As you are driving down Highway 99 and you notice a sign that reads VOTE  in big red letters and then notice a drawn on letter A over the letter E with black spray paint in addition to an inverted exclamation mark. This mark only means one thing: this word VOTE was converted to a word in Spanish or another language with a cultural tie to Spanish. Then a second question comes to mind, did someone vandalize this campaign advertisement and what campaign is this advertisement for?
What political party is displaying an advertisement sign that proudly shows a hand making a fist that represents power and unity with a tattoo of Roman Catholic virgin, La Virgen de Guadalupe.
The answer is an organization that continually seeks to create a safe environment and community brining power to the people. The California Endowment is a not-for-profit statewide foundation that focuses on making California a healthier place for all. This foundation was created in 1996 when Blue Cross of California acquired the for-profit subsidiary WellPoint Health Networks. Their goal is to create effective programs and activities to improve health for all Californians.
The California Endowment has tackled any topic in the golden state that affect Californians point of view about health. The California Endowment also focuses on broken systems and outdated policies making sure that power is balanced and available for the people.
This change seeking organization has created multiple campaigns that focus from neighborhoods, schools to eco systems. The new campaign that has taken the state by surprise has been Youth at Action. Their campaign #Vota highlights the importance of youth voice in this country and the power that they have to write history.
With an unusual election year, it is essential to have the youth take charge and share their voice and story.
California State University Stanislaus (Stan State) student Ana Garcia (freshman, Psychology) has been emotional hurt through out this presidential election.  Garcia was never interested in voting but because she figured that California would always be a Democratic State, but explains that due to certain hate speech towards her ethnicity she felt it was her duty to represent her family.
“I am the only person in my family who is an American citizen so I feel like it is my responsibility to represent my family,” Garcia said.  “When I was driving to school and I saw this poster next to the freeway I felt like it was made specially for me. As Mexican-American I identified with it.  It was in my language and the arm had a tattoo of La Virgen de Guadalupe, which is such an important religion devotion to Hispanic culture.”
Many of the posters can also be found next to bus stops and roadways.  Even though all posters display the fist of power and unity, many read different hashtags on the top such as #GetLoud, #SchoolNotPrisons and #Vota or different sayings such as Chill the fear, Fight Dividers Together and Caesar Chavez well known phrase Si Se Puede.
The California Endowment encourages Californians to spread the word about this project. You can find a Vota style guide on their website to support the movement.
There has been point in history when young people felt like they had no control over the destiny of their county, specially Latinos but one this is for sure, the youth today are engaged, they are getting organized and they are empowered. The sleeping giant has awaken. Get out there and vote.