Fairgrounds Expo Hall Needs Hands on 9/11, Not Speeches

September 11, 2026, lands on a Friday and marks 25 years since the attacks. 9/11 Day, the nonprofit started by family members after that morning, is treating the date as a national workday. Fifty-plus cities will pack shelf-stable meals in one coordinated push, aiming for more than 17 million servings and tens of thousands of volunteers. San Jose’s piece happens inside Expo Hall at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, 344 Tully Road. The boxes leave for Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, which already feeds people through hundreds of partner sites in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties.

Last year’s hall packed on the order of 200,000 meals with several hundred volunteers. Corporate teams often fill the assembly lines; many of those seats are reserved and sponsored at $250 a person to cover food costs. What the organizers say they still need, urgently, is the Event Support Team: people who do not stand at a packing table the whole shift but keep the machine from stalling. Table captains teach and pace each line. Heavy lifters and runners restock ingredients and haul finished cases, work that can mean 50-pound boxes. Guest services check people in. Set-up and break-down crews open and close the room.

Those support roles require volunteers 18 and older, a one-hour Zoom training about a week beforehand, and roughly four hours on site. Prior years ran a morning block around 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with a shorter cleanup window after noon. Confirm the 2026 shift on the signup form before blocking the calendar. Parking sits behind Expo Hall.

Second Harvest’s latest client survey found nearly everyone it serves cutting grocery spending to cover rent and medical bills. A Friday morning in a fairgrounds hall will not fix that math but it will put sealed meals onto local trucks instead of leaving the anniversary of 9/11 as a minute of silence and a flag at half staff.

Sign up for Event Support in San Jose (18+): https://volunteer.911day.org/projects/62266f60-e37b-4c5a-a1cf-74b90128cb96

Second Harvest food locator and hotline: https://www.shfb.org/get-food/

Shared Arts Center Coming to Downtown San Jose

A new chapter unfolds for the arts in San Jose as Starting Arts prepares to relocate to two vacant buildings in the North San Pedro District this May. The nonprofit, dedicated to student arts programs, will transform a former courthouse and MMA gym into a vibrant hub called The Shared Arts Center of San Jose. Spanning 25,000 square feet at 99 Notre Dame Avenue and 92 Sharks Way, this space addresses the long-standing need for affordable venues where creative groups can thrive together.

The center will serve as a collaborative home for Starting Arts alongside partners such as Silicon Valley Shakespeare, Los Lupeños, ArtHouse Studio, and Playful People Productions. Facilities include rehearsal studios, scene and costume workshops, and a black box theater, with the courthouse's soundproof walls ideally suited for dance classes. Plans also call for large murals to adorn the exteriors.

This move not only doubles the organization's current space near the fairgrounds but also integrates it more deeply into Downtown San Jose's arts ecosystem. Previously feeling somewhat isolated, Starting Arts now positions itself amid the city's dynamic core, ready to launch summer camps and other programs to benefit the community. The transition also revives long-empty properties.

Local developer Swenson, owner of the buildings, shifted from earlier high-rise plans to support this arts-focused initiative amid changing post-COVID demands. The result promises to draw families and audiences as well as encouraging visits to nearby cafes and restaurants. Parents dropping off children for classes might linger for coffee, while evening shows could spark outings and enhancing this neighborhood's overall liveliness.

Source: SVBJ

Goodwill's New Collaborative Space will Boost San Jose Nonprofits

Goodwill of Silicon Valley recently purchased a $17 million office building at 1600 Technology Drive in San Jose. This acquisition not only provides a new home for Goodwill, relocating from their previous location at 1080 North Seventh Street, but also opens up opportunities for other organizations to join in. The nearly 200,000-square-foot facility is designed to become a shared environment where nonprofits can operate together, fostering stronger community ties.

The first organization to move in is Abode Services, a Bay Area nonprofit dedicated to homeless services and affordable housing. They have secured a five-year lease for one entire floor at a below-market rate. Starting next week, Abode will consolidate operations from four different sites, including their administrative office in Fremont, into this San Jose location. This setup promises efficiency and closer collaboration with like-minded groups.

By turning the building into a hub for nonprofits and innovators, Goodwill aims to encourage the exchange of ideas, build partnerships, and create effective solutions for local challenges. San Jose benefits from this kind of initiative, as it strengthens the network of support services available to residents. More organizations are expected to join, expanding the impact on issues like housing and community development.

This development underscores San Jose's potential as a leader in social progress, where collaborative spaces help address pressing needs. As these nonprofits settle in, the city gains another asset in its efforts to support vulnerable populations and promote inclusive growth. Residents interested in getting involved can explore volunteer opportunities with these organizations to contribute directly.

Source: SVBJ

"Help Others Grow" Mural Debuts at Goodwill Almaden

Goodwill of Silicon Valley partnered with Local Color to unveil a vibrant new mural at the Almaden thrift store on November 5, 2025. Titled Help Others Grow, the 171-square-foot artwork adorns the donation drive-through at 3060 Almaden Expressway. Artist Melissa Marzan designed the piece with hand-lettering and illustrations that evoke connection and hope, turning a simple drop-off area into a visual tribute to community generosity.

Symbolic elements fill the mural, drawing from stories of Goodwill program participants. A Western Tiger Swallowtail butterfly represents endurance and new beginnings, while a California Buckeye tree nods to resilience native to Almaden Valley. California poppies symbolize personal growth, the sun brings renewal, a ribbon weaves optimism through the community, and a book hints at life's unfolding opportunities. These images remind donors of the broader impact their contributions create.

Goodwill's efforts extend beyond the artwork, funding job training, reentry support, and workforce development for veterans, unhoused individuals, people with disabilities, and the formerly incarcerated. All services come at no cost, powered by thrift sales and donations that stay local. In 2024, the organization diverted over 35 million pounds of materials from landfills through resale and recycling.

Volunteers from Goodwill's Expandability program assisted with the project, gaining hands-on experience through career services tailored for adults with disabilities. This collaboration highlights how art and community service intersect in San Jose, fostering inclusive spaces that uplift everyone involved.

For more information, visit www.goodwillsv.org or www.localcolorsj.org.

Groundbreaking Ceremony for HOPE Community Expansion

San Jose continues to build on its foundation of compassion through initiatives that address community needs. The Salvation Army Silicon Valley is hosting a groundbreaking ceremony for the HOPE Community expansion today from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at 359 North 4th Street. This project transforms a grass lot into a safe and sober overnight and transitional housing program, adding over 70 beds for unhoused men and women seeking stability.

Key figures including Mayor Matt Mahan, Supervisor Betty Duong, John A. Sobrato, Elizabeth Funk from Dignity Moves, and Major Daniel Freeman from the Salvation Army Silicon Valley will participate. The main ceremony is from noon to 12:30 pm with post-event discussions until 1:30 pm. Community members and media can attend to witness this step toward enhanced support services.

The Salvation Army Silicon Valley has served the area for over 140 years, offering programs like food distribution, shelter, case management, senior meals, youth activities, and workforce development. With 92 percent of donations directed to programs, the organization meets needs without discrimination. This expansion aligns with efforts to foster hope and rebuild lives in the region.

Developments like HOPE Community demonstrate San Jose's dedication to inclusive growth and assistance for vulnerable residents. They create pathways to better futures, strengthening the fabric of the city. Anyone interested in supporting or learning more can join the ceremony to see the progress firsthand.

For more information: https://siliconvalley.salvationarmy.org/

Scott's Social Club: Elevating Networking in Downtown San Jose

Scott's Social Club will perched on the seventh-floor rooftop at 88 South Fourth Street. This private club steps in to address the gap created by the closure of the Silicon Valley Capital Club earlier this year, offering a space where entrepreneurs, business leaders, and elected officials can gather. The opening mixer on October 15 marks the start, inviting members to enjoy stunning views while building relationships that drive the city's economy forward. With membership starting at $150 per month and options for young professionals, corporate groups, and nonprofits, the club makes networking accessible in the heart of Silicon Valley.

Regular events form the core of the experience, including mixers held twice a month featuring local wineries, distilleries, and breweries. A monthly dining event adds variety, complemented by perks such as discounts at Scott's Seafood and validated parking. Organizers plan to expand benefits through partnerships, potentially including deals at golf courses and spots in the Las Vegas area. This setup encourages meaningful interactions, helping members forge deals and collaborations that strengthen San Jose's innovative community.

Four specialized councils focus on young professionals, LGBTQ individuals, women, and business interests, allowing tailored programming and events. A share of membership dues supports local nonprofits, providing them platforms to connect with potential donors. Already, over 200 people have signed up for the first mixer, with early memberships reaching about 30 shortly after launch. The goal of 250 members reflects confidence in the club's role within Downtown San Jose..

Source: SVBJ

Celebrate 15 Years of Theatrical Joy with Playful People Productions in San Jose

San Jose’s Playful People Productions is stepping into its 15th anniversary season with an exciting lineup for 2025-26. This family-oriented theater company has crafted a schedule that spans Disney classics, side-splitting comedies, and imaginative new tales, ensuring there’s something for every age and interest. It’s a milestone year that also welcomes back home-school casts after a decade, adding a fresh layer of community connection to an already vibrant season.

The fun begins with Disney’s Moana JR, a journey of courage and discovery suited for ages five to eleven. Auditions run August 11-13, rehearsals start August 25, and performances hit the Historic Hoover Theatre stage October 17-19. Next up is Disney’s Newsies!, a high-energy story of young newsboys standing up for justice, perfect for ages eleven and up, with performances November 8-16. In 2026, The One Act Play That Goes Wrong brings laughter for ages sixteen and older in March, followed by Between the Lines JR in April for ages twelve to seventeen. The season closes with Willy Wonka JR, a delightful adventure for ages four to twelve, running May 15-24.

What makes this season stand out is Playful People Productions’ dedication to inclusivity and creativity. Since 2010, they’ve built a welcoming space where performers of all ages and backgrounds can thrive, guided by principles of positivity and individual support. Families can even perform together, with opportunities for kids to share the stage with parents or grandparents. Add in the Enchanted Masquerade fundraising event on September 27 at the Saratoga Foothill Club, and you’ve got a season that invites everyone to join the celebration.

For more information and tickets, head over here.

Opportunity Fund

Below is a guest post by Phillip Bergman. Opportunity Fund is a non-profit headquarterd in Downtown San Jose. Over the past 20 years they have loaned $173 million to 13,000 businesses and individuals. Last year alone they provided $60 million in loans. It is tough (and expensive) to run a business in San Jose, and this is a local resource that may be able to help.

San Jose is home to non-profit Opportunity Fund (www.opportunityfund.org), which believes that small amounts of money and financial advice can help people make permanent and lasting change in their own lives, driving economic mobility and building stronger communities. It says yes to small business owners, low-income students, and families because entrepreneurship, education, and sound financial habits are proven pathways to greater economic opportunity.

Even in the most favorable circumstances, creating small business success is a significant challenge. With traditional lenders tightening lending qualifications, small business owners are often left with a narrow set of problematic options – lending schemes with triple-digit interest rates that can cripple a business. Opportunity Fund helps small business owners avoid predatory lending, such as high rate ‘fast cash’ advances. About 90 percent of its loans are to minority owned businesses and Opportunity Fund provides no cost evaluation of loan needs and complimentary cash flow analysis to determine financing that businesses can afford to help promote long term success. The strategy combines microloans for small business owners and microsavings accounts to help students pay for college and families save for a rainy day. As California’s leading microfinance provider, Opportunity Fund has loaned more than $170 million and helped about 13,000 people since 1994.

Opportunity Fund's role is to help working families realize their dreams and move beyond worrying about how to live day to day. Visit www.opportunityfund.org for more information about the organization and San Jose office.

Valley Verde Launching in San Jose

Guest post by Raffaella Cerruti:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



If you’ve been looking for a non-profit organization working to create access of healthy
and fresh food in San Jose, let Valley Verde be your inspiring story.

About three years ago Raul Lozano, the former executive director of the Latino theater
company in San Jose, Teatro Vision, decided to make a shift in his career by taking part
of the urban agriculture revolution movement. Soon, he realized that in main challenge
in the urban food movement was to reach out to low income communities. Low income
people in the US have less access to an affordable, healthy diet than and their health
is at greater risk from diet related illness as a result. There is a general thinking that
organic gardening is only a hobby for families with the financial means, enticing only
to those who have the time and money for it. Some think that lower-income families
simply can’t be expected to be interested in growing their own food because they lack
the resources or they are time poor because they often work two or more jobs and lack
the energy to maintain a garden. The nonprofit that Raul started in 2011, Valley Verde,
is all about making sure that people have access to good fresh food by providing the
resources and support needed to plant and maintain a home organic garden.

Valley Verde provides low income families with the knowledge and tools needed to
grow and maintain their own organic vegetable gardens. The families receive one or two
raised bed gardens, according to space and family size, an irrigation system, classes
on gardening and nutrition, seeds and seedlings, and a gardening mentor who will
give gardening support for one year. The goal of the one year program is to empower
the families with the vegetable gardening knowledge to continue their own gardens.
Families who wish to share their knowledge can participate in a future Valley Verde
project to help other families learn the same valuable skills.

Valley Verde started last fall with a group of 25 families in Gilroy and now they are
looking for new families in the community of Seven Trees, for the next Spring's planting
season. In order to support and expand the free services offered to the low-income
community, they also started selling garden installations and maintenance services as
well as "do-it-yourself" kits to residents of Santa Clara County who would like to start a
home organic garden.

To illustrate the impact of access to fresh organic vegetables, Raul likes to quote one of
the participants in Gilroy. A mother of two, her children would never eat beets, because
she could only afford to by the canned variety and they did not like the taste. Now that
they grow their own, her children love beets, and the rest of the vegetables that they
grow. We all know that fresh organic vegetable taste better and are better for you and
we believe everyone should have access to those benefits. Raul Lozano has a plan to

start a real revolution for the Silicon Valley. With the help of corporate sponsors and
donations, within 10 years, we want to provide free gardens to as many as 5,000 low
income families.

A quote by eco-chef, food justice activist, Bryant Terry, who recently said: “Unless small
start-ups, food incubators and local food movements are equipping the communities
they provide outreach to become their own leaders, directors and ultimately self-
sustaining, you're just playing games". We feel like that is our call to action!

raull@valleyverde.org
www.valleyverde.org
Follow us on facebook

TurningWheels for Kids Annual Big Bike Build Produces Over 2k Bikes!

Last Saturday in downtown San Jose, many (MANY) volunteers got together for the annual TurningWheels for Kids Big Bike Build.

If you're not familiar with TurningWheels for Kids, it is an organization born from the mind of Susan Runsvold, a nurse at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. She wanted to make sure that every child had the opportunity to receive a cool, exciting gift at Christmas - an experience she wasn't always sure she'd have as a child growing up. She came to the realization that receiving a bike all your own, a brand new one, is one of those memories every child should have the opportunity to have.

You can read more about the history of TurningWheels, but the bottom line - their mission, is to continue to provide underprivileged children with bicycles year-round. So each year just before Christmas, volunteers and groups from all over the South Bay come together and assemble donated bikes.

At my previous job, I had the privilege to work with Sue and her team on promoting TWFK. I absolutely love what they do so I wanted to make sure to stop by the Big Bike Build to take some photos and see everyone. It's such an amazing scene! It's like watching a bunch of elves getting the toys ready for Santa!

Some facts from this year's work:

• 2,650 bikes were built on Saturday (plus 493 a week before in Livermore)
• Distributed over 300 bikes this year to two pediatric clinics
• 2012 has had the highest distribution yet - 3,443 bikes!
• TWFK provides bikes to organizations for distribution such as: City Team, EMQ, Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County, Bay Area Rescue Mission, Richmond Fire Department, Santa Cruz County sheriffs, Sacred Heart and many others!

The last few years, in the middle of the build, CEOs and local celebrities and supporters make their way to the main stage to participate in the Great Trike Race! They hop on adult-sized tricycles and race around a track in the middle of the convention center. It's great fun to watch and no doubt, fun to race! You need to watch out for Sharkie though, he's a sneaky one!

Sharkie and Valley Medical Center Foundation's Executive Director, Chris Wilder make the first turn during the Great Trike Race!

This year's winner was Barry Arata, a local fireman who won the title in 2010 but lost it to Josh Thomson of Strikeforce in 2011.

Many thanks to this year's title sponsor, DPR, for their generous donation of $60,000! Other wonderful sponsors like the Monterey Peninsula Foundation, Cisco, Therma and many more helped support TurningWheels for Kids.

If TurningWheels for Kids sounds interesting to you, they could use your help. This year, 4,700 bikes were requested (via organizations, groups, etc) but there were only 2,600+ to give. Donations are how they're able to purchase bikes and helmets for the kids. If you'd like to read more, please check out their website and their 'What You Do Matters' Campaign for more information.

~ Jennifer Bullock OwYoung