Resources for Vulnerable Communities
Local Civic Engagement
3-17-2025 Watsonville to build tiny home village for homeless – TV news clip
3-12-2025 Watsonville City Council denies second appeal against ‘tiny village’ homeless shelter project
A controversial “tiny village” project aimed at housing Watsonville’s homeless population cleared its final political hurdle on Tuesday night, as the city council rejected a resident’s second appeal to put restrictions on the development.
The 34-unit project, to be built on the grounds of Westview Presbyterian Church, can now move forward after months of neighborhood opposition. The project, funded by an $8 million state grant, is a collaboration between Monterey and Santa Cruz counties to address homelessness along the Pajaro River levee.
Churches of the Presbytery of San Jose are member organizations in the following
Ecumenical / Interfaith Community Networks. Watch these sites for local opportunities.
P.A.C.T. (Instagram @pact_people_acting) (facebook.com/PACTSJ)
Multifaith Voices for Peace and Justice (multifaithpeace.org)
Silicon Valley Allied for the Common Good (siliconvalleyiaf.org)
Denominational News, Advice, and Resources
Announcing Presbyterian Advocacy Hour, 4th Wednesday of each month, 9am PST.
Recording of first session, Feb. 26: Advocacy as a Spiritual Practice https://bit.ly/advocacyhour1
March 26, 9:00am theme: Unbelievable threats faced by our immigrant siblings. Registration link here.
“Church members, lay leaders, pastors, mid-council staff, all Presbyterians and friends are welcome! Get nourishment for your spirit, essential connections and resources, relationship building, and direction for how to stay in righteous movement while showing up as your best self.”
PC(USA) joins religious freedom lawsuit challenging ICE enforcement actions in churches
February 12, 2025
The case, Mennonite Church USA et al. v. United States Department of Homeland Security et al., was filed in federal district court in Washington, D.C., by the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection (ICAP) at Georgetown Law. View the lawsuit here.
February 6, 2025 Rev. Jihyun Oh | Special to Presbyterian News Service
Stated Clerk and Executive Director Rev. Jihyun Oh wrote about three ways that the denomination is working to protect communities targeted by the current administration.
Advice from Amanda Craft, PC(USA) Office of Immigration Issues
Updated information from 2/5/25.
Red Cards
The “Know your Rights” Red Cards are printed here in San Jose by Printed Union, which has rushed to meet orders for several million cards in the last month. Source: SanJoseInsider.com Feb 24, 2025
The Immigrant Legal Resource Center’s Red Cards “help people assert their rights and defend themselves in many situations, such as when ICE agents go to a home.” Free packs are no longer available, but cards can be ordered, and the ILRC posted their template to let you print your own to give away. Volunteers have provided translations in 19 languages.
Previously
Feb 12: P.A.C.T. “We Are Welcoming” Training, 12:30pm Sunday at Westminster Pres., San Jose
Feb 20: Santa Cruz Interfaith Network Immigration Rights Training, 4:30-6:30pm for Faith Community Leaders at Westhope Pres., Watsonville.
Feb 28: Some Presbyterians participated in a consumer spending blackout Friday, Feb 28, 2025, called to protest retreats by major corporations from DEI committments.