Christian Non-Government Organizations in California

Live Free USA, headquartered in Berkeley, California, is a faith-based movement committed to healing communities fractured by gun violence and mass incarceration. Since its founding in 2011, Live Free has evolved into a national hub connecting thousands of faith leaders, directly impacted leaders, and movement partners united around a shared vision of peace and public safety. The organization's roots trace to community organizing in Oakland, California, where Rev. Michael McBride and collaborators developed the Oakland Ceasefire program—a violence intervention initiative that cut city-wide shootings and homicides in half. This success inspired Live Free to scale proven approaches nationwide, positioning itself at the forefront of the community violence intervention movement when few understood its potential. Live Free operates from the conviction that criminalization and mass incarceration of people of color, combined with lack of meaningful opportunities, have created a crisis demanding systemic change. Rather than viewing public safety through a purely enforcement lens, Live Free invests in those closest to the pain, building new systems centered on healing and prevention. The organization has incubated transformative initiatives including Community Justice, focused on federal and state gun violence policy; the Black Brown Peace Consortium, uniting violence intervention practitioners into a national advocacy coalition; and the Peace Consortium's Fund Peace Campaign, which unlocked billions in federal CVI funding. By bringing together education, advocacy, and community investment, Live Free embodies a holistic approach to reshaping public safety and expanding opportunity in Black and Brown communities across America.

Rooted in North Hollywood, CA, the Armenian National Committee of America San Fernando Valley East Chapter represents the voice and advocate of over 100,000 Armenian Americans living in the eastern San Fernando Valley, serving as a vital bridge between the community and the broader political and civic landscape. As part of the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots political organization in the United States, ANCA-SFVE brings together community members, local leaders, and organizational partners to address the collective concerns and aspirations of Armenian Americans in the region. The chapter's mission centers on fostering community awareness and engagement while maintaining meaningful relationships with elected and appointed officials at all levels of government. Operating from the Armenian Center in Studio City and affiliated with the Papken Seuni Committee, ANCA-SFVE demonstrates a deep commitment to the wellbeing, safety, and prosperity of both the Armenian American community and the greater North Hollywood and San Fernando Valley area. The organization actively partners with public safety personnel, local non-profit organizations, student groups, and community volunteers to create a model of effective cooperation and civic participation. Through initiatives like HyeVotes and direct community outreach, ANCA-SFVE empowers residents of North Hollywood, CA to engage meaningfully in the electoral process while supporting local Armenian American organizations in achieving their missions. This chapter exemplifies how a dedicated community organization can serve as both an advocate for specific interests and a catalyst for broader civic engagement and neighborhood wellbeing.