Forging a Stronger Community After a Difficult Setback

I'm writing to you today with a bit of disappointing news about the city council's recent vote to allow for the demolition of some of our beloved local businesses. It's a tough pill to swallow, but I want to thank you all for the incredible effort you put into this fight.  We don't just help others because it is right; we do it because in their well-being, we find our own.

Your passion was truly inspiring. Thank you to everyone who signed the petition, sent emails, made phone calls, and, most importantly, showed up in person to meetings. Your collective voice was powerful and it demonstrated how much we care about our community.

This decision is a good reminder of why it’s so important to stay engaged in what’s happening in our city. The work isn't over. We need to continue fighting for the character of our community and for our neighbors.  We continue to believe that the greatness of a city is measured not by its monuments, but by the bridges its people build to one another.

One of the most immediate and impactful things we can do is to continue to support these local businesses as they navigate this difficult time. Let’s make a point to stop by, buy their products, and show them that our community has their back.

We also encourage you to take this opportunity to get more involved in our community in other ways. Let's redirect our energy from this specific issue into building a stronger, more resilient community for all of us.

A strong community isn't found—it's forged, one act of kindness at a time; below is a list of local resources where you can make a tangible difference. We want to encourage you to find your passion so we can continue to come together and continue to support our neighbors because the work of a great community is the sum of a thousand small, unnoticed efforts. Be one of them.

If you haven't already, please find your local neighborhood association and get involved, go to meetings, join community events, make friends, have fun, and build stronger happier neighborhoods!  If you have time check out these other local community engagement resources:

• Plant & Soul California: Located on Race Street in San Jose, this organization operates ELSEE, an urban garden that focuses on education, ecology, and growing food. It's a fantastic, hands-on way to get involved in local greening efforts and community building. Learn more at their website https://www.plantandsoul.org/
• Our City Forest: This San Jose nonprofit is a leader in urban forestry and environmental education. They organize community tree planting events and maintain a local nursery, providing a direct way to improve our city's landscape and health. Explore their programs https://www.ourcityforest.org/
  Valley Verde: This organization is dedicated to food justice and self-sufficiency for low-income families in San Jose. They help residents create and maintain community and home gardens. Discover their work https://www.valleyverde.org/
• San Jose Community Gardens: The city operates a network of community gardens that provide residents with plots to grow their own organic food. This is an excellent way to connect with neighbors and build a sense of shared purpose. Find a garden near you https://www.sanjoseca.gov/your-government/departments-offices/parks-recreation-neighborhood-services/programs-activities/community-gardening
• Sacred Heart Community Service: This well-known nonprofit has a long history of fighting poverty in our community. Their "La Mesa Verde" program empowers people to grow their own food and organize for policy change. Get involved here (https://www.sacredheartcs.org/
• Catalyze Silicon Valley: Catalyze SV is a non-profit organization that works to create sustainable, equitable, and vibrant communities in Silicon Valley. Its primary focus is on improving the way new development projects are planned and built by fostering collaboration between community members, developers, and government leaders.. Learn more about what they do http://catalyzesiliconvalley.org/

Other Similar Organizations to Get Involved In 🫂

The following are examples of other organizations that can help us get involved directly in community planning and action:

• CivicWell: This nonprofit works to cultivate local leadership and help communities define their needs for sustainable and equitable development. They provide resources and support to community leaders. Read about their mission (https://www.civicwell.org/
• League of Women Voters of Santa Clara County: A nonpartisan organization that encourages informed and active participation in government. They provide excellent resources for understanding local elections and policy. Visit their website to learn more (https://my.lwv.org/california/santa-clara-county
• Project On Government Oversight (POGO): A national independent watchdog that investigates and exposes government corruption and waste. This is a great resource for understanding how to hold officials accountable. Check out their work (https://www.pogo.org/

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead