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 will be provided by our equity partner?Gardner Health Services. The development of this space is the first step to future development that includes affordable housing and commercial space for local businesses and community-based providers on La Plaza’s six acres.?

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’s assets remain protected.?Every dollar invested into La Avenida is a return on, and a reinforcement of, the well-being of residents’ livelihood and the commitment to community-first.?YOU?can be a part of our movement.?Act and donate now.?Donate Today!