Hi Neighbors,


This week, the City Council unanimously passed a resolution to reaffirm our commitment that anyone, regardless of immigration status, has the right to feel safe in the city where they live, work, and worship.


Every resident should be able to trust their local government and feel confident in their public safety officers. Fear and uncertainty should not cause our residents to be disengaged or disconnected from their city. There isn't a single community member that should be afraid to call 9-1-1, seek healthcare services, or go to work/school.


As the Councilmember for District 8, I want all of my residents to feel safe calling my office because that is how we uplift our community and build stronger neighborhoods. Our community members are at the core of the work we do. They are the ones that let us know what’s going on in their neighborhoods and which issues are important to them.


We, as a City, are standing by our immigrant communities during this time because they help make this City great.


There is much work to be done, but together we are stronger. 


It is my pleasure and privilege to serve as your City Councilmember,

Domingo Candelas

City of San José District 8

Learn more about our community work and accomplishments in my past newsletters from February 2023 onward, which provide a wealth of information including updates on legislation, community events, and important issues like the City budget, public safety, homelessness and more.


Please share this with your neighbors and let them know what's happening in my district. They can sign up by following this link.

Upcoming Events

Exclusive SJSU Ticket Offer for District 8 Residents

Join us on Tuesday, February 25 at the SJSU Event Center as the San Jose State Spartans take on the Las Vegas Rebels.


Click here for access to the Buy One, Get One ticket offer for District 8 residents.

Cheer on our local athletes and join Councilmember Candelas as he receives an exclusive San Jose State Basketball jersey.


Game starts at 7pm, so bring your SJSU gear and we'll see you then!

Councilmember Candelas at the Farmers' Market

Evergreen Village Square

10am-12pm



Stop by and share your thoughts and questions with me at the Farmer's Market. Part of empowering our families and creating stronger neighborhoods is addressing your concerns and connecting you with the available resources! 

No appointments are needed.

Feb. 16, Mar. 16, June 15, July 20, Sept. 21, Oct. 19 & Dec. 21

In the Community

Black History Month

Happy Black History Month! All of February, we honor African American leaders of our past and those shaping our future. 

Community Coffee at Con Azucar

Whether it was to voice a concern or to just say hi, we appreciate everyone who came our Community Coffee with SJPD Captain Max Zuniga!

Budget Breakfast

The Evergreen Branch Library's Community Room was filled with engaged neighbors who voiced their priorities for this year's budget.

Thank you to everyone who joined us!

City Hall Update

On January 28th, the City Council appointed Carl Salas to be the interim District 3 Councilmember until a new Councilmember is elected.

The special election will take place on April 8. If no candidate receives a majority vote, the top two finishers will advance to a runoff on June 24.


This week, the City Council directed city staff to continue ongoing collaboration with the County of Santa Clara to expand alternative response and co-response programs to 911 calls for service. Together, we hope to expand the 911-to-988 transfer program, educate residents on services available through 988, and monitor the implementation of the Trusted Response Urgent Support Team (TRUST) expansion pilot.


Investing in alternatives to the tradition 911 response system is highly important. When someone is experiencing a mental health crisis or struggling with opioid addiction, the response needs to be thoughtful, compassionate, and informed. Additionally, our work should always be inclusive, ensuring that the needs of people with physical and developmental disabilities are a central part of our response strategies. We must design our response systems to be accessible to everyone, and continued engagement with the disability community is crucial to ensure that no one is left behind in moments of crisis.


Lastly, I am happy to announce that I was appointed to the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Board of Directors. I am honored to represent San Jose and District 8 residents as we bring a vision of an equitable and reliable transportation network to reality. The Eastridge Transit Center is one of the most active hubs in terms of daily ridership. Ensuring that more people in District 8 have access to this hub and the greater transportation network, is a top priority.

Local Businesses

Art Classes at the Evergreen Village Square

Interested in channeling your inner artist?

Visit the VE Art Studio or click here to learn more about their class offerings!

The Art of Living is hosting a series of 75 minute workshops to get the chance to pause, take a breath and clear your mind with the help of a calming breathing technique and a guided meditation.

More info available here!

In-person Yoga Breath Meditation Workshop

The Art of Living is also hosting in-person meditation workshops at Valley Oak Montessori School every Saturday and Sunday at 9:15am!

Click here for more info!

Announcements

Cash for College Workshops

Financial aid applications are now required for seniors to graduate in California, making it more important than ever to provide accessible resources for completing the FAFSA and California Dream Act Application (CADAA). To support this effort, we’re hosting Cash for College workshops across San Jose. 

These workshops are designed to provide hands-on assistance to seniors and their families with financial aid applications and college planning.

Register here


Key Dates to Know:

  • Priority Deadline for State Aid: March 3, 2025
  • California Community College Students Deadline: September 2, 2025

2025 Youth in Action & Parents In Action Conference

"Breaking Cycles and Connecting Generations"


Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence (NDS) invites you to our 5th Annual Youth in Action Conference and the 2nd Annual Parents In Action Conference—an empowering event designed to connect, heal, and uplift our community! Be part of a movement dedicated to ending domestic violence once and for all.

Youth register for FREE here!

Adults register for FREE here!

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Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence (NDS) te invita a nuestra 5ª Conferencia Anual Jóvenes en Acción y Padres En Acción—¡un evento lleno de empoderamiento diseñado para conectar, sanar y elevar a nuestra comunidad! Sé parte de un movimiento dedicado a poner fin a la violencia doméstica de una vez por todas.

Jóvenes registrate gratis aqui!

Adultos registrate gratis aqui!

First Tee - Silicon Valley Spring Class Registration

Registration opens on February 19, 2025 at 11am.

Click here for more information!

Facebook:  FirstTeeSV

Instagram: @firstteesv

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Las inscripciones se abren el 19 de febrero de 2025 a las 11 de la mañana.

¡Haga clic aquí para obtener más información!

Project Foodbox for Medi-Cal Members

Click here to get more info!

Upgrading from old gas appliances to electric ones doesn’t just make your home more efficient and comfortable—it also improves air quality and reduces pollution. Whether you’re a homeowner or renter, San José Clean Energy’s EcoHome Rebate and Payment Plan can help you make the switch. Learn more and apply today!

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Actualizando los electrodomésticos antiguos de gas por otros eléctricos no solo hace que su hogar sea más eficiente y cómodo, sino que también mejora la calidad del aire y reduce la contaminación. Ya sea propietario o inquilino, San José Clean Energy EcoHome Reembolso y Plan de Pago puede ayudarlo a hacer el cambio.

¡Obtenga más información y presente su solicitud hoy!

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Nâng cấp từ các thiết bị gas cũ sang các thiết bị điện không chỉ làm cho ngôi nhà của quý hiệu quả và thoải mái hơn, mà còn cải thiện chất lượng không khí và giảm ô nhiễm. Cho dù quý là chủ nhà hay người thuê nhà, chương trình Hoàn Tiền và Kế Hoạch Thanh Toán EcoHome của San José Clean Energy có thể giúp quý vị thực hiện việc chuyển đổi.

Tìm hiểu thêm và đăng ký ngay hôm nay! SanJoseCleanEnergy.org/vi/giam-gia-ecohome

Computer & Digital Skills Classes and 1:1 Support

Build your digital skills by attending in-person or virtual classes in multiple languages offered by the San Jose Public Library!

For in-person class times, Click here!

Interested in virtual classes? Click here!

Valley Water's Essential Tips to Get Flood Ready


1. Develop an emergency plan: An essential step toward being flood ready is preparing for an emergency. Discuss with members of your household what to do during a disaster. Identify emergency contacts in and out of town and a caretaker for individuals with special needs and pets. Please visit ready.gov/plan for more details.

 

2.Put your 3-day emergency kit together: Create an emergency kit with tools, supplies, non-perishable food, and water (3 gallons per person). For a detailed list of recommended supplies, please visit ready.gov/kit.

 

3. Download disaster and emergency apps: Sign up for Santa Clara County’s official emergency alert and warning system, AlertSCC. Use the information provided by AlertSCC to get the most up-to-date information on emergencies and disasters happening in your area.

 

4. Know your flood risk: To find out if you live in a high-risk flood zone, visit valleywater.org/floodzone. To check whether your house or business is in a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and learn how to interpret FEMA flood maps, please visit the FEMA Flood Map Service Center.


5. Get flood insurance ahead of time: Most homeowner's and renter’s insurance policies don’t cover damage from natural disasters such as floods. Visit floodsmart.gov to learn about flood insurance policies.


6. Protect your home from flood threats: Valley Water offers free, filled sandbags for residents of Santa Clara County. Sandbag distribution sites can be found here.

 

7. Keep debris and trash out of our streams: Healthy, flowing creeks reduce flood risks by carrying stormwaters away from properties and roads. Report blockages like wood or debris and dumping in creeks to the Valley Water Watersheds Operations & Maintenance hotline at 408-630-2378 or through Access Valley Water.

 

8. Avoid floodwaters - Turn around, don’t drown: Understand shallow flooding risks - never walk or drive through flooded areas, no matter how shallow.

 

9.Build responsibly in floodplains: 

Construction within Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) zones require special permits. Learn more at  valleywater.org/floodready.


CalKIDS is a program from the State of California that funds up to $1,500 in free money for newborns and eligible low-income public school students to save for college and career training.

Visit here to learn more! 

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CalKIDS es un programa del Estado de California que financia hasta $1,500 en dinero gratis para niños recién nacidos o estudiantes elegibles de escuelas públicas de bajos ingresos para ahorrar para la universidad y la capacitación profesional.

¡Visita aquí para aprender más!

To learn more about free legal services through the Elevate Community Center, click here!

District 8 Website