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

Message from the CEO

In the month of January, we have seen more programming activities. Our youth program has over sixteen students from Mark Twain and Modesto High School. Maribel Torres, our staff member, has a number of great programs planned for the students. We’re excited about the possibility of organizing another talent show to highlight the artistic talent of these students; more information will be forthcoming. Our Baby Thrive and Lightning Bugs are off to a great start this 2026 year. The programming offered includes health education, nutrition, and managing chronic diseases, just to name some of the activities offered by the agency.

The Wellness Center continues to provide behavioral health services to our families living in West and South Modesto. We have a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and two student interns attending Stanislaus State University in the Master’s Program in Social Work.

The agency continues to see families seeking food assistance in record numbers. In one week, we provided over 250 food gift cards for families in distress. This relates to new regulations on eligibility for the CalFresh Program. We do not see any relief coming soon; we are doing our best to work with the Food Bank and FIG to fill in the gaps for food.

Our 7th Annual Crab Feed was extraordinarily successful; we sold out with great support from community members and sponsors to help raise funds for our agency. The live auction was great; we had three signed footballs from players from the Chicago Bears, an official NFL football, Dallas Cowboys, and New Orleans Saints. The total raised from the signed footballs was $1,300. We also had other great items. I thank the community for donating raffle and auction items.

Finally, we have been conducting outreach and education to immigrant families caught in the middle of activities that are taking place in this great country, the United States of America. The mental health crisis has impacted the way we conduct ourselves as an organization to help families in distress, with care and humanity, to let them know we are there for them. As I review the faces of children holding on to their parents, I begin to wonder about the mental health of these children. The wonderful thing about us, as an organization, is that we have a great mental health team that has provided excellent services with care and support for these families and their children.

I leave you with this quote on human dignity: “No human being is illegal.” — Elie Wiesel

Perfecto Muñoz,

CEO of WMCC

January Recap

7th Annual Crab Feed

Our 7th Annual Crab Feed was truly one for the books and hands down the best one yet! The night was filled with great food, laughter, and an incredible sense of community, making this event a huge success. We are deeply grateful to our small business donors, Snow Crab Sponsors, Kiwanis North Modesto, Oak Valley Community Bank, and Golden Valley Health Centers for their generous support. And of course, a heartfelt thank you to our dedicated staff and volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make the evening run smoothly.

This event would not be possible without the collective support, generosity, and commitment of everyone involved. Thank you for helping us continue the work we do and for making this Crab Feed such a memorable celebration of community.



CWOP: Protect your Business- Workplace Safety Workshop



Members from Cal/OSHA Consultation services volunteered their time to come talk to community members about the free resources and services that they offer to business owners in our community.

Among the topics that they discussed were how to ensure a strong workplace safety culture, they provided guidance on how business-owners can develop and implement effective safety and health programs for their employees, and how to connect community members to additional resources for continued business-ownership support and compliance assistance. After the presentation, guests and presenters were treated with pozole kindly made by one of our staff members!

Community Builders: What is a Municipal Advisory Council (MAC)?

Our county supervisor Terry Withrow came to our center to give our community members more information about what a Municipal Advisory Council is and how they can get involved. He explained what pockets of our neighborhood are eligible to participate in a local Advisory Council and what kind of work is involved when one becomes a member.

So what is a Municipal Advisory Council (MAC)? MAC's are a group of community members who advise on local issues and help represent their neighborhood with the goal of making a difference in their community, having their voices heard by community leaders, and helping shape local priorities.

Green Room Youth Club Begins Spring Semester:

During the Spring Semester 2026, 16 students registered for the class, which focuses on the theme “Life Across Cultures.” Now three weeks in, students have already engaged in meaningful experiences. Three high school students visited as guest speakers to discuss women’s reproductive health through an informative group they launched themselves, traveling to share knowledge with those who invite them. Many of our students recognized the speakers from Modesto High, making it especially impactful to see peers confidently presenting on such important topics. The class also took a walk along the Helen White Trail, where they observed the park’s renovation, took photos in front of a mural, noticed the nearby senior homes, and learned about the area’s history from Blanca Marin. Most recently, students participated in a collaborative art activity, rotating canvases every five minutes so each piece reflected a contribution from everyone in the class.

Thank you to our Crab Feed Sponsors!

Our 7th Annual Crab Feed was more than a fundraiser, it was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when a community comes together with purpose and heart. None of this would have been possible without the incredible generosity of our sponsors who chose to invest in people, families, and the future of our community.

We extend our deepest gratitude to our Snow Crab Sponsors, small business donors, Kiwanis North Modesto, Oak Valley Community Bank, and Golden Valley Health Centers. Your support goes far beyond this event, it helps fund critical programs, create safe spaces, and provide resources that uplift families and individuals who need it most. Because of you, our work continues.

Because of you, lives are impacted. And because of you, hope shows up in tangible ways throughout our community every single day. Thank you for believing in our mission and for standing alongside us as partners in change.

Board of Director Spotlight

We are proud to celebrate Jocelyn Cooper and Nancy Martinez, two incredible members of our Board of Directors whose leadership, dedication, and heart for community make a lasting impact!

Upcoming Events

Internship Opportunity

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Vibin' with West Modesto :

Join host Likhi Rivas as she shares the upcoming changes happening with Vibin' w/ West Modesto, events at WMCC and ways in which you can get involved with your community!

As always, don't forget to check out our Vibe Songs playlist!

⁠https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1f7obRlw8tAPXhcRUE50jL

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