January 2026 Updates
January, February, and March Calendar for 2026
Mondays: The Save Democracy Action Group will start a new round of postcard writing at 10:15 am on Monday, January 12, in the Napier Common Room at Pilgrim Place. This campaign will include cards to Ohio in support of Sherrod Brown’s race for the Senate, so bring your favorite pen and help with this effective effort. Newcomers are very welcome!
Each Wednesday: Permanent Ceasefire Vigil - corner of Foothill and Indian Hill, 4 pm.
Every Friday: Peace Vigil - corner of Arrow Highway and Indian Hill - 3:30 to 4:30 pm, and at Pilgrim Place in the Octagonal Garden from 4 - 4:30 pm.
Monday, January 12, 3 pm, Napier: FOSNA (Friends of Sabeel North America) monthly meeting. Sabeel is an international peace movement initiated by Palestinian Christians who seek a just peace. For additional information, please contact Lynn R., Sally S., or Bridget E.
Sunday, January 18, 4 pm, Pilgrim Congregational Church, Pomona: Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Award Celebration. Supported by Pilgrim Place for 44 years, this project gives eight awards to local high school youth doing service in the spirit of Martin Luther King, Jr. Pilgrim Place will have a table at the marketplace before the celebration to share our focus on justice, peace, and care of the earth with the expected 300 event participants, most of whom are BIPOC. The keynote speaker, Kenneth Morris, Jr. is the great great great grandson of Frederick Douglass and president of the Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives. Please see the event flyer, below, for additional details.
Wednesday, January 21, 6 pm, First Christian Church, Pomona: ICON Organizing Meeting. ICON is a grassroots movement for empowerment and rights education, using the Freedom School model to build power in the Inland Empire's communities, particularly for vulnerable populations. Please contact Evan F. for additional information.
Sunday, January 25, 5:30 pm, Napier: United Nations Association of Pomona Valley's Annual Meeting. Includes dinner and a program on "Peace, Justice, and Strong Communities" featuring Joe Marino, a human rights advocate working to bring fair treatment to asylum seekers on both sides of the border. Since 2025, Joe has been active in Ice Out of Pomona, a grass roots organization that aligns with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 16: Promote peaceful, inclusive societies, provide justice for all, and build effective, accountable institutions. A brief business meeting will conclude the evening. RSVP for dinner by January 22, either online or by phone at 909.625.9670.
Tuesday, January 27, 10:30-11:30 am, Decker: Congresswoman Norma Torres is scheduled to make her first official visit to Pilgrim Place as we transition into California's 35th Congressional District. This forum will provide an excellent opportunity to learn more from and about Rep. Torres, who is a lifelong Pomona resident now serving her fifth term in the House of Representatives.
Tuesday, January 27, 4:30 pm, First Christian Church, Pomona: ICON Planning Meeting. ICON members will meet to plan the steps needed host a public hearing focusing on the violation of people's rights by federal immigration officials in the Pomona Valley/Inland Empire. Please contact Evan F. for more information.
Wednesday, February 11, 10:30 am, Decker: Refugee and Immigration Partners - a Panel. Featuring Pomona Economic Opportunity Center, UnCommon Good, ICE Out of Pomona and more.
Sunday, February 15, 6-8 pm, Hillcrest Meeting Room: Middle East Peace Group Educational Forum. Featured panelists to include Dr. Ahmed Sobol, Dr. Andy Winnick, and Soheila Azizi. Dr. Gary Gilbert is also a possible panelist. The Forum will allow each speaker to share what they see is the nature of the problem of working towards peace within the current situation.This might include the conflict between Israel and Palestine, or the challenges we face in working for unity and peace within our own communities
Tuesday, March 3, 3:00 pm, Napier: SSAFE Chapter Meeting, Napier Common Room.
Wednesday, March 11, 10:30 am, Decker: ‘Budgets, Values and Priorities’ Forum with budget staffs of elected officials invited (live or zoom), to include Senator Sasha Renée Pérez, Assembly member John Harabedian, County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, and Governor Gavin Newsom.
Thursday, March 12, 10:30 am, Napier: Justice Groups Meeting, Napier Common Room.
Community Partners, Points of Connection
Climate Action Network Presents, "A Year In Review: Your 2025 Dose of Climate Hope."
2025 has been a hard year for anyone who cares about climate change. From widespread disinformation at the highest levels of our federal government to hard-won climate wins being systematically dismantled, a brighter future feels far away. Add to that a media landscape that thrives on doom and outrage, and it’s no wonder so many people feel hopeless. But despite everything, CLIMATE HOPE EXISTS! There really is a lot of good news about global climate progress— most people just don’t hear enough about it.
Throughout 2025, Climate Action Now has tracked hopeful, positive trends in humanity’s civilization-wide effort to build a better Anthropocene. We’re seeing unprecedented world-changing growth in solar and battery technology deployment, an international surge in rewilding, an imminent peak in global carbon emissions, and rapid innovations to sustain agriculture, among many other positive developments!
On Thursday, January 8, from 9-10 am, you can start the new year right with a review of the most hopeful climate trends from 2025 and a sneak peek at expected 2026 trends, presented by Sam Matey, Editor-in-Chief of the Your Dose of Climate Hope newsletter. This is a virtual event available from anywhere. Get more information and register here. The times may be trying, but that’s even more reason to lean on hope!
Register to join Third Act's volunteers and learn about their campaigns, Working Groups, and ways you can plug into this growing network.
On Monday, January 12, at 4:30 pm Pacific Time, Third Act will host a “welcome call” allowing you to learn from their volunteers how you can engage with other experienced Americans and join Third Act's activities. You’ll hear about Working Groups and efforts near you. Everyone has a role in Third Act’s campaigns to protect our climate and safeguard democracy!
Third Act members are a team of volunteers from across the country who enjoy working together and presenting Third Act’s people-powered campaigns to preserve our climate and democracy, and always look forward to meeting new folks interested in learning about Third Act. This is a virtual event that can be joined from anywhere. Register here.
Claremont shifts into California's 35th Congressional District
As a result of the passage of Proposition 50, Claremont's new Congressional representative for 2026 is Norma Torres. If you haven't done so already, you may wish to learn more about Congresswoman Torres at her website, where you can also sign up to receive her newsletter designed for constituents.
Additional points of connection will be added as we move forward. Please contact Sid M. or Jani M. with justice-related news from groups that you're involved in -- we'd love to share more here!