On The Move chosen as a 2021 Nonprofit of the Year

Nominated by Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry 

On The Move is proud to announce it has been selected as a 2021 California Nonprofit of the Year by Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry.

On The Move is one of more than one hundred nonprofits that will be honored by their state senators and assemblymembers for their tremendous contributions to the communities they serve. 

On The Move (OTM) was founded in 2004 with a mission to develop and sustain young people as leaders by building exceptional programs that address the most pressing and critical educational, social, health, and economic inequities facing our communities. Through strong community partnerships, OTM has built community-led initiatives that explore approaches to closing the achievement gap, promoting wellness and inclusion, reducing social and economic barriers, supporting youth in their transition into adult independence, increasing family self-sufficiency, and developing emerging leadership in the public sector. OTM’s initiatives offer a powerful and groundbreaking combination of strategies seeking to engage and develop new leaders, collaborate with partners in rigorous systems change, and foster communities that are inclusive and equitable. Today, OTM serves over 15,000 people annually across Napa, Sonoma and Solano Counties. 

“At OTM, we work hard to represent the communities that we serve with a mission of meeting the needs of all people the best way that we know how. The past year has offered a number of challenges, however, through our dedication to authentic partnerships, a commitment to flexibility, and an eye towards equity, we have been successful in providing essential services to our community. We are truly honored to be recognized by Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry as a 2021 Nonprofit of the Year,” says Alissa Abdo, Executive Director of On The Move. 

“The pandemic and shelter-in-place orders of the past year and a half have put nonprofits  – usually hidden in plain sight – in the spotlight,” explains Jan Masaoka, CEO of the California Association of Nonprofits (CalNonprofits). “California Nonprofit of the Year is an opportunity for our elected officials to celebrate the good work they see nonprofits doing in their districts, and for everyone to appreciate the collective impact of nonprofits in our communities.” 

Additional Background

California Nonprofits Day, now in its sixth year, was formally recognized by 2021 Assembly Concurrent Resolution 80, authored by Assemblymember Luz Rivas, and co-authored by Senator Monique Limón. Each year legislators from across California have chosen a Nonprofit of the Year in their district. 

Traditionally, honorees and legislators are invited by CalNonprofits, Chair of the Senate Select Committee on the Nonprofit Sector Senator Monique Limón (Santa Barbara), and Chair of the Assembly Select Committee on the Nonprofit Sector Assemblymember Luz Rivas to a celebratory luncheon on California Nonprofits Day. This year, like 2020, the luncheon was canceled in response to pandemic restrictions, but legislators moved forward with honoring nonprofits doing great work in their districts. 

According to “Causes Count,” a 2019 report commissioned by CalNonprofits, the nonprofit sector is the 4th largest industry in the state, employing more than 1.2 million people. Each year, California nonprofits generate more than $273 billion in revenue and bring in $40 billion in revenue from outside of California. The unpaid labor contributed by volunteers at nonprofits is equivalent to 330,000 full-time jobs every year.