STAND! joined more than 250 colleagues, volunteers and survivors for the 2026 Policy Advocacy Day at the State Capitol in Sacramento. And our voices were heard! On Friday, May 8th, it was announced that both the Assembly and the Senate budget plans now include vital funding in their budget requests.
We thank the offices of Assemblymember Anamarie Ávila Farías, Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson, and Senator Tim Grayson for listening to survivor stories highlighting the critical need to backfill $100million of VOCA funding to ensure that safety and healing services are available to all Californians seeking freedom from violence.
We also thank trailblazers Senator Susan Rubio, Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo, and the California Legislative Women’s Caucus for your early support for the provision of these funds that will help survivors to leave violence, remain safely housed, and receive the healing support they need to thrive.
May 2026 News