At Town Hall, Residents Advocate For Health Care For Undocumented

March 17, 2015 / We'Ced

by Miguel Garcia Photo by Merced Organizing Project Ed Note: The Affordable Care Act has extended health care coverage to millions of Americans but has left an estimated one million undocumented California residents without coverage. Read More

Uncle Sam Wants DACA Recipients to Avoid Tax Scams

March 16, 2015 / We'Ced

Health advocates are concerned that tax preparers have been misinforming, and some even outright scamming, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) beneficiaries by making them pay a penalty for not having health insurance. On Wednesday, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released a statement clarifying that there is no such penalty for undocumented immigrants or for DACA recipients. DACA is a program announced by President Obama in 2012 that gives temporary protection against deportation to undocumented immigrants who came to this country as children.

Young, Brown and ‘Looking Unsafe’

March 16, 2015 / We'Ced

A young white police officer asked me this question after he pulled me over while I rode my bike in Pinole, CA, close to Richmond, where I live. It was Feb. 20, and I had just left the China House restaurant. If you know me, you know I ride my bike everywhere, all over the bay. It’s my main mode of transportation.

Diversifying Environmental Movement Key to Tackling Climate Change

March 10, 2015 / We'Ced

Over 200 environmentalists, philanthropists, and journalists convened last week at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco at an event hosted by Green 2.0 (an initiative of The Raben Group) and New America Media to discuss an issue that’s become increasing urgent in effectively addressing climate change – the lack of diversity in the mainstream environmental movement.

How Would Your Renovate Stephen Leonard Park?

March 6, 2015 / We'Ced

In late 2014, the City of Merced received an $828,775 grant from the State of California's Housing and Community Development Department to improve and renovate Stephen Leonard Park. The park, which occupies a square block deep in South Merced, has seen better days. The basketball court is riddled with cracks and the pool has been empty for years. Renovation plans include installing a skate park and replacing the pool with a splash pad, as well as adding security cameras. We’Ced reporters spent a chilly Saturday afternoon talking to visitors at Stephen Leonard Park about the new plans, and their memories of the place.