Faith Community Response
January 9, 2025
POST Covid, Santa Clara County is at a crossroads, 1.87 million people reside in Santa Clara County.The area median income (AMI) in Santa Clara County in 2024 is $184,300, an increase of $33,000 since 2021 driving up rental prices. https://siliconvalleyathome.org/resources/finding-affordable-housing/ Average median income in area code 95116 being $35,073. Meanwhile, Major tech companies: Adobe, Intel, Applied Materials, Broadcam, Nvidia, combined bring in billions of dollars into the Silicon Valley economy. With over 10,000 AI patents approved, San Jose is on track to become the AI epicenter. https://sanjosespotlight.com/san-jose-spearheads-nationwide-ai-safety-group/
Elected officials have shown support for racial equity however, the economic disparity continues to create a socio-economic gap in which communities of color are being pushed out of the county. The county demographics are shifting, with minimal immigration resources to support a growing refugee community. Educational system has yet to address the impact of COVID on students’ mental health and academic success. Our healthcare and social service networks are at risk of losing much needed funding. Our law enforcement agencies continue to be under scrutiny as there is a continued need to reestablish trust. Political discourse has caused polarization dividing families and neighborhoods. Building communities through shared values and reaching across political divides is imperative. Today, it is an opportune moment to bring the community to organize and engage stakeholders locally, statewide and through federal networks to address disparities keeping families behind.
If you are interested in learning more about PACT or want more information on organizing contact us
We believe that we need to make mental health services accessible in the communities that have undergone the highest rate of stress post COVID, those areas include 95116, 95127, 95122. Through community conversations and research PACT leaders are educating community members regarding access to mental health services. Leaders call on electeds through prophetic action to expand services into underserved communities.
PACT awakens people to their greatest resource – each other – to enable them to transform the institutions responsible for their education, health, employment, and safety. By providing under-represented people with the essential tools and organization to impact decision-makers, PACT promotes effective democratic participation and promotes the health and well-being of our community. PACT led the community effort resulting in the historic Santa Clara County Children’s Health Initiative (CHI) – a model for communities around the state and nation. At the time, Pre-CHI, approximately 87,000 children lacked insurance; today, as a direct result of the work of PACT and other
People Acting in Community Together began its immigration work in collaboration with the San Jose Catholic Diocese “Justice for Immigrants” campaign, that included congregational dialogues amongst congregants, with the goal to build bridges between immigrant and non-immigrant communities. This work culminated in the mobilization of over 1,000 community members calling for just immigration reform. Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, at the time, Chair of the House Immigration Committee, committed to: Through our PICO statewide federations, similar work had been happening through the PICO organizations in Oakland, San Francisco, Contra Costa, Sacramento and Los Angeles. PICO organizations in Berkeley, Contra Costa, and other
In collaboration with fellow housing advocates we won victories including tenants rights: “Ellis Act”, “Just Cause Eviction.” PACT called voters and knocked doors in support of Prop 10 to extend rent control; this would have repealed the Costa Hawkins Act. In coalition with community partners in the SVRising Coalition helped keep the pressure on Google to make sure the Downtown West project in San Jose addressed concerns raised by community members – the lack of affordable housing, displacement. PACT leaders spoke out at City Council meetings, turned out at rallies and community meetings. Now, 1000 units of affordable housing will
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To advocate for community causes through grassroots organizing, thereby fostering a healthier, more just society and empowering individuals to actively participate in shaping their communities for the better.
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