Neighborhood Perspectives
Gentrification, housing insecurity, and homelessness 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!
NEXT DOOR SOLUTIONS
Program Coordinator: Gianna Madden (gmadden@scu.edu)
Next Door Solutions (NDS) is an organization that provides services to individuals battling issues surrounding domestic violence and abuse. Through NDS, volunteers have two options: indirect or direct volunteer services. Indirect services include organizing offices that can be used as therapy spaces and maintaining on-site food pantries that NDS clients can use. For the direct service option, volunteers would be required to fulfill a 40-hour mandated training through the state of California, as this option would involve volunteers working directly with Next Door's clients.
Times: Wednesdays, 2:00-4:00 PM
Requirements: Mandated training for direct volunteer services
BILLY deFRANK LGBTQ+ CENTER
Program Coordinator: Liv Mulligan (omulligan@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: Dependent on the Center
Requirements: n/a
ABODE SERVICES
Program Coordinator: Ellie Kim (erkim@scu.edu)
SECOND HARVEST OF SILICON VALLEY
Program Coordinator: Seta Salkhi (ssalkhi@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: Thursdays, 10:00 AM-12:30 PM
Requirements: Heavy lifting sometimes; accessibility options
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: Tuesdays, 7:00-9:00 AM
Requirements: Be able to lift 25+ pounds
SAN JOSE FAMILY SHELTER
Program Coordinator: TBD
San Jose Family Shelter’s Homework Enrichment program is a great way to get involved with our community! Volunteers will tutor and hang out with students aged K-12, making great connections while imparting wisdom.
Times: TBD
Requirements: n/a — Preference for recurring volunteers
Neighborhood Perspectives Department Coordinator and Program Coordinator Bios!
Shar Bhatt
Department Coordinator | sgbhatt@scu.edu
she/her/hers
Hi! My name is Sharmila Bhatt, and I am a senior studying Psychology. I am from Cupertino, CA, and outside of school, I enjoy cooking, playing guitar, thrifting, and photography. I am so excited to return to SCCAP and can't wait to serve our community and meet new people!
Ellie Kim
Abode Services Program Coordinator | erkim@scu.edu
she/her/hers
Hi! My name is Ellie Kim, and I am a sophomore 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 a part of the SCCAP team and to serve the community that I have loved being a part of!
Liv Mulligan
Billy deFrank LGBTQ+ Center Program Coordinator | omulligan@scu.edu
she/they
My name is Olivia Mulligan (she/they) and I’m the program coordinator for the Billy DeFrank LGBTQ+ Center volunteering! I’m a junior from New York and my major is Business Management. I’m excited to be a part of SCCAP because everyone is so passionate and friendly and those qualities make for a great team.
Gianna Madden
Next Door Solutions Program Coordinator | gmadden@scu.edu
she/her/hers
Hey everyone! I'm Gianna, and I'm a sophomore 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.
Setareh Salkhi
Second Harvest Program Coordinator | ssalkhi@scu.edu
she/her/hers
Hi! My name is Setareh Salkhi, and I am a senior Finance major with minors in Business Analytics and Professional Writing. This is my third year as the program coordinator for Second Harvest of Silicon Valley. In addition to SCCAP, my campus commitments include working as a writing partner at the HUB and serving as president of SCU’s Women’s Club Volleyball team. I look forward to volunteering with you all!
Vacant Position
San Jose Family Shelter Program Coordinator |
n/a
Check back to learn about our San Jose Family Shelter Program Coordinator!