In this episode, I continue my conversation with the Si Se Puede Collective - Veronica Goei (Grail Family Services), Shawn Gerth (Veggielution), Victor Vasquez (Somos Mayfair), Jessica Paz-Cedillos (School of Arts and Culture), and Maritza Maldonado (Amigos de Guadalupe). We explore what happens when interdependence gets tested: warm handoffs instead of failed referrals, the power of five voices speaking as one, and how they turned the city's "no" into a vaccination model that got replicated across the region.
This episode's What I'm Learning covers reflecting on 2025's federal cuts, new California laws, and what I'm watching in 2026 - including five San Jose City Council seats up for election. Our Community Spotlight features MLK Day events including the 46th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Luncheon.
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What I'm Learning Sources:
• San Jose Spotlight - "What is San Jose's purpose?" editorial
• Santa Clara County Measure A information
• California minimum wage increase to $18.45/hour (effective January 1, 2026)
• New California laws: equal pay protections, gender-neutral restrooms in schools, student immigration rights postings
• San Jose City Council elections 2026 - 5 seats up
Community Spotlight:
• 46th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Luncheon - African American Community Service Agency - aaborgsj.org
• MLK Day of Service Tree Planting - Our City Forest - ourcityforest.org
• MLK Day Cleanup - Keep Coyote Creek Beautiful - keepcoyotecreekbeautiful.org
Guest Information - Si Se Puede Collective:
• Amigos de Guadalupe (Maritza Maldonado, Founder & CEO) - amigosdeguadalupe.org
• Grail Family Services (Veronica Goei, Executive Director) - grailfamilyservices.org
• School of Arts and Culture at Mexican Heritage Plaza (Jessica Paz-Cedillos, Executive Director) - schoolofartsandculture.org
• Somos Mayfair (Victor Vasquez, Co-Executive Director) - somosmayfair.org
• Veggielutione (Shawn Gerth, Executive Director) - veggielution.org
Mentioned in the Episode:
• Mexican Heritage Plaza - La Plaza, site of COVID vaccination and food distribution
• Gardner Health Services - partnered on vaccine administration
• Martha's Kitchen - marthaskitchen.org
• Loaves and Fishes - loavesfishes.org
• Hunger at Home - hungerathome.org
• Tony and Alba's Pizza (Diana and Al) - free meals for kids during SNAP disruption
• 95116 zip code - Mayfair neighborhood, East San Jose
Take Action:
Connection is resistance. Joy is resistance. Don't let this chaos tear us apart.
• Think about who's in your collective
• Practice the warm handoff
• Honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on January 19th
LINKS & RESOURCESWhat I'm Learning Sources:Community Spotlight:Guest Information - Si Se Puede Collective:Mentioned in the Episode:Take Action:
