Working Partnerships is a public policy institute that builds partnerships with community, labor and faith groups to improve the lives of working families in Silicon Valley. 

 

Supervisors' President Shirakawa backs
Working Partnerships' anti-obesity project

Calling for bold action to confront Santa Clara County's obesity epidemic, Board of Supervisors President George Shirakawa called Jan. 24 for a Healthy Corner Store policy to encourage the availability of nutritious foods in the corner stores that serve low-income residents.

"By collaborating with Working Partnerships and other community groups, we can design a program that promotes good health and increased shopping at local businesses -- a win-win for families and the economy," Shirakawa said in his State of the County speech.

Working Partnerships -- supported by funding from the Silicon Valley Community Foundation -- is currently researching and developing a policy proposal that would improve the marketing and availability of foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables in low-income areas. Additional funding for this project is also being sought.

"It's exciting to bring business and community leaders together to promote health and economic development," said Cindy Chavez, Working Partnerships' executive director.

The project is part of Working Partnerships' larger work on food justice (read about it here).

In its proposal to develop a Healthy Corner Store policy, Working Partnerships noted that while 55 percent of county adults are overweight or obese, obesity is concentrated in low-income areas where there are few convenient alternatives to fast-food outlets. Only 17 percent of the county's low-income families live within walking distance of a farmers' market, community garden or Community-Supported Agriculture drop-off point. Sixty percent of the county's 201 corner stores are located within high poverty census tracts.

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Teen Interfaith Leadership Council
formed, recruiting members

The Interfaith Council on Economics and Justice has approved the creation of a Teen Interfaith Leadership Council of Santa Clara County and has begun recruiting members.

The council will consist of high school sophomores, juniors and seniors from various religious traditions who will engage in meaningful service, interfaith dialogue and advocacy activities that address issues of poverty, social injustice and promote the common good in Santa Clara County. The emphasis will be on mutual respect and understanding and interfaith dialogue, not conversion.

"Teenagers have the ability and power to be agents of social change," said Interfaith Council board member Steve Herrera. "The Teen Interfaith Leadership Council will be a catalyst powered by young people from diverse religious traditions to create a more compassionate, just and peaceful community in Santa Clara County."

Interested sophomores and juniors from Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist and Catholic/Christian or other religious backgrounds can download an information sheet and application form here. The council will meet monthly and membership terms will run from July through April-May.

The council's 10-member Core Team will participate in an annual retreat and immersive experience July 26-30 in New Mexico in partnership with the Shinnyo-en Buddhist Temple, Shinnyo-en Foundation, Working Partnerships USA and the Interfaith Council.

The retreat is intended to create community and foster interfaith understanding while performing meaningful service. It will focus on the Native American culture in New Mexico with special emphasis on service, interfaith dialogue and discovering shared religious values regarding faith and justice.

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Interfaith Council supports airport workers

San Jose airport workers seeking their first contract with the Hudson Group got support from the Interfaith Council on Economics and Justice in their Jan. 23 rally at Terminal A.

Interim Director Elisa Koff-Ginsborg participated in the rally at which the workers -- who joined Unite Here Local 19 last August -- called for competitive wages and good health benefits in the contract now being negotiated. ""We name the injustice when a worker who improves the quality of others' lives must struggle themselves to obtain basic needs such as health care," she said. "This is no way to work; no way to live."

Hudson workers say their health coverage is substandard yet costs hundreds of dollars more than plans for workers of other concessionaires. Hudson, which operates concessions at 74 airports and railroad stations, is negotiating its first contract with San Jose workers.

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