About UNIDOS Network

We’re going door-to-door, in partnership with the UC Merced, in unincorporated communities across the Central Valley to listen directly to residents,  not guess about their needs.

This program collects critical information about housing, health, and environmental conditions so we can expose the realities rural families face and advocate for change backed by real data.

It’s about closing the information gap,  and opening the door to stronger, healthier communities.

For too long, Kettleman City has been denied the right to govern itself. As an unincorporated community, critical decisions about public services, infrastructure, and economic development are made by county officials who don’t live here,  and rarely prioritize us.

We’re organizing to change that. Through the fight for incorporation, UNIDOS is helping Kettleman City take the first steps toward self-governance, local accountability, and long-overdue investment in the community’s future.

In 2025, Waste Management applied to renew the permit for the Kettleman Hills hazardous waste landfill,  one of the largest in the west coast, located right next to our community.

But Kettleman City residents, supported by UNIDOS, showed up in force. Together, we delivered powerful public testimony that forced California regulators to delay their decision until 2026.

This win proves the power of organized communities to protect their health, environment, and future. UNIDOS will keep pushing to make sure Kettleman City’s voice leads every step of the way.

Air pollution is one of the biggest threats facing rural communities like Kettleman City, especially those surrounded by industrial sites, diesel truck routes, and pesticide-heavy agriculture.

UNIDOS Network is partnering with Aclima to launch a cutting-edge mobile air monitoring project, powered by local knowledge and driven by community leadership. 

What makes this different:

• Community in control: Residents choose where monitors go and what they measure, so the data reflects real concerns
• High-tech and mobile: Sensors mounted on an electric vehicle track pollution in real time across the community
• Open data = real power: All results will be shared publicly to demand cleaner air and influence policy

This project puts science in the hands of the people, helping us fight for clean air, better health, and accountability from polluters and regulators alike.

For too long, rural communities have lived with the toxic health impacts of diesel pollution from heavy machinery, semi-trucks, and farm equipment. These emissions contribute to asthma, heart disease, and cancer, especially in communities already overburdened by environmental harm.

UNIDOS Network is taking action to change that. We're leading a local push to replace diesel-powered machines with zero-emission electric alternatives.

Why this matters:

• Cleaner air, healthier communities: Switching to electric equipment means fewer toxic emissions and immediate public health benefits
• Jobs in the clean energy economy: This transition opens up training and employment opportunities for local workers in a growing industry
• Policy change from the ground up: We're collaborating with government and industry leaders to create incentives and policies that make clean technology the new standard

We believe rural communities shouldn’t be the last to benefit from clean energy, they should lead the way. And with your support, we’ll make sure they do.

UNIDOS Network Inc., in partnership with Valley Voices, Professor Javier González-Rocha from UC Santa Cruz, Comité Cívico del Valle, and local groups in Kettleman City and Stratford, is launching Rural AirWatch, a groundbreaking air quality monitoring project rooted in community power and data-driven advocacy.

In rural, unincorporated towns like Kettleman City and Stratford, air pollution is a daily threat to public health. Rural AirWatch addresses this injustice by combining advanced technology, including 10 PurpleAir monitors and two drones, with community-led science and organizing.

Residents will be trained in air quality monitoring, data analysis, and even drone piloting, giving them the tools to track pollution, advocate for solutions, and engage directly with decision-makers. The project will host bi-monthly trainings and annual public forums to turn data into action.

This project is about more than monitoring, it's about shifting power into the hands of the people most affected by pollution, and ensuring they have the tools and voice to demand cleaner air and environmental justice.

UNIDOS Network Inc. is deeply committed to building the next generation of environmental justice leaders by creating hands-on opportunities for students and young people, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds.

Our Youth and Internship Program connects high school and college students, including interns from the University of California system, with frontline organizing experience in rural communities like Kettleman City and Stratford. Participants gain direct exposure to community outreach, grassroots advocacy, and environmental policy engagement.

We provide interns with the tools, mentorship, and resources to develop real-world leadership skills that empower them to advocate for environmental justice, and thrive in their future careers.

What We Offer:

• On-the-ground experience in environmental justice organizing, campaign development, and community outreach
• Policy training and opportunities to engage with local, state, and federal agencies
•  Professional development support including mentorship, resume-building, and advocacy skill-building
• Collaboration with community leaders to learn the values of grassroots change from those most impacted

Our goal is to help young people grow as changemakers, build confidence in their voices, and become lifelong advocates for their communities and the planet.

UNIDOS Network Inc. proudly supports monthly senior luncheons in Kettleman City, creating a space where our elders can gather, enjoy a warm meal, and connect with their neighbors in joy and dignity.

These luncheons bring together 30 to 60 seniors each month, offering not just nourishment, but community. We serve fresh, hot meals, organize games and music, and host raffles where attendees win useful and fun prizes. It’s more than just lunch, it’s a celebration of the people who built and sustained this community.

For many of our elders, these events are a rare chance to socialize, share stories, and feel valued in a world that too often overlooks them. With each luncheon, we aim to foster joy, reduce isolation, and show appreciation for their lifelong contributions.

Why It Matters:

• Nutritious meals served in a welcoming, festive environment
• Games, music, and raffles that bring fun and connection
• Emotional well-being and social connection for seniors in a rural, underserved community
• Community-centered care that reflects our values of inclusion, dignity, and celebration

Through these luncheons, UNIDOS Network affirms that caring for our elders is essential work, and that every community deserves joyful, intergenerational spaces to thrive.

UNIDOS Network is launching an exciting new podcast series to amplify the voices of rural, unincorporated communities across California’s Central Valley, and bring their stories, challenges, and solutions to a wider audience.

Streaming soon on YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, and more, the podcast will feature conversations with:

• Community leaders
• Local business owners
• Government agency heads
• Academic partners
• Attorneys
• Local policymakers

and others on the frontlines of environmental justice, job creation, healthcare, education, and community empowerment.

Each episode will spotlight critical issues and opportunities directly from those living and working in the Central Valley. Whether it’s fighting for clean air, breaking down policy, or highlighting local success stories, this series is about making sure rural voices are heard—loud, clear, and unfiltered.

Why This Matters:

• Centering lived experience in the rural justice movement
• Bridging communities and institutions through dialogue
• Sharing solutions, resources, and real-time updates on the issues that matter most

and real-time updates on the issues that matter most

Stay tuned, because the next chapter of rural advocacy is going live.