Orange County: Not just home to Disneyland and the Real Housewives

Orange County is home to Disneyland, paradisal beaches, the Real Housewives and yes, track homes. But it is also home to several student-founded organizations working to make a positive difference in the community. Here are a few of many student-led groups bringing change to the county and beyond the orange curtain:

Team Zissou Environmental Organization

Founded in San Clemente, Team Zissou Environmental Organization works to instill sustainable changes in the community. This organization has worked with the Capistrano Unified School District (CUSD) and JUST WATER to reduce the sales of plastic water bottles and provide students at CUSD schools with an environmentally-friendly option with the JUST WATER bottles. There are several chapters of Team Zissou nation-wide and can easily be started at any school. The headquarters also organize events for the public to attend to enhance community involvement. 

Green Ribbon Club

Green Ribbon Club is a non-profit organization founded in San Juan Capistrano that advocates for mental health awareness and advocacy. Chapters can be found in the form of a club at high schools and universities. The clubs focus on educating members and community on what mental health awareness, local and national resources in addition to becoming advocates for mental health by contacting congressional representatives and writing letters in local papers. 

Students of Orange County 4 Change 

Students of Orange County 4 Change is a group led by high school students advocating for gun regulation reform. Formed after the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, these high school leaders from across the county work together planning events, speaking at district board meetings and contacting local and congresstional representatives to stop gun violence.

Orange County Immigrant Youth United 

Founded in Santa Ana in 2004, Orange County Immigrant Youth United is a group of undocumented immigrant youth working to create and implement immigrant rights in the community and nation-wide. Serving as a support system for young undocumented immigrants, the organization advocates for policy change to protect these students and to help them achieve a higher education. 

OC Students for City Council

A group organizing a coalition of progressive students across Orange County to run for city council and other elected positions, OC Students for City Council encourages students to take part in the political process. To get involved in the organization as a possible candidate or to be a part of the the volunteer staff, email ocstudents4cc@gmail.com.

Our students at the CUSD Board Meeting last night! We passed a resolution on school safety and gun reform, setting precedents for our district that others will hopefully follow! This resolution supports universal background checks, funding CDC's research into gun violence, banning assault weapons and high capacity magazines, increasing mental health resources in schools, expanding red flag laws, and more. Congress will hear our collective voice! (photo by Chloe Kern)

A post shared by SOC4Change (@soc4change) on Apr 26, 2018 at 6:33pm PDT