Thrive Alliance has actively engaged with the community this summer, participating in events and initiatives across the County, including SMC Pride, SMC Housing Element Rally, and Juneteenth commemorations. At the San Mateo Pride celebration, we connected with the community, nonprofit organizations, and government entities, forging new friendships while embracing unity and celebration.
Thrive team members Keirstan Schiedeck, Programs & Operations Manager (left) and Georgia Farooq, Executive Director (right)
Housing Element Rally
Additionally, Thrive Alliance joined the Housing Element Coalition to rally for housing element efforts. At the Tuesday, June 13 Board of Supervisors meeting, many organizations and community members emphasized the need to implement research-based programs for specific housing requirements, promote fair housing countywide through rezoning, prioritize funding for affordable housing, and establish tenant protections and an eviction registry. To learn more about this initiative, watch our Housing Elements & You: Next Steps for Affordable Housing event and attend the next Board of Supervisor meeting on Tuesday, July 11. If you want to read UCSF's recently released statewide Study of People Experiencing Homelessness, click here.
As we reflect on a summer filled with vibrant celebrations, meaningful connections, and dedicated advocacy, we are grateful for the opportunity to be part of such a thriving community.
In Community,
Petra Silton, Senior Director of Programs & Yajaira Ortega, Policy and Advocacy Associate
Housing Elements & You: Next Steps for Affordable Housing
Housing Elements & You: Next Steps for Affordable Housing
Note: Gmail clips large emails. To ensure you don't miss any content, view the full newsletter in your browser here.
For Thrive and Community events, visit Thrive's Event page.
State Policy Updates
State Budget Update
The Legislature unveiled the Budget Act 2023, reflecting Assembly's and Senate's joint budget priorities. They are currently in negotiations with the governor for the 2023-24 state budget. The goal is to reach a deal by Saturday, July 1, ensuring progress toward a more equitable California.
One hundred fourteen state legislators have selected a Nonprofit of the Year for their districts. The nonprofits selected for this honor reflect the state's diversity, address many issue areas, and work in urban and rural communities.
CalNonprofit's Nonprofit Equity Initiative promotes equity and inclusivity in the nonprofit sector, fostering positive change and addressing systemic disparities. Bills have been referred to Committee on Governmental Organization.
AB 590 (Hart) ensures nonprofits secure upfront funding, prioritizing those serving vulnerable communities.
AB 619 (Fong, V) eases contract modifications to maintain community services during emergencies.
AB 696 (Lowenthal) moves administrative processes online, reducing time and costs for nonprofits and the state.
AB 860 (Valencia) reduces requirements for small grant applications and reporting.
AB 885 (Rivas, L) mandates full payment for program costs and encourages multi-year contracts.
SB 336 (Umberg) requires state payment based on federally negotiated rates.
SB 557 (Limon) extends prompt payment protections to all nonprofit contracts.
County Policy Updates
County Budget Hearings
The Board of Supervisors will hold a three-day public hearing session starting Monday, June 26, at 9:00 am to discuss the proposed $7.7 billion budget for the upcoming two fiscal years. The budget, released on May 26, emphasizes investments in ending homelessness, supporting families and children, promoting equity, and enhancing emergency preparedness. Tune in here.
$5 Million State Grant for Farmworker Housing
San Mateo County's plans to expand farmworker housing, including units for those displaced by the mass shooting, received a $5 million grant from the Joe Serna, Jr. Farmworker Housing Grant. The grant will enable the County's Department of Housing to partner with Half Moon Bay in purchasing 28 manufactured housing units. The County is actively working with the city to identify a suitable site for low-income farmworker households. Learn more here.
Affordable Housing Initiative in North Fair Oaks
An exciting new affordable housing project has officially commenced in North Fair Oaks, marking a significant milestone in addressing the community's pressing need for affordable housing. Announced by the San Mateo County CEO's office, this project aims to provide vital support and housing opportunities for residents with limited incomes. The development signals a promising step toward creating a more inclusive and accessible community.
The full report on the Silicon Valley Pain Index 2023 sheds light on the specific challenges nonprofits face in the region. It addresses funding gaps, resource constraints, and the increasing demand for nonprofit services. Nonprofits can leverage the insights from this report to advocate for necessary support, engage in collaborative efforts, and drive positive change to address the unique needs of the community they serve in Silicon Valley.
Thrive Alliance and Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits introduced the Nonprofit REDI Hub to advance racial equity in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties' nonprofit communities. Visit the new REDI Resource webpage for tools and resources. Explore the guides, articles, and reports!
Thrive Alliance's Translation Services Hub is made possible through the generous philanthropic support of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation (SVCF). Learn more about how SVCF is strengthening the nonprofit ecosystem in our region here.
Thrive RISE
Thrive RISE concluded its first Nonprofit Preparedness training on Thursday, June 8 with a multi-agency panel session focused on Communication and Coordination Between Nonprofits and Government in Disaster. Panelists Marlene Santoyo (Menlo Together), Juliana Russell-Bustos (Red Cross), David Pucci (Redwood City Fire), Pat O'Coffey (South Coast and South Skyline CERTs), and Don Mattei (County of San Mateo Department of Emergency Management) discussed best practices for cross-sector coordination in disaster, as well as recommended areas for improvement. Additional Thrive RISE training is currently being scope and will be announced next month.
In addition to organizational preparedness, Thrive RISE has been busy promoting earthquake mitigation in various forms. We are working with SPUR to brief local stakeholders on the importance of soft-story building retrofit and launching a project promoting non-structural mitigation measures in nonprofit spaces.
The recent Environment & Sustainability TAG event highlighted the importance of collaboration in managing and protecting San Mateo County's urban forest. Participants emphasized the role of trees in climate change mitigation and the need for collective efforts to build a resilient and sustainable urban forest. Read the blog, presentation slides, and recording here.
Join the countywide coalition of Community Organizations Active in Disasters (COAD), Thrive RISE for our next Monthly Meeting. All organizations are welcome, regardless of sector or experience in responding to community emergencies. This month, we will be hearing updates on:
Cooling center resources for summer months
Upcoming community preparedness events
Upcoming training for organizations active in disaster
Rethinking the Way We Move: Active Transport for Wellness, Community, and the Planet
Thursday, June 29, 2:30 - 4:00 pm, In-Person
What would San Mateo look like if we could all walk or bike to our destination safely and benefit from active transportation? We know all the benefits to our wellness, community, and our environment, so what challenges hold us back? Be part of a collaborative effort in partnership with Silicon Valley Bike Coalition to advocate for accessible and safer active transportation.
Key Benefits of Active Transportation:
Health & Wellness: Our speakers will share the positive impact of active transportation on physical fitness, mental well-being, and overall quality of life.
Bonds Community: Learn how shared pathways and bike lanes create opportunities for social interaction, inclusivity, and community engagement. Real-life success stories from community-based programs and members will showcase the power of active transportation in creating vibrant neighborhoods.
Saves the Planet/Environment: Understand how adopting sustainable transportation choices and reducing emissions can actively preserve our environment for future generations.
We will explore potential advocacy possibilities with both government and nonprofit advocacy experts.
Join us for County & Nonprofit Partnerships Summit Part II: Measure K Listening Session.
The County of San Mateo is updating its processes for allocating Measure K funds and determining community needs and priorities. During this process, the County wants to hear what our residents and community partners have to say about the current needs and challenges within our community. To ensure we have as much feedback as possible, we need to hear from you. *Please see the disclaimer below.
Measure K is a countywide half-cent sales tax extension passed by local voters in November 2016 to support essential County services and to maintain or replace critical facilities, providing local funds for local needs. Approximately $50 million will be distributed within these areas:
Children and Families
Housing and Homelessness
Mental Health
Emergency Preparedness
The purpose of this event is to gather your input on what the most critical needs, challenges, or gaps in service are.
The information you provide will help shape our conversations with the larger community during several town halls being scheduled this summer. Your voice matters, and this event offers a unique opportunity to contribute to meaningful change and make a lasting impact on the lives of those who need it the most.
Please bring a maximum of two people per organization.
The event will be held at the San Mateo County Event Center. A buffet lunch will follow. The deadline to register for the event will be Friday, July 7th, 2023, at 5:00 PST. Please be sure to register before the deadline!
*Please be advised that for any person, firm, affiliate, or subsidiary competing for or expected to compete for the award of a County contract, the County is not seeking assistance in the development and management of procurement documents, or provision of plans, specifications, designs, evaluation criteria, or for such persons or their affiliates to otherwise influence factors that may affect the County's award of contracts or selection of a contractor.
Attend the Voter Education and Outreach Committee (VEOAC) meeting featuring Eric Sapp, a Staff Attorney from Legal Services for Prisoners with Children, discussing their efforts to restore voting rights for communities impacted by the criminal justice system. Thrive will also receive updates from San Mateo County Elections Office.
Co-chaired by San Francisco Peninsula People Power, the County Elections Office, and Thrive Alliance.
Join us for an engaging voter engagement brainstorming with San Mateo County nonprofits and partners. This session is designed to help organizations strategize and plan for the upcoming months, with a focus on preparing for the California primaries in 2024. We will explore innovative ideas, exchange best practices, and develop actionable initiatives to empower our community and foster active civic participation. Don't miss this perfect opportunity to make a difference in shaping our democratic process.
Big Five offers a three-hour training that will provide an overview of the Big Five Immediate Action Responses, review basic emergency preparedness and recovery strategies, specific scenarios related to after-school hours emergencies and response, and how to participate in school lead drills and plan your own.
The trainings are being offered Monday, August 21, 9:30 - 12:30 or Monday, September 11, 9:30 - 12:30
.jpg?upscale=true&width=1168&upscale=true&name=thrive_policy_advocacy_banner%20(1).jpg)
.jpg?upscale=true&width=504&upscale=true&name=230523_Affordable%20Housing%20Month%20Event_rwc_cda-00202%20(1).jpg)
.jpg?upscale=true&width=1088&upscale=true&name=rethinking_move%20(1).jpg)
