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Alondra Herrera (She/Her) is a MiraCosta Alumni from Oceanside, CA. She is a transfer student at the University of California, San Diego majoring in Urban Studies and Planning with a minor in Political Science- Data Analytics. Alondra's focus is homelessness in San Diego as well as supporting the low income and underrepresented population. < Back Alondra Herrera Housing Justice Organizer Alondra Herrera (She/Her) is a MiraCosta Alumni from Oceanside, CA. She is a transfer student at the University of California, San Diego majoring in Urban Studies and Planning with a minor in Political Science- Data Analytics. Alondra's focus is homelessness in San Diego as well as supporting the low income and underrepresented population. alondra.herrera@ourtimetoact.org

Apurv (he/him) officially joined Our Time To Act in 2020 as a Presidential Aid and transitioned through several different roles and responsibilities before becoming Director of Services in December 2021. Outside of Our Time To Act, Apurv is involved with clubs like FBLA, Debate, and the National Honor Society, but loves to play tennis and indulge in Taco Bell whenever he can. < Back Apurv Gupta Director of Services Apurv (he/him) officially joined Our Time To Act in 2020 as a Presidential Aid and transitioned through several different roles and responsibilities before becoming Director of Services in December 2021. Outside of Our Time To Act, Apurv is involved with clubs like FBLA, Debate, and the National Honor Society, but loves to play tennis and indulge in Taco Bell whenever he can. apurv.gupta@ourtimetoact.org

Gabrielle Darisme is a freshman at Barnard College of Columbia University in New York City. Although undecided on her major, she strives to pursue an interdisciplinary focus and is interested in environmental science, biology, public health, and international policy. Gabrielle is an avid world traveler and has completed internships in Belize, Costa Rica, and South Africa. She has been a dedicated member of the Our Time To Act family since her Junior Year of High School. Outside of school, she has received serval Future Business Leader of America (FBLA) Awards, a Presidential Volunteer Award, hosted a TEDx conference, and has had artwork exhibited in the San Jose Museum of Art. < Back Gabrielle Darisme Ethics & Policy Chair Gabrielle Darisme is a freshman at Barnard College of Columbia University in New York City. Although undecided on her major, she strives to pursue an interdisciplinary focus and is interested in environmental science, biology, public health, and international policy. Gabrielle is an avid world traveler and has completed internships in Belize, Costa Rica, and South Africa. She has been a dedicated member of the Our Time To Act family since her Junior Year of High School. Outside of school, she has received serval Future Business Leader of America (FBLA) Awards, a Presidential Volunteer Award, hosted a TEDx conference, and has had artwork exhibited in the San Jose Museum of Art. gabrielle.darisme@ourtimetoact.org

Tommy (he/him/his) recently graduated from the University of California San Diego with Bachelors of Science in Political Science: Data Analytics and a minor in Business. He joined Our Time To Act in November 2021 as the Director of Operations. As Director of Operations, Tommy has developed fundraising strategies, performed data analysis for advocacy projects, and helped plan out project operations. Outside of Our Time To Act, Tommy has served on the University of California Systemwide Title IX Student Advisory Board for two years, served at Associated Students of UC San Diego for two years as a Title IX Project Coordinator and Campus-wide Senator, and worked as an orientation leader for three years. He has also competed in two UC San Diego Urban Design Challenges and walked away with three awards, one individual award for outstanding public speaker. Tommy is currently applying for law school and hopes to pursue a career in civil rights litigation or transportation law. < Back Tommy Jung Director of Operations Tommy (he/him/his) recently graduated from the University of California San Diego with Bachelors of Science in Political Science: Data Analytics and a minor in Business. He joined Our Time To Act in November 2021 as the Director of Operations. As Director of Operations, Tommy has developed fundraising strategies, performed data analysis for advocacy projects, and helped plan out project operations. Outside of Our Time To Act, Tommy has served on the University of California Systemwide Title IX Student Advisory Board for two years, served at Associated Students of UC San Diego for two years as a Title IX Project Coordinator and Campus-wide Senator, and worked as an orientation leader for three years. He has also competed in two UC San Diego Urban Design Challenges and walked away with three awards, one individual award for outstanding public speaker. Tommy is currently applying for law school and hopes to pursue a career in civil rights litigation or transportation law. tommy.jung@ourtimetoact.org

How we go about pushing for change is just as important as why. Community organizing is one of the only ways to build enough power to challenge — and win — against the status quo. And we have a severe need for youth organizing in our local communities.

< Back OTTA United hosts first-ever gala in December 2022 with awards, food, and celebration Sunday, December 11, 2022 Benjamin Wang, Staff On Sunday, December 11th, Our Time to Act (OTTA) United was pleased to conclude our eventful 2022 year under “A Sky Full of Stars,” the theme for our first-ever gala. This gala provided the perfect opportunity to thank the community leaders who give us their much-appreciated support and to recognize the passion and dedication of the OTTA United team. Hosted at the Multipurpose Room at the University of California, San Diego, OTTA United was pleased to welcome San Diego leaders such as Mayor Todd Gloria, Councilmember Joe La Cava, and Councilmember Kent Lee to the gala. While the audience enjoyed local San Diego Chinese food from Fan-Fan and butter mochi from KatKatxMochi, Mayor Gloria kicked off the night by delivering his remarks to the OTTA United crowd through a personalized video. Aidan Lin, OTTA United’s executive director, followed up by sharing four vignettes that encapsulated some of the lessons that he learned over the course of OTTA United’s growth and development. Authentic empowerment, leading by nature, and sharing our resources freely were some of the insights shared. Tommy Jung, OTTA United’s Director of Operations, then proceeded to present the internal awards, which celebrated the outstanding accomplishments of individuals within OTTA United. Afterwards, Executive Director Lin returned to the podium to present the external awards, which acknowledged San Diego community groups and individuals who went above and beyond in their support of youth causes and issues. Melanie Cohn, Alex Villafuerte, Jean-Huy Tran, and Tama Becker-Varano received the Youth Ally Award, which recognized the relentless commitment of these individuals to uplift youth voices. The San Diego Communities Collaboration Map Coalition and the San Diego Asian Pacific Islander Coalition both received the Coalition Builder Award, which recognized coalitions who did an exceptional job in shaping and leading our communities as a whole. Youth Will and the Asian Business Association of San Diego received the Outstanding Community Partner Award, an award that acknowledged and appreciates those who have demonstrated their steadfast support for OTTA United. Rhianen Callahan received the Legacy Award, a nod to a former member of OTTA United who made a lasting impact on our organization, and Judy Ki received the Legendary Youth Champion Award for fearlessly commanding respect for youth and youth leaders and for her support of youth causes using her own resources and networks. Next, President Janice Park, Ethics & Policy Committee Chair Gabrille Darisme, and Director Manu Agni of OTTA United’s Board of Directors answered the question “Why OTTA?” by delivering an interactive presentation about OTTA United’s values, determination, and accomplishments. Board Directors Park, Darisme, and Agni argued that supporting OTTA United is a phenomenal future investment – one that supports youth and the community. Finally, Councilmember Kent Lee delivered the closing remarks, wrapping up a monumental gala as he drew upon his own lived experience as a student at UC San Diego and a youth leader to reflect on the impact that the OTTA United youth have been able to make in the local community. Ultimately, this gala was a celebration of the bridge that OTTA United has built between youth and youth allies, a bridge more than 75 attendees and OTTA United board and staff are now able to cross for the benefit of the San Diego community. OTTA United would like to thank everyone who took time out of their day to share this special moment with us. OTTA United would also like to give a special thank you to Viet Vote, the Asian Business Association San Diego, and the YMCA of San Diego County for sponsoring our organization and gala! We would also like to thank Alex Villafuerte, the Asian Solidarity Collective, Judy Ki, Marina Tostado & Oliver Lin, Melanie Cohn, the Organization of Chinese Americans of San Diego, Ron Cho, Senate Pro Tempore Toni Atkins, Social Artistry, Tama Becker-Varano, and Trinh Le for being our lovely co-hosts. Because of your support, we are better equipped to fulfill our mission of organizing powerful youth for an inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future. We would also like to thank Councilmembers Joe La Cava and Kent Lee for making time to come to our gala. Last but not least, OTTA United would like to give a huge thank you to all of the volunteers, staff, and board members who helped make this night possible. In particular, this event would not have been possible without Isaac Lara and Rachel Choy, OTTA United’s Director and Assistant Director of Communications. 2022 was a wonderful year of organizing, mobilizing, and advocating, and we here at OTTA United look forward to another year of great success. Next Previous

Aidan Lin-Tostado (he/him) is the President of Our Time To Act. He co-founded Our Time To Act in 2018, serving as Executive Director during its rise as a powerful youth organizing nonprofit in San Diego. As President, he is honored to lead the volunteer Board of Directors in matters of general governance, budgeting, and mission advancement. Aidan works full-time at Nonviolent Peaceforce, an international civilian protection nonprofit. He also serves on the new California State Youth Empowerment Commission advising the State Legislature and Governor, the City of San Diego Youth Commission, and the San Diego Youth Homelessness Consortium Steering Committee. Aidan has received recognition for his work in the community, including the 2022 Community Service Award from San Diego Pride and the 2022 Bridge Builder of the Year from the API Leaders of the Year Awards. He is a student at UC San Diego and a 2024 McNair Scholar. < Back Aidan Lin-Tostado President Aidan Lin-Tostado (he/him) is the President of Our Time To Act. He co-founded Our Time To Act in 2018, serving as Executive Director during its rise as a powerful youth organizing nonprofit in San Diego. As President, he is honored to lead the volunteer Board of Directors in matters of general governance, budgeting, and mission advancement. Aidan works full-time at Nonviolent Peaceforce, an international civilian protection nonprofit. He also serves on the new California State Youth Empowerment Commission advising the State Legislature and Governor, the City of San Diego Youth Commission, and the San Diego Youth Homelessness Consortium Steering Committee. Aidan has received recognition for his work in the community, including the 2022 Community Service Award from San Diego Pride and the 2022 Bridge Builder of the Year from the API Leaders of the Year Awards. He is a student at UC San Diego and a 2024 McNair Scholar. aidan.LT@ourtimetoact.org

Our Youth Voter Engagement Project (YVEP) supports the UCSD student community in registering to vote and participating in civic engagement. Learn more about our impact! YOUR GUIDE TO VOTING [RE-]REGISTER TO VOTE IN SAN DIEGO INFO ON CANDIDATES + SAMPLE BALLOT INFO ON CANDIDATES + ELECTION RESULTS SAVE THE DATES Above are quick links to guide your registering and voting process. Continue to scroll to read more about our Youth Voter Engagement Project! ENGAGE WITH OUR PROJECT LEARN MORE Learn about the problem and background of our project. SURVEY Fill out a 15 minute survey on voting registration at San Diego. BECOME AN AMBASSADOR Come join us as an ambassador and make an impact. Read more RSVP FOR THE DEBATE Come to our big event: the Political Candidate Debate. Read more ABOUT US Learn more about the people and passion behind the project. 60.6% of the undergraduate population at UCSD consists of students who are eligible to vote but are registered outside of San Diego or simply not registered at all . We spend nearly the entirety of our academic year in San Diego versus the three months possibly spent at home. As you attend UCSD you are going to be impacted by the initiatives on the ballot in local elections. It is essential we [re-]register to San Diego in order to ensure our voice, opinions, and needs are heard and represented by the political candidates that will govern us during our time in San Diego County. If we do not become voters we leave our fate in the hands of only La Jolla’s non-youth voters, out of touch with the needs of students and youth. If we choose not to become voters we lose the ability to influence decisions that disproportionately affect us. WHAT WILL IT TAKE? What will it take to create a culture of Civic Engagement at UCSD? What will it take for you to [re-]register in San Diego County and hit the polls this November? UCSD students are already civically engaged and politically active. YVEP does not believe the “politically apathetic” stereotype that has been pinned to our campus. On the contrary, we see the politically active and empathetic reputation UCSD students have created, whether it be through striking for better working conditions in the dining halls, or protesting for higher wages and affordable housing. We want to tap into that already existing culture of civic engagement and expand it to voting in order to ensure the concerns we voice are addressed by the people who are chosen to represent us. We want to not only make voting more accessible to students through our [re-]registration efforts but also through providing the resources necessary to become confident and informed voters at the polls this year, and in the future. To further encourage a lasting culture of civic engagement at UCSD, YVEP is also bringing the candidates to you! We will bring local San Diego candidates to campus to engage in town-hall style debate and attempt to win the student vote. This project has never been done before! UCSD students will lead us in our efforts to encourage overall youth engagement and participation at the polls. The student response we receive at UCSD will be extremely valuable to us when expanding our efforts to solve the issue into a national agenda in the future. HELP US SURVEY Help us by filling out a quick, 5 minute survey! This will help us understand how to best tailor our resources and engagement efforts to provide the most impactful support possible to the student body! THE ISSUE learnmore ambassador JOIN US BECOME AN AMBASSADOR We want to Unite with you! Join us in our efforts to increase San Diego registration and overall voter engagement on UCSD’s campus! What can Our Time To Act do for your organization and its members in order to assist you in creating a lasting culture of civic engagement at UCSD? Fill out this form if your organization has an interest in meeting with us to discuss becoming an ambassador for voter and civic engagement on the university’s campus! THE BIG EVENT Tritons' Choice @ Price To further encourage a lasting culture of civic engagement at UCSD, YVEP is also bringing the candidates to you! We will bring local San Diego candidates to campus to engage in town-hall style debate and attempt to win the student vote. WHEN WHERE October 24th 11:00 am - 3:00 pm The Forum @ Price WHO District 6 City Council candidates Kent Lee and Tommy Hough District 35 Superior Court candidates Rebecca Kanter and Mike Murphy RSVP FOR THE DEBATE debate about us NICOLE LILLIE YVE Project Director Nicole.lillie@ottaunited.org Nicole was born and raised in San Bernardino county, where she committed herself to civic engagement through peer-led voter registration drives, and a devotion to community service through Rotary International. Currently, she is studying Political Science with a focus on Public Law at the University of California San Diego and devoting herself to voter/civic engagement efforts in her new home of San Diego County. YVANIA RUBIO YVE Asst. Project Director Yvania.rubio@ottaunited.org Yvania is from City Heights San Diego however, she did study in South East Los Angeles, Tijuana, and Ensenada Mexico. She is now a part of the La Jolla Community as she pursues her Double Major in Political Science and Sociology for the next three years. ABOUT US Hi! We met in a Political Science class during our first year at UCSD and now we work together as youth leaders at Our Time To Act! We both care deeply about issues that disproportionately affect UCSD students, like affordable housing. We are dedicated to ensuring our peers needs are met and represented by San Diego County political candidates!

Masaki (he/him/his) is a student at the University of California, San Diego majoring in Joint Mathematics-Economics, and Urban Studies and Planning. He has been passionate about issues in American cities and communities since learning about the field in October 2021 right after arriving at UCSD. In the summer of 2022, he led a group of 15 young people to advocate for housing and transit at City Council and Planning Commission meetings in his hometown of Jurupa Valley, CA, garnering recognition from elected and appointed officials. He hopes to continue this work in his hometown and San Diego. Outside of Our Time To Act as a Housing Justice Director of Eliminating Exclusionary Zoning, Masaki is also interested in learning about issues regarding transportation, particularly public transit. He is currently working with his city to study the current status of transit in the community, surveying the population about their perceptions of it and what could be done to improve it. After graduation, he hopes to work as an urban planner in Southern California to continue advocating for better public transit and housing policies to benefit everyone in the region. < Back Masaki Mendoza Housing Justice Director Masaki (he/him/his) is a student at the University of California, San Diego majoring in Joint Mathematics-Economics, and Urban Studies and Planning. He has been passionate about issues in American cities and communities since learning about the field in October 2021 right after arriving at UCSD. In the summer of 2022, he led a group of 15 young people to advocate for housing and transit at City Council and Planning Commission meetings in his hometown of Jurupa Valley, CA, garnering recognition from elected and appointed officials. He hopes to continue this work in his hometown and San Diego. Outside of Our Time To Act as a Housing Justice Director of Eliminating Exclusionary Zoning, Masaki is also interested in learning about issues regarding transportation, particularly public transit. He is currently working with his city to study the current status of transit in the community, surveying the population about their perceptions of it and what could be done to improve it. After graduation, he hopes to work as an urban planner in Southern California to continue advocating for better public transit and housing policies to benefit everyone in the region. masaki.mendoza@ourtimetoact.org

< Back OTTA United Celebrates Positivity and Community in Pro-Housing Listening Session Saturday, May 6, 2023 Our Time to Act United MEDIA CONTACT: Aidan Lin, Executive Director ( aidan.lin@ottaunited.org ) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: At 10 AM on May 6th, pro-housing residents gathered at Doyle Park for a warm, uplifting discussion on the housing crisis in San Diego. Participants ranging from children to youth to older folks focused on identifying the ways housing insecurity touches their lives and the lives of their friends and loved ones—as well as proposed solutions that work to brighten the future for all San Diegans. Community members expressed themselves on slips of paper representing leaves, roots, and water droplets that came together to form beautiful problem and solution boards. In order to visualize the future, individuals also created their own vision boards while discussing with one another, enjoying donuts, and appreciating San Diego's weather. While in community, we welcomed parkgoers into friendly conversations and helped a fellow resident jumpstart his car. "We chose to come together, as residents, neighbors, friends, renters, students, and, most importantly, as a community , in order to show our commitment to improving our neighborhoods and the City of San Diego," said Aidan Lin, Executive Director of OTTA United. "It's always disheartening to hear others discount our dedication to the communities we live in. That's why we are here—in a community park—to invest our love in our community's collective future." OTTA United works to realize an inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future. Housing is a key component to achieve all three; San Diego needs diverse forms of housing—including mixed-use and multi-family—robust transit options, and increased walk-ability and bike-ability to live safe, fulfilling, and positive lives. In order to foster this better future, OTTA United believes in broadening the conversation by inviting groups that are underrepresented and often shunned from community planning, especially youth and students, to ensure we are building a tomorrow that serves us all. About OTTA United: OTTA United is a youth-founded and youth-led organization that values authenticity and passion and seeks to organize powerful youth for an inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future. Its members are coalition builders and mentors within our communities, who share knowledge, resources, credit, and impact. More information about OTTA United can be found at ottaunited.org . You can follow us on social media on Instagram and Facebook . ### Next Previous

Howard Truei (he/him) is a responsible and engaging member of the San Diegan community with capacious aspirations. Howard serves underrepresented communities by fighting San Diego’s housing crisis in his role as Director of Development for Our Time To Act, a youth-led, youth-founded not-for-profit organization striving for an inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future. His role in OTTA entails working alongside City Council members, providing representation for low-income students and families. He plans on pursuing a career in biomedical research, and has shadowed under lab researchers in Taipei Veterans General Hospital. He is currently part of an active research group targeted towards eliminating disengagement in high school students. Overall, Howard is an active member of his community, aspiring for positive change through discipline and dedication. < Back Howard Truei Chief of Staff Howard Truei (he/him) is a responsible and engaging member of the San Diegan community with capacious aspirations. Howard serves underrepresented communities by fighting San Diego’s housing crisis in his role as Director of Development for Our Time To Act, a youth-led, youth-founded not-for-profit organization striving for an inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future. His role in OTTA entails working alongside City Council members, providing representation for low-income students and families. He plans on pursuing a career in biomedical research, and has shadowed under lab researchers in Taipei Veterans General Hospital. He is currently part of an active research group targeted towards eliminating disengagement in high school students. Overall, Howard is an active member of his community, aspiring for positive change through discipline and dedication. howard.truei@ourtimetoact.org

Jasmine Truong is a San Diego native and is currently pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from UC San Diego. She is a field organizer for Congressman Scott Peters' re-election campaign and volunteers her time as a board member of the AAPI Democrats of San Diego. As CYAN Community Building chair, she's excited to help youth and youth allies build connections through their collective work and organizing. < Back Jasmine Truong CYAN Advisor Jasmine Truong is a San Diego native and is currently pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from UC San Diego. She is a field organizer for Congressman Scott Peters' re-election campaign and volunteers her time as a board member of the AAPI Democrats of San Diego. As CYAN Community Building chair, she's excited to help youth and youth allies build connections through their collective work and organizing. jasmine.troung@ourtimetoact.org