Contact: Yajaira Ortega, Policy and Equity, Senior Manager, Thrive Alliance
Email: yajaira@thrivealliance.org
Your Voice Matters in the Selection of San Mateo County’s Next Sheriff
Dear Community,
San Mateo County is moving forward with a public process to select its next Sheriff, and residents are encouraged to participate. This is a crucial opportunity to help shape the leadership of an office that has a direct impact on safety, transparency, and community trust.
There are several ways to stay engaged throughout the process, including attending public meetings, learning about the applicants, and submitting input. One of the most effective ways to participate right now is by contributing questions for the upcoming Public Candidates Forum. You can submit up to three questions using the county’s online form. It only takes a few minutes, and thanks to the ACLU San Mateo County Chapter, a community toolkit with sample questions is available to help guide you. You may use their suggested questions or write your own. Please submit your questions by Friday, November 7 at noon.
Key Dates to Participate
TODAY, November 6 at 1 pm: Board meeting to interview applicants and identify finalists.
Monday, November 10 at 6 pm: Public Candidates Forum where residents can submit questions and hear from the finalists.
Wednesday, November 12 at 9 am: Board meeting for finalist interviews and final selection.
All meetings will take place at 500 County Center in Redwood City. Spanish interpretation and accessibility accommodations will be available.
We encourage our nonprofit partners and community members to stay engaged, share information, and ensure that local voices are reflected in this important decision. Your participation strengthens our collective commitment to transparency, fairness, and community-centered leadership.
We’re excited to introduce Civic Threads, a new way to stay connected through quick updates and timely alerts about what’s happening in our community and how you can get involved. Think of it as your direct line to important civic news, opportunities to take action, and ways to stand in solidarity with nonprofits and community members.
This alert system is designed to keep you informed and engaged. We look forward to weaving our community together through Civic Threads and keeping you connected to the issues and opportunities that matter most to you.
If you have content that you would like to share with us through our Civic Threads, please send it directly to Yajaira Ortega.
If you'd like to stay informed and receive notifications in the future, simply click the link below to subscribe.
Thrive is committed to highlighting the incredible organizing power of our local nonprofit and partner communities always and especially during this time. We have created this Community Safety Resources section for Thrive Weekly to do just that. By working collectively and shining a light on our sector's collaborative, caring power, we will lighten each other's loads as we renew ways to safeguard our diverse communities.
Getting Verified Information with Faith in Action Bay Area
Faith in Action Bay Area is committed to providing timely updates on rumors and verified ICE activity through their social media platforms, including @fiabayarea on Instagram and Faith in Action Bay Area on Facebook. Community members who encounter reports of potential ICE activity affecting those they serve are encouraged to check these platforms for information. If updates are unavailable, they can call the hotline at (203)-666-4472 for the most current information.
In addition to their social media outreach, Faith in Action sends periodic updates to a network of community leaders, organizations, school staff, and elected officials to communicate trends in immigration enforcement in the area. Frontline workers, such as teachers, family liaisons, social workers, and medical professionals, are invited to sign up for these updates by filling out a form. This initiative aims to equip them with the necessary information to better support immigrant families in their communities. The organization appreciates the dedication of all who collaborate to support the immigrant community.
Upcoming Event
Nonprofit Advocacy Series
Launch Pad: Basics to Impact
Wednesday, November 19, 10:00 - 2:30 pm, In-Person
Join Thrive Alliance and Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits for the Advocacy Series Launch Pad. This streamlined session is a crash course in nonprofit advocacy, summarizing the 101 series and preparing you for the upcoming 201 deep dive. Whether you are brand new to advocacy or looking to sharpen your strategy, this session grounds you in the fundamentals, gives you hands-on practice, deepens your bag of tricks, and connects you with peers who are building power across our community.
This session will be taught by the experienced staff at Thrive and SVCN, listed below in more detail, who have been working hard to bring the Advocacy Series 101 curriculum to you in a digestible format.
Part 1: Nonprofits & Advocacy + Building a Campaign Learn how to frame your mission in advocacy terms, understand where your voice matters most, and map out a campaign step-by-step—from power mapping to media strategy.
Part 2: Charting the Legal Lobbying Waters Get clarity on what nonprofits can and cannot do in the advocacy space. This session covers lobbying rules, compliance basics, and space for your pressing legal questions. A concise session designed to get you the essentials fast.
Part 3: Coalition Catalyst + Community Organizing Discover how to turn shared values into collective power. Explore coalition dynamics, community-based organizing, and practical strategies for building sustainable alliances.
This workshop is a part of Thrive's and SVCN's Nonprofit Advocacy Training Series.
