Newsletter

Ramla Takes the Stage

On August 27, our Executive Director, Ramla Sahid, took the TEDx stage to reflect on the work, values, and vision that have shaped PANA from the beginning. Her words spoke to a different way of thinking about power and resources, and most importantly, about who gets to shape the future of our communities.

At the heart of Ramla’s work is a simple but radical belief: the people most impacted by decisions should have real voice, ownership, and power in making them. We’re seeing that vision come to life through the Global Village, where PANA secured 2.2 acres of land and brought nearly 2,000 community members into a participatory process to shape the programming, master plan, and long-term ownership of the site.

For PANA, this work has never been just about building a place. It’s about building power, creating belonging, and investing in a future where historically excluded communities aren’t simply invited to the table—they have a hand in deciding what the table looks like, who has a seat, and what we build together.

San Diego Fundraising Conference

PANA team speaking at fundraising conference

We left the San Diego Foundation Fundraising Conference feeling grateful, energized, and even more grounded in why this work matters. For PANA, the conversations reminded us that fundraising is ultimately about what we value, who we trust, whose leadership we invest in, and whether we’re willing to share resources in ways that create real power and possibility in communities. We left with new ideas, meaningful connections, and a renewed belief that when we lead with trust, equity, and care, fundraising can be so much more than raising money, it can be a way of moving us toward the world we want to create.

Vote for the Global Village!

Vote for the Global Village to Win an Orchid Award! Orchids & Onions, a program of the San Diego Architectural Foundation, engages the public in conversations about San Diego’s built environment and its future. It encourages civic participation and greater awareness of how architecture shapes the city. This same emphasis on community, thoughtful design, and shared spaces is reflected in our Global Village.

Global Village demonstrates how thoughtful planning can translate public values into lasting physical form. By bringing together culture, housing, commerce, and community life, it creates an inclusive destination that strengthens neighborhood identity and resilience. In the context of challenges such as housing, displacement, and social fragmentation, the project offers a model for how community-centered design can foster connection and belonging. Together, Orchids & Onions and Global Village emphasize the power of architecture and planning to create a more inclusive and connected San Diego. Vote Here

Do All the Good You Can

"Carl and Carol have been quiet giants in our community. They are inspiring leaders who stand shoulder to shoulder with our immigrant and refugee communities...Global Village would simply not be a reality without Carl, who stepped in on behalf of the board to support me and spearhead, with due diligence, the acquisition of the site. "

- Ramla Sahid, PANA Executive Director

Learn about how Carl Crider and Carol Clause are helping transform the Global Village project from a dream into a reality! Read more

General Election Voting Center at the Global Village

Why voting is important- Photo Credit: The David Eccles School of Business

PANA is excited to share that the Registrar of Voters approved to have a Voting Center at the Global Village community hall for the upcoming General Elections!

Voting Schedule at the Global Village