Door-to-door canvassing makes meaningful conversations possible
As a community organizer and regional field director with Communities for a New California Education Fund (CNC EF), Monserrath Sanchez is no stranger to knocking on doors. Two years ago, while canvassing door-to-door to organize a neighborhood committee on rent control, she connected with a woman hesitant to open up, yet interested in what Sanchez had to say.
“She reminded me of my aunt, my tía, but a little reserved,” Sanchez recalls. “She wanted to learn more but just felt like it wasn’t for her. And so I just asked her, ‘How are you doing? How’s your day?’ I really was just there to listen to what was going on in her life.”
The woman was open to learning about rent control, recognizing how it could help not just her, but her family and neighbors. The two talked about how rent increased every year while her fixed income did not.
“Every door that is opened is a chance to build trust, to lift hopeful voices that have been ignored for too long, and to continue to grow a neighborhood rooted in dignity.”
Monserrath Sanchez, Regional Field Director, Communities for a New California Education Fund
“There was a moment where she was a bit quiet then said, ‘You know, you knocked on my door and I wasn’t going to answer because I thought you were going to try to sell me something or tell me what I care about. But in this conversation, all you did was ask me what I thought was important or what I cared about.”
Sanchez says making personal connections isn’t just an outreach tactic—it’s foundational to CNC EF’s mission to advance economic prosperity and community health in underserved communities. CNC EF is one of several member groups of MOVE the Valley (MTV), a coalition of civic-minded nonprofits focused on social solutions through grassroots organizing and non-partisan voter engagement.
“Everything that we do is grounded in listening, trust, relationship building and centering the voices of those who are most impacted,” Sanchez says. “When we knock on a door, we are not just starting a conversation. Every door that is opened is a chance to build trust, to lift hopeful voices that have been ignored for too long, and to continue to grow a neighborhood rooted in dignity.”
Jagmeet Singh, community and youth organizer for fellow MTV member group Jakara Movement, helps plan civic engagement efforts like door-to-door canvassing throughout the state. He notes these efforts were stepped up earlier this year, when a spike in ICE raids in the Bakersfield area prompted Jakara to deliver Know Your Rights information and pamphlets to the Punjabi Sikh community they primarily serve.
“We’ve actually seen this very interesting synergy between young folks and some of our elders and our grandparents in our community, where they feel even more tied in, because our youth are tied in, and they’re getting energy from them,” Singh says.
“It’s been this very powerful experience to just be a part of this and be able to work with these youth, and give them these tools and these abilities, to empower their voices. And they just take it and run.”
To learn more, visit Communities for a New California Education Fund’s website website at www.cncedfund.org and Jakara Movement at www.jakara.org.
