Focus Area
Our Community
Valley Onward currently serves a broad region across Merced County, including the unincorporated communities of Planada, Le Grand, and the Beachwood/Franklin neighborhood north of Highway 99. We also work within the incorporated area of South Merced, focusing on the area between N. Bear Creek and Dickinson Ferry Road. Looking ahead, we are actively working to expand our reach and deepen our impact across the Central Valley, with the goal of serving even more communities in need.
Our Goal
Our mission is to impact all systems and communities throughout Merced County. Using a place-based approach that begins in South Merced and the three unincorporated communities of Planada, Le Grand, and Beachwood/Franklin, we aim to improve the lives and well-being of residents across the county. Looking forward, we are committed to expanding our efforts to reach more communities and drive positive change throughout the Central Valley.
The data presented reflects the reach and impact of Valley Onward’s work from August 2023 to January 2024. It represents a breakdown of the individuals served during this time period, highlighting the diverse communities supported through workshops, outreach, and direct services. The figures demonstrate Valley Onward’s focus on limited English speakers, geographically isolated households, farm workers, and other priority populations such as seniors, disabled individuals, and immigrants. This data offers a clear snapshot of who was impacted by our efforts across Merced County.
Total household reached:
98,632
Population type
Limited English speakers
Geographically isolated individuals
Other population type
Senior/older adults
Disabled individuals
Farm workers
Immigrants/ refugees
The map below illustrates the geographic reach of our promotoras between 2023 and 2024, highlighting the communities across Merced County where they provided vital outreach, education, and support. Each pin represents an area where promotoras engaged directly with residents through events, home visits, and resource distribution, helping to connect individuals and families with the services they need.
Over the course of this period, our promotoras completed a total of 98,632 interactions. This work steadily increased over time, with approximately 15,000 interactions by August 2023, growing to 22,000 by December 2023, 28,500 by June 2024, and reaching 33,132 interactions by December 2024. This visual demonstrates not only the depth and breadth of our community impact, but also the momentum and sustained growth of our outreach efforts.
What We Did: Event Types and Counts
This data highlights the community events that Valley Onward participated in throughout 2023–2024, showcasing our ongoing commitment to outreach and engagement across Merced County. Over this period, our team took part in a wide variety of events, including health fairs, resource distributions, school and farmworker outreach, workshops, smoke alarm installations, and safety preparedness workshops. Each event represented an opportunity to connect with residents, share valuable information, and provide direct support to the communities we serve.
Community Impact: Reach and Growth
From Our Events to Your Success: Valley Onward Testimonials
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The event was a huge success, with over 578 people in attendance! Valley Onward had a strong presence and saw tremendous community participation. Many attendees shared their experiences on social media, helping to amplify the event’s impact and raise awareness about the resources and support available. It was a powerful example of how our team connects with the community at large-scale events, building trust and visibility throughout the region.
- Community event, Gabriela Salcido (Oct, 2024)
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70 residents of Delhi received free fire detectors installed by the fire department of Merced County in collaboration with the Red Cross who donated the smoke detectors. Additionally our promotoras also provided Listos emergency preparedness material. Residents expressed gratitude for the time taken to keep them and their families safe.
-Smoke alarm installations and safety alert registration (Nov, 2023)
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Around 580 people attended the event, and it was incredible to see so many community members showing interest in the information we shared about ITINs. People approached us with questions, eager to learn more and better understand how it could help their families. It was a powerful reminder of why we do this work.
- Community Health Fair, Santa Rangel (Oct, 2024)
Our current progress for 2025
Total Interactions so far