Welcome
November 4, 2009
CCISCO
Contra Costa Interfaith Supporting Community Organization
CCISCO helps everyday people win extraordinary victories, not by speaking for them, but by providing a vehicle for them to speak, act and engage in the public arena for themselves. Since 1996, we have been organizing a voice for justice and equity in Contra Costa. We are a multi-ethnic, multi-generational, interfaith federation of 25 congregations and youth institutions representing over 35,000 families.
News
CCISCO and PICO Thank Rep. Miller and House for Keeping Health Care Affordable
Last June, CCISCO held a 500-person community action meeting where Congressman George Miller heard the call for legislation that would make health care affordable. When asked if he would make sure health care remained affordable for all families, Rep. Miller answered with a resounding yes. The recommendations were taken and are now included in the legislation coming out of the House.
After hundreds of town hall actions, a phone call with President Obama which included 300,000 people, and a cross country pilgrimage to put a human face on the health care debate, CCISCO and PICO organizations would like to thank Rep. George Miller and the House for taking leadership on this very important national issue.
The House leadership unveiled legislation yesterday that would extend affordable health coverage to 36 million Americans, while taking important steps to control health care costs, all without adding to the federal deficit. While important issues remain to be resolved, the bill shows that it is possible to provide adequate subsidies to make coverage affordable to low-wage working families, while being fiscally responsible.
The affordability battle still rages in the Senate. For this reason, CCISCO and PICO as well as 160 organizations across the country are calling on Senator Reid to keep health care affordable in the Senate version of the health care bill.
To read the letter to Senator Reid click here.
CCISCO Leaders Protest Bank of America, Bank Agrees to Negotiate Demands
Antioch, CA-With chants of "We love our community and we want to stay in our homes," over 100 CCISCO leaders gathered in front of the Bank of America on Somersville Rd. in Antioch on Saturday, October 24, 2009 as part of the "Bank Accountability" campaign. So far, the pressure placed on Bank of America has reaped rewards.
"There are more than 780,000 families waiting for Bank of America to do the right thing," said CCISCO leader Rosario Frisse over the megaphone.
The bank heard the message loud and clear. Bank of America has agreed to meet with CCISCO leaders and to halt the auctions on families who have submitted loan modification paperwork. The sudden turn on behalf of Bank of America comes shortly after the town hall action last Tuesday, October 20, which gathered more than 400 community members including clergy and civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson.
At the town hall action, Antioch City Council Member Martha Parsons, Oakley City Council Member Jim Frazier and Supervisor Federal Glover committed to working towards divesting from banks that are not negotiating in good faith with families to modify their loans. At the state level, State Senator Mark DeSaulnier has agreed to co-sponsor legislation that would allow families to call on a third party mediator to help reach a loan modification with banks as well as to convene a hearing with the State Attorney General to request that he litigate uncooperative banks that did not comply with state moratorium on foreclosures.
One of the families that has benefitted directly from the outcomes of the town hall action is the Rubio family who is eligible for a loan modification under the Obama Administration's Making Home Affordable program. CCISCO leader Nelly Rubio submitted a loan modification to no avail and after waiting for months she received a letter from Bank of America stating that her home would be auctioned by the end of the month. Prior to the town hall action, Bank of America was replicating this same scenario on many families. The tide, however, has changed.
"I have some good news," said CCISCO leader Nelly Rubio at the protest, "Thanks to everybody in the community and our public officials, I got a call from Bank of America and they will work with me."
This good news will also affect many more families as Bank of America has agreed to meet with CCISCO leaders on Friday, November 6, 2009 at Holy Rosary Church to negotiate the following demands:
1. Halt all foreclosure proceedings for families who are currently eligible for a loan modification under the HAMP program;
2. Suspend all auctions in Contra Costa County for the next 90 days to allow for negotiations to occur;
3. Designate a point person to negotiate with our family delegations;
4. Incorporate principal reductions, which are allowable under HAMP, and not just interest rate reductions, to make loan modifications more affordable and sustainable;
5. Negotiate with our local government entities and non-profit developers to bundle abandoned Real-Estate Owned properties and convert them into affordable housing;
6. Establish a community investment agreement to improve access to capital for our communities.
"This is a wake up call to all the other banks, that you're next," said CCISCO leader Domingo Delgadillo, "We're going to continue this fight and do everything we can to win, if you don't negotiate in good faith, we're going to escalate this fight."
Also in attendance were supporting the protest were councilmember Martha Parsons and Lt. Governor John Garamendi.
"Let's take a look at the facts, Bank of America received billions of dollars of our money to take care of themselves, they fattened themselves, they fattened their executives' wallets and they left Antioch high and dry," Garamendi told CCISCO leaders, "It's time for Bank of America, for every wall street bank, to come to an understanding: the fat days are over boys, it's time to take care of America."
As the protest drew to a close, the Lt. Governor left CCISCO leaders with some final words.
"For all of you that are here, never, ever stop protesting. Make your voices heard. You are in the right. Make your voices heard."
