Mission

To improve the quality of life of underrepresented and marginalized residents of California’s Central Valley by advocating for social and environmental justice.

Purpose

VIP fights for Social and Environmental Justice in Stanislaus County and California’s Central Valley!

Environmental Justice: The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. VIP advocates for:

• Clean Air: Reduce emissions of harmful air pollutants, especially in disadvantaged communities.
• Pesticide Reduction: Reduce the use of, and exposure to, harmful pesticides in rural, disadvantaged communities and near schools.
• Clean Drinking Water: Expand access to safe and affordable drinking water for all community members.
• Sustainable Communities: Implement local development practices that include:
  • Walk-able/bike-able communities and adequate public transportation systems.
  •  “Infill” development of affordable housing, not sprawl into farmland and open spaces.
  • Access to healthy food and safe drinking water in disadvantaged communities.
  • Increase and improvement of local recycling, composting, and product re-use opportunities and practices.
  • Reduction in the use of non-biodegradable, “single-use” styrofoam and plastic products such as bottles, bags, cups, straws, food containers and utensils.
  • Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions that exacerbate climate change, especially through the development and utilization of true renewable energy.

Social Justice: The equal access to resources, health, well-being, justice, and opportunity for all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income. VIP advocates for:

• Law Enforcement Accountability: Eliminate abuses of authority and police brutality by:
  • Encouraging community members to “CopWatch” by providing them with training on safely and legally observing police conduct.
  • Providing forms, information, and support to community members who file complaints against local law enforcement officials.
  • Demanding transparency and community access to police reports, files, and videos.
  • Providing basic “Know Your Rights” information to vulnerable communities involving law enforcement interactions at home, in a car, or on the street.
• Criminal Justice Reform: Stop mass incarceration by investing in alternatives to incarceration and the “cash bail” system.
• Tenant’s Rights and Housing Access: Provide information to tenants on their rights, expose slumlords, and develop more affordable housing for disadvantaged communities.
• Homeless Support and Outreach: End anti-homeless ordinances and expand the distribution of food and needed supplies for the local homeless community.