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COVID UPDATES
We know that you’re experiencing pandemic fatigue. After months of debates over mandates and health requirements, and after two years of uncertainty, we are finally starting to feel like we are moving beyond this pandemic - and we’re all tired. While I want to continue to share good news about where we are, it took a lot of hard work to get here, and this pandemic is still not over. Thankfully new case rates continue to stay low, symptoms remain mild with most people, and most importantly hospitalizations continue to decline.
Recently the FDA & CDC approved eligibility for people to get their second booster shot, fourth shot overall. Currently, eligibility has been approved for anyone age 50+ or anyone 18+ with underlying medical conditions. I was one of the fortunate few to get my second booster shot last week. Taking care of my health is important to me, and I want to encourage everyone who is eligible to get your second booster shot when you become eligible. Learn more at SCCFreeVax.org and SCCFreeTest.org.
We’re still wearing our masks. We recognize that many of our neighbors may not be wearing one, but we hope everyone is able to be respectful and is still mindful to take precautions – and get tested. Please contact us if you need at-home tests.
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We have had two very active meetings since we last connected. The Board of Supervisors met on March 22 and April 5. We took action on many important issues including several items focused on housing and our outdoor spaces – two items that continue to be a majority priority for us and the community. |
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On March 22, we purchased several properties that we will be future affordable housing developments. We’re working to expand our affordable housing stock, and these projects will help. We also heard a report on the Valley Homeless Health Plan and a discussion on efforts to improve care for our unhoused neighbors.
Care and safety at our supportive housing locations was discussed on April 5. My joint referral with Supervisor Chavez will help us ensure safer and more secure conditions for the residents, and for our neighborhoods. The quality of the support we provide is just as important as providing spaces. Staff also brought back options for consideration on my referral from December about a Countywide collaborative motel program to utilize vacant motel rooms to provide housing for our neighbors on the streets. We moved forward two plans that will help us work with cities across the county to help those who are in dire need. Along with our Assisted Outpatient Treatment program that is underway, we’ll get care for those who need the most help. Additionally, LifeMoves, one of our community housing partners, currently has several openings for their motel voucher program. If you know anyone in need of assistance, please have them contact mvpsanjose@lifemoves.org to complete a referral form.
Two major highlights connected to our outdoor spaces included the County’s consideration of a Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights and securing land in South San José to expand and connect Calero & Santa Teresa Parks. The Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights empowers the imperative to create safe open spaces for our children and to protect all of our outdoors for their future.
Other major highlights from these meetings included a discuss on Pay Equity in Santa Clara County. We have a great online dashboard where you can see our progress to close wage disparities in our community. We’re currently at 98.8% - which is incredible considering the national average is 84% - but means we still have ways to go – especially for Black & Brown women.
My colleagues also adopted my referral on March 22 to endorse Seamless Transit Principles for the Bay Area. We have so many transit agencies and partners that help us get where we want and need to go in our community. As we begin to return to public and work spaces, sitting in our cars in traffic is not the way forward. We must work together to get our public transit to become the best option for our community. I am hopeful that we will see the free public transit options that our Governor proposed happen as gasoline prices are at such high rates.
Two additional important actions were the creation of a West Valley Health Services Clinic at De Anza Community College and our small business microgrants. In a joint referral with Supervisor Simitian, we are expanding County services and care for our physical and mental health that will be a closer service center for our West Valley residents. The microgrants are another chance to support our local small businesses still recovering from the pandemic. Click HERE to learn more and apply.
Lastly, on March 22 we celebrated the 20th Annual March for Meals to support our meals on wheels and other local food assistance programs, and we declared March 2022 Red Cross Month. On April 5, we declared April 2022 National Donate Life in Santa Clara County and we will recognize the Fifth Annual Black Maternal Health Week April 11–17, 2022.
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AROUND THE COMMUNITY
I recently returned from some travel outside of California. While I was in Washington DC, I was thankful to have a moment with my friends Carolyn Fowler and Christine Pelosi to visit the Ukraine House and express our support.
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Our friends from The Health Trust gave me a tour of the Jerry Larson FoodBasket in San José, and I helped deliver some prepared meals to a neighbor in Sunnyvale. Food assistance continues to be a major need for our community. Click HERE to learn more about The Health Trust.
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It was a special honor to perform inspection at the Annual Junior Naval ROTC Inspection Review at Milpitas High School. These cadets are a very impressive group. Their preparation, focus and attention to detail instills great confidence in our Country’s future. Special thanks to the Milpitas Unified School District and Board for their support of our youth.
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I was honored to deliver the keynote address at the Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce's Murphy Awards. For more than fifty years, this event has recognize Sunnyvale's innovation, technology, and community spirit. I had a wonderful time gathering with friends and neighbors to celebrate our community.
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I also attended the Chinese American Construction Professionals, CACP, Conference of Northern California and congratulated our friend Eric Sun in his new role as President of the Northern California Chapter of CACP.
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The D3 Team has been active in the community as well. We joined the celebration to recognize Berryessa Unified Superintendent Dr. Roxane Fuentes as the Berryessa Citizens Advisory Council's Citizen Of The Year 2022, and we also attended the full grand opening of the Vietnamese American Service Center.
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Gun-Firearms Buyback Event
On May 22, 2022 we will be hosting a Gun-Firearms Buyback Event in Milpitas in coordination with the District Attorney’s Office and the Milpitas Police Department. The event will be held from 9 am – 1 pm at the Milpitas Community Center. This event is an opportunity to anonymously turn in any unwanted guns or firearms. As we saw in the Sacramento shooting, stolen guns are wreaking havoc on our communities. We want to help prevent gun violence and we hope this event will be helpful in achieving that goal. Click HERE to learn more.
District 3 Community Roundtable
The D3CRT continues to grow and we want you to join us. Our next District 3 Community Roundtable meeting will be on April 21, 2022 at 7:00 pm [the Third Thursday of each month]. Click HERE for more information – including links to watch previous meetings.
Women’s HERstory Month 2022
D3 was honored to join our community in celebrating Women’s History Month with Women’s HERstory Month. Click HERE for more information.
We have busy days ahead with our URJGENT Grants and the FY2022-23 budget process upcoming. Stay connected with us on social media and SupervisorLee.org, and contact us anytime at Supervisor.Lee@bos.sccgov.org.
Warm regards,
Supervisor Otto Lee
Santa Clara County District 3
Supervisor.Lee@bos.sccgov.org
SupervisorLee.org
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Being involved in a neighborhood association, community group, or joining a County Board or Commission is the best way to improve the quality life of our community for our families. Connect with us if you want help getting involved.
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UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS & IMPORTANT RESOURCES
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AACSA Leadership Academy May 20-22 - High School/College Students
The African American Community Service Agency, AACSA, has a great opportunity for High School and College Students to engage in leadership training, gain exposure to organizations in and around Silicon Valley, and to connect them to valuable resources that will support and enrich their academic experience. Their program is open to everyone, regardless of location, race, religion, age or disability. If you know of any students who could benefit, we ask that you share the opportunity with them! Applications for the AACSA Leadership Academy's newest cohort (Cohort 5 - 2022) are now open to High School and College Students! Click HERE for more information - AACSA is accepting applications until April 29, 2022!
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MOBILE VAX CLINIC & TREE PLANTING - Milpitas
The County has a Mobile Vax clinic scheduled in Milpitas on Saturday, April 30. The clinic will be in coordination with a tree planting ceremony at Murphy Park from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm and in partnership with the City of Milpitas. See included flyers in English, 中文, Español, Tiếng Việt.
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SILCION VALLEY CLEAN ENERGY - FutureFit Fundamentals Program
SVCE has launched the FutureFit Fundamentals Contractor Training Program. The online course focuses on residential building electrification, and contractors with a valid license (and their employees) in Santa Clara County are eligible for a $500 stipend upon completion of the course. In addition, those with a residence or business in SVCE’s service territory may be able to receive up to $5,000 in incentives for the installation of select all-electric systems at their property. Click HERE for more information.
SILCION VALLEY CLEAN ENERGY - Short-Film Competition
The 2022 EmPower Silicon Valley Short-Film Competition opened March 10. Our climate is changing, and we are responding. By prioritizing clean energy, our communities are transforming our world into a climate-friendly one. But what this clean energy future will look like is uncertain. So, we need your ideas, stories, and films about a clean energy future and how we will get there. Share Your Vision of Our Clean Energy Future. Silicon Valley Clean Energy invites local students to share their stories and solutions to climate change for $20,000 in scholarship awards. Students will have two months to create and submit a film that captures their vision of a clean energy future, deadline is May 2, 2022. Click HERE for more information. |
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POSTER CONTEST - High School Students
District Attorney's Office is asking all eligible Santa Clara County high school students to create a poster for this year’s “Justice for All” contest that illustrates how the fentanyl overdosing epidemic is affecting them and their community. All art mediums are welcome: paint, pencil, charcoal, photography, graphic design, etc. All Santa Clara County high school students are invited to submit their work by May 6, 2022 . Winners will be announced on May 23, 2022 on the District Attorney’s website, Facebook, and Twitter. Click HERE for more information.
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ASIAN LAW ALLIANCE CITIZEN WORKSHOPS - Volunteers Needed!
Our friends at the Asian Law Alliance are hosting several citizen workshops (May 21 & June 4) and they need volunteers to help. All volunteers must be 18+ years of age. No prior experience is necessary, training will be provided to all volunteers. Click HERE for more information for May 21 & June 4.
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Did you or someone you know lose your vaccination card?
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