Supervisors honor 50 years of service by West Valley Community Services
SAN JOSE – Earlier this month, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors honored 50 years of service by West Valley Community Services (WVCS). Serving the communities of Cupertino, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, Saratoga, and West San José, WVCS works to address food insecurity and homelessness.
“Fifty years is a long time to be doing good work,” applauded Supervisor Simitian. “While the need continues to be great, we should take the time to honor and celebrate significant milestones like this.”
Started by public health nurses Harriet Jackson, Julie Venkus, and Sue Borgstrom, the Cupertino Roundup (as the organization was originally known) looked to establish a central location where they could help their community. The group connected individuals and families to mental health services, housing, childcare, emergency food, clothing, and transportation.
To better reflect the communities it serves, the organization changed its name in 2008 to West Valley Community Services. Today, below market rate housing programs offer permanent housing to low-income households at the organization’s Cupertino location, while the onsite Food Market and Park-It Market mobile food pantry provide access to nutritious food to WVCS clients. Reach Your Destination Easily, or RYDE, is a door-to-door senior transportation services administered by WVCS to help older adults get to their medical and dental appointments, visit friends and family, and complete errands.
“The partnerships we have built with the County have been invaluable,” said Sujatha Venkatraman, WVCS Executive Director. “Programs such as RYDE and the Park-It Market would not have been possible without the support of Supervisor Simitian and the Board of Supervisors.”
Earlier this year at Simitian’s urging, WVCS received a County grant to improve distribution efficiencies of the Park-It Market program. The funds were used to establish a satellite location near the center of the Park-It Market’s distribution area, where the mobile food pantry can restock its inventory without having to drive back to WVCS Cupertino location. This will save both time and fuel costs for the program.
“WVCS pivoted at the onset of the pandemic to be able to continue to bring services to their clients and the community,” noted Simitian. “With the Park-It Market, the satellite hub will allow WVCS to again pivot to better support and serve their clients. This partnership illustrates the good that can be done when the County partners with an organization with the experience and compassion of WVCS.”