San Juan, Aromas residents learn about county and nonprofit
programs for low-income families
The Community Action Board hosted a barbecue for residents of
District 2, which includes San Juan Bautista and Aromas, Sept. 25,
from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the San Juan Bautista City Park.
The Community Action Board is made up of county representatives
who oversee the San Benito County Department of Community
Services
&
amp; Workforce Development to provide assistance in housing,
food, education and job skills to low-income community members and
their families, according to their website. The board meets the
second Thursday of every month.
San Juan, Aromas residents learn about county and nonprofit programs for low-income families
The Community Action Board hosted a barbecue for residents of District 2, which includes San Juan Bautista and Aromas, Sept. 25, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the San Juan Bautista City Park.
The Community Action Board is made up of county representatives who oversee the San Benito County Department of Community Services & Workforce Development to provide assistance in housing, food, education and job skills to low-income community members and their families, according to their website. The board meets the second Thursday of every month.
Jesse Polk, an Aromas resident who joined the CAB two years ago, suggested the barbecue as a way to make more San Juan and Aromas residents aware of resources in the community.
“It’s just the way I am,” he said, of coming up with the idea to host a barbecue where vendors could share brochures about different resources.
More than 70 residents turned out for the event, including 37 adults and 37 children.
“We liked to open up what services are available so they can come participate,” Polk said.
Many county services are centered in the Hollister area, including the many programs run through the county’s Health and Human Services Agency, which run the gamut from food stamps to the family resource center to the immunization and prevention program, so Polk was concerned that people might not know about them.
Some of the organizations who visited the fair included the Staples Association, which talked about ways residents can save on their PG&E bills, the One-Stop Career Center, the Community Food Bank, Health and Human Services, the Homeless Coalition and more.
Polk, who himself stayed at the San Benito County Homeless Shelter for one season a few years back before finding a job and a place to live, recruited homeless residents Eric Gonzalez and Kevin Crom to volunteer at the barbecue. Other volunteers included Barry and Claudia Olson, and Dave Pierce, among others. Supervisor Anthony Botelho attended the event, as well.
Daisy’s Saloon in San Juan Bautista donated ice, the Community Food Bank donated water and soda, and Dave’s Dawg House did the catering for the barbecue.
“It was a good turnout,” Polk said. “People there were very pleased. The kids had a lot of fun.”
They also had raffle prizes which included gas cards and other items.
Polk said he hopes the event will inspire other districts to host a Community Action Board event to familiarize residents with the services available to them.
He mentioned the poverty level, job loss and foreclosures as a reason to increase awareness in the community of resources.
“I am hoping other districts will hold a gathering and open avenues and doors,” he said.
The Community Action Board is currently hosting a survey online, where they are collecting input from residents about community needs. Residents can complete the survey online at http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22AADBM5T9F.
For more information on the Community Action Board, call 637-9293.
