Pillars of the Community

Grant Type: General Operating

Duration: January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023

Organization Overview

Pillars of the Community (POTC) is committed to embracing and celebrating the historic, rich, and diverse culture of Southeast San Diego. POTC strives to counter the criminalization of their community through community organizing, leadership development, and strategic partnerships. Their vision is for a healthy and thriving Southeast San Diego that reflects the rich and diverse culture of all its members.

Summary

Based in San Diego, Pillars of the Community (POTC)’s programs integrate direct action, research, political education, civic engagement, and asset-based organizing. POTC’s Criminal Justice Accountability programs use a bottom-up approach to community organizing and train those closest to the pain to become community leaders. POTC’s core programs revolve around police harassment, gang documentation, cash bail, sentence enhancements, racial profiling, felony voter enfranchisement, and challenging cruel and unusual punishment in sentencing. Information gleaned and shared from these programs is used to pressure local elected officials, boards, and commissions to be accountable to the communities they serve. At the same time, the process teaches participants where power lies and how to create sustainable change. Through shared knowledge and experience, community members work collectively to decrease the criminalization of the community and move into influential positions.

Year founded: 2012

Location: San Diego, CA

Website: https://www.potcsd.org/