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Equity Arcadia reports expanded partnerships, new CARES toolkit and a community development grant in development
Summary
Equity Arcadia, a Cal Poly Humboldt–city partnership, reported expanded outreach, advisory growth and a CARES toolkit to embed equity across city departments; staff said a community development grant program is nearing launch and engagement metrics rose in 2025.
Moe Harper Dezier and Fernando Paz, co-managers of Equity Arcadia, briefed the Arcata City Council on Jan. 21 about the program’s work and plans.
“Equity Arcadia is a formalized partnership between Cal Poly Humboldt and the City of Arcata to support a welcoming, safe and racially equitable community,” Moe Harper Dezier said, outlining the program’s three approaches: resource allocation, connecting community and campus partners, and convening learning spaces.
The presenters highlighted 2025 outputs including sponsorships, workshops, interns, the Home Away From Home potlucks for students, and a CARES toolkit designed to help city departments set equity goals. They said Equity Arcadia broadened partnerships—working with more than 25 local groups and growing its advisory committee to 12 members—and reported measurable digital engagement gains (presenters cited increases in Instagram views and other social metrics).
Equity Arcadia staff also previewed a community development grant program intended to resource existing partnerships and programs; the program is in final development and staff said they will announce the application once it opens. City staff and councilmembers praised the work as building trust between campus and community, and noted that much of the impact is relational and not easily captured in numeric metrics.
The council thanked Equity Arcadia staff for their work and asked staff to continue strengthening outreach and measuring program outcomes. The presentation materials are available in print and will also be posted online.
