Welcome to The Collaborative Bulletin!

 As we step into February, the challenges of the past weeks, though daunting, remind us of the resilience and strength within our communities. For many immigrant families—who bring cultural richness, dedication, and hard work—these changes have instilled deep fear of deportation. Families who have long contributed to our society now face uncertainty, struggling with the loss of income, limited access to essential resources, unpaid utility bills, and the heartbreaking decision to keep their children home from school out of fear.

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Wow, another year has passed. 2024 has been an incredibly positive year for the West Modesto Community Collaborative. We saw growth in the number of community members we served, increasing from 13,000 the previous year to 20,000 in 2024—an increase of 7,000 lives we have touched.

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 As we prepare for the holidays, let us reflect on the true meaning of serving our community. Remember, we are doing vital work by addressing the needs of families who may not experience the joys of a Merry Christmas. Many families are struggling to provide for their loved ones due to the rising costs of rent, food, and utilities, which limit their ability to celebrate the season.

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 October has been a great month as the Agency heads into the holiday season. Chase Bank conducted a financial literacy program, presented by Evan Moore, for the community. Valley First Community Bank generously donated bicycles, which will be given out during our Christmas Community event in December. Our English Literacy program continues to grow, with more community members signing up to learn English. Trunk or Treat was a highlight of October, with families enjoying games, activities, goodies, and popcorn. The staff did an excellent job organizing these events.

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I am thrilled to announce that our Gatsby Gala was a tremendous success! The collaborative efforts of our Communication Team, staff, and Board of Directors ensured the event was not only enjoyable but also a highly effective fundraiser. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to our sponsors and friends, whose generosity made this possible.View more.

 This September 2024, the agency continues to showcase its outstanding work. El Plan del Pueblo: The People’s Plan for Economic Justice has been completed and is now in the design stage. Once the design is finished, the final report will be available in mid-October 2024. A summary of The People’s Plan was shared with the community at the Community Builder meeting on September 11, 2024. The staff is preparing a timeline to present the report to other communities and civic leaders.

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This past July 2024, the agency continued to showcase its outstanding work in the community. Through our Summer Food Program, we served 200 students weekly, totaling 1,200 meals over several weeks. Our Sip n Paint Fundraiser was a great success, receiving excellent reviews from those who attended. A special shoutout to Board members Dr. Juan Lopez-Solorza and his family, Sterling Fountain, and Adolfo Lopez and his wife for their support at the event.

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 We welcome another Fourth of July, celebrating the birth of our country and the importance of the Constitution of the United States of America. June and July have been blazing with excitement around the upcoming release of El Plan del Pueblo: The People’s Plan for Economic Justice. The efforts of the staff and other team members have made this possible.

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 May is a wonderful month for celebrating Cinco de Mayo, a time to honor culture and share rich experiences with the community. It is a period of coming together as a family, enjoying traditional food, and sharing stories of the past. Mother's Day, a highlight of the month, celebrates the richness of family heritage and honors mothers as the source of family history. I remember my mother always being there for our family during both happy and tough times. Mothers are the cornerstone of the family, keeping us united and ensuring that our history is passed down to the next generation. I will never forget my mother's words of wisdom, her faith, and the hope she brought to our family.

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As April transitions into May 2024, it's a time to reflect on the accomplishments of the past month and the ongoing efforts to serve our community. Recently, our agency successfully organized and provided essential services to the community. We attended the Equity of the Road event in Stockton at the University of the Pacific, which drew over 200 attendees, including more than 50 community members from Modesto and Ceres. Blanca Marin, our Executive Assistant, and West Modesto resident delivered a keynote address at this event, sponsored by the San Joaquin Valley Health Foundation.

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March has been a rock & roll month for our agency. We've witnessed a breath of fresh energy from the community, discovering their influential role in shaping our direction. Throughout the month, we organized several workshops, each addressing crucial aspects of our community's well-being.

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 This month is packed with events. We hosted a Climate Resiliency Summit featuring speakers from UC Davis and UC Merced addressing the challenges of climate change, emphasizing the importance of data collection and community engagement. Miriam Nuno and Irva Hertz-Picciotto provided an excellent overview of the significance of community participation in these conversations. Yury Garcia, Post-Doctorial with UC Davis Center for Reducing Health Disparities as Data Scientist share importance’s working with community. Ingrid Brostrom and Paul Almeida discussed the value of conducting surveys with the community on climate change. Mayor Rey Leon shared the remarkable achievements of Huron City in addressing climate change, while Joel Diringer highlighted the impact on agricultural workers. Seventy community members attended, asking questions and expressing interest in joining the Climate Change Committee. We've accepted the challenge and are collaborating with stakeholders to organize this committee. Stay tuned for more updates.

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