Our community partners include:
Cristo Rey Jesuit High School works with underserved low-income urban populations of color. Cristo Rey San Jose Jesuit High School (CRSJJHS) average family income is less than $34,000 per year. On average Cristo Rey students are one to two years behind academically, but by the time the students graduate, 100% are accepted into college. Approximately 50% of the costs of this college prep education are covered through the Work Study program and the jobs the students have. The combination of an excellent academic program and the opportunity to work in a professional environment provides the skills and training these students need to graduate and becoming successful members of our communities.
Cristo Rey San Jose Work Study, Inc. (CRSJWS) is a sister corporation to CRSJJHS and runs a Work Study program for the students of the High School. Every student at CRSJJHS works one day per week and goes to school four days per week. The program started in Chicago in 1996 and has spread to 28 schools across the country, having recently been featured on CBS This Morning, marking the 10th anniversary of the 60 Minute segment on the Cristo Rey organization.
See Cristo Rey Jesuit High School's Facebook page for more information.
The Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley (HFSV) cultivates philanthropy and inspires Hispanic children and families to achieve personal greatness. HFSV engages leadership and bridges resources to invest in a thriving Hispanic community. Resources are directed toward educational excellence, leadership development, research, and convening and engaging the Hispanic community to improve the quality of life for Latinos and the Silicon Valley region.
See The Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley's Facebook page for more information.
The Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits has become known for its effectiveness in representing the needs and concerns of its member agencies and the clients that they serve. They work to ensure government funding is not cut for critical services and are a watchdog and advocate for ensuring health services are properly funded and provided by the nonprofit sector. They provide information on legislative trends and actions at both the county and state level through e-mail bulletins and communication on critical issues related to the state or county budget.
See The Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits' Facebook page for more information.
Office of Economic Development, City of San Jose is committed to driving a vital and competitive economy that increases prosperity and quality of life for San Jose residents and businesses. Their mission is to catalyze job creation, private investment, revenue generation, and talent attraction and development. One of their core services is business development, where they help companies locate, expand and thrive in San Jose. See Office of Economic Development, City of San Jose's Facebook page for more information.
The Santa Clara County Office of Supervisor Otto Lee represents District Three which includes Sunnyvale, Milpitas and the Alviso, Berryessa, and northern neighborhoods of San José.
Learn more about Santa Clara County Office of Supervisor Otto Lee here.
As the social service and social justice ministry of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of San Jose, Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County works toward building a just and compassionate community with all people in a changing Santa Clara County. First, they alleviate the conditions of chronic poverty through food, housing assistance, access to benefits, senior services, and mental health services. Second, they reduce the effects of situational poverty by providing jobs, immigration legal services, refugee foster care, financial literacy, and asset development. Third, they prevent the cycle of generational poverty through early childhood development, parenting support, after-school enhanced learning, and youth empowerment. They strengthen their communities through parish and community engagement, immigrant and refugee integration, and neighborhood development services. Each year, they serve more than 40,000 people in need. Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County has been serving individuals and families for more than 60 years. While they are affiliated with the Diocese of San Jose, Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County is a separately incorporated nonprofit agency.
Deisha Adhishesh
LSB Community Fellow 2022-2023
Veggielution connects people from diverse backgrounds outdoors through food and farming to build community in East San José. It was founded by three San José State University students who wanted to build community through food and farming. With the support of the City of San José, Veggielution broke ground in 2008 on a 1/6-acre parcel of land at Emma Prusch Farm Park in East San José. Since 2008, Veggielution has grown year by year on this historical and previously underutilized land to become a thriving 6-acre urban farm where neighbors can gather, learn, and play. Our organically-managed community farm connects thousands of Silicon Valley residents each year through programs that encourage experiential learning and healthy eating.
With the mission, “Lead our community to ensure that anyone who needs a healthy meal can get one”, Second Harvest of Silicon Valley serves Santa Clara and San Mateo counties, including Silicon Valley and San Francisco Peninsula. Their work is more important than ever— due to the prohibitively expensive cost of living in Silicon Valley and the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Second Harvest is now serving an average of 460,000 people every month, a more than 80% increase over pre-pandemic levels.
Learn more about Second Harvest of Silicon Valley here.
The Santa Clara County Housing Authority is the county's largest provider of affordable housing, helping make rental housing safe and affordable for approximately 20,000 low-income households. They are guided by their mission to provide homes and opportunity for our county's low-income families and individuals.