To: s-acc@yahoogroups.com
From: Andrew Phelps <no-action@cwnet.com>
Date: Thu, 21 May 2009 11:37:32 -0700
Subject: [s-acc] Re: community advocacy
Hi
A follow-up on our SJCC community engagement meeting last Tuesday.
Today the County's "Stakeholder Leadership Committee" (SLC) for the MHSA met. [I represent SJCC on this committee.] They are the "advisory body" for County MHSA planning and funding. I asked that they formally include Silicon Valley De-Bug as a member of the SLC. That's like asking actual grassroots community voice people to be
included in the policy dialogue. [!]Jennifer the Consumer Liaison for the County made the motion and it passed
unanimously. We've done our homework, and now "community organizing" seems to be 'in'.I had to leave early in order to give a Final Exam to my students. On my way out, I exchanged words with Miguel Valencia, a non-profit provider who runs the Gardner Center. I said, "You've been working on this community engagement project for 30-40 years." He just smiled broadly and responded with true warmth.
Andrew Phelps