Hyper-Individualism vs Community Interdependence - The Test

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: