MICHELSON PHILANTHROPIES
LOOKING AHEAD Driving Legislative Change “Government is the great lever.” This observation, made by philanthropist and financier Michael Milken, underscores that systemic change is often best achieved through government action. The Michelson Center for Public Policy advances innovative policy solutions that expand funding for medical research, increase access to education and careers for underserved communities, promote understanding of intellectual property, and protect animals. The organization looks to build on such recent legislative achievements as: n
The passage and signing of California Assembly Bill 2147, which eliminates barriers that prevent former inmate fire crews from pursuing a career as a firefighter once they served their time. This was achieved in part-
nership with the Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program and the Anti-Recidivism Coalition. n
The passage and signing of California Senate Bill 573, which requires shelters to microchip all reclaimed or adopted cats and dogs, ensuring more pets will be reunited with their families, saving lives by reducing shelter euthanasia. This was achieved in partnership with Social Compassion in Legislation.
In 2021, the Michelson Center for Public Policy will be pursuing an ambitious agenda in Washington, D.C., Sacramento, and Los Angeles through a broad range of advocacy and political activities. The Michelson Center for Public Policy, a 501(c)(4) social welfare nonprofit organization, is an affiliated, but separate, organization from Michelson Philanthropies, a 501(c)(3) private foundation.
First Gen: Supporting Women Immigrants In 2021, Alya Michelson will continue her work on the First Gen Project, which seeks to spotlight, empower, and support the success of first-generation women immigrants around the world through conversations with women who have achieved success in their adopted countries. These conversations highlight the benefits that immigration can bring to the economic, social, and cultural fabric of global communities. Participants in the pilot series of interviews, which she conducted in spring 2020 (and are available on Instagram), have included Reyna Montoya, founder and CEO of Aliento (Mexico); Zeba Talkhani, author of My Past Is a Foreign Country: A Muslim Feminist Finds Herself (Saudi Arabia); Vanessa Luna, co-founder of ImmSchools (Peru); and Gisele Fetterman, second lady of Pennsylvania (Brazil). Candid and conversational, she and her guests discussed ways of coping with the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, from mental health to isolation issues. “I became part of Michelson Philanthropies about eight years ago,” Alya Michelson says, “and this year is significant for me because my voice and my passion for supporting women immigrants finally will be brought to life.”
24
2021 IMPACT REPORT
