The following message was originally sent to our mailing list on 13 April 2026, with times edited for this post.
The good news is that we have about two months left to gather signatures. The greater news is that this means more opportunities to make connections with neighbors. If you’re already excited and want to skip the following anecdote and another call to action, sign up using the form here, or send a message to volunteer@tuanaheim.org.
The responsibility that we all share to address the crisis at hand is undeniably dizzying, nauseating, and downright petrifying. So if you’ve opted to disconnect from all that’s going on – just as our leaders are seemingly disconnected from their constituents – I don’t blame you.
I’ve been fortunate and privileged enough to have lived in the same place my entire life. Part of why I’m engaged (and vested) in this effort is so that my friends and neighbors can live and thrive with dignity and safety. Which means that I’ve now found myself gathering signatures, using a walk list of registered voters, in my very own neighborhood.
There are of course families that move out and in for various reasons, and the homes of the friends I grew up with – both of these groups I have at least some familiarity with. But there are also a few homes whose residents have lived on the street just as long (if not longer) as I have – and I never met them, or learned their names. It turns out that that one spooky looking house doesn’t have a witch living there, like we thought as kids, but rather a nice (now old) lady.
Turns out, most of my neighbors are nice, if not then at least they’re polite. And with each signature gathered, I am invariably more connected to my neighbors, my neighborhood, and my community. Now, I’m sure to readily say hello in passing, or even stop for a sidewalk to porch chat.
If disconnect, despair, or desolation is hitting you hard right now, or maybe it’s been hitting hard for however many years (or decades), please consider this as a way to deter your detriment. If you don’t live in Anaheim, you’re still welcome to come on over – the weather’s great! And if you can’t gather signatures, there’s still more to do – simply reach out and let us know what you’re good at or what you enjoy.
For even if we fail to get on the ballot this time, at least you’ll have made a friend.