The Collaborative Bulletin is created by Jasmine P. Corena & Likhi Rivas | |
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May is an exciting time with Mother’s Day remembering all the great and difficult times. The Mother is the one who holds the family together. Stakeholders meeting giving an overview of the People’s Plan “Stanislaus County’s El Plan del Pueblo” and why this plan is important for the community voices. Finally, Memorial Day honors the many heroes who gave their lives to protect the democracy of our country. As a country and community, we must always remember the great sacrifices of family and friends who served our country. “Remember don’t pray for God to take my problem away, I pray only for God to give me the strength to get through them.”
I hope you had a Great Memorial Day weekend with family, and we welcome June graduates as they start another chapter their life journey.
Perfecto Munoz, Chief Executive Officer
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Cinco de Mayo
We thank the community that joined the West Modesto Community Collaborative in the Cinco de Mayo celebration. We hope you were able to learn more about Mexican culture while enjoying some delicious tacos, and the karaoke performances. We were able to see some of the amazing talent we have here in our community! A special thanks to Jaime Calderon for reading some poems from his book, “La Vida es una Poesía”. We would also like to thank our sponsors Ghitterman, Ghitterman & Feld, Artesanias Quety, and Central Valley Medical Group for their support in putting this event together.
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Stakeholders Meeting
Moving forward with Stanislaus County El Plan del Pueblo, "The People's Plan for Stanislaus County", it is important for agencies, organizations, and services in different sectors to come together to make sure that they are supporting the people and the community. The intention of this meeting was to make individuals from different organizations aware of the People’s Plan, its goal, and how they can support it. As one of the attendee’s stated, “We need to come together. We have shared priorities and we can benefit from one another. It is just crucial that we have a proactive mindset.” Dr. Manuel Pastor, USC Dornsife Equity Research Institute, and Ana Padilla, Executive Director of UC Merced Community and Labor Center, will join the conversation as we discuss the following steps. Our next community meeting is scheduled on June 7, 2023 to address the needs of the community for the development of the People's Plan.
The meeting will be held at the King Kennedy Memorial Center from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Visit our website or Instagram page to stay updated.
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Southwest Modesto Project
The City of Modesto joined the West Modesto Community Collaborative and the community with the goal of engaging the community to develop a comprehensive future vision for Southwest Modesto. Southwest Modesto encompasses the area past…Although the purpose of the city’s goal seems to be well-intended, many of the community members brought up the issue of false promises. Numerous individuals were apprehensive about expressing their opinions, fearing that ultimately, stakeholders would have the final say in determining the course of action for Southwest Modesto. The city responded by stating that workshops like these would set a precedent for future action as they are hearing the voices coming directly from community members.
The workshop consisted of six groups that would each have a map of the Southwest Modesto area and would have the opportunity to discuss what amenities (such as transportation facilities, gathering areas, stores, apartment complexes) could be added to the area. The forum came to an end with each group sharing the ideas that they had discussed. Many of the ideas were similar:
“We want a bank in this area! We need a functional financial center.”
“We want a workforce development office, a learning center, and a resource hub. There is a need for more job opportunities in the area.”
“Senior housing is needed. Mental Health housing is needed. Transitional housing for the homeless.”
“We need buses to pass with more frequency, we need lighting for streets, and more crosswalks and sidewalks that are up to code- we want Southwest Modesto to be ADA compliant.”
“We want a cultural center because we are rich in culture and heritage.”
“We deserve more medical facilities in this area. We need clean air centers at our schools, and regulation on illegal dumping by providing repair and recycle centers.”
The people of Southwest Modesto know what is needed. They are aware that people on the other side of the train tracks are not treated the same way, but they too deserve equity in health resources, educational resources, environmental resources, housing resources, and all the issues brought up. We encourage the community to be on the lookout for a specific date of the next workshop which will take place in September 2023.
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Walk for Mental Health
As May was Mental Awareness Month, the West Modesto Community Collaborative and community members are continuing to prioritize their mental health! The Mothers of West Modesto and WMCC staff walked down the Helen White Trail twice this month as walks can benefit their mental health. According to the American Psychological Association, going on walks can lower risks of depression and anxiety. Mental health awareness month has come to an end, but we need to continue to support our mental health through walks, daily movement, and extracurricular activities.
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WMCC Program Spotlight:
California Mortgage Relief Program
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May was Affordable Housing Month! Everyone deserves to have a safe space to call home, regardless of their socioeconomic background. We wanted to spotlight The California Mortgage Relief Program (CMRP) at the West Modesto Community Collaborative! CMRP is a government program that is providing financial assistance to qualified homeowners who have fallen behind on their housing payments, and property tax payments, or who have partial claim second mortgages or loan deferrals taken due to pandemic-related financial hardships. The program is funded by the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act’s Homeowners Assistance Fund. In partnership with the California Mortgage Relief Program, our organization is assisting with helping reach eligible homeowners and assisting applicants with the application process including eligibility check, document preparation, documents upload, application completion, support during the review process, and even technology troubleshooting. There is no cost to apply, and the funds never have to be paid back.
To be eligible for this program homeowners must have faced a financial hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic, missed at least two payments prior to March 1st, 2023 on their primary mortgage and are currently past due, owe for unpaid property taxes (whether paid directly to their county or as part of your mortgage payment), have a reverse mortgage and owe their servicer for past due property tax and/or insurance or have a partial claim or loan deferral. Eligible applicants must also own and live in a single-family home, condo, permanently affixed manufactured home, or property with up to four units and be at or below the county income limit. To find out if you are eligible, please call our Program Navigator at 209-568-0086.
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Community Organization Spotlight:
The Food Initiative Greater Stanislaus
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The Food Initiative of Greater Stanislaus (FIGS) aims to improve public health and quality of life by providing for basic needs in a loving and dignified environment. Our programs, including the Healthy Food Pantry, Free Mobile Pantry & Farmers Market, Homebound Delivery Service, Food Coalition, and Interfaith Clothes Closet, provide fresh fruits and vegetables, a 3-5 day supply of nutritious groceries, infant and adult hygiene items, clean clothing and more to those facing poverty and food insecurity.
Healthy Food Pantry: M-F 8:30-11:30 AM
Interfaith Clothes Closet: M-Th 1:00-4:00 PM
120 Kerr Ave, Modesto 95354
Clients will be asked to provide photo ID, proof of address, and proof of income, however, no one will be turned away if they are unable to produce documentation on their first visit
Free Mobile Pantry/Farmers Market:
Third Saturday 9:00-11:00 AM: Children’s Garden (3525 Pelandale Avenue, Modesto)
Fourth Tuesday 10:00-11:00 AM: Housing Authority (1701 Robertson Road, Modesto)
Fourth Wednesday 10:00-11:00 AM: Empire Church of Christ (434 Church Street, Empire)
Fourth Thursday 10:00-11:00 AM: Orville Wright Elementary (1602 Monterey Ave, Modesto)
Fourth Friday: Franklin Elementary (120 S Emerald Ave, Modesto)
Clients will be asked to self-identify as low-income. ID is not required.
Low-income families, individuals, or folks in need due to a temporary emergency are eligible for our services. More information is available at www.foodinitiative.org.
We know times are tough for many, and we are here to help!
Instagram: @the_food_initiative
Facebook: @thefoodinitiativeofgs
Fun Fact:
West Modesto Community Collaborative's Navigation Program has also had the privilege of tabling every 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Thursday of every month at the Food Initiative to provide referral services to all community members!
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Community News
Have something to share? For inquiries please email our Communications Coordinator: Jasmine P. Corena
jcorena@westmodestocollaborative.com
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Vibin' with West Modesto
West Modesto Community Collaborative and The Community Builders Project present Vibin' with West Modesto! The groovin' podcast is here to Empower, Elevate and Educate the community on the different resources offered, upcoming events, and what West Modesto Community Collaborative is doing in your community!
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