The Giving Heart San Jose

NONPROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE PAID THE GIVING HEART SAN JOSE . CA PERMIT NO. 831 SACRED HEART COMMUNITY SERVICE . 1381 SOUTH FIRST STREET . SAN JOSÉ CA . 95110 THE GIVING HEART 408.278.2160 . WWW.SACREDHEARTCS.ORG SACRED HEART COMMUNITY SERVICE SUMMER/FALL 2014

A COMMUNITY UNITED TO ENSURE EVERY CHILD AND ADULT IS FREE FROM POVERTY INSIDE by the numbers directorʼs message 2 Percentage of students at the most mayoral forum 3 [6%] selective colleges and universities that perspective from the heart 4 come from low-income families affordable housing campaign 5 [bottom quintile of income distribution]; the war on poverty 6 parent voice 7 Percentage by which the achievement 50 years of sacred heart 8 [40%] gap has widened between children pantry 2.0 10 fresh carts 11 from high and low-income families summer academy 12 over the last 3 decades; pack-a-back 2014 13 How much more high-income families ambassadors 14 [7x] now spend on their children's RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED planned gifts 14 development than low-income families; volunteer connect 15 Percentage of students enrolled at MY ADDRESS HAS CHANGED golden gala 16 [89%] Washington Elementary School who MY NAME IS MISSPELLED I RECEIVED DUPLICATE COPIES are economically disadvantaged; PLEASE REMOVE MY NAME FROM YOUR MAILING LIST critical needs Sources: National Report Card, www.ascd.org, Volunteers Washington Elementary School Report Bicycles [new & used] Diapers [especially sizes 4-6] Sacred Heart Infant formula Community Service You are invited Blankets Sleeping bags Pop-top canned foods Golden Backpacks [adult-sized] Menʼs clothing [work clothes, new underwear & socks] Gala Menʼs shoes & work boots Join us for an elegant evening Hygiene items [full-sized to bene t Sacred Heart's 50 shampoo, soap, deodorant, etc.] years of service & leadership a community in our community upcoming events united Council Candidate Forum CELEBRATING Sept 25: 6:45pm October 11, 2014 50th Anniversary Gala 50 YEARS October 11: 6pm [p16] 6-10pm Earlier this year our community gathered The Summit Center San Jose City Council to kick o our celebration of Sacred Heart’s 88 S. Fourth Street . San José Affordable Housing Mtg. 50th birthday. The festivities brought October 21: 6:30pm [Tentative p5] together volunteers, sta , and supporters Dia de los Muertos Carnival that helped us decades ago, mingling with $150 per person October 25: 12pm children and families that are participating to purchase your ticket, Holiday Program Registration view sponsorship opportunities in and leading our work today. [PAGE 8] or to learn more: Nov 7 & 14: 9am www.sacredheartcs.org/tickets 408-278-2194 over 900 people joined sacred heartʼs 50th anniversary 12 community celebration this summer, including Diego & Emmanuel DIRECTOR’S But something happened to disrupt challenge the power of capital, Sacred those structures. Massive upheavals because they see it as necessary Heart MESSAGE associated with two worlds wars and to fuel economic growth. Other the Great Depression obliterated politicians lay responsibility for the game is rigged much inherited wealth. Combined with poor economic growth on Mayoral progressive taxation and redistributive government itself and the safety A few months ago, a tall, lanky man came social policies, economic inequality net in particular. Smaller Forum up and knocked on the door to Sacred diminished and a new narrative government, they surmise, would EVENT BRINGS Heart, visibly upset. I opened the door emerged: Your path to the top could unleash the power of capital to and he exclaimed, “I thought you were be earned by working hard and boost economic growth for all. VOICE OF SOCIAL open ʻtil 6!” studying hard. JUSTICE TO PROCESS I apologized and explained that we That is not to say that everyone has normally were open later on Tuesdays, had an equal shot. Certainly not but we were doing some building repairs, everyone has access to a good so we were only open until 4pm that day. education. Some jobs have more BOARD OF DIRECTORS The ve major candidates for mayor in Rosie is a leader on the Sacred Heart He shot me a raw look of frustration and earning potential than others, and the San José spent the winter and spring Housing Action Committee and MC’ed stormed off in the middle of my explana- chance to get those jobs has never Jason Rodriguez . President stumping for votes and debating each the event along with Yazmin Espinoza tion. I generally do not take such been equitable (think: gender, Hewlett Packard Company other at forum after forum across the of our immigration committee. "We responses personally, but his reaction ethnicity, connections). But what Molly McDonald, Esq. . Vice President city, but the biggest event of the 2014 brought a lot of people together and lingered with me. emerged was an acceptance that Santa Clara University spring campaign was hosted by showed how strong the voice of Sacred It happened that a few weeks later I saw “inequalities based on individual Megan Doyle . Treasurer Sacred Heart. Heart is." him again as he dropped by to pick up talent or effort were more justified Office of Supervisor Yeager, On May 7 more than 430 people On the most critical question of the County of Santa Clara some food. I approached him and said I than other inequalities” such as those jammed the Elk's Lodge down the night - whether the candidates support was sorry again for the other evening. based on inherited wealth. Jorge Gonzalez . Secretary street from Sacred Heart to discuss a new fee on residential development Community Leader He responded, “Itʼs not your fault. I am For the three decades after WWII in the issues important to our constitu- that would be used to build aordable just running really hard right now. I canʼt particular, massive economic growth I do not know that I agree with Jaime Alvarado ency: immigration, small-business housing - Cortese and Liccardo split. Community Leader afford to leave work early, I canʼt afford along with FDRʼs New Deal and LBJʼs everything Piketty argues, but on development, senior issues and Liccardo supports the fee (and will get a another rent increase, I canʼt afford bus Great Society lifted the standard of a very simple level what he lays Eric Bonesteel aordable housing. chance to show his support when the fare, I need enough food for my kids. Itʼs living for all Americans. out is what I am seeing each day. San José State University The candidates con rmed that our fee goes before council later this year) just a game.” Given the 50th anniversary of the Those with capital can increase Ann Grabowski crowd was the largest of the but Cortese said he's opposed. rents and extract more income Office of Councilman Rocha, However, Cortese said he supports a A older fellow in line behind him War on Poverty, I have been thinking campaign leading up to the June 3 from tenants, while workers are City of San José similar fee on commercial development interjected, “Yeah, the game is rigged.” about its impact. primary, in which City Councilman not able to extract commensurate Deacon Steve Herrera instead, though no such fee is pending. In the first decade of the war on Sam Liccardo and County Supervisor Those words keep coming back to me. raises from their employers. Archbishop Mitty High School Dave Cortese advanced to the The candidates mostly agreed on need- poverty, the percentage of Americans I had been reading Thomas Pikettyʼs Felicia Madsen November 4 runo. ing to do more to help immigrants 65 or older living in poverty plum- Basic needs such as food and book, Capital in the Twenty-First Century, David & Lucile Packard Foundation integrate into the community, stream- meted from 30% to fewer than 15% transportation are squeezed or And while the typical forum is a and he makes a provocative analysis of lining permits to help people start (and today stands at 9%). Child sacrificed. As workers move Bridgit McGarry chance for the audience to hear from the growth of inequality and its ramifica- St. Lawrence Academy micro-businesses and the need to poverty dropped from 27% to 14%. further away for cheaper rents, the candidates, this event was also an tions for democracy. the time they need to be involved Jonathan Noble opportunity for the candidates to address the rapidly aging population of But since the 1980ʼs, US policy has Basically he asserts that people with in their family and community Microsoft Corporation learn how important issues like hous- San José. They were grilled on those been less concerned with fighting substantial money and capital get greater evaporates. The flexibility they ing are to most voters. Outside of this topics and several others through a poverty and more focused on global Fr. Jon Pedigo investment returns on those assets than the need to invest in training and Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish forum, social concerns of low-income 90-minute program planned and competitiveness and freeing up capital earnings and raises that working people career growth disappears. They residents were largely absent from a executed entirely by leaders from in pursuit of economic growth. Child Gary Serda get each year. Wages of workers, and canʼt afford healthy, nutritious Cisco Systems campaign focused on police stang Sacred Heart's organizing committees. poverty has risen, fallen, and risen increases in wages, is dependent on food, so their health deteriorates. and public pensions. "It was a good leadership opportunity to again over the last 35 years as we Cora Tomalinas economic growth (g). So, over time, the organize a mayoral forum and all the have cut back and further bureaucra- People are running hard, but Community Leader "We showed the candidates that we're rate of return on capital (r) such as WWW.SACREDHEARTCS.ORG . 408.278.2160 SOUTH FIRST STREET JOSÉ CA . SAN . 95110 COMMUNITY HEART . 1381 SERVICE SACRED logistics associated with an event that tized the family safety net. losing ground. Matt Zuniga well-prepared and well-versed in the profits, rents, dividends, and interest, far big," Rosie said. It is just a game, and the game is Bellarmine College Prep issues a ecting our community," said outpaces what working people earn over Economic inequality has risen, Rosie Mendoza. rigged. time: r>g. Therefore, we have an increas- dramatically, but “so what?” ing gap between haves and have nots. Piketty suggests that this “patrimonial r>g. capitalism” leads to oligarchy, where 1381 For most of human history, inherited S. FIRST STREET Sinceramente, [@alma] wealth dominated economic, political, the power of capital distorts our SAN JOSE . CA and social systems. In his book Piketty political system. 9 5110 uses historical and literary texts that What I see, on the one hand, are Poncho Guevara highlight the injustices of rigid class politicians who speak eloquently to Executive Director structures ossified by concentrated their compassion for the poor, but are inherited capital. loathe to do anything that could 2 3 GUEST EDITORIALS FROM COMMUNITY LEADERS ABOUT POVERTY IN SILICON VALLEY PERSPECTIVES FROM THE HEART How might a no-holds-barred attack IT’S TIME FOR The California Poverty Measure on poverty look? The first step is to New analysis sheds light on what works solve the employment problem. $28 There are many ways to do so: We by David B. Grusky, PhD could provide guaranteed govern- We often think of California as the Itʼs destructive because it wrongly ment jobs of last resort; we could land of plenty, but in fact itʼs also suggests that we donʼt know what ramp up demand for existing prod- the land of poverty. The new causes poverty and that we donʼt ucts via another round of stimulus; or California Poverty Measure, know how to end it. Itʼs destructive we could incentivize job creation in recently released by the Stanford because it leads to an unending cycle DAVID B. GRUSKY IS PROFESSOR the private sector. It doesnʼt matter Center on Poverty and Inequality of “flavor of the day” fixes that are OF SOCIOLOGY AT STANFORD how we do it or which political party and the Public Policy Institute of band-aid solutions to structural UNIVERSITY AND THE DIRECTOR proposes it. It just matters that we get the job done. California, shows an overall poverty problems that are best taken on at OF THE STANFORD CENTER ON rate of 22.0 percent and a child the source. POVERTY AND INEQUALITY. The second step is to solve the labor DECISION TIME FOR poverty rate of 25.1 percent. The claim that poverty is immutable is HE IS THE AUTHOR OF market problem by eliminating the SAN JOSE CITY COUNCIL TO mismatch between the skills offered Even in Santa Clara County, often typically trumped up with official NUMEROUS ARTICLES ON by workers and the skills demanded AFFORDABLE regarded as the stateʼs poster child poverty data showing that, while the SOCIAL MOBILITY AND ACT ON FUNDING STREAM by employers. Because there are far for economic recovery, we find that amount of poverty has fluctuated up ECONOMIC INEQUALITY. 18.7 percent of residents are in and down as recessions come and more poorly-educated workers than HOUSING FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING poverty. Itʼs a classic tale of two go, there hasnʼt been any long-term there are jobs for them, such workers experience disproportionate valleys: one thatʼs doing exceed- decline in the underlying rate over The California Poverty Measure, First, the bad news: low-income working families have been pounded by unemployment, underemployment, ingly well, and another thatʼs the last four decades. This intransi- by contrast, factors in the effects skyrocketing rents. State and federal cuts have decimated most funding used to and poverty. The poverty rate for struggling with unemployment, low gence is taken as evidence that our of noncash benefits and thus create new a ordable housing. Production of luxury apartments and condos is Californians without a high school wages, and high housing costs. It government and nongovernment allows us to calculate the effects booming, while development of a ordable homes has ground to a halt. degree is a shocking 53.9 percent. goes without saying that the well-off programs to assist the poor simply of those benefits in reducing The good news: the City of San José has the opportunity to make a real impact valley receives all the fanfare while arenʼt working. If these programs poverty. We can reduce the size of this on the housing crisis by approving a fee on market rate housing development that the poor valley is the largely were really working, so itʼs argued, reserve army of undereducated What is, then, to be done? In the will go to create a ordable homes. ignored valley. shouldnʼt the poverty workers by providing quality short-run, itʼs just more of the For anyone working to make sure working class families get a shot at a decent, “our safety net, rate be declining? preschool, primary school, and Why is there so same: we have no choice but to a ordable place to live, this is the most critical decision in a generation. secondary school experiences to much poverty? in both its government This line of argument maintain and strengthen the poor children. If poor children had The Sacred Heart Housing Action Committee (SHHAC) has been working for a year There are three is disingenuous: the safety net. Unless and until a and nongovernment full and equal access to the type of and half with a broad coalition of allies from business, human services, and labor reasons: the fact of the matter is decision is made to take on early training that makes college to advance this proposal. economy isnʼt forms, is delivering that our safety net, in poverty at its source, we have to possible, we could ramp up the delivering the both its government continue to support those who At our urging, the City conducted two studies quantifying the impact of new real relief.” college graduation rate, lower the jobs we need; and nongovernment canʼt get jobs or canʼt get the market rate housing on the need for a ordable housing. They found that every number of workers chasing after workers arenʼt receiving the educa- forms, is delivering real relief. If we type of jobs that keep them out time we build a new housing complex or neighborhood, we create a need for new low-skill jobs, and raise their wages tion they need; and the cost of living imagined a California without food of poverty. This programmatic workers that provide services to those new residents: everything from baristas to to boot. Although everyone talks is very high. These three reasons – stamps (i.e., CalFresh), tax credits work, undertaken by the quiet mechanics, health care workers to teacher aides. The majority of the those new about school quality, the school a jobs disaster, a labor market (e.g., the Earned Income Tax Credit), heroes of our country, is all jobs are in lower-income service occupations and those new workers need reform movement needs to be disaster, and a cost-of-living disaster or a cash assistance program (i.e., important. housing. The conclusion is that whenever we allow market rate housing develop- – are at the heart of the matter. CalWORKs), child poverty would be refocused on school equality in the ment to take place–which is very protable–we create a greater need for But our commitment to reducing approximately 12 percentage points most aggressive way possible. a ordable housing. The studies even quantied how much money it would cost to This is all to clarify, then, that the poverty ought not stop there. As higher (raising it from 25 to nearly The simple upshot: the sources of o set the new demand: $28.28 per square foot of every new unit of market rate causes of poverty are hardly we celebrate the 50th anniver- 37 percent of all children). poverty are well-known, and the housing. So the bottom line is that the only way we can prevent the problem from opaque. There is simply no merit to sary of the War on Poverty, the reforms needed to eliminate it are getting any worse is to pass such a fee. that frequently-rehearsed claim that This result is obscured by conven- national debate has focused straightforward. If we nonetheless poverty is some complicated matter tional poverty indices, like the official relentlessly on the legitimacy of SHHAC has been at the forefront of the advocacy on this campaign, studying decide against taking on poverty, and that our only hope is to find poverty measure, that do not take the safety net, a debate that has solutions, recruiting allies, educating the community, recruiting the public to we canʼt any longer pretend that itʼs some magic bullet that will cure it. noncash benefits into account. If a distracted us from asking whether participate in public forums, and pushing our elected leaders to stand for a more because we donʼt know how. The “disease model” of poverty, measure of poverty doesnʼt count the the country should fix the inclusive community where everyone can live with dignity and security. which treats it like some rare and antipoverty work of government economic and labor market Please join us to make this victory possible. incurable form of cancer, is an programs, then it will perforce create institutions that cause poverty. immensely destructive rhetoric on the impression that government To learn more contact Matt King at [email protected] 4 poverty. programs do no antipoverty work. 5 The War on Poverty was declared on January 8, Sacred Heart Launches 5th Year 1964 by President Lyndon B. Johnson in response of Community Organizing to the deep poverty, economic inequality, racial In response to the 2008 economic PARENT VOICE segregation and despair that were hallmarks of the crash and the lingering Great time. Nestled in the history books between the Civil Recession, Sacred Heart Commu- Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of education network calls on nity Service launched itself into 1965, the Economic Opportunity Act was signed community organizing to engage into law on August 20, 1965 ushering in policies San Jose Unified to invest in community members to promote that made a real difference in people’s lives. the WARon and fight for social and economic low-income and English learners From 1964 to 1970, the poverty rate justice in our local community. dropped from 22.2 percent to 12.6 percent, Organizers found strong, resilient the most dramatic decline in history. Unfor- and passionate people willing to Sacred Heart's new parent education network, Padres tunately today, deep poverty, joblessness, fight for a better life for themselves Unidos por la Excelencia de la Educación (Parents POVERTYunder-employment, and homelessness are the and their communities. Today, we United for Educational Excellence), or PUEDE, held its reality for countless families everywhere. work with people to develop rst community action in April to inuence decisions on Indeed, Californians have not avoided the far leadership skills and take collective how San Jose Uni ed School District will use new state turns reaching effects of the poverty epidemic. Accord- action to improve their lives FIFTYing to the Stanford Center on Poverty and Inequal- through social and political resources. ity, California has a poverty rate of 22 percent. In change. The State of California recently passed the Local Control Santa Clara County, the California Poverty Measure We work on issues that get to the Funding Formula (LCFF), changing the way it provides (CPM) rate is a staggering 18.7 percent. root of economic disparity and funding for education. Every school district is respon- The War on Poverty: A Promise Partially Deliv- discrimination: education, immi- sible for developing and deploying a Local Control & ered gration, senior and youth rights, Accountability Plan (LCAP) for how it will spend that Most people are familiar with programs that public safety, consumer protection, money, especially for low-income and english language resulted from the War on Poverty: Head Start; food justice, economic security, learners. Women, Infants and Children Program; tenant rights, and affordable hous- PUEDE Speaks Out Medicaid/Medicare; Food Stamps; Legal Aid; and ing. We work across race, language, work study grants for higher education. These age, and class to build a commu- Over 120 parents, caregivers, and community members nity dedicated to social justice – programs continue to be vital lifelines for tens of met with the San Jose Uni ed School District at Sacred thousands of families, students, and seniors. not just for a few, but for all. We believe that our work will inspire Heart to voice their concerns and hopes for the new Other initiatives from the War on Poverty included: the positive change needed in the funding. This was the largest of the six community meetings held by the district, and by far the greatest • Created Community Action Valley. representation of Latino parents speaking out about the Agencies which provide From Charity to Solidarity: A Call LCAP. The meeting was held at community center leadership and programs to to Action their While the LCAP 35 POVERTY RATES and in primary language: Spanish. 1960-2012 fight poverty at the local level. their was passed at the P adres 30 The social reforms of the War on AGE 65 & OLDER • Improved Social Security for Poverty were intended to eliminate Sacred Heart parent-leaders took the microphone meeting, it is only the 25 CHILDREN seniors and people with poverty and racial injustice. As a several times to ask one resounding question: “What rst step in a dialogue ALL PEOPLE U nidos por la disabilities. Community Action Agency, Sacred will the district do to ensure parents and caregivers 20 between families and their • Established the Child Nutrition Heart is keenly aware of this legacy, have a real voice in the LCAP?” District administrators school district. PUEDE offers an E xcelencia 15 Act, which introduced school and we claim it as our own. We encouraged parents to attend upcoming school board opportunity for parents, caregivers, know that we must work at the 10 breakfast programs. meetings and district parent/family advisory commit- and community members to understand local level to reduce economic tees as the LCAP was nalized in June. Over 40 parent how decisions are made at both the school and D e la • Funded cultural centers, disparity, eliminate unjust policies transportation, consumer leaders and students attended the board meeting in district level through skill building, information

WAR ON POVERTY BEGINS WAR that criminalize and hurt marginal- PERCENT IN POVERTY PERCENT E protection and housing. ized communities, and advance June to underscore the importance of parent and family sharing, and leadership development. ducación engagement as one of the key solutions to closing the • Boosted economic security in efforts that ensure education How You Can Help 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 regards to labor and the equity, tenant and consumer rights, achievement gap in SJUSD, in particular for English- SOURCES: Census Bureau, If you are a parent or caregiver of a SJUSD student, join us to create a strong community network of YEAR Brookings Institution minimum wage. affordable housing, and living- learner and low-income students. The leaders empha- wage jobs. sized that the more they are brought into the process families to ensure that the promise of LCFF delivers educational success for all students. • Established the JobCorps and VISTA programs. Sacred Heart Community Service and the deeper they are in relationship with educators For more information about PUEDE, contact Lisa Castellanos at [email protected] stands firmly in solidarity with and administrators, the better equipped they will be to This wave of change didn't happen because politi- those who bear the brunt of shape the environment that will be right for their cians and institutions found their collective moral poverty and injustice. We will make children. compass all at once. It happened because everyday the road toward equality by people who had been creating their own “survival walking it as a community united, programs” to help each other out of necessity had and we invite you to walk with us. nothing to lose, and they decided to take action. 6 7 1964 Louise Benson delivers holiday food BIRTHDAY PARTY to families in her parish In May, Sacred Heart kicked o our 50th CELEBRATE Birthday with a community celebration, 1972 Sacred Heart Community Service where over 900 family members from is incorporated every era of our history came together OUR PAST 1982 SHCS moves from Louise’s house and assorted to share stories, play games, and learn 50 years ago, one woman warehouses into a Sacred Heart Parish School classroom about the past, present, and future of believed she could help poor Sacred Heart. families have a better life. By 1984 SHCS education services are launched bringing together her friends 1986 Louise Benson passes and using every inch of her small home, Louise Benson fed 1987 Barbara Zahner becomes the rst and clothed people struggling Executive Director to make a life for themselves. 1988 Employment development program begins She and Lee Lindsay would drive throughout the county, 1990 SHCS moves to 802 S. First Street LOUISE & FRIENDS IN gathering and distributing the FRONT OF HER HOME 1991 Financial assistance program is launched essentials that kept a family going. Every holiday season, 1998 SHCS moves into our rst permanent home at the core group of volunteers 1381 S. First Street that would ultimately become 2000 Family support program is launched Sacred Heart Community Service gave out Christmas 2006 Poncho Guevara is hired as Executive Director, food and toy boxes. SHCS begins domestic violence support Louise continued her work until SACRED HEART SCHOOL 2009 SHCS responds to the Great Recession by Our role in the community the day she died in 1986, and expanding program capacity and new initiatives to her vision and passion for PARTNER grows every year, and your serve more people than ever, launching community caring is alive and well. First at support provides the security organizing, gardening, and asset development programs WITH US the Sacred Heart Parish school and strength to continue building, then later at 802 S. 2010 Countywide low-income energy assistance helping more than 75,000 First Street, a formal staff and programs are launched TODAY people each year as we small army of volunteers contin- 2014 SHCS celebrates its 50th Birthday! build a community dedi- ued feeding families while also 802 S. FIRST STREET FOR A providing educational services, “Years ago, we would go to cated to ending poverty. nancial assistance, and job search assistance Louise Benson’s with our daughter Please consider a generous STRONGER to hundreds and soon thousands. and help with whatever work gift, the perfect birthday SACRED HEART COMMUNITY SERVICE needed to be done. We’d pack TOMORROW present for Sacred Heart. In 1998, as more people came to our doors, the up some clothes and food into our Sacred Heart staff and board found the hope, BY THE NUMBERS . 1964-TODAY car, deliver them to a family, and MAKE YOUR determination, and support to build our perma- then come back for the next job nent home, now at 1381 South First. Louise had for us.“ GIFT TODAY! For the next 15 years, the work of Sacred Heart Sebastian and Alexandra (pictured www.sacredheartcs.org/donate grew beyond expectation into a safety net help- above) Carrasco joined us at ing people throughout Santa Clara County. Sacred Heart’s community celebra- Sacred Heart individuals Community Service In 2008, when the recession left 25% of our tion. “It is wonderful to see TO LEARN MORE population unable to meet our basic needs, served Sacred Heart so alive after 50 ABOUT OUR Golden Sacred Heart provided hope with essential annually years. The work is as important services, created opportunities with programs to as ever and we’re happy to see 50 STRONG Join usGala for an elegant evening strengthen families, and took action with over people from all the community to bene t Sacred Heart's 9,400 volunteers to build a more just community. gathering together to celebrate.” 50 years of service & leadership CAMPAIGN in our community PLEASE VISIT: October 11, 2014 6-10pm volunteers www.sacredheartcs.org/ 88 S. Fourth Street . San José annually 50strong $150 per person 8 9 increasing healthy food access in Vendors low-income neighborhoods and providing entrepreneurship opportunities UNITED for new business owners. A food desert is an urban area where it is difficult to buy affordable or good-quality fresh food. This poor access is a major risk factor for poor health in Louise’s Pantry low-income neighborhoods and Sacred Heart has partnered v 2.0 with the Health Trust to spear- head an innovative response to “I’ve never been blessed so many times One reason behind this change of process is food deserts locally. Vendors in my life” said volunteer John Mitchler. the increased amount of fresh produce United provides assistance and This was the reaction to our new provided to Sacred Heart by Second Harvest seed money to new micro Customer Choice area of the pantry. This Food Bank. With more pallets of fruit and businesses aimed at improving summer, our warehouse designed a vegetables coming in, we sought a way of food options in our neighbor- process allowing customers to shop for making it available for people more hoods. produce items rather than receiving a frequently than twice per month. Said Chad As part of our Joblink and Asset standard bag. Harris, Director of Essential Services, Building program, Vendors “Customers can come to the shopping area United operates fresh produce Said Dupe Thomas, SHCS Pantry Lead, weekly to select the produce their family will carts stationed throughout the “We wanted to open up the pantry, give eat. This reduces waste and increases the city. We have already launched program participants options, and start amount of fresh food available in our neigh- three vendors and will have 10 removing some of the barriers between borhoods.” working by next summer. And, people.” This resulted in several changes One customer smiled as she boxed up her by using peer support, we can to our pantry. We cleared out a small cauli ower and strawberries. “I take care of be sure the vendors become ELISABETH CRUZ storage room and repainted it. The my daughter’s children while she goes to less reliant on our assistance as by Marc de Giere, The Health Trust pantry counter was also moved to the work. Early this week, our refrigerator failed, more sign up to launch their side, welcoming customers into a produce and all this food will restock our kitchen. My own businesses. Elisabeth Cruz is part of a new breed of Silicon Valley entrepreneurs innovating new ways to solve a shopping area. “It is so open now and grandkids love berries and I’m glad to have systemic problem: access to healthy food in underserved areas. She’s our rst Fresh Carts produce Said Christian Luna, manager of vendor to hit the streets and you’ll nd her at 2400 Moorpark Ave in San Jose. vegetables to cook.” Vendors United, ”This is all part of The Health Trust’s ‘Good. To Along with her husband, Elisabeth’s business venture marks the next step in our Fresh Carts mobile DO YOU WANT TO HELP? Go.’ effort to improve access to produce vendor program to bring fresh fruits and vegetables to public areas in residential neighbor- The change in the pantry requires new healthy food in our city. They hoods of San Jose. The program provides entrepreneurial opportunities to neighborhood residents, volunteer jobs too, and we would love even have an app for your who will operate their own carts, while increasing access to healthy foods in low-income neighbor- to have your help. phone so you can find the near- hoods. Please contact the volunteer of ce at est food cart and buy the fresh- “I’m selling fresh produce, because I want to help the community ght diabetes [email protected] to sign up. est produce.” The Good. To Go. and other diseases and provide a healthy life for my children,” says Cruz. Research Fresh Carts phone app can be shows that residents of poorer neighborhoods, where unhealthy food outlets outnumber stores with downloaded from the usual fresh produce, experience higher rates of chronic illnesses. That’s why The Health Trust’s Healthy online stores. Eating Initiative is actively confronting and challenging the barriers to healthy food access. The Fresh “This reduces waste and Carts program is one component of a larger Good. To Go. campaign that is also bringing certi ed farmers’ markets to residential neighborhoods and renovating corner stores to offer healthy food. increases the amount of fresh food available in our neighborhoods.”

10 11 SHCS’ Education Manager Roberto Gil revealed that “Pack-a-Back distribution day is my favorite day at Sacred Heart. The colors of the packs, the vast amounts of supplies are so amazing. Most importantly, I 7YQQIV%GEHIQ] love watching a child smile as they pick the backpack they will carry and use with pride.” FOUNDATION By the time distribution day came around on August 8th, SHCS had completed a two-month long campaign to connect with FOR SUCCESS partners and supporters, enroll the students and successfully gather over 2,800 backpacks over owing with grade "I'm not very smart," she explained matter-of-factly. 9-year-old appropriate school supplies. Maisie is typical for her age, with a sweet disposition and lots of But it doesn’t always happen smoothly. friends, but living in poverty has made its mark on her As of August 6th–two days prior to self-esteem and outlook on the future. distribution day–we were nearly 600 Maisie lives with her mother and two backpacks and binders short. We put out older sisters, and attended Summer special thanks to the call, and the community responded. Academy at Sacred Heart for the rst our pack-a-back Individuals asked how they could help. time this year. Her mother works a Companies collected last-minute supplies. full time job but her single income program sponsors As we were closing the day before our distribution day, a mother walked up with doesn't stretch to cover summer camps or extra activities. The her two ve-year-old children, each average American spends $958 on summer activities (per child) carrying a full backpack. “We knew

but it would take more than two weeks for Maisie's mom, who CK 201 4 you didn’t have enough, so we earns minimum wage, to make that amount, so when she heard went shopping together. I asked about Summer Academy, it seemed like a perfect t. each of my boys to choose a backpack for themselves and a

Summer Academy addresses a multitude of needs for students A backpack for another child. It was a from low-income families: great moment to feel part of the • It costs nothing to participate broader community.” B EDUCATION CAMPAIGN So when the doors opened the next • Engaging academic work prevents summer learning loss morning, everyone breathed a sigh of • • Introduces families to Sacred Heart’s education program and relief as every child was paired up with a community volunteer who helped them Ornamental Heart Hallmark Club other programs that go on all year AARP Chapter 5151 Parr Law Group chose that perfect pack. Bank of America • Helps students catch up to grade Peninsula Bible Church Willow Glen Thank you to the hundreds of volunteers Bellarmine College Prep Presbyterian Church of Los Gatos level Blach Construction A and donors that made Pack-a-Back 2014 Sacred Heart of Saratoga Parish an huge success. Chinese Church in Christ San Jose Safeway This summer, Maisie learned guitar, practiced gardening, made First Congregational Church

• Saint Christopher School homemade salsa, created science experiments and more! At the First Unitarian Church of San Jose Saint Mary's of Los Gatos end of the six weeks, she was con dent and rambunctious, Gap Sandisk ready to face the daunting world of Girl Scout Troop 61409 Sanmina Girl Scout Troop 61655 Santa Clara County fourth grade. “I really think I got Hewlett Packard Company District Attorney's Ofce smarter,” wrote Maisie in a thank-you Hitachi Data Systems Scales of Justice Lions Club letter to sta. “I bet when I go back to school, my teacher is going Holy Family Catholic Church Sims Metal Management Holy Spirit Catholic Church to be like ‘wow!’” Starbucks Intel Tela Innovations Jan Marini Skin Research The Journey Los Altos United Methodist Church Underwriters Laboratory Men's Division International Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Merrill Lynch of Los Gatos

AC K Mid Peninsula Housing Wells Fargo Most Holy Trinity Catholic School Western Digital Corporation NCL Los Gatos/Saratoga Westminster Presbyterian

P Network Appliance Willow Glen United Methodist New Vision Church Xilinx 2014 pack-a-back drive partners PLUS MANY MORE GENEROUS ORGANIZATIONS, FAMILIES & INDIVIDUALS 12 13 Don Kerley can be seen on Tuesdays in the pantry helping get things done. His You will find Dena Hase and her For the last 20 years, Bellarmine commitment to volunteering is bright smile in the Learning College Preparatory has held their evident in his contagious Center, where she teaches English Winter Warmth Drive, collecting enthusiastic spirit. Don has in the Parents of Preschoolers blankets, coats, and other warm volunteered at Sacred Heart (POPs) program. Dena works with clothing items to benefit Sacred Heart for over a year and a half, six parents from September to and EHCʻs Cold Weather Shelter and when asked why, he May, while other volunteers work program. Anne Maloney says, “The replied, “I really SACRED HEART with groups of their own. Friend- drive is very much connected to the like helping ship and trust are vital for the mission of the school, which calls us people.” Thank process to work: “They have to to share our gifts and talents in you, Don! trust me to help them navigate a AMBASSADORS service of those in need.” This past difficult language,” says Dena. year, the high school turned Sacred “I started with onions and moved up Debbie attended an ambassador training and has been involved at the “Encouragement and Heartʼs donation to people,” ambassador Debbie agency on a whole new level ever since. You can see her on some empowerment are so station into a mountain Cauble said about her process of Tuesdays at 4 p.m. giving an orientation to more than 20 new important - Iʼm always after unloading a involvement at Sacred Heart Commu- volunteers. In the fall of 2013, Debbie helped facilitate a service- telling my group not to 15-passenger van nity Service. learning class of 30 students from San Jose State University. give up.” Denaʼs She led discussions on poverty stereotypes, bias, racial and a large box truck Debbie learned about Sacred Heart connection to other relations, and more. Debbie has also represented the full of thousands of about 20 years ago from a client. She mothers in our community is an agency at numerous tabling events, recruiting volunteers warm clothing items. Thank started out as a donor, and once she enriching experience for every- and accepting donations. “I share my enthusiasm with you for helping keep our community transitioned to part-time work two one involved, and she encourages potential volunteers and donors,” Debbie said. warm, Bellarmine! years ago, she started volunteering on volunteers to explore the multi- Saturdays. Eventually, Debbie experi- Over the last two years, Debbie has witnessed the tude of specialty volunteering enced a transformation: customers work of people she calls “super volunteers,” or VOLUNTEER opportunities available at Sacred began to feel like her family. those who have committed countless hours Heart to experience a deeper, over many years to Sacred Heart. Itʼs safe In the spring of 2013, Debbie received more significant volunteering to say Debbie is one of those super CONNECT experience. “I went into this an email from Sacred Heart reaching When Janie Sharp retired over volunteers - she has become a staple at experience not knowing what to out for volunteers to be ambassadors. a year ago, she knew that she the agency. Debbie doesnʼt just give expect,” explains Dena, “And Sacred Heart needed volunteers wanted to volunteer at Sacred her time and resources to help willing to take on a different set of these women stole my heart.” strangers, she empowers her Heart. She now comes three responsibilities. They would help community. days per week; one checking recruit other volunteers at tabling people in at the Swipe station St. Simon Parish events, give presentations, and more. and two days in the pantry Members of have been bringing a group Sue Marrion Ambassadors would represent Sacred distributing food. When Janie brings about once per month for over three years. Heart at all types of events for a special homemade food to share or leads the contingent of 10-12 parishioners as part of the variety of purposes. Building Today for the Future Jay Pecot aprons that she has sewn to use in the Churchʼs Outreach Ministries. We see St. Simon volunteers warehouse, we are reminded of her that keep coming back each time, and “This was an opportunity to learn 408-278-2196 there are always a few new faces, too. Planned & Memorial Gifts [email protected] thoughtfulness. Janie says she loves the more about Sacred Heart and under- Their goal is to advocate for those in stand how I can best use my time feeling of giving back. Over the last several years, I have spoken with so many people who had need in our community and beyond! here,” says Debbie. been involved with Sacred Heart as a volunteer, a donor, or a program participant. Each time, people would tell me what a special place this is. I Kris Brown has been agree. Every day, I see the diﬀerence made by people working together to volunteering at Sacred Heart build a better community. since 2002. You will I’ve been making long-term plans for my family and for my charitable giving. see her bright smile Zafar Malik works in the JobLink office every For this issue, and as part of our 50th birthday, I want to talk about the and sunny disposition Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday and has been tangible signs of building a stronger Sacred Heart. In our front courtyard — every Thursday at the volunteering for the last seven months. He updates carved into the bricks of the walkway — are the names of many of the Welcome Center desk the job postings on the notice board and helps people that helped build our facility. I am proud to know many of these helping customers get what customers find jobs. The job searching process is visionary donors who knew Sacred Heart’s future depended on their gener- they need. Kris says her difficult for nearly everyone, but Zafar osity and their hard work. greatest joy is being there to and the other JobLink volunteers dedicate Are you thinking about including Sacred Heart in your estate planning? We help everyone. She also their time to help make it easier. He says would like to recognize your commitment to a community free from poverty helps us out by telling he loves the work he does and helping by engraving your name in one of the bricks at the agency. You can contact everyone how fun and Sacred Heart assist people. us about how to add your name to the list of builders who want to see rewarding it is to volunteer Sacred Heart strong now and in the future. at Sacred Heart. Thank you 14 for your hard work, Kris! 15 NONPROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE PAID THE GIVING HEART SAN JOSE . CA PERMIT NO. 831 SACRED HEART COMMUNITY SERVICE . 1381 SOUTH FIRST STREET . SAN JOSÉ CA . 95110 THE GIVING HEART 408.278.2160 . WWW.SACREDHEARTCS.ORG SACRED HEART COMMUNITY SERVICE SUMMER/FALL 2014