 Dear Law Center Supporter, Announcing our final two Honorees of 2025: our State and Local Legislator Awards! We are thrilled to announce our 2025 State Legislator Awardee is California State Senator Caroline Menjivar. Senator Menjivar represents Burbank and the San Fernando Valley in California’s 20th Senate District, and is a first-generation American, the daughter of Salvadorean immigrants, born and raised in the communities she now represents. Senator Menjivar was nominated for this award in recognition of her steadfast leadership in advancing housing justice, particularly for youth experiencing homelessness and/or transitioning out of foster care. Senator Menjivar has spearheaded a multi-year legislative campaign demonstrating a deep and sustained commitment to expanding affordable and accessible housing opportunities for young people facing systemic barriers. These contributions make her a powerful voice in the movement to end homelessness, and we are delighted to honor CA State Senator Caroline Menjivar with this Award. In addition, we are excited to share that our Local Legislator Award for 2025 is Louisville, Kentucky City Councilmember Shameka Parrish-Wright. In addition to serving with the Louisville City Council, Councilmember Parrish-Wright is the Executive Director of VOCAL-Kentucky – an organization dedicated to ending AIDS, the failed drug war, mass incarceration and homelessness by building the political power of people directly impacted by those issues, which includes herself. With over 25 years of community organizing and social justice work, Councilmember Parrish-Wright is a proven connector and bridge builder who works across lines of difference to support better progressive policies that improve and save lives. Her unshakable commitment to improving lives shapes the policies she drafts and sponsors, and we are so grateful to work with Councilmember Parrish-Wright and honor her with this year’s Local Legislator Award.  I am writing to you today on a bittersweet anniversary. Today marks three years since the passing of our colleague Gabriela Sevilla. Gabi was a shining star and staff attorney on our youth team. Her own lived experience with homelessness as a child made her a fiercely dedicated advocate for all youth. Gabi’s spirit lives on in the work we do. Today we are pleased to share that Gabi’s sorority, Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. at Rutgers University, has launched a scholarship in Gabi’s memory. Gabi’s mission was to create change and pathways to end homelessness; to provide people with empathy, comfort, and support. The scholarship honors her mission and will support students pursuing higher education with a commitment to public service. We invite you to keep Gabi’s spirit alive by donating to the scholarship in her name here.  We know this year’s event will be a bright spot in these challenging times as we honor these changemakers from across the country who have made a significant impact on advancing the human right to housing. Register HERE to purchase a ticket and attend our Human Right to Housing Awards on Monday, November 18. If you cannot afford a ticket but would like to attend, please fill out a REQUEST FORM for a Free Ticket from our Ticket Bank. For all up-to-date information, please check out the Awards page here! Sincerely, Antonia Fasanelli Executive Director |