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California Is My Home

Building Community. Celebrating Culture. Creating Opportunities.

California Is My Home is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing people and communities together across California.

California is home to people from every corner of the world. We speak different languages, celebrate different traditions, come from different generations, and have different stories—but we share something important: California is our home.

California Is My Home was founded on the belief that a strong community is built when people have opportunities to connect, learn from one another, celebrate their heritage, support their neighbors, and create a better future together.

Our work brings people together through cultural celebrations, senior programs, youth education, community service, educational workshops, entrepreneurship programs, and partnerships with local organizations, businesses, schools, community leaders, and public agencies.

We are not simply an organization that puts on events. We are building a community where people can belong, participate, contribute, and grow.

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Our Mission

Our mission is to strengthen communities by creating opportunities for connection, cultural understanding, education, service, and personal growth.

We believe that diversity is one of California's greatest strengths. Rather than simply recognizing our differences, we create opportunities for people to experience them firsthand—through food, music, dance, language, traditions, education, and meaningful conversations.

At the same time, we believe community service must go beyond celebration.

A healthy community also needs to care for its seniors, encourage its young people, support families, protect vulnerable residents, and give people the knowledge and resources they need to thrive.

That is why California Is My Home's programs span generations.

We celebrate our heritage.
We serve our community.
We invest in our youth.
We support our seniors.
And we build bridges between cultures and generations.

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Our Vision

We envision a California where people from every background feel that they truly belong.

A place where an immigrant family can preserve its cultural traditions while becoming an active part of the broader community.

A place where seniors are respected, connected, and empowered to live active and meaningful lives.

A place where young people have opportunities to develop leadership skills, explore entrepreneurship, and turn ideas into action.

A place where neighbors from different cultures can meet, learn from one another, and celebrate together.

And a place where community organizations, businesses, government leaders, volunteers, and residents work together to make their neighborhoods stronger.

Our name says it simply: California Is My Home.

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What We Do

Our programs are designed around several interconnected areas of community life.

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Cultural Connection & Community Celebrations

Culture has the power to bring people together.

California Is My Home organizes large-scale cultural celebrations that invite the entire community—not just one cultural group—to participate.

Our cultural programs showcase traditional music, dance, food, clothing, crafts, festivals, and family traditions while creating opportunities for people from different backgrounds to experience and appreciate one another's cultures.

Among our signature community events are our Lunar New Year celebrations, Mid-Autumn Festival, cultural performances, community markets, singing competitions, traditional clothing activities, and cultural exchange programs.

Our Mid-Autumn Festival has grown into a major community gathering in Elk Grove, bringing together families, performers, food vendors, community organizations, sponsors, elected officials, and residents.

The 2026 Mid-Autumn Festival at District 56 featured cultural performances, traditional activities, a singing competition, a traditional clothing competition, a community parade, food and vendors, and opportunities for residents to come together and celebrate.

These events are more than festivals.

They are opportunities for a child to learn a tradition from their grandparents.

They are opportunities for a newcomer to meet their neighbors.

They are opportunities for different cultures to share the same stage.

And they are opportunities for the entire community to say:

We may come from different places, but California is our home.

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Supporting Our Seniors

Our seniors are an important part of the community's history, wisdom, and future.

California Is My Home believes that senior services should not only focus on basic needs. Seniors also need connection, education, social interaction, dignity, and opportunities to remain active members of the community.

Through our senior programs and community activities, we provide opportunities for older adults to participate in social activities, educational workshops, technology programs, cultural activities, games, exercise, Tai Chi, potlucks, and community gatherings.

We have also developed programs specifically designed to address challenges facing today's seniors.

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Senior Smartphone & Technology Education

Technology can make life easier—but for many older adults, smartphones and digital services can also be confusing and intimidating.

Our senior technology workshops help older adults become more comfortable using smartphones and digital tools so they can stay connected with family, access information, communicate with others, and participate more confidently in modern life.

Our goal is not simply to teach seniors how to use a phone.

It is to help them remain connected, independent, and confident.

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Senior Anti-Scam & Fraud Prevention Workshops

One of our important community education initiatives is our Senior Anti-Scam Workshop, created to help older adults recognize and avoid increasingly sophisticated scams.

Scams targeting seniors can take many forms, including fraudulent phone calls, impersonation scams, online scams, financial fraud, and attempts to obtain personal or financial information.

California Is My Home partnered with local community leaders and the Elk Grove Police Department to provide seniors with practical information about recognizing suspicious situations and protecting themselves.

The workshop focuses on real-world situations and practical questions:

• What should you do if someone calls claiming to be from the government?

• How can you recognize a suspicious phone call or text message?

• What information should you never give to a stranger?

• What should you do if you think you have been targeted?

• Where can you report suspected fraud?

• How can family members help protect older relatives?

We believe prevention starts with education.

By bringing together seniors, law enforcement, community leaders, and families, we can help create a community that is better informed and better prepared.

Protecting seniors is not only a financial issue—it is a community responsibility.

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Investing in the Next Generation

The future of California belongs to today's young people.

That is why California Is My Home is committed to creating opportunities for youth to develop confidence, leadership, creativity, and practical life skills.

We believe young people should not only be prepared to find a job.

They should also have the opportunity to learn how to identify problems, develop ideas, create solutions, lead teams, communicate effectively, and build something of their own.

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Youth Entrepreneurship Competition

One of our newest youth initiatives is the California Is My Home Youth Entrepreneurship Competition, created for high school students in the Greater Sacramento region.

The program gives young people an opportunity to move beyond the classroom and experience what entrepreneurship actually looks like.

Student teams work together to develop business ideas, identify community needs, create business concepts, think about customers and markets, develop presentations, and ultimately pitch their ideas to judges and community leaders.

The competition is designed for students ages 14–18, with teams of 3–5 students.

Participants receive opportunities to learn from mentors and community professionals while developing skills in:

• Entrepreneurship

• Leadership

• Teamwork

• Public speaking

• Business planning

• Problem solving

• Creativity

• Marketing

• Financial thinking

• Presentation skills

The program culminates in a final pitch competition, where student teams have the opportunity to present their ideas and compete for prizes.

We are particularly proud that this initiative connects young people with experienced community leaders and mentors, including Vice Mayor Darren Suen, while bringing together businesses, educators, volunteers, and community organizations to support the next generation.

Our goal is bigger than a competition.

We want students to walk away believing:

“My idea matters. My voice matters. I can create something. I can make a difference.”

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Connecting Generations

One of the things that makes California Is My Home unique is our commitment to connecting different generations.

Our community programs create opportunities for children, teenagers, parents, working adults, and seniors to participate together.

A cultural festival can bring grandparents and grandchildren together.

A youth entrepreneurship program can connect students with experienced business leaders.

A technology workshop can help seniors stay connected with younger family members.

A community service project can bring volunteers of different ages and backgrounds together around a common purpose.

We believe that communities become stronger when generations do not live in separate worlds.

Our seniors have wisdom to share.
Our adults have experience to contribute.
Our young people have ideas and energy.
And our children represent the future.

California Is My Home creates opportunities for those generations to meet.

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Community Education

Education is at the heart of much of our work.

Not every important lesson happens in a classroom.

Sometimes it happens at a community workshop.

Sometimes it happens when a police officer teaches a senior how to recognize a scam.

Sometimes it happens when a young entrepreneur presents an idea to a business leader.

Sometimes it happens when a child watches a traditional dance for the first time.

And sometimes it happens when two families from completely different backgrounds sit at the same table and share a meal.

Our educational programs are designed to provide practical knowledge while strengthening community relationships.

Topics may include technology, financial education, fraud prevention, entrepreneurship, housing and community resources, cultural traditions, and other issues affecting local families.

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Community Service

California Is My Home believes that community service means showing up when people need help.

Our work includes supporting seniors, families, children, youth, and other members of the community through partnerships, educational programs, outreach, resource connections, and service activities.

We also work with community partners to identify needs and connect residents with information and resources.

Our approach is collaborative.

We know that no single organization can solve every community challenge.

That is why we work with:

• Local businesses

• Community organizations

• Schools and educators

• Law enforcement

• Elected officials

• Volunteers

• Cultural organizations

• Healthcare and professional organizations

• Sponsors and donors

• Families and individual community members

When people bring their strengths together, the impact becomes much greater.

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Building Bridges Through Partnerships

California Is My Home believes that strong communities are built through partnerships.

Over the years, our programs have brought together community leaders, elected officials, law enforcement, businesses, nonprofit organizations, performers, educators, volunteers, and residents.

Our events and programs have created opportunities for community members to meet local leaders and learn more about the people and organizations working to make their communities stronger.

We are especially grateful to the many sponsors, volunteers, community leaders, performers, vendors, educators, mentors, and partner organizations who have contributed their time, resources, expertise, and encouragement.

Community is not something one organization creates. Community is something we create together.

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A Growing Community Presence

California Is My Home has grown from a community vision into an organization with programs serving people across generations.

Our major cultural events have attracted thousands of attendees, while our senior programs have created recurring opportunities for older adults to connect and participate.

Our work continues to expand beyond individual events.

We are developing programs that provide year-round opportunities for:

Seniors to stay connected.
Young people to develop leadership skills.
Families to access information and resources.
Communities to celebrate their cultures.
Businesses to give back.
Volunteers to serve.
And neighbors to become friends.

As our community grows, so does our responsibility.

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Looking Ahead

California is constantly changing.

New families arrive.

Young people grow into leaders.

Older generations need new forms of support.

Technology changes the way we communicate.

Communities become increasingly diverse.

And new challenges emerge.

California Is My Home wants to grow with the community.

Our future programs will continue to focus on several priorities:

Strengthening Senior Services

Expanding educational, social, technology, fraud-prevention, and community activities for older adults.

Empowering Youth

Expanding entrepreneurship, leadership, mentorship, and educational opportunities for young people.

Celebrating Cultural Diversity

Creating more opportunities for communities to share their traditions, stories, food, music, and heritage.

Expanding Community Education

Providing practical educational programs that help families and individuals make informed decisions and navigate important community resources.

Encouraging Volunteerism

Creating more opportunities for residents of all ages to give back.

Building Stronger Partnerships

Working with businesses, schools, government, nonprofits, and community leaders to address local needs together.

Why We Do It

At the center of everything we do is a simple idea:

Home is more than a place.

Home is where people know you.

Home is where your children grow up.

Home is where your neighbors become friends.

Home is where your culture is respected.

Home is where your elders are cared for.

Home is where young people are encouraged to dream.

And home is where people come together to help one another.

For millions of people, California is that place.

That is why we chose our name:

California Is My Home.

We want every person—regardless of where they were born, what language they speak, or what traditions they celebrate—to feel that they have a place in the California community.

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Join Us

California Is My Home is built by people who believe that everyone has something to contribute.

You can be part of our mission by:

Volunteering
Share your time, skills, experience, or cultural talents.

Supporting Our Programs
Help us provide meaningful programs for seniors, youth, families, and the broader community.

Becoming a Community Partner
Organizations and businesses can work with us on educational programs, cultural events, youth initiatives, and community service.

Supporting Youth
Become a mentor, sponsor, judge, or partner in our youth entrepreneurship and leadership programs.

Supporting Seniors
Help us expand educational, technology, social, and safety programs for older adults.

Sharing Your Culture
Perform, teach, volunteer, or help introduce your traditions to the broader community.

Simply Showing Up
Attend an event. Bring your family. Meet your neighbors. Learn something new.

Because community begins when people participate.

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Our Commitment

California Is My Home is committed to building a community that is:

Inclusive — Everyone deserves to feel welcome.

Respectful — Every culture and generation has something valuable to contribute.

Educational — Knowledge gives people greater confidence and opportunity.

Collaborative — We accomplish more when we work together.

Generational — We invest in both the wisdom of our seniors and the potential of our youth.

Service-oriented — We believe success is most meaningful when it benefits others.

Forward-looking — We are building not only for today's community, but for the generations that come after us.

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Together, We Are California

California is made up of millions of individual stories.

Some families have been here for generations.

Some arrived recently.

Some came for opportunity.

Some came for education.

Some came to build businesses.

Some came to reunite with family.

But once we make California our home, we all become part of the same community.

California Is My Home exists to help bring those stories together.

Through culture, education, service, entrepreneurship, and community connection, we are working to create a California where people don't simply live next to one another—

they know one another, support one another, and grow together.

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California Is My Home.

Celebrating Our Heritage. Empowering Our Future. Building Community Together.

Join us. Get involved. Make a difference.