Five adult students sit around a table in a classroom/library setting during a citizenship class, smiling at the camera. One man stands behind them holding a certificate and a small U.S. flag, celebrating a milestone. On the table are red booklets, a bouquet of flowers, and a small box of chocolates. Bookshelves and educational posters are visible in the background.

Building Community Power

OCCORD’s mission is to build the power of historically marginalized communities in Orange County. Utilizing community organizing, and policy research, OCCORD pursues policy changes that lead to an inclusive economy, community-driven education, and a responsive democracy.

What We Do

A newly naturalized citizen holding their citizenship certificate and a small American flag, smiling proudly in front of a textured background. Part of OCCORD’s citizenship program, which empowers and supports residents through the naturalization process.

Empowering New Citizens

We are increasing the new number of citizens in strategic neighborhoods. We demystify the naturalization process through clinics, fairs, and preparation classes. 100% of new citizens are registered to vote.

Members of ‘Madres en Acción,’ a Ponderosa Neighborhood Union in Anaheim, California, posing together outdoors while organizing in their community. The group wears matching blue shirts, symbolizing unity and collective action to build community bargaining power.

Building Community Bargaining Power

With Neighborhood Unions, we organize communities to ensure they have a voice in public policies affecting economic development, housing, and education.

An OCCORD organizer with a group of volunteers preparing for voter outreach in a residential neighborhood in Orange County, California, covering cities like Santa Ana and Anaheim. The team, wearing matching black shirts and holding materials, gathers on a sidewalk under a large tree, symbolizing their collective effort to transform the local electorate through civic engagement.

Transforming Local Electorate

At every election, we engage recently naturalized citizens and disenfranchised voters of color. We increase voter turnout in strategic neighborhoods in Anaheim and Santa Ana.

How
Occord
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Impact

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New Citizens & New Voters

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People Engaged

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Current Leaders Trained

In The News

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Making it Easy to Watch Local Government From Home

One of Orange County’s smallest cities this week plans to join the growing movement of…

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Spotlight On: Neighborhood Unions in Southern California

For over a decade, our affiliate Orange County Communities Organized for Responsible Development (OCCORD) has…

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About Us

“OCCORD envisions an awakened and organized community with responsive local government, building systems and policies that lead to a community-centered economy, neighborhoods, and schools.”