What happens when five organizations choose interdependence over hyper-individualism? A radical reimagining of nonprofit work and community care.

I was inspired by an ⁠Instagram post⁠ from Erin Spahr from @feminist.mom.therapist. She talked about how we live in a culture that celebrates "doing it alone" - that equates needing help with failure and success with independence. In this episode, I introduce a three-part series exploring hyper-individualism vs. community interdependence through the lens of the Sí Se Puede Collective.

I talk with five East San Jose executive directors about how they rejected the nonprofit competitive model and chose to work together instead. Their collective approach proves that interdependence isn't weakness; it's strategy. It's power. We explore the history of the Mayfair neighborhood - from Sal Sí Puedes ("Get Out If You Can") to Sí Se Puede ("Yes We Can") - and how these leaders are building something radically different: a model of community care rooted in interdependence.

Si Se Puede Collective

Individual Organizations:

• Amigos de Guadalupe - Housing support, immigration legal services, education programs, and community organizing (Maritza Maldonado)

• Grail Family Services - Early childhood education, parent support, workforce development, and family engagement (Veronica Goei)
• School of Arts and Culture at Mexican Heritage Plaza - Arts education, cultural programming, and development of San Jose's first cultural district (La Avenida) to prevent displacement (Jessica Paz-Cedillos)
• Somos Mayfair - Community organizing, leadership development, and resident-led solutions for youth success and family wellness (Victor Vasquez and Saúl Ramos )
• Veggielution - Community farm, food security programs, and food system advocacy for sustainable and equitable food access (Shawn Gerth)

WHAT I'M LEARNING

• CalFresh registration is at a 10-year high
• Second Harvest Food Bank serves 1 in 6 Santa Clara County residents
• In East San Jose specifically, some districts have among the highest food insecurity rates in the county, with more than 25% of residents in certain neighborhoods struggling to afford adequate nutrition

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Nourishing Neighbors Food Drive - Happening this weekend and through the holiday season at Safeway locations. Donate $10 at checkout. $10 buys a full bag of groceries when we partner with food banks and grocery stores.

TAKE ACTION

1. Support the Nourishing Neighbors Food Drive - Visit Safeway and add $10 at checkout
2. Practice Interdependence - Identify one area where you typically go it alone and ask for help instead. Notice what shifts.
3. Learn More About Sí Se Puede Collective - Visit their websites to discover ways to engage: attend cultural events at Mexican Heritage Plaza, join Veggielution's work days, or support holiday giving with Amigos

Building community isn't just about physical spaces—it's about creating connections that make our whole city stronger.

In this special episode, the tables are turned as Alex Shoor, Executive Director of Catalyze SV, interviews me about my community-building journey in San Jose. We discuss my passion for bringing neighbors together, how privilege influences community, and why overcoming fear of "different" is essential to creating a more connected city. I share stories about my neighborhood popsicle parties and how simple acts can create belonging in our community.

I cover the local election information including Measure A (Save Our Local Hospitals), ICE-free zones in Santa Clara County, and how federal SNAP benefit disruptions could impact our community. Our Community Spotlight features two festive events: the Dia de los Muertos celebration at San Jose Museum of Art and San Jose Roots at San Pedro Square Market. For Take Action, I suggest voting, supporting local food banks, and stepping outside your neighborhood bubble to experience all of San Jose.

News You Need Sources:

• Santa Clara County Measure A information - www.sccgov.org/sites/opa/newsroom/Pages/measureA.aspx
• San Jose City Council and County ICE protection measures - www.sanjoseca.gov/news

Community Spotlight:

• Dia de los Muertos at San Jose Museum of Art - November 1st, 11am-6pm - www.sjmusart.org
• San Jose Roots at San Pedro Square Market - November 1st, 12pm-4pm - www.historysanjose.org

Guest Information:

• Alex Shoor, Executive Director of Catalyze SV - www.catalyzesv.org

Mentioned in the Episode:

• Food assistance resources:
• Hunger at Home - www.hungerathome.org (Grocery and meal pickup every Monday at San Jose Flea Market)
• Second Harvest Food Bank - www.shfb.org
• Sacred Heart Community Service - www.sacredheartcs.org
• Martha's Kitchen - www.marthas-kitchen.org
• New Beginnings Family Services (Monday, Wednesday, Friday hours)

• Family Nutritionist (@TheFamilyNutritionist) on Instagram
• San Jose Park Activation Program - www.sanjoseca.gov/parks-activation (The city is encouraging residents with creative ideas to activate local parks through various initiatives and community-led programming)

Take Action:

• Vote by November 4th! Track your ballot: www.sccvote.org
• Support local food distribution sites
• Explore community events outside your neighborhood and make all of San Jose your home

In this episode, I talk with Erika McLitus about how the spaces we live in shape whether we can actually connect with our neighbors. We explore the stoops, sidewalks, parking lots, and ground-floor spaces that either bring us together or keep us apart—and what San Jose is doing (and could be doing) to build a more connected city.

Erika shares insights from their work at SPUR on downtown revitalization, third places, equitable development, and why sometimes the most interesting community experiences come from the most boring policies. We also dig into embodiment - how a space makes you feel in your body - and why that matters just as much as what looks good on paper.

This episode's "What I'm Learning" covers San Jose's push to become an AI city, the recent California AI transparency bill, and what it means when our government partners with tech companies. Our Community Spotlight features Banned Books Week and the San Jose Public Library's "Banned Books and Brews" event this Saturday.

Erika McLitus & SPUR:

• SPUR Website: spur.org
• Become a SPUR Member: spur.org/join

SPUR Reports & Resources Mentioned:

• The Future of Downtown San José (2014)
• Revitalizing San José's Downtown: Five Strategies (2023)
• Developing the Next Steps to Revitalize Downtown San José (May 2024)
• Culture As Catalyst Policy Brief (January 2025)
• Urban Planning Culture Now Event Video (July 2025)
• Upcoming: Report on activating downtown San Jose ground-floor spaces (November 2025)

What I'm Learning Sources:

• San Jose's AI initiatives and ChatGPT licenses

• Vetoed Safety Bill
• Governor Newsom's AI policy decisions

Community Spotlight:

• San Jose Public Library Banned Books Week
• Banned Books and Brews at Clandestine Brewing (Saturday, noon-6pm)
• San Jose Public Library Events

Mentioned in the Episode:

• Jane Jacobs and "The Death and Life of Great American Cities"
• The concept of embodiment in urban planning
• Third places (parks, community centers, cafes, libraries)
• San Jose's Immolment Program for small business incubation
• City of San Jose General Plan (coming 2026)

Take Action:

• Join me at Banned Books and Brews this Saturday
• Notice how your neighborhood makes you feel (practice embodiment)
• Read SPUR's upcoming report on downtown revitalization (November 2025)

About SPUR:SPUR is a member-supported nonprofit advancing a more sustainable, equitable, and prosperous region for all. By becoming a member, you'll join a diverse community of people who care deeply about the Bay Area's future—and gain opportunities to connect, learn, and take part in vital conversations on housing, transportation, climate, governance, and more. Become a member at SPUR.org/join.

In this episode, I talk with Alex Shoor about community-led development and creating more inclusive civic engagement in San Jose. We explore how housing policy connects to community building, why the people in the room at city meetings matters, and what it really means to "build community" in both the physical and social sense.

Alex Shoor shares insights from his work with Catalyze SV, where community members evaluate and advocate for better development projects. We discuss successful community engagement examples like the Santa Clara Agrihood and the Berryessa Flea Market advocacy, and Alex offers practical advice for residents who want to get more involved in shaping their city's future.

This episode's What I'm Learning covers Santa Clara County's Measure A: Save Our Local Hospitals, coming up in the November 4th special election. Our Community Spotlight features Viva Calle on September 7th and the Junior League of San Jose's inaugural Find the Good Day on September 20th. For Take Action, I suggest ways to get involved with Catalyze SV, participate in community events, and practice daily community building.

What I'm Learning Sources:

• Santa Clara County Measure A Information
• NBC Bay Area: What to know about Measure A

Community Spotlight:

• Viva Calle San Jose - September 7th, 2025
• Junior League of San Jose - Find the Good Day event September 20th
• Find the Good Day International Movement

Guest Information:

• Alex Shoor - Community advocate and Catalyze SV member
• Catalyze Silicon Valley
• PATH (Palo Alto Housing) - Alex serves on advisory board

Alex's Social Media:

• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Bluesky
• Instagram

Mentioned in the Episode:

• Santa Clara Agrihood project
• Berryessa Flea Market advocacy
• Emma Prusch Farm Park
• St. James Park
• Tamien Park
• Barack Obama Street in San Jose
• Rose Garden Farmers Market
• Santa Clara Valley Medical Center

Take Action:

• Catalyze SV Monthly Meetings - 4th Wednesday of each month
• San José Spotlight - Local news source
• San Jose City Council Meetings - Available on YouTube
• Santa Clara County November 4, 2025 Special Election Information

How playgrounds became a pathway to community connection and civic engagement.

In this episode, I talk with Kristin from Silicon Valley Toddler about how documenting playgrounds led to building community and discovering the power of advocacy. We explore how shared spaces create connection, why accessibility matters in community building, and how personal experiences can spark systemic change. Kristin shares insights from over a decade of exploring Santa Clara County with families and offers a unique perspective on how we can make our city more family-friendly through thoughtful advocacy.

This episode's News You Need covers Santa Clara County's proposed sales tax measure responding to federal funding cuts. Our Community Spotlight features Women's Equality Day 2025, which celebrates community care and collective action. For Take Action, I suggest researching the November ballot measures and practicing playground advocacy to help strengthen our community connections.

News You Need Sources:

• County Board of Supervisors Votes to Place Sales Tax Measure on November Ballot
• Santa Clara County Federal Funding Information

Community Spotlight:

• Women's Equality Day 2025 - Eventbrite
• Santa Clara County Commission on the Status of Women

Guest Information:

• Silicon Valley Toddler Blog
• Follow Kristin on Instagram @siliconvalleytoddler

Mentioned in the Episode:

• Frank Bramhall Park - Willow Glen
• Ramac Park - South San Jose
• Emma Prusch Farm Park - East San Jose
• Hellyer Park - San Jose

• El Camino Hospital New Mom's Groups

Take Action:

• Santa Clara County Federal Funding Updates
• Contact your city's Parks and Recreation Department about playground shade
• Women's Equality Day 2025 Registration

Listen to Connection is Key on Spotify and Apple Podcasts
Follow on Instagram @feminist.athome.mom

Housing instability affects more of us than we realize - and the solutions that work best are being cut just when we need them most.

In this deeply personal episode, I close out our three-part housing series by sharing my own story of housing instability at 17. I explore essential housing definitions, dive into the data showing prevention works, and reflect on how my experience with my mom's chronic homelessness shaped—and then challenged—my understanding of our unhoused community.

This episode's What I'm Learning covers housing definitions from emergency shelter to Housing First, the devastating cuts to California's homelessness funding (San Jose alone losing $30 million annually), and why Santa Clara County's Homelessness Prevention System with its 91% success rate represents the future of housing justice. Our Community Spotlight features the San Jose Obon Festival, a beautiful example of how community creates belonging across generations. For Take Action, I suggest learning about tenant rights, supporting prevention services, and attending public meetings to understand how housing decisions get made.

What I'm Learning:

• ​CalMatters - "Homelessness is top of mind for many Californians. Why does the proposed budget eliminate funding for it?" - https://calmatters.org/housing/homelessness/2025/06/california-homelessness-funding-budget/
• ​San José Spotlight - "State could strip Silicon Valley's homeless funding" - https://sanjosespotlight.com/state-could-strip-silicon-valleys-homeless-funding/
• ​San José Spotlight - "Santa Clara County homelessness hits new high" - https://sanjosespotlight.com/santa-clara-county-homelessness-hits-new-high/
• ​Results for America - "Homelessness prevention system: Santa Clara County, CA" - https://catalog.results4america.org/case-studies/homelessness-prevention-system

Community Spotlight:

• ​San Jose Obon Festival - https://www.sjbetsuin.org/annual_obon_festival/
• ​Japantown Cultural District - https://japantownculturaldistrict.org/community-events/san-jose-obon-festival

Mentioned in the Episode:

• ​Santa Clara County Homelessness Prevention System - https://preventhomelessness.org/
• ​Destination: Home Prevention Information - https://destinationhomesv.org/homelessness-prevention/
• ​Notre Dame Wilson Sheehan Lab Study - https://leo.nd.edu/partners-projects/projects/homelessness-prevention/
• ​Santa Clara County Office of Supportive Housing - https://osh.santaclaracounty.gov/
• ​Santa Clara County Community Plan to End Homelessness - https://osh.santaclaracounty.gov/solutions-homelessness/community-plan-end-homelessness

Take Action:

• ​Santa Clara County Tenant Protection Unit - https://www.sccgov.org/sites/consumer/pages/tenant-protection-unit.aspx
• ​Homelessness Prevention System Application - Call (408) 926-8885 or email [email protected]
• ​Sacred Heart Community Service Volunteer Opportunities - https://www.sacredheartcs.org/volunteer
• ​San Jose City Council Meetings - https://www.sanjoseca.gov/your-government/departments-offices/city-clerk/meetings

Housing isn't just about having a roof over your head—it's about belonging, community connection, and creating a place where everyone can thrive.

In this episode, I talk with Claudine Sipili, Director of Lived Experience and Innovation at Destination: Home, about how housing challenges affect our entire community. We explore what real community looks like, the tension between temporary and permanent housing solutions, and how we can all be part of creating a more connected San Jose.

Claudine shares insights from her own lived experience with homelessness and her work supporting holistic approaches that see people as whole humans, not just clients. We discuss why misconceptions about homelessness create harmful distance between neighbors, and how small acts of empathy can transform communities.

This episode's What I'm Learning covers the recent San Jose City Council decision on "Responsibility to Shelter," the redirection of Measure E funds, and why we're still losing ground despite building thousands of new affordable homes. Our Community Spotlight features The Q Corner in honor of Pride month. For Take Action, I suggest listening first, practicing empathy, and getting involved with prevention efforts that keep neighbors housed before crisis hits.

What I'm Learning Sources:

• San José Spotlight - "Santa Clara County homelessness hits new high" - https://sanjosespotlight.com/santa-clara-county-homelessness-hits-new-high/

• Mercury News - "San Jose approves policy setting expectation that unhoused accept shelter" - https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/06/10/san-jose-approves-policy-setting-expectation-that-unhoused-accept-shelter/

Community Spotlight:

• The Q Corner - https://www.instagram.com/theqcorner

Guest Information:

• Destination: Home - https://destinationhomesv.org/

• Homelessness Prevention System - https://destinationhomesv.org/prevention/

• Silicon Valley Guaranteed Income Pilots - https://destinationhomesv.org/guaranteed-income/

Mentioned in the Episode:

• Measure A Housing Bond Results - https://destinationhomesv.org/news/

• Santa Clara County Office of Supportive Housing - https://www.sccgov.org/sites/osh/

• UCSF BHHI Statewide Homelessness Study - https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2023/06/425591/california-study-finds-majority-homeless-residents-want-help-housing

Take Action:

• Destination: Home Community Engagement & Advocacy - https://destinationhomesv.org/community-engagement-advocacy/

• Ways to Advocate - https://destinationhomesv.org/community-engagement-advocacy/ways-to-advocate/

How do we build compassionate solutions to homelessness while creating true community connections?

In this episode, I talk with Elizabeth Colorado, an advocate with the Lived Experience Advisory Board at Destination: Home, about housing, homelessness, and what real community solutions look like. Elizabeth shares her personal journey through homelessness, domestic violence, and incarceration, and explains why including people with lived experience in policy decisions is crucial for creating effective solutions. We explore the gaps in our current system, the barriers that prevent people from accessing help, and how neighbors can show up for each other during this critical moment in San Jose's approach to homelessness.

This episode's News You Need covers the clash between state and local approaches to homelessness - from Senate Bill 634's protection of basic survival to Mayor Mahan's "Responsibility to Shelter" initiative and Governor Newsom's model ordinance for encampment clearances. We also dive into the sobering statistics: while California helped 70,000 people exit homelessness last year, 190,000 became homeless for the first time, and in Santa Clara County, 1.7 households fall into homelessness for every one that exits. Our Community Spotlight features Make Music Day San José, a city-wide celebration bringing together musicians and music lovers across every neighborhood on June 21st. For Take Action, I suggest attending community events that matter to you, educating yourself on local issues, and finding moments of joy to sustain your community engagement.

News You Need Sources:

• Senate Bill 634 - Homelessness: civil and criminal penalties - California Legislature
• Governor Newsom's Model Ordinance for Encampment Response - Governor of California
• San Jose Mayor's "Responsibility to Shelter" Initiative - Office of Mayor Matt Mahan

Community Spotlight:

• Make Music Day San José - makemusicday.org/sanjose
• FoxTale Fermentation Project - foxtale.beer
• San Jose Museum of Art - sjmusart.org

Guest Information:

• Elizabeth Colorado - Destination: Home
• Lived Experience Advisory Board - Contact through Destination: Home

Take Action:

• Find local advocacy events - Check Eventbrite San Jose and community organization websites
• Learn about San Jose city budget - City of San José Budget Information
• Make Music Day San José venues and schedule - makemusicday.org/sanjose
• Contact your representatives about housing policy - City of San José Council Districts

Sometimes building community takes resources that aren't equally available to everyone.

In this solo episode, I explore the uncomfortable reality that access to meaningful community connection isn't equal for everyone. I reflect on my own journey building community in San Jose as an extrovert with time and resources, and examine how barriers like time poverty, cultural differences, and economic inequality affect who gets to participate in community life. We also dig into how our individualistic culture makes connection harder, and why we need to democratize access to community belonging.

This episode's News You Need covers Santa Clara County budget cuts affecting senior nutrition programs and San Jose's controversial shift of Measure E housing funds toward temporary shelters. Our Community Spotlight features SV@Home's Women Leading in Housing Brunch, which creates intentional intergenerational community building in the housing justice movement. For Take Action, I suggest hosting "connection with purpose" gatherings, supporting senior nutrition programs, and learning about time poverty research.

LINKS & RESOURCES

News You Need Sources:

• County Supervisors disagree with City’s plans to change Measure E funding

• Santa Clara County Senior Nutrition Program

Community Spotlight:

• SV@Home 

Take Action:

In this episode, I explore what it means to grow up in San Jose with local author Hannah Jayne. We discuss the tension between preserving what makes our city special while embracing necessary change. Hannah shares her childhood memories of "The Valley of Heart's Delight," from backyard creeks to apricot orchards, and offers insights on building authentic community connections in our rapidly evolving city.

I also highlight Santa Clara County's new immigrant support initiative, VTA's Tamien Station development project, and the return of "Viva Parks" program bringing free activities to neighborhood parks. Plus, don't miss the upcoming SJMADE Fest at History Park (May 31-June 1) featuring 250+ local makers, food trucks, and even a Kitten Lounge!

• Santa Clara County One County, One Future
• VTA Tamien Station Development
• San Jose Viva Parks/Placemaking
• SJMADE Fest
• San Jose Downtown Association
• History San Jose
• San Jose Woman's Club
• Cancer Care Point
• San Jose Area Writing Project