By Alyssa Hinton

Activate! IFC is a leadership development, civic engagement, and advocacy initiative rooted in the belief that strong communities grow from strong relationships. The program works to demystify local government and expand participation through political education, voter protection training, and community‑centered outreach. Its leadership development efforts focus on building confidence, expanding personal leadership capacity, and cultivating the collective power needed to influence civic and political processes.

At the heart of Activate is a commitment to elevating lived experience and centering the voices of those most affected by local challenges. The program’s advocacy priorities – affordable housing, safe outdoor living, and tenant rights and responsibilities – reflect the issues most relevant to its members and the broader community. This people‑first approach aligns with the guiding principle articulated by Coretta Scott King: “The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.”

Activate is grounded in the belief that meaningful connection builds long-term power. Guided by the central question “What can we do together that is impossible to do alone?” the program creates accessible, low‑barrier opportunities that build confidence, restore capacity, and strengthen community ties. Activities include collaborative art projects, affordable housing summits, Real ID workshops held in partnership with Community Empowerment Fund, and an ongoing documentary and discussion series.

By strengthening relationships, nurturing leadership, and activating our collective power, we can shape a future where everyone has a voice and a stake in the decisions that affect their lives.

Activate also develops interactive learning experiences designed to help members engage in civic institutions and build healthy relationships through games and discussion. A civic bingo series introduces local government processes and responsibilities, while a documentary series featuring films like Won’t You Be My Neighbor? and The Devil at the Crossroads sparks reflections on empathy, resilience, and what drives people to create change. These shared experiences help participants develop deeper connections with one another while expanding their understanding of local power structures. In the words of poet and playwright June Jordan, “I am a stranger learning to love strangers around me.”

Through both paid and volunteer opportunities, Activate uplifts the stories of those most impacted by systemic inequities and fosters care‑based leadership. In 2025, members championed and widely informed the “Safe Outdoor Living Campaign,” designed to alleviate the immediate dangers of living outdoors while we advocate and wait for more affordable housing units. Together, members advocated for themselves, collected signatures through canvassing and phone banking, and tabled at local events.

Participants consistently describe Activate as a supportive space to grow, contribute, and take action together. Member leader Darin Campbell shares,

“Knowing that I’m a part of a team that’s at the forefront of pushing the boundaries in Orange County is what’s most important to me.”

Board member Tonya Adams-Ruffin reflects,

“Activate helps me see that my voice matters and that when we show up together, people listen.”

These voices speak to the shared power that emerges when community members come together with purpose.

As Activate continues to grow, it remains committed to expanding pathways for meaningful civic participation and building a more engaged, equitable community. The work is ongoing, but the direction is clear: By strengthening relationships, nurturing leadership, and activating our collective power, we can shape a future where everyone has a voice and a stake in the decisions that affect their lives.