East San José Prevention Efforts Advance Community Equity (PEACE) Partnership

East San Jose, a working-class enclave with a large undocumented population, is in the heart of Silicon Valley, a region famous for its economic inequality and ever-rising rents. For years, the community has grappled with evictions that have displaced families, as well as high rates of violence and trauma that have negatively impacted community health.

Despite the challenges residents face, they have chosen to build upon their strengths—community pride, diversity, creativity and community activism—to transform the health and safety of the community. In 2016, they came together with local partners to launch the East San Jose Prevention Efforts Advance Community Equity (PEACE) Partnership, an Accountable Community for Health (ACH) that brings together community members, CBOs and public health leaders to collaborate on a resident-led efforts to prevent violence, address trauma and promote health equity. It was one of the first ACHs funded by CACHI.

“This partnership uplifts community voices and puts them in the driver’s seat so they can set the agenda,” said Telina Martinez-Barrientos, the violence prevention program manager for Santa Clara County Public Health, the ACH’s backbone organization. “They’re not just showing up, they’re deciding what direction we go—helping to decide whether we need more community clinics, or youth programs, or more affordable housing.”

This philosophy allows the partnership to remain flexible—and successful—during changing times. During COVID-19, it was able to shift gears away from violence prevention and towards a robust pandemic response that soon served as a statewide model. The effort deployed thousands of vaccines within community settings, raised over $600,000 for an emergency relief fund for undocumented families and advocated for anti-displacement measures to keep residents in their homes.

Following the pandemic, the partnership leveraged the trust it built with funders and the community to attract additional partners and strengthen its violence prevention and anti-displacement efforts.

Moving forward, it will work to strengthen its wellness fund, incorporate more resident-led governance groups, and, most importantly, continue to empower and connect neighbors. Community Health Workers and promotoras will help accomplish this within East San Jose homes, while youth leaders organize young people to show up and advocate at public meetings.

“I grew up in this community,” said Martinez-Barrientos. “I am proud to call this place my home and to serve my neighbors each day. Together, we have proven that residents can build a healthy, peaceful and empowered community by becoming active in the systems that impact their daily lives.”

For more information visit the East San Jose Prevention Efforts Advance Community Equity (PEACE) Partnership.