Letters from the President | Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund

From the President

Green sign with white letters stating "The Time Is Now!" in front of city hall

IT’S UP TO ALL OF US

January 5, 2021 | by

Advancing Equality and Justice After a Year Like No Other

Cathy Cha shares the Haas Jr. Fund’s priorities for 2021 and beyond.

As we enter the new year, it’s stunning to think about how much our world has changed, and how fast. A year ago, we didn’t know how a virus on the other side of the world would affect our country. We didn’t know tha…

Voting location sign in four different languages

“Everything is at Stake”

October 26, 2020 | by

Creating Opportunities for Greater Civic Engagement

Across California, nonprofit and community leaders are working 24-7 to make sure there’s a power surge in communities of color this year and into the future.

In the lead-up to Election Day, I find inspiration in what’s happening in places like Fresno, California. That’s where a partnership of diverse organizations are working together to lift up the voice and power—and t…

“We Stand With You”

June 18, 2020 | by

An Open Letter to Undocumented Young People

In the wake of the Supreme Court’s ruling upholding the DACA program, Haas, Jr. Fund President Cathy Cha thanks young undocumented people for their leadership and pledges continuing support and solidarity for the movement.

At a challenging time for all of us, I wanted to send a note to the young people across our country who are undocumented. With the Supreme Court’s ruling today that the Trump administration cannot end the Deferre…

Changing the Odds

September 30, 2019 | by

Testing New Approaches for Protecting and Advancing Basic Rights and Opportunities for All.

Haas, Jr. Fund President Cathy Cha on moving past a challenging moment in U.S. history and investing in positive, long-term solutions for immigrants and communities of color.

Whether I am picking up my seven-year-old daughter or attending a performance at her elementary school, the scenario is often the same. I see her little face scanning the room to find me in the crowd. Then our eyes…

Lifting Up Community Voices

June 17, 2019 | by

Summer 2019 Letter from the President

In this letter, President Cathy Cha shares how new communities across the country are making their voices heard through organizing and coming together to work for change.

No matter where we are on the political spectrum, I think we can all agree that more participation in our democracy makes the country stronger. As we mark the 50-year anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising for LGB…

A Letter From President Cathy Cha

January 7, 2019 | by

The Haas, Jr. Fund’s new President pledges to advance a positive vision of a just and compassionate society for all.

In a letter to partners and colleagues, Cathy Cha says the Fund will work collaboratively and boldly for change.

I am honored and humbled to step into my new role as President of the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund. Whether in the Bay Area or in other places across the country, our communities and our democracy are f…

Moving Forward

December 6, 2018 | by

A Farewell Message From the President

President, Jennie Watson, reflects on her 18 years at the Haas, Jr. Fund including the last two years as president.

In my 18 years at the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund, including the last two years as President, I have had the opportunity to witness firsthand the transformation that can happen when people stand up for fairness…

New Vice President of Programs

October 23, 2018 | by

Welcoming Robert Joseph to the Haas, Jr. Fund

President-elect, Cathy Cha, writes about the Fund's new Vice President of Programs, Robert Joseph.

I’m writing to share some exciting news. The Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund has appointed Robert Joseph as its new Vice President of Programs. This is a role I’ve filled for the past two years as part of the Fund’…