Si Se Puede Collective Recognized by ALF
Organizing a successful collective is no small feat, but was essential to meet the needs of residents in the East San Jose community. A handful of nonprofits in Mayfair rose to the challenge, and have been flipping the script on what it can look like for leaders to operate out of collaboration rather than competition. Their work has been recognized across the region, and is setting the tone for what leadership in East San Jose looks like.
The Si Se Puede! Collective was founded by four community organizations led by women of color, all based in the Mayfair neighborhood of East San Jose. Amigos De Guadalupe Center for Justice and Empowerment, Grail Family Services, School of Arts and Culture at Mexican Heritage Plaza, SOMOS Mayfair and most recently Veggielution are committed to uplifting community voices and providing much needed wraparound services and assistance to low-income and immigrant families living in Mayfair.
On April 25th the Collective was recognized for their collaborative work by the American Leadership Forum Silicon Valley (ALF) at the Exemplary Leadership Celebration. ALF focuses on bringing together a diverse set of leaders from different communities who can build and share their talents. They aim to create a network of support between Silicon Valley’s rising leaders. Each year, the ALF Senior Fellows recognize those among them who are doing an exemplary job of inspiring other leaders, building bridges between diverse communities and its leaders, and demonstrating ALF's core values.
One of the best surprises of the night occurred when Dolores Huerta appeared on screen to recognize the Collective and the work they are doing in Mayfair!
Dolores Huerta is an esteemed leader of the Chicano civil rights movement, activist and American Labor Leader. She is also co-founder of the United Farm Workers Association, and is one of the most influential labor activists of the 20th century.
It was a humbling experience for the Collective to be commended on their work in helping to create a more equitable and thriving community.
The Collective’s Executive Directors were able to engage the audience with their speeches highlighting their community work, prompting many in the room to ask what they could do to get involved. It was an honor to receive such a notable award; it is even more powerful to know that allies in the room were inspired to think about how they could spark change within their own communities.
