Archives: Resources

Proteus, Inc.

Complementing its employment training and placement services, Proteus provides childcare and youth educational programming, safety training, and energy assistance. In addition to service centers, Proteus, Inc operates mobile service units to increase availability and impact on rural areas. Multi-language: Spanish
Counties Served: Fresno, Kings, Kern, Tulare and Los Angeles Member of
La Cooperativa Campesina

For Minimum Wage Workers, Rent Is Now Unaffordable in Every County in America

7/16/21 There is now not a single state or county in the US where a minimum wage worker on a 40-hour week can afford a two-bedroom home at the fair market rent, according to a report published by the National Low Income Housing Coalition this week. In 93 percent of US counties, such full-time minimum wage workers can’t afford a one-bedroom apartment, either.
“The enduring problem of housing unaffordability requires bold investments in housing solutions that will ensure stability in the future” said NLIHC President and CEO Diane Yentel in an emailed statement. “Without a significant federal intervention, housing will continue to be out of reach for millions of renters.”

Trabajos del Campo

7/21 Trabajosdelcampo.com: is an anonymous Job Review Platform for migrant and seasonal farmworkers in North America. The goal is to improve the working and living conditions of farmworkers across the US and Canada by providing a platform to communicate freely about farm job working conditions(think Glassdoor for farmworkers).
The Anonymous Job Review Website Concept has already brought transparency and accountability to the workplace across numerous industries. Trabajosdelcampo.com will bring the concept to those who need it most, our Nations’ Farmworkers.

For U.S. Latinos, COVID-19 Has Taken a Personal and Financial Toll

7/15/21 More than a year into the pandemic, Latinos in the United States say COVID-19 has harmed them and their loved ones in many ways. About half say a family member or close friend has been hospitalized or died from the coronavirus, and a similar share say they or someone in their household has lost a job or taken a pay cut during the pandemic. Yet amid these hardships, Latinos are upbeat about the future. Nearly two-thirds say the worst of the coronavirus outbreak is behind the country, and a majority say they expect their financial situation and that of their family to improve over the next year.

La Cooperativa Campesina de California

A 501 c (3) corporation, is the statewide association of agencies implementing and administering farm worker service programs including employment training, advocacy and disaster relief. Members: California Human Development Corporation (CHDC) | Center for Employment Training (CET) | Central Valley Opportunity Center (CVOC) | Employers’ Training Resource (ETR) | Proteus, Inc. | Multi-language: Spanish

San Francisco Respect and Love Toolkits

This toolkit serves as a practical demonstration of San Francisco’s commitment to serve and support all people. These resources are available for those who live in fear
stemming from their immigration status and to educate and inform their allies. The toolkit includes ways to identify and find support for newcomers, ensuring that San
Francisco is a safe and inclusive city for everyone, offering access to important services geared toward integration and inclusion. This is a snapshot of the services available in San Francisco; for a more comprehensive look, please visit www.sfgov.org/oceia/immigrant-affairs or call 311 and press 3 for “other services.” Key Words: Sanctuary Multi-language:
Spanish |
Vietnamese |
Chinese |
Arabic |
Russian

Christians and the Vaccine

Should I take the COVID vaccine?
This is a question that everyone must answer for themselves.
For some Christians, this question runs into a particular set of roadblocks. These are serious issues, and they deserve a thoughtful and biblical response.
We have gathered as a coalition to provide information about the vaccine from trusted Christian voices. We make the case that Christians should take the vaccine. But as important as the action itself is, we believe the decision making process matters just as much. Key Words: Misinformation

5 Things To Know About the Delta Variant

7/22/21 For the first time in more than a year, we’re feeling some hope”or at least cautious optimism”that the pandemic could recede to the background. But experts want us to know that there is still a concern that new mutations of the virus could bring it back, and it might be even stronger.
From what we know so far, people who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus appear to have protection against Delta, but anyone who is unvaccinated and not practicing preventive strategies is at risk for infection by the new variant, the doctors say.
Key Words: Pandemic, COVID-19

Santa Clara County wants employers to require vaccines for employees

7/22/21 Health officers from three Bay Area counties announced Thursday that they want all employers to require their employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19, with few exceptions.
“With the rise in COVID-19 cases leaving unvaccinated individuals at risk for serious illness and death, the health officers of Contra Costa, Santa Clara and San Francisco counties strongly urge all employers to consider implementing workplace COVID-19 safety protocols that require their workforce to get fully vaccinated as soon as possible” said Dr. George Han, deputy health officer for Santa Clara County. “We know vaccines are the best tool we have to combat COVID-19 and they are safe and effective even in the context of the Delta variant.”

Dignity Not Detention

The Dignity Not Detention Act, passed in 2017 in California, is the first law in the country to halt immigration
detention growth and create more transparency and accountability in the U.S. immigration detention system. This is huge because California detains a quarter of all people in U.S. immigration detention each year. What
California does has a dramatic effect on the immigration detention
The bills that were signed into law in California are not perfect, but they are a huge step forward. Essentially, the
bills place a moratorium on immigration detention growth in the state of CA.

Without masks, even the fully-vaccinated can play a part in spreading the COVID Delta variant

6/30/21 As cases of the Delta variant continue to multiply, L.A. County health officials warn this newly-minted “Pandemic of the Unvaccinated” will start to take a dangerous turn.
The county health department “strongly” recommended people mask indoors in public places regardless of vaccination status. The reason is the increased spread of the far more contagious Delta variant.
“It’s 50 to 60% more contagious than the Alpha variant which is 50 to 60% more contagious than the original,” said Dr. Kenneth Kim with Ark Clinical Research in Long Beach.

After Hurricane Maria Comic

Throughout 2017 and 2018 I investigated how low-income families in Puerto Rico recovered from Hurricane Maria, which devastated the Caribbean island in September 2017. Alongside the brilliant illustrator John Cei Douglas, I turned this ethnographic research into a comic, FREE to download in English and in Spanish. Although the comic tells the story of a fictional family, “After Maria” is based on the experiences that tie together all of the families I spoke to.
Spanish

Welcoming Center Tool Kit – ENGAGING IMMIGRANT TALENT

7/21 This study was conducted during the global pandemic (COVID-19) with businesses and organizations switching nonessential operations to remote work. Further, during 2020, there was civil and social unrest due to the exposure of racial and gender disparities across many health, economic, and criminal justice systems in Philadelphia, as well as across the United States. The role of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the exposure to the social and political upheaval was at the forefront of our minds in the development of this tool. Key Words: Cultural Competence

Supreme Court Denies Bond Hearings to People Pursuing Protection Claims Who Have Prior Removal Orders

6/30/21 The Supreme Court issued a decision on June 29 in the Johnson v. Guzman Chavez case. The majority of the justices determined that people with prior removal orders are subject to mandatory detention, even while they pursue proceedings to stop their deportation to a country where they established they have a reasonable fear of persecution or torture.
Without the opportunity to be released on bond, these individuals face months and even years in detention as they pursue protection in what are known as withholding-only proceedings. Withholding of removal is a form of protection that prohibits the U.S. government from deporting someone to a country where they will be persecuted or tortured.

More Contagious Delta Variant Now Dominating California

7/7/21 The rapid spread of the more contagious Delta variant is now causing concern among health officials who warn of a possible outbreak of the infection in communities with low vaccination rates.
While people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 may have high protection levels against the more transmissible variant, people who have not yet received vaccine shots have fallen ill, according to a data analysis by the Los Angeles Times.
The Delta variant is believed to be at least 60% more transmissible than the Alpha variant… Key Words COVID-19

SCC OIR Newsletter: June 2021

This month we celebrate our LGBTQ+ community by recognizing trailblazers that have fought for our rights to exist fully and authentically and we uplift Immigrant Heritage Month as we acknowledge the contributions of our essential workers, contributions to our economy ,and honor the sacrifices made for a better life! We continue to fight against anti-Asian hate and push for more immigration relief efforts. Additionally, we reflect on the long history of Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19th in remembrance of the day all people living in the United States, including formerly enslaved, were granted freedom. This year, President Biden signed a bill acknowledging Juneteenth as a national holiday.

Tsunami hazard map: The Bay Area neighborhoods you should flee on foot

7/9/21 An interactive map from the California Geological Survey shows which Bay Area neighborhoods should be evacuated on foot when there’s risk of a tsunami. If you’re there when a long earthquake hits, walk to safety in the green zone
An overview of CA Tsunami Preparedness Guide, including tsunami hazard map and data, and how the state presents updates to these.

Solidarity in Isolation? Social Cohesion at a Time of Physical Distance

7/21 Report from Migration Policy – In addition to its widespread public-health and economic impacts, the COVID-19 pandemic has challenged social cohesion in many countries by forcing changes in how people interact. Physical connection, the most human response to collective adversity, has been largely out of reach during long periods of lockdown, social distancing, and remote work and learning. The temporary closure of public spaces such as libraries and schools has also limited the spontaneous, casual encounters that can build bridges between disparate groups.

From fields to the frontlines- Chava Bustamante inspires next generation

7/16/21 Bustamante came to the US from Mexico in 1968 and worked in the fields for the next 12 years. He came into contact with the United Farm Workers union in Salinas, and participated in his first strike that year. He formally joined the union in 1975.
The labor organizer, who recently stepped down as executive director of Latinos United for a New America (LUNA), was striking with the United Farm Workers in Salinas. He was sentenced to three months in Monterey County Jail for the strike, and upon release he took a long walk back home and started thinking about his future.

State rent relief program serves South Bay residents

7/16/21 When California started its COVID-19 rent relief program in April with a plan to disburse $33 million in federal funds to San Jose residents, the city and Santa Clara County decided to run their own joint program for extremely low income households.
But this hybrid approach creates problems, state officials say.
“We have two programs in the same area”¦ which just creates a really difficult logistical scenario for both of us” said Jessica Hayes, branch chief of disaster recovery for California’s Department of Housing and Community Development. “It created this very complicated process of trying to figure out how to send people to the right place, and if they didn’t get them to the right place, trying to figure out how not to compromise their information.”

CADRE Connection Newsletter – January 2024

Monthly news from the Santa Clara County chapter of NVOAD (National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster). Information and resources for local, state and national disaster training and relief programs available to Santa Clara County residents. News and updates about CADRE partner organizations, and opportunities to collaborate. The CADRE Newsletter is hosted by SVCN (Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits). Key Words: Disaster Preparation, SCC

How to get emergency alerts about California wildfires and other disasters

7/9/21 Wildfire season is here. And because a fire can start and spread in mere moments, the best way to survive is to get out of the fire’s path – quickly.
Every fire season there are countless reports of people who relied on alerts that never arrived because they didn’t know they needed to sign up for them. In other instances, the equipment failed. Or the alert arrived, but residents were confused about how and where to evacuate.
Thanks to the recent advancements, officials can now notify and protect residents with life-saving instructions and information through specialized mass communication tools.

San Jose’s Vietnamese community struggles with its political voice

7/9/21 In a city with the largest Vietnamese population in the nation, Vietnamese Americans are still struggling to find their voices in politics.
The lack”and loss”of Vietnamese representation in San Jose politics is the result of a number of factors, community leaders say, including an inherited distrust in politics and a generational and ideological division in the community.

Young children will pay the price if enough US adults don’t get vaccinated, says expert

7/15/21 Children will likely pay the price for adults in the US not getting vaccinated at high enough rates to slow or stop the spread of Covid-19, which has been surging in most states, a vaccine expert said.
If vaccination rates among adults and kids 12 and older keep lagging amid increased spread of the Delta variant, the youngest members of the population will be most affected, said Dr. Peter Hotez, a vaccinologist and dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine.

The Delta Variant Is a Grave Danger to the Unvaccinated

6/23/21 First detected in India, Delta has at least a dozen mutations, including several … that make it vastly more contagious and possibly more lethal and vaccine-resistant. In India, the Delta variant contributed to the most devastating coronavirus wave the world has seen so far;
Delta drives an even wider wedge between vaccinated and unvaccinated people. They have already been living in separate worlds, facing vastly different risks of illness and death; now, their risk levels will diverge further. People who’ve been fully vaccinated can, by and large, feel confident in the immunity that they’ve received. But those who remain susceptible should understand that, for them, this is probably the most dangerous moment of the pandemic.

Bad to horrific’: Racial discrimination and wealth inequality grew under COVID-19

6/23/21 Inequality in Silicon Valley has gone from “bad to horrific” over the pandemic, as indicators such as hunger, homelessness, income inequality and the wealth gap have all increased since last June, new research shows.
“While our community was shocked at the incredibly high levels of racial discrimination and income and wealth inequality detailed in the 2020 (report), the 2021 Silicon Valley Pain Index shows how the level of inequality during this pandemic has gone from bad to horrific” the report said.
The Silicon Valley Pain Index, conducted by the San Jose State University Human Rights Institute, is an annual report focusing on racial discrimination and income inequality in the region. The report was inspired by an index compiled about New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

Violence against women during covid-19 pandemic restrictions

5/7/20 Protections for women and girls must be built into response plans
As the covid-19 pandemic intensifies, its gendered effects have begun to gain attention. Though data are scarce, media coverage and reports from organizations that respond to violence against women reveal an alarming picture of increased reports of intimate partner violence during this outbreak, including partners using physical distancing measures to further isolate affected women from resources.

Gov. Newsom, lawmakers agree to extend eviction ban, cover back rent

6/25/21 The proposal ” funded by $7.2 billion in federal and state money ” would fully reimburse landlords for debt accrued by tenants during the pandemic and cover missed utility bills, making it among the most generous packages in the country. It also directs money toward city and county relief programs overwhelmed with demand, and it allows renters to directly receive relief payments even if their landlords refuse to apply.
The bill extends an eviction ban to September 30, the third extension of renter protections since Newsom’s executive order in March 2020. The emergency bill needs approval of the legislature by Wednesday. KEY WORDS: covid-19, Pandemic

Biden Will Admit Asylum Seekers Ordered Deported Under Trump’s Migrant Protection Protocols

6/23/21 Asylum seekers who were ordered deported for missing their U.S. court hearings under the Trump administration’s so-called Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP)”informally known as the “Remain in Mexico” program”will be allowed to restart their proceedings in the United States. Thousands of others whose cases were terminated because of procedural errors before they had a chance to seek asylum will also be allowed to restart the process.

National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD)

One in five people have learning and attention issues, including specific learning disabilities like dyslexia and/or attention issues like ADHD. These individuals are just as capable as their peers, but many struggle in school and beyond because they fail to get the support they need. We know that with the right support, they can thrive. NCLD works every day to make meaningful change for individuals with learning and attention issues.

Archive – Fire risk amid a housing crisis – California’s challenging new reality

6/22/21 Even as Gov. Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers rush to extend California’s eviction moratorium before it expires next week, another big deadline looms on the horizon. In November, the state’s moratorium on insurance companies dropping coverage for Californians living in wildfire-prone areas is set to end ” meaning at least 2.1 million residents could soon find themselves without homeowners’ insurance.

This bill was meant to protect California workers from COVID. These counties are using it to protect employers instead.

6/21/21 In the thick of the pandemic, California adopted a law to tell workers of dangers their employers often kept secret: Which workplaces had suffered outbreaks of COVID-19, and how severe they were. Yet six months after the law took effect, most employees know scarcely more than before, a Bay Area News Group investigation has found.
Only about one-third of the state’s 58 counties released specific information on workplace outbreaks in response to recent public records requests, and those specifics varied wildly.

Where To Find Scholarships For Latino And Hispanic Students

6/18/21 prior to Covid-19, Hispanic and Latino students were enrolling in college at record numbers. From 2000 to 2016, Latino 18- to 24-year-olds’ college enrollment rate grew from 22% to 39%, according to a 2019 report from UnidosUS, an advocacy group.
Latino families were disproportionately affected by job losses and illness, the number of first-year Hispanic and Latino college students dropped by 20%, IN THE fALL OF 2020, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.
If your finances have been affected and you’re worried about how to pay for college, there are many scholarships for Hispanics and Latinos available to help offset the cost.

Bay Area has become more segregated over decades, report says

6/21/21 The Bay Area has become more racially segregated since 1990, mirroring a long-running national trend of cities and neighborhoods dividing more starkly along ethnic lines, according to a new study by UC Berkeley researchers.
Oakland, Fremont, San Francisco and San Jose are all among cities ranked as “highly segregated” by the university’s Othering & Belonging Institute.
Although the Bay Area has one of the country’s most diverse populations, researchers say ethnic groups have settled into homogenous neighborhoods, often hindering economic advancement in segregated communities of color. But the Bay Area is not alone ” more than 8 in 10 metro areas have become more exclusionary in recent decades.

Why a Santa Clara County judge is having people sign a U.S. flag

5/28/21 Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Johnny Gogo has been taking a U.S. flag with 48 stars around the Bay Area ” and the country ” in a campaign to remember the survivors of one of the darkest periods of our nation’s history, the forced internment of Japanese Americans during World War II.
Gogo, a former Santa Clara County prosecutor, was inspired after Judge Roberta Hayashi reached out to him to get more involved in Fred Korematsu Day events. He came up with a plan to get a 48-star flag ” that’s how many states there were in the 1940s ” and find internment survivors sign it. But he had no idea just how important it would become.

SJ Language Access Policy

11/10/16 The purpose of this policy is to ensure that San Jose City employees make reasonable efforts to minimize
barriers to accessing City programs or services for customers with limited English proficiency and ensure equal access regardless of language proficiency and cultural background.
The City will make reasonable efforts to notify the public about its limited English proficiency policies for department programs and services and how to access language assistance services through departmental websites, translated documents, and community-focused outreach.
Multi-language I Speak Cards
Key Words: Cultural Competence, Disaster, LEP, SCC Language Bank

Older undocumented immigrants to get Medi-Cal health care in CA

6/30/21 California plans to extend Medi-Cal health coverage to some 235,000 low-income undocumented immigrants over the age of 50 – offering the most expansive health coverage in the nation to people without legal residency.
The state already offers Medi-Cal health care to immigrant children and young adults under the age of 26. This latest expansion, once it receives final approval, will mean that many undocumented immigrants, except those who are 26 to 50, will be eligible.

Free WiFi Hotspots for Low Income SJ Families

6/25/21 CreaTV is working to bridge the digital divide and we’ve got you connected! If you or anyone in your household is under the age of 24 and needs a stable internet connection or has challenges with speeds or data caps, Wifi hotspots are available for a year at no charge to low-income households in San José. We are here to help you stay on top of all your virtual activities and summer learning goals. For more information and to see if you qualify please call (408) 200-2421 or email community@creatvsj.org

READY, SET, GO! Wildfire Action Plan

You can dramatically increase your safety and the survivability of your property by preparing well in advance of a wildfire. This brochure provides comprehensive information on how to improve your home’s resistance to
wildfires and prepare your family to be ready to leave early in a safe manner. The guide illustrates the importance of having defensible space around your home and it will help educate you about the preparations you need to make so you can leave early and evacuate well ahead of a wildfire. Multi-language:
Spanish

One Nation 2020 Report – AAPIs Rising to Fight Dual Pandemics Covid-19 and Racism

10/20 The One Nation Commission Report II, edited by author and journalist Helen Zia, with contributions by Viet Nguyen and AAPI researchers, provides the facts, data, new research, curated stories, and imagery that prove and bring to life the impact on AAPIs of COVID-19 and the compounding effects of the simultaneous rise in anti-Asian hate.
Undertesting, racism, and a lack of disaggregated data Have led to misunderstanding the impact of COVID-19 on the AAPI community.

Congress passes bill to fight hate crimes vs. Asian Americans

5/19/21 Congress approved legislation Tuesday intended to curtail a striking rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, sending President Joe Biden a bipartisan denunciation of the spate of brutal attacks that have proliferated during coronavirus pandemic.
The bill, which the House passed on a 364-62 vote, will expedite the review of hate crimes at the Justice Department and make grants available to help local law enforcement agencies improve their investigation, identification and reporting of incidents driven by bias, which often go underreported. It previously passed the Senate 94-1 in April after lawmakers reached a compromise. Biden has said he will sign it.

Employer Vaccination Toolkit

5/21/21 The Employer Vaccination Toolkit provides employers with vaccine education materials, information on COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave and other guidance for employees, and an online form to request vaccination support.
Employers interested in requesting group appointments at nearby providers, or setting up a mobile or pop-up vaccination clinic at their workplace, must complete an online form. A representative will follow up within three business days, and requests will be filled as resources allow. There is no financial cost to the employer. Multi-language:
Spanish

National Integrated Drought Information System

View up-to-date drought conditions down to the city and county level, including temperature, and precipitation conditions, key drought indicators, outlooks, historical conditions, and water supply, agriculture, and public health maps. The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) is updated each Thursday to show the location and intensity of drought across the country. This map shows drought conditions across California using a five-category system, from Abnormally Dry (D0) conditions to Exceptional Drought (D4). The USDM is a joint effort of the National Drought Mitigation Center, USDA, and NOAA. Key Words: Weather, Water

Stop AAPI Hate- Inside the California organization tracking anti-Asian hate incidents

6/7/21 Stop AAPI Hate has recorded nearly 7,000 hate incidents involving Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders nationwide
Volunteers review each report submitted by community members to the Stop AAPI Hate website; more than 2,800 came in during March alone. Women reported more than two thirds of all incidents in the coalition’s most recent national report. About 44% involved Chinese Americans.
While about 12% of survivors said they experienced some form of physical assault, more than two-thirds reported verbal harassment. Others reported civil rights violations, such as workplace discrimination, or online attacks.

Non-profit Racial Equity Pledge

The disparate health and economic impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on Silicon Valley communities of color are a profound illustration of the devastating cost of systemic racism
130 nonprofit leaders, recognize these inequities and commit to action for racial justice. They pledge to take anti-racist stances in our community, and to incorporate core values of racial equity, inclusion, and diversity in their organizations. Key Words: SVCN

Not Just a Latino Issue: Undocumented Asians in America

3/21 Of all migrants to the U.S., 40% come from Asia, and out of 18 million Asian Americans in the country, 1.7 million are undocumented. Undocumented status in the U.S. is a civil, not criminal, violation. Comprising nearly 6% of the total population, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) are the fastest growing racial group in America. At the same time, Southeast Asians and Pacific Islanders are deported at a rate of three times more than that of immigrants as a whole.

Outsmart Disaster

5/21 The Outsmart Disaster campaign aims to equip California businesses with the tools they need to get back to business faster in the face of any disaster. Key Words: Employer, preparation
The Resilient Business Challenge is a virtual, self-guided process composed of five steps. Each step covers a different topic and includes assessments, materials, training, and processes to help your business become more resilient. Also available: Resiliency Tool Kit

My Undocumented Life

Our mission is to provide up-to-date information and resources to undocumented students, their families, and allies (including educators, counselors, and administrators). We post scholarship opportunities that are open to undocumented students, strategies for navigating the educational system while undocumented, information on how to apply for DACA, key upcoming immigration-related events, news on immigration policies, and much more. Most importantly, we want to provide a sense of community to our diverse group of readers. Multi-language: Key Words: Financial Aid

As laws tackle anti-Asian attacks, advocates push focus to the hate behind the crime

6/13/21 Rather than wait for new crimes against Asian Americans, community leaders push for more actions and policies to address root causes of racial animus

As anti-Asian assaults and harassment continue to surge across the country, community leaders are trying to redirect the unprecedented political and legislative attention on hate crimes against Asian Americans toward policies aimed at addressing the underlying racism fueling these attacks.

The Rising Tide of Violence and Discrimination Against Asian American and Pacific Islander Women and Girls

6/1/21 Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI)
women and girls are prime targets of hate and
discrimination against the AAPI community. The
recent shootings across several Atlanta spas that
claimed the lives of eight people, including six Asian American women, came on the heels of a staggering increase in hate incidents targeting the AAPI community. Key Words: Hate Crimes, Chinese

Free Ride to Vaccine Clinics

Anyone can call 408-809-2124 (TTY 408-321-2330) to request a free round trip ride to any Santa Clara County sponsored vaccination site, at least 2 days before. Also, assistance with making an appointment if requested. Driver will wait and take rider home. Up to 3 people in a party. Children under 18 yrs must have a guardian.

Archive – California says changes ahead for rental relief programLandlords, tenants say relief has been slow

6/10/21 After widespread criticism from tenants and landlords, state officials said Thursday they plan to streamline applications and step-up outreach efforts to more quickly deliver $2.6 billion in emergency rental assistance.
Despite nearly 200,000 applications requesting $543 million to cover unpaid rent, just $40 million has been distributed across California, according to state data. Advocacy groups continued to sound alarms, saying the state needs to accelerate the distribution of relief checks or risk a wave of evictions when a state moratorium expires June 30.
Housing is Key COVID-19 Rent Relief App

Silicon Valley, a Global Pandemic,and a Better Normal

6/21 The COVID-19 crisis has caused major disruption across Silicon Valley and exacerbated long-standing structural inequities, demanding a strong response. Silicon Valley has never been satisfied with the status quo, so we set our sights higher. Our Silicon Valley Recovery Roundtable (SVRR) colleagues were tasked with finding ways to emerge from the pandemic into a better, more inclusive, and more equitable region where we could make strides toward resolving long-standing challenges,
and address those magnified by COVID-19.

CDC warns of increasing teen hospitalizations due to COVID

6/4/21 It’s been less than a month that those age 12 to 15 have been able to get the COVID-19 vaccine, but medical experts say it’s more important than ever.
“Early in the pandemic, a year ago we were told the messaging was children don’t get infected or sick or transmit to others all of those are false statements” Stanford Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Yvonne Maldonado said.

Demand for Silicon Valley food pantries remains high

5/30/21 Second Harvest served 250,000 people pre-pandemic. But since last year, the food bank has doubled its number of beneficiaries. According to a recent survey of food pantry clients conducted by Second Harvest, 57% of respondents reported having less than $100 in savings. More than 70% of respondents indicated that someone in their household lost a job or had work hours reduced due to the pandemic.
A recent report by the California Association of Food Banks says that statewide food insecurity increased 2.5 times in 2020 compared to pre-pandemic levels, affecting 10 million Californians.

What to do if you lost your Vaccine Card

5/24/21 With California quickly reopening, and businesses increasingly requiring proof of vaccines from employees and customers, it’s time to remember where you stashed your precious COVID-19 vaccination card. It could soon become like a second ticket required for sporting events, international travel and a return to some semblance of normalcy. So what happens if you lost it ” or the dog ate it ” or maybe you never got a card in the first place?
Here’s what you need to know about how to get a new vaccine card, where to store it and more.

711 Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS)

Free TTY-based Telecommunications Relay Services permit persons with a hearing or speech disability to use the telephone system via a text telephone (TTY) or other device to call persons with or without such disabilities.

Dial 711 to be automatically connected to a TRS communications assistant. It’s fast, functional and free. Dialing 711, both voice and TTY-based TRS users can initiate a call from any telephone, anywhere in the US, without having to remember and dial a ten-digit access number.
Multi-language:
Spanish |
Vietnamese |
Chinese |
Tagalog |
Korean |
Key Words: Access and Functional Needs, Communication, AFN

Guide to Promoting Immigrant Health

Undocumented Californians have the legal right to use public services.
A collection of multi-language public messages on resource eligibility for undocumented immigrants, powerpoints and downloadable materials for service providers to educate immigrants on their rights.
Info on Public Charge, COVID-19 vaccine and treatment, MediCare, EITC, language interpretation rights, and more.

How COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy puts others at risk

5/8/21 As long as some people remain hesitant to get the shot, the virus will continue to circulate – and could cause infection in others, whose immune systems aren’t vigorous enough to fully defend them.
They’re insulated only when so many other people are fully vaccinated that the virus can’t find enough people to infect, then stops its spread.
The vulnerable include elders, people born with faulty immune systems and people who must take immunosuppressant drugs for illnesses ranging from cancer to rheumatoid arthritis. Also at risk are people who would love to be vaccinated, but can’t because of life-threatening allergies.

CRISP (Collaborative Resources for Immigrant Services on the Peninsula)

a collaborative project involving seven member organizations whose shared mission is to provide free or low-cost immigration legal services to children, families, and the elderly living in Peninsula communities. CRISP partners rely on collaborative engagement and referral processes, high quality legal representation and support, and coordinated outreach efforts that enable more efficient delivery of immigration services and support in the Peninsula region. Serving San Mateo County. The partner agencies include:
Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach (API Legal Outreach) |
Catholic Charities Center for Immigration Legal and Support Services |
Coastside Hope (CH) |
Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto (CLSEPA) |
Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) |
Immigration Institute of the Bay Area – Redwood City Office (IIBA-RWC) |
La Raza Centro Legal (LRCL) |
Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County (LASSMC) |

Children Now Account For 22% of New U.S. COVID Cases. Why Is That?

5/3/21 The number of children contracting COVID-19 in the U.S. is much lower than the record highs set at the start of the new year, but children now account for more than a fifth of new coronavirus cases in states that release data by age, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. It’s a statistic that may surprise many: Just one year ago, child COVID-19 cases made up only around 3% of the U.S. total.
Key Words: Pandemic

CWS Commends President Biden for Fulfilling Pledge to Increase Refugee Admissions Goal to 62,500 in FY 2021

5/3/21 Setting the stage to set an admissions goal of 125,000 next year, CWS urges the administration to immediately rebuild the resettlement program to resettle as many refugees as possible this year
Church World Service today commended President Biden’s announcement to formally increase the FY 2021 refugee admissions goal to 62,500 for the remainder of the fiscal year. This will allow thousands of screened refugees to finally be resettled in the United States to join family members, escape peril, and build new lives in safety. This follows a months-long delay in finalizing an increased admissions goal, which jeopardized the safety of many and had already caused irreparable damage to thousands of refugees who were already approved for resettlement.

Refugees arriving in US unlikely to exceed cap set by Trump

5/16/21 President Joe Biden, under political pressure, agreed to admit four times as many refugees this budget year as his predecessor did, but resettlement agencies concede the number actually allowed into the U.S. will be closer to the record-low cap of 15,000 set by former President Donald Trump.
Refugee advocates say they are grateful for the increase because it’s symbolically important to show the world the United States is back as a humanitarian leader at a time when the number of refugees worldwide is the highest since World War II. But they’re frustrated, too, because more refugees could have been admitted if Biden hadn’t dragged his feet.

Jewish Community Relations Council

For decades, JCRC has led the Bay Area Jewish community to create and strengthen coalitions, and to build bridges with other ethnic, civic and faith groups to advance a civil and just society. In recent years, we have worked in coalition on immigration, economic and racial justice, human trafficking, poverty and other policy matters. Offices in San Mateo and San Francisco

Biden is taking steps to improve legal representation for the poor

5/18/21 President Biden on Tuesday released a plan to bolster legal services for the poor, an overlooked and underfunded element of the justice reform agenda that he campaigned on implementing to address inequality and police violence.
Ahead of his trip to Michigan, Mr. Biden signed a memorandum directing the Department of Justice to reopen the Access to Justice Office, a 2010 Obama-era initiative intended to create new legal services programs that was shut down under President Donald J. Trump.
He will also reconstitute a task force in the White House to discuss expansion of legal aid for low-income people and minority groups.

Overwhelming majority of California’s Asian Americans fear physical violence, poll says

5/7/21 In the wake of a rash of alarming hate crimes nationwide, more Californians are acknowledging that Asian Americans experience discrimination, and an overwhelming majority of Asian Americans report that they fear becoming victims of hate-based violence, a new survey says.
The California Community Poll, which surveys Californians about politics, race and current events in conjunction with the Los Angeles Times, found that 70% of Californians agree that Asians are “frequently or sometimes” discriminated against.

Uber, Lyft to Provide Free Rides to Covid-19 Vaccine Sites Until July 4

5/11/21 Ride-sharing companies Uber Technologies Inc. and Lyft Inc. will make all rides to and from vaccination sites free until July 4 under a new partnership with the White House.
While the companies were already providing free or discounted rides in some circumstances, the rides will now be free to anyone in the U.S. who is going to a vaccination site to get the shot, and Lyft and Uber will promote the rides to and from tens of thousands of vaccination sites through their apps. The feature will launch in the next two weeks and run until July 4, when Mr. Biden has aimed to have enough people vaccinated to allow for safer Independence Day gatherings. Key Words: Pandemic

SJ Japantown Foot Patrol Aims to Halt Anti-Asian Crimes Trend

5/5/21 The patrols come amid an apparent rise in crimes against Asian American residents across the U.S. At least two elderly Asian men were killed this year in the Bay Area by strangers on the street. In the tunnel beneath Diridon Station in San Jose, a man attacked a woman, yelling “F*ck you, Asians” as she screamed.
Japantown residents have stepped up to protect seniors and businesses from violence and petty crimes. Last month, retired San Jose police officer Rich Saito created Japantown Prepared, an informal group of volunteers who don red vests and walk the neighborhood’s busiest boulevards, including Empire, Jackson and Taylor streets.

CDC Advisers Endorse Pfizer Vaccine for Children Ages 12 to 15

5/10/21 The federal government on Wednesday took a final step toward making the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine available to adolescents in the United States, removing an obstacle to school reopenings and cheering millions of families weary of pandemic restrictions.
An advisory committee to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention voted to recommend the vaccine for use in children ages 12 to 15. The C.D.C. director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, formally adopted the recommendation on Wednesday evening.

Unauthorized Immigrant Population Profiles

Learn about the estimated 11 million unauthorized immigrants living in the United States. Where do they live? When did they arrive in the United States, and from which origin countries? What are their levels of education, top industries of employment, incomes, parental and marital status, health care coverage, and more? Using a unique MPI methodology to assign legal status in the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2014-18 American Community Survey data, this data tool provides detailed sociodemographic profiles for the United States, 41 states (plus the District of Columbia), and the 127 counties with the largest unauthorized populations.

PG&E Library of Wildfire safety webinars and events

PG&E hosts online webinars throughout each year for anyone who is interested in learning more about our Community Wildfire Safety Program. These virtual gatherings allow community members to learn more about wildfire safety and emergency preparedness, meet with PG&E representatives, ask questions and share feedback.
See past recording and schedule of upcoming events.
Multi-language: Spanish |
Vietnamese |
Chinese |
Tagalog |
Korean |
Russian |
Hmong |
Portuguese |
Japanese |

SCC OIR Newsletter: May 2021

The Office of Immigrant Relations is excited to launch “WE BELONG: Our Voice, Our Story, and Our Solution!” a project of the New American Fellowship Cohort V. DACA recipients will participate in a 10-week fellowship where they will receive mentorship from distinguished Santa Clara County leaders, learn from and uplift some of the County’s most impactful grassroots leaders and community-based organizations, and shape and execute a community-based research project.

Subtle Asian Mental Health Facebook Group

Please acknowledge that while we would like to be inclusive, this space is primarily a place for Asians and those of Asian descent.
Our hope for this group is to reach as many Asians struggling with mental health, cultural issues, inter-generational trauma, and associated problems as possible. We want Asians to realize they are not alone in their struggles and experiences and that there are others who are here to provide support.

Unauthorized Immigrant Populations by Country and Region, Top States and Counties of Residence, 2018

This interactive map, based on Migration Policy Institute (MPI) estimates, shows the top states and counties of residence for unauthorized immigrants in the United States as of 2018, based on their country or region of origin. Select a country or region from the dropdown menu to learn where immigrants from that geography settle primarily. Hover over a state to get state population estimates.

Hindu American Foundation

HAF focuses on educating the public about Hindus and Hinduism and advocating for policies and practices that ensure the well-being of all people and the planet.
HAF is not affiliated with any religious or political organizations or entities. HAF seeks to serve Hindu Americans across all sampradaya (Hindu religious traditions) regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, gender, sexual orientation, age and/or disability. Key Words: India

Months into rollout, barriers hinder vaccine access for Latino and Black Californians

4/15/21 Halfway into April, the vaccination rollout continues to lag for many Latino and Black Californians. Bay Area community leaders, residents and experts say that multiple factors, including the technological savvy required to make appointments, a lack of centralized information about how to get the shots, and inconsistent services from community clinics have combined to make every step of the process a challenge for people who are most at risk for getting sick.

What Kids Can Do: Paying Attention to Children’s Capacities in the Pandemic

2/25/21 Opening up opportunities for children to get involved can make a tremendous difference to their recovery by increasing feelings of solidarity, empowerment, and interconnection. Still, the knowledge, creativity, energy, enthusiasm, and social networks that children have to offer could be better used.
We have consistently found that during times of crisis, children want to help. When they are given the opportunity, there are many things that they can do to support adults, other children, and themselves. We are now seeing evidence of this in the Covid-19 pandemic as well, although there has been little public discussion of it.

ICE ends Trump-era policy of fining undocumented immigrants, calling penalties ‘ineffective’

4/23/21 Immigration and Customs Enforcement will no longer issue fines to undocumented immigrants who have failed to depart the United States, the agency announced Friday, a reversal from the Trump-era policy that threatened immigrants with thousands of dollars in debt to the federal government.
ICE officials said the agency rescinded the two Trump-era orders on the collection of financial penalties after determining the policy to be “ineffective,” and that it intends to cancel fines already issued to undocumented immigrants.

Alternative Housing Is a Wildfire Recovery Solution in Northern California

4/19/21 Housing has been the most discussed topic within the communities affected by the Camp Fire that occurred in Northern California in November 2018. The disaster destroyed nearly 19,000 physical structures in the town of Paradise and nearby unincorporated communities in Butte County. Sadly, former residents of now burn-scarred communities still face many challenges on their path to having a place they can confidently call home, even months or years later.
Agencies and individuals are aggressively seeking different housing solutions, hoping to rebuild the town and communities despite all the obstacles that arise on the way. While focusing on disaster case management, Tzu Chi volunteers are also proactively involving themselves and collaborating with partner agencies to pursue feasible housing solutions. Key Words: Tiny Homes, 3D Printing

UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

1990 Recognizing that the United Nations has, in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in the International Covenants on Human Rights, proclaimed and agreed that everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth therein, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status,
Recalling that, in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations has proclaimed that childhood is entitled to special care and assistance,

Statement by United Nations High Commissioner of Human Rights

4/21/21 Discrimination in the Americas – Challenges and good practices – This past year has changed our lives in ways we still struggle to understand.
But in the midst of so many uncertainties, one thing comes clear: rarely have we seen such a powerful demonstration of the value of human rights.
COVID-19 and its impacts have been feeding off and exacerbating gaps in human rights protection; fault lines built on profound, intersecting and structural discrimination and inequalities.
The pandemic took the whole world by storm, but the tempest hit hardest in the Americas.

Taste of Belonging Cookbook

Welcoming America created this cookbook as a tool for meaningful connection across differences.
We paired recipes from diverse cultures with activities that connect people around a shared table and get them working together on a common goal. The three featured models apply the principles of intergroup contact theory, which we review in the next section. Each model has been tested in several regions of the United States, with people of various racial, ethnic, religious, and political identities and affiliations, and in all kinds of localities,
from small to large cities and in urban, rural, and suburban settings. At the end of the cookbook, you will find an overview of additional promising community building models.