Ventures is gearing up for its third annual Co-Op Day, taking place on Friday, Oct. 9, at One Main Street in Salinas.
The fully bilingual event offers community members, local government representatives, institutions and entrepreneurs from across the Central Coast an opportunity to explore how cooperatives are reshaping the regional economy for shared prosperity.
“Cooperatives can be a local economic engine that provides quality services while ensuring dignity and well-being for the workers making our economy possible,” Maria Cadenas, executive director of Ventures, said in a statement. “Together, we are working towards a shared and prosperous economic future where everyone can participate and thrive.”
This year, the event shines a spotlight on the burgeoning care economy, emphasizing how cooperative childcare enterprises can contribute to economic development and addressing the region’s ongoing housing crisis. Attendees can look forward to presentations by featured speakers such as Mayra E. Alvarez, president of the Children’s Partnership, and Baltmore-based David Lidz, creator of Streetwell and asset manager at Rising Housing Real Estate, who will provide insights into how cooperatives can be leveraged to tackle housing challenges.
Speakers also include Francine Rodd, executive director of First 5 Monterey County; Ben Nurse, founder and executive director of Jacana, an affordable housing and community advocacy nonprofit promoting housing cooperatives in Monterey County; and Hugo Lopez Muñoz, program coordinator for Immigrants Rising.
Beyond the keynote talks, Co-Op Day will offer breakout sessions focusing on interconnected topics like the food system and innovative housing models. These sessions aim to foster dialogue on how cooperative approaches can drive inclusive regional economic growth.
Throughout the day, bilingual interpretation will be available, ensuring accessibility for both English and Spanish speakers. (Presentations may be delivered in either language.)
Ventures continues its mission to empower rural Latino working-class families throughout the Central Coast by promoting economic and political participation through cooperative models and policy approaches. The organization is also advancing Futuro, a cooperative enterprise developing initiatives within the care economy.
The event will take place from 9am-2pm Friday, Oct. 9. For more information, visit cooperativeday.org.