Council on Homelessness for the city’s Opportunity Village, formerly the Executive Inn, which was known for criminal activity. The “Outstanding New Project/Program” award recognizes new projects or programs that enrich the lives of people facing homelessness in Contra Costa County.
Partners Spotlight:
Rancho California Water District: Earlier this year, Rancho California Water District in Riverside County received funding from the Department of Water Resources (DWR) Urban Community Drought Relief Program for two projects that promote agriculture and groundwater conservation in Southern California. Rancho Water’s agriculture project, CropSWAP, was awarded $5 million and has converted 160 acres of water-intensive plants to drought-resilient and climate-appropriate crops. This program pays agricultural water users to switch to lower-water-use crops to put less strain on water supplies and support local farmers. CropSWAP will save nearly 9,000 acre-feet of water per year, which furthers the goal of water conservation and sustainability.
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power: Mayor Karen Bass and state and local water officials announced that the city will receive $19.1 million from the state for climate resilience projects, including one that will pay for free yard transformations in underserved LA communities. About $14.6 million of the grant from the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) Urban Community Drought Relief Grant Program will fund a free lawn replacement program that could save 77 million gallons of water each year. Under the program set to launch in 2024, qualifying Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) customers with single-family homes in LA’s underserved communities can have their water-thirsty lawns replaced — at no cost to them — with water-efficient landscapes installed by professional landscapers under contract with LADWP.
California Water Service: To support local fire departments and their efforts to provide rescue and emergency services, Cal Water today announced it will award $186,077 in grants to eight California fire departments as part of the utility’s fifth annual Firefighter Grant Program. From obtaining infrared cameras that firefighters can use to find people trapped in fires to the latest in firefighting hose technology, the grants are designed to offset costs associated with fire protection efforts, life-saving equipment, and training.
California Water News—November
Worried you may have missed some important recent water news? WELL has you covered! Here is a sample of noteworthy water news during the month of November.
- California Department of Water Resources: DWR Announces Initial State Water Project Allocation of 10 Percent for 2024
- CalMatters: Making water conservation a ‘California way of life’: Controversial state rules could cost $13 billion
- CalMatters: Western States’ planned water cuts are enough to avert a Colorado River crisis, for now
- Los Angeles Times: A warm, wet El Niño winter is in store for California and much of the U.S.
- ProPublica: The Historic Claims That Put a Few California Farming Families First in Line for Colorado River Water
WELL Associate Members
The WELL Associate Member program, established in 2020, helps organizations gain access to Latino leaders who share similar interests, allowing members to strategize about the best ways to solve California’s water problems. The participation of our Associate Members is a key component of our mutual continuing success. We thank our Associate Members, listed below, for their support. If you would like to learn more about the Associate Member Program, please visit latinosforwater.org/associatemembers.
