Neighborhood Perspectives
Gentrification, housing insecurity, and houselessness are three major issues affecting many living in the Bay Area. With Silicon Valley’s tech companies driving up housing prices, it's more important than ever for students to understand the struggles of our surrounding communities and advocate for their needs.
Department Coordinator & Program Coordinator bios can be found below on this page!
ABODE SERVICES
Program Coordinator: Ellie Kim (erkim@scu.edu)
Abode Services is a housing-first nonprofit organization that provides shelter and support for previously unhoused people in the Bay Area. SCCAP volunteers will organize and inventory donation items.
Times: Tuesdays, 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Requirements: Occasional heavy lifting; accessibility options
BILLY deFRANK LGBTQ+ CENTER
Program Coordinator: KJ Atkinson (kjatkinson@scu.edu)
The Billy DeFrank LGBTQ+ Center is a safe space for the queer community of San Jose. The Center organizes game nights and support groups that are available online and in person! Some popular events are bingo night on Wednesdays at 7 pm and crochet night on Thursdays at 7 pm. The Billy DeFrank Center brings San Jose’s queer community together and provides a safe space for support and fun!
Times: Thursdays, 10 AM - 12 PM
Requirements: n/a
NEXT DOOR SOLUTIONS
Program Coordinator: Gianna Madden (gmadden@scu.edu)
UPCOMING PROGRAM
Program Coordinator: Mary Shepard (mbshepard@scu.edu)
Next Door Solutions (NDS) is an organization that provides services to individuals battling issues surrounding domestic violence and abuse. Volunteers will support the operations of NDS, such as organizing offices that can be used as therapy spaces, maintaining on-site food pantries, and cleaning.
Neighborhood Perspectives is currently looking for a new community partner. Stay tuned for more information!
Times: TBD
Requirements: n/a
Times: TBD
Requirements: TBD
SECOND HARVEST OF SILICON VALLEY
Program Coordinator: Daisy Trejo (dtrejo@scu.edu)
Second Harvest Food Bank provides fresh groceries to over 500,000 people facing food insecurity in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties. Volunteers will sort and package food that will later be packaged and delivered to our neighbors in Silicon Valley.
Times: TBD
Requirements: Ability to lift 25+ pounds
Neighborhood Perspectives Department Coordinator and Program Coordinator Bios!
Liv Mulligan
Department Coordinator | omulligan@scu.edu
she/they
My name is Liv, and I'm happy to be leading Neighborhood Perspectives as this year's Department Coordinator! This is my senior year at SCU, and I'll be graduating with a Business Management degree in the spring. I'm originally from New York, and I believe serving the community where I've moved my life in the last couple of years is essential. I am excited for my third year in SCCAP because of all the wonderful people I work with and the communities we interact with!
Ellie Kim
Abode Services Program Coordinator | erkim@scu.edu
she/her/hers
Hi! My name is Ellie Kim, and I am a junior studying Philosophy and Economics at SCU. I'm from Washington, DC, and a few things about me are that I love going to the beach, thrifting, and watching movies. I am so excited to be the Abode Services PC for a second year and to serve the community that I have loved being a part of!
KJ Atkinson
Billy deFrank LGBTQ+ Center Program Coordinator | kjatkinson@scu.edu
she/they
Hi! My name is KJ Atkinson, and I am a senior majoring in Psychology and minoring in Entrepreneurship. I am from St. Louis, Missouri, and I love road trips, listening to music, and watching cult documentaries!! I am super excited to join the SCCAP team and create lasting bonds with my team as well as the broader San Jose area. I simply adore the Billy DeFrank Center, and I’m so excited to work closely with them and share their resources around the SCU campus!!!
Gianna Madden
Next Door Solutions Program Coordinator | gmadden@scu.edu
she/her/hers
Hey everyone! I'm Gianna, and I'm a junior here at SCU! Outside of SCCAP, I'm involved in SCU Acapella (go Measure Up!) and UHP! I'm so excited to return to SCCAP this year because everyone in the group is incredibly talented and amazing, making SCCAP a welcoming environment for all.
Mary Shepard
Upcoming Program | mbshepard@scu.edu
she/her/hers
Hi! My name is Mary Shepard. I'm a junior studying Bioengineering and I'm from Seattle, WA. In addition to SCCAP, I'm involved in Belles and Campus Ministry. I love hiking, spending time with friends, and longboarding around campus. I am so excited to be a part of SCCAP and help create positive change in the San Jose community!
Daisy Trejo
Second Harvest Program Coordinator | dtrejo@scu.edu
Hello! My name is Daisy, and I’m a freshman studying Economics in the College of Arts & Sciences. I’m currently on the Pre-Law track and am so excited to be part of SCCAP, where I can help advocate for and support the community around SCU. I’m originally from Fort Worth, Texas, and a few of my favorite hobbies include shopping, watching Marvel movies, and traveling to new places. I’m really looking forward to learning from everyone and contributing to the amazing work SCCAP does!