From Blight to Vibrancy: SOAC’s bold vision calls for your support to anchor community life in East San José

During our first ten years, SOAC focused on the internal activation of the Mexican Heritage Plaza (La Plaza). We refined a successful revenue model that ensures accessibility; we gained the trust of the #community and creative sector by offering stable programming; AND during the height of the pandemic, we led an 18-month emergency response that served over 150,000 residents, reaching every corner of our community via food distribution, testing, and vaccination.

Now, SOAC seeks to influence the built #environment to establish the city’s first cultural district with La Plaza at its center. The first phase of this wide-reaching vision is for SOAC to acquire the 28,000 sq. ft. commercial property across the street from the Mexican Heritage Plaza.

This space will expand cultural programming and bring needed family wellness services, which our equity partner, Gardner Health Services, will provide. The development of this space is the first step to future development on La Plaza's six acres, which includes affordable housing and commercial space for local businesses and community-based providers. 

Why now?

East San José, as a vulnerable, undervalued community, is ground zero for outside developers initiating commercial and residential projects that do not consider or serve the long-time residents and creators of the neighborhood. Instead, the area’s working #artists and families are forced to move out when they can no longer afford the rising rents. The result is the loss of the neighborhood’s unique and #diverse cultural identity, as well as those people who have called East San José home for generations.

Given this, the moment for what La Avenida offers is NOW. Join us as we ensure that the future of our community assets remains protected. Every dollar invested in La Avenida is a return on and reinforcement of residents’ livelihood and the commitment to community-first. YOU can be a part of our movement. 

Act and donate now. 

#placemaking #equity #philanthropy #community #artsandculture