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: TBD
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: TBD
Requirements: Occasional heavy lifting; accessibility options
BILLY deFRANK LGBTQ+ CENTER
Program Coordinator: TBD
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: TBD
Requirements: n/a
NEXT DOOR SOLUTIONS
Program Coordinator: Aarushi Arya (aarya@scu.edu)
SAN JOSE FAMILY SHELTER
Program Coordinator: Maggie Burke (mburke@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.
Support preschool and school-aged children experiencing homelessness through homework and play!
Times: TBD
Requirements: n/a
Times: TBD
Requirements: Weekly commitment (at least 3 months)
SECOND HARVEST OF SILICON VALLEY
Program Coordinator: Vivian Bates (vbates@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!
Ellie Kim
Department Coordinator | erkim@scu.edu
she/her/hers
Hi! My name is Ellie, and I am a senior studying Philosophy and Economics. I'm from Washington, DC, and a few things about me are that I love going to the beach, thrifting, and watching movies. I served as the Abode Services Program Coordinator for two years, and I am so excited to now be the NP Department Coordinator and continue to serve the community that I have loved being a part of!
Vivian Bates
Second Harvest Program Coordinator | vbates@scu.edu
Hi! I’m Vivian Bates, and I’m a junior majoring in Biology with minors in Medical and Health Humanities and Spanish. I am originally from Denver, CO, and I have loved exploring what the Bay Area has to offer. You can find me going for walks to the Rose Garden or finding cats to pet! I have loved volunteering with all kinds of SCCAP programs and I love getting to work on the SCCAP team and with Second Harvest of Silicon Valley!
Aarushi Arya
Next Door Solutions Program Coordinator | aarya@scu.edu
she/her/hers
Hi! I’m Aarushi Arya, and I am a junior studying Political Science and Economics. I am from the South Bay, and in my free time, you can find me trying new matcha spots and cuisines with my friends, training jiu jitsu, or thrifting! I was first drawn to joining Neighborhood Perspectives after volunteering off-campus at an unhoused encampment and learning about the housing crisis in Santa Clara. I am so excited to work with Next Door Solutions and contribute to a safer community!
Maggie Burke
San Jose Family Shelter Program Coordinator | mburke@scu.edu
she/her/hers
Hi! My name is Maggie, and I am a senior majoring in Psychology and minoring in Public Health. I am from Marin County, just north of San Francisco. A fun fact about me is that I have the biggest sweet tooth, so you can always count on me for a sweet treat run! I also love going to the beach and spending time outdoors. I have had the opportunity to do service with SCCAP during both my sophomore and junior years, and I am so excited to now be the Program Coordinator for the San Jose Family Shelter!
VACANT
Abode Services Program Coordinator
Stay tuned to meet our Abode Services PC later in the Fall!
VACANT
Billy deFrank LGBTQ+ Center Program Coordinator
Stay tuned to meet our Billy deFrank PC later in the Fall!