About Us

How does PIA work?

Power Building Cycle

Peninsula Interfaith Action creates the power to make positive change using the following steps:

1. PIA staff members talk individually with members of an interested congregation or organization
2. Congregation/organization makes a commitment to form a local organizing committee (LOC)
3. PIA trains LOC members to identify local problems, research the issue and advocate specific solutions
4. LOC members listen to individuals in their congregation and their community to hear their concerns and invite participation
5. LOC develops relationships with elected officials and other key decision makers at local, state and federal levels to find and implement solutions.
6. Officials and other decision-makers are asked to take action and are held accountable
7. Results are evaluated in terms of significant, measurable positive change in people and in the community and the cycle continues

PIA Overview

Founded in 1997, Peninsula Interfaith Action, has grown from fifteen to thirty congregations, representing 19,000 households from Mountain View to Daly City. With PIA training and support, congregation volunteers work to improve the quality of life for families and individuals throughout the San Francisco Peninsula. PIA congregations belong to eleven different denominations.

We create positive change by:

• Building relationships through one-to-one outreach
• Strengthening neighborhoods through unity and action
• Empowering faith communities for civic engagement
• Developing leadership in minority, immigrant, and low- to middle-income communities
• Creating accountability and integrity in public life

We act together to address quality of life issues such as affordable housing, education, health care, economic development, employment, community safety, and transportation.

PIA is governed by a representative and diverse Board of Directors elected by members of PIA's local organizing committees. PIA is incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and is both nonpartisan and nonsectarian.

PIA's Affiliation with PICO National Network

PIA is a member of the PICO National Network, whose nationwide network of more than 50 congregation-based community organizations includes over one thousand congregations, from more than fifty denominations, in 150 cities and 18 states, representing over a million families.

The 18 PICO organizations in California comprise PICO California, a united effort of 350 congregations and 300,000 families to bring the voices of our communities into the statewide policy arena on issues of public education, health care, affordable housing, children, youth, and families.