The Collaborative Bulletin is created by Jasmine P. Corena & Cesar Salto

Message from the CEO

In this November newsletter, you will see children and family members participating in educational games, engaging in meaningful discussions, and exploring new ways to improve their lives. CWOP and our Navigation team continue to meet their goals in addressing the needs of our community. The Community Advocacy Program (People’s Plan) is successfully meeting the objectives outlined in the People's Plan Report. Our Community Builders Project and Valley Improvement Projects (VIP) recently organized a community meeting with the San Joaquin Air Quality District. The meeting was well attended by community members, civic leaders, and staff from various community organizations.

This month, we are excited to welcome back our Youth Art Program. The course will once again be taught by our resident artist, Lizzeth, with Arte, Familia y Cultura. The talent these youth demonstrate is truly remarkable.

We are also pleased to share that at the November 4th City Council meeting, the operational agreement was approved, granting WMCC an additional 10 years to continue operating out of the King Kennedy Memorial Center. This is wonderful news for both the community and our agency.

Additionally, the agency is planning to offer programming and services at the Marshall Center (NCAMP). We will provide updated information soon.

As Thanksgiving approaches, many of us look forward to preparing a meal and spending cherished time with our families. Yet, every day, there are families in our community who face food insecurity. Many rely on their EBT/CalFresh benefits to feed their households, and they are now facing new challenges with limited access to food purchases.

We live in one of the wealthiest countries in the world, yet more than 45 million Americans depend on their EBT cards to purchase food. In Stanislaus County alone, 92,660 residents rely on these benefits, 50,170 of whom live in Modesto. This situation has created tremendous challenges for community-based organizations and food pantries working to meet the needs of these families. And this number does not include farmworker families or mixed-status families, who often lack the resources to purchase food consistently.

When we gather for Thanksgiving dinner, it’s easy to forget the families who struggle with food insecurity. Yet, many of them are the same agricultural workers who harvest our fruits and vegetables, the farmworkers who labor long hours to ensure we have fresh turkeys, and the dairy workers who make it possible for us to enjoy fresh dairy products in our holiday meals. They are the backbone of our food system.

I encourage everyone to consider “adopting” a family this holiday season and bringing the joy of a Thanksgiving meal to their home. Let us remember those who make our Thanksgiving tables possible.



Wishing all families in Stanislaus County a very Happy Thanksgiving.

Perfecto Muñoz,

CEO of WMCC

October Recap



Trunk or Treat

We had such a fun and adorable time at this year’s WMCC Trunk or Treat! Families and children came together for an afternoon filled with smiles, candy, and community connection.

From dinosaurs to princesses, the costumes were absolutely amazing; every trunk and trick-or-treater brought their Halloween spirit to life!

A special thank you to Light the World Giving Machine for donating books that brought joy and learning to our little ones! And a huge shoutout to Children’s Choice Dental Care for joining us, offering resources, and handing out amazing goodies to our attendees.

Events like these remind us how beautiful it is when the community comes together; laughter, costumes, and happy hearts all around. 

Groundbreaking MLK Park

What an exciting day for our community! The Martin Luther King Jr. Park Groundbreaking Ceremony marked the start of a long-awaited renovation that will bring new life, beauty, and opportunity to our neighborhood. On behalf of West Modesto Community Collaborative (WMCC), we are thrilled to see this project come to life; a true investment in the future of our families, youth, and residents. This renovation symbolizes more than construction, it represents growth, unity, and hope for generations to come. Once completed, the park will be a vibrant space where our community can gather, play, and continue to build connections. While renovations are underway, WMCC will continue providing services and programs at our temporary location: 529 California Ave., Modesto, CA. We remain committed to serving and strengthening our community every step of the way!

Photo By: ModestoBee

CPR Baby Thrive



This month, our Baby Thrive families had the opportunity to participate in a free CPR and child-safety workshop led by a health professional from Doctors Medical Center. Held in our new office space, the session brought together more than ten mothers and their children for hands-on training using medical-grade infant mannequins. Participants learned essential life-saving skills, including CPR and rescue breathing techniques, and received guidance on preventing accidents near water and responding to common child emergencies. We’re grateful to Doctors Medical Center for sharing their expertise and helping empower parents to keep their little ones safe.

CWOP Workshop



Our California Workplace Outreach Project (CWOP) team recently welcomed a local representative from the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) for an informative workshop on workers’ rights and workplace safety. The session emphasized that all workers in the U.S. are entitled to safe and fair working conditions, regardless of occupation or background. The Cal/OSHA representative encouraged attendees to contact the agency if they, or someone they know, experience unsafe conditions or feel their basic rights are being violated. Cal/OSHA keeps all reports strictly confidential, ensuring workers can speak up without fear of retaliation from their employers. If you have questions or would like to speak to someone about your rights as a worker please call our office at 209-522-6902 to received direct assistance.

Program Spotlight:

Navigation Program

The West Modesto Community Collaborative’s Navigation Program continues to make a lasting impact by connecting families and individuals to essential resources that help them move toward stability and self-sufficiency. Over the past quarter alone, the program has assisted more than 488 households, helping residents access food assistance, housing support, healthcare services, and more. Each connection made through the Navigation Program represents a meaningful step toward helping community members build stronger, more sustainable lives.

At the heart of the Navigation Program is a commitment to collaboration. WMCC continues to work hand in hand with trusted partners such as The Food Initiative of Greater Stanislaus, Second Harvest of the Greater Valley, and Learning Quest to ensure that community members can access support easily and without barriers. These partnerships allow WMCC to provide seamless referrals and coordinated assistance so that no one in the community is left without the help they need.

One of the program’s most successful ongoing efforts is its partnership with Learning Quest to offer English as a Second Language classes. WMCC recently launched its third session, welcoming both new and returning students eager to strengthen their English skills. Through these classes, participants are gaining the tools they need to improve communication, access more employment and educational opportunities, and achieve greater independence. By offering ESL instruction locally, WMCC empowers residents to take an active role in their own growth while building confidence and connection within the community.

As the holiday season approaches, the Navigation Program is also leading efforts to bring warmth and hope to local families. This month, WMCC is joining forces with The Food Initiative of Greater Stanislaus and Valley First Credit Union for the Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive. The drive-through event will take place on November 24th starting at 9 a.m., distributing turkeys and bags of fresh produce to help families prepare a nourishing Thanksgiving meal. This annual tradition embodies WMCC’s mission to ensure that every household can celebrate the season with joy.

Looking ahead, WMCC is excited to launch its Annual Christmas Toy Drive in partnership with Oak Valley Bank. Each of Oak Valley Bank’s three Modesto branches will host a Christmas tree adorned with tags representing the holiday wishes of local children. Community members are invited to pick up a tag between November 25th and December 15th, purchase a gift, and help make a child’s holiday bright. For those short on time,

WMCC has also made it easy to give through a QR code that allows donors to contribute funds directly, ensuring every child’s wish is fulfilled.

Through these continued efforts, the Navigation Program remains a pillar of hope and support in Stanislaus County. Each partnership, class, and act of kindness strengthens the fabric of our community, helping residents move beyond challenges and toward lasting stability.

Client Success Story

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Have something to share? For inquiries please email our Communications Director: Jasmine P. Corena

jcorena@westmodestocollaborative.com

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Vibin' with West Modesto :

Likhi and Oscar have a very heavy conversation with the Director of Prevention from Without Permission- Clint Rangel. Without Permission aims to end sex and human trafficking not only in the Central Valley but across the nation. Rangel provides a deep dive on Without Permission and the services they provide for victims. With a country life upbringing, Rangel explains the importance of helping other and speaking up for the silenced and providing the needs necessary to provide an escape for sex trafficking victims. Please visit their website: withoutpermission.org and give them a follow-on Instagram @woutpermission.

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