Bridging the Divide | Mercy Housing California Virtual Celebration

Wednesday
May 19, 2021
5—6 PM PDT

In just one hour, on May 19, 2021, your participation in Mercy Housing California’s Bridging the Divide virtual benefit can help close daunting gaps residents confront in income equality, access to technology, resources for education and career advancement, and maintaining good health and wellness.

Join us as at our event and you become an empowering bridge builder in the company of inspiring kindred spirits like Dream Corps Founder and CNN’s catalyzing host Van Jones and famed San Francisco 49er Defensive Lineman Arik Armstead.

Van Jones headshot

A genuine highlight of the event will be the chance to hear Van Jones in a moderated conversation. Van’s honest and poignant social commentary has made him one of the most compelling and powerful public voices in America. His reach transcends age, race, geography, and political ideology. Van Jones burst into the American consciousness during the 2016 presidential campaign with an unscripted, truth-telling style and an already established history of bridge-building across party lines.

Arik Armstead with two kids

During the event, we’ll proudly present this year’s esteemed Sister Lillian Murphy Housing Justice Award to Arik Armstead. The pandemic has exacerbated disparities and underscored an increasing digital divide. In an effort to ensure children have the resources to continue their education virtually, Arik made a very generous donation to Mercy Housing California and personally delivered 350 Chromebooks along with one-year of pre-paid internet service and education kits to multi-student families living at Mercy Housing communities in Sacramento, Arik’s hometown.