CERFing Spotify | June 2023

California’s Community Economic Resilience Fund was developed by OPR, GO-Biz, and LWDA to promote a sustainable and equitable recovery from the economic distress of COVID-19 by supporting new plans and strategies to diversify local economies and develop sustainable industries that create high-quality, broadly accessible jobs for all Californians.

Local groups pulled together to form coalitions, and in the San Joaquin Valley that came together as Valley CERF.  Covering an 11,000 square mile region with over 1.8 million residents who speak over 100 languages and dialects, participants in the Valley CERF we engage our communities in a culturally responsive manner that ensures we reach those who have not historically been involved in economic development processes before. 

As partners, we are committed to building an equitable and sustainable economy in California’s Central San Joaquin Valley.  We will engage with stakeholders and community members throughout our region to develop an inclusive economic development plan with financial support from California’s CERF.  We are committed to the following goals, “principles of community engagement,” collaborative governance structure, decision-making process, and budget allocation to support our region’s efforts. 

Partners in the collaborative governance structure include are from four local collaborative, including:

 Use of Representative Stakeholder Groups helps ensure that all stakeholder groups are fairly and equally represented. The seven Stakeholder Groups include:

  • Labor and Worker Centered Organizations;

  • Employers, Business and Industry Associations, and Economic Development Organizations;

  • Education, Workforce Development and Training Organizations;

  • Local Governments;

  • Tribal Governments;

  • Environment and Environmental Justice Organizations; and

  • Community Based Organizations, Grassroots Organizations, Community Voices.

The SJVCEO has a long history of serving disadvantaged and hard-to-reach communities in the San Joaquin Valley spanning more than a decade. We see ourselves as stewards of the regions we serve, committed to helping our communities grow and thrive through clean energy, while maintaining a rural character. The SJVCEO programs serve whole communities: local governments, small businesses, and residents in an effort to expand access to energy programs for HTR and DAC. We see this program as an extension of the work we already do in the region. And while we don’t think local economic develop has always gotten it right, we see the Valley CERF initiative as a way to correct past exclusions and move our region forward in a meaningful and impactful way. 

Courtney’s Picks:
I’m incredibly fortunate that my favorite uncle drilled into me from an early age that surfing is art in motion.  Now, if you know me you know my lack of coordination precludes me from ever being able to surf myself, it never stopped me from appreciating the art.  Whether it be leaving Endless Summer to play in the background, or a morning well spent watching friends paint their canvass of live art, surf is a culture and works its way into your heart.  My college years are best remembered bouncing from beaches along southern California, trekking down hidden foot paths to secret spots and spending a day in the beauty and calm of a surf day. Surf is art in motion, and our lives are better when we live in that art.

Theme From “The Endless Summer”, The Sandals
Houston, Allah-Las
Stay a While, The Cactus Channel
Banderilla, Calexico

Sam’s Picks:
Forgive me for going with some of the classics but all I can picture is a summer day on the California coast. Beach Boys playing while either enjoying the sand or enjoying a drink at a boardwalk hangout. So plug in and hopefully come away with the same visual.

Rockaway Beach, The Ramones
Catch a Wave, The Beach Boys
Beach in Hawaii, Ziggy Marley
Some Beach, Blake Shelton

Kelsey’s Picks:
If I could include the entire Blue Crush soundtrack, I would, but I feel like one option would suffice. Summer activities like surfing typically means fun, upbeat music that would put you in an excited mood. I have a few beach vacations planned and it is guaranteed that I will be blasting this playlist the entire time!

Cruel Summer, Bananarama
Saturday Sun, Vance Joy
Surfin, Kid Cudi and Pharrell
Goodtimes Together, Cecilio and Kapono

Rochelle’s Picks:
I’ve never been surfing but I can live vicariously through music!

Wish You Were Here, Incubus
Surfin’ U.S.A., The Beach Boys
Surf City, Jan & Dean
Wipe Out, The Surfaris

spotifyCourtney Blore Kalashian