Cindy Chavez, Life of service to the Santa Clara County

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Atenea Americana - by Stanford Hispanic Broadcasting

Stanford Hispanic Broadcasting - Isabel Jubes

15 episodes

2 weeks ago

Atenea in Spanish means “The House of Culture.” It is a name inspired by the goddess of war and culture “Athens” (in Spanish Atenea). In many Hispanic countries, there is a space called “Atenea” or “Ateneo.” This place is usually a hub for culture or cultural centers, where people meet to enjoy, get informed, and discuss matters of culture. This show represents that, as the aim is to join people through culture. Americana has many meanings in this context. One of them is the whole "American Continent" as this refers to it people in and out of Latin America, with different ethnicities and races but a similar thread in culture.

All content for Atenea Americana - by Stanford Hispanic Broadcasting is the property of Stanford Hispanic Broadcasting - Isabel Jubes and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

Cindy Chavez, Life of service to the Santa Clara County

Atenea Americana - by Stanford Hispanic Broadcasting

26 minutes

1 year ago

Cindy Chavez, Life of service to the Santa Clara County

Welcome, everyone! I’m thrilled to have Supervisor Cindy Chavez with us today. Cindy is someone who has dedicated her life to serving the very community she grew up in – right here in Santa Clara County, the city of San José and the San Francisco Bay Area. Coming from a working-class family, Cindy brings a down-to-earth perspective and a tireless work ethic that resonates with so many of us in this area.

Her journey is inspiring. She started at San José State University, where her commitment to community and social justice took root, leading her toward a career tackling real issues that impact people’s lives, like health, transportation, and education. From her time at the South Bay Labor Council to her leadership on the Board of Supervisors, she’s made a real impact on the landscape of Silicon Valley.

As an advocate for wage equality she has pushed policies that support working families. She was instrumental in recognizing the 100th anniversary of women’s right to vote in 2020, initiatives that help empower more voices in our community.

Supervisor Chavez has also addressed some of the most critical issues in the county, from establishing the Intimate Partner Violence Blue Ribbon Commission to advancing bail reform for non-violent, low-level offenders. Thanks to her leadership, Santa Clara became the first county in California to implement such a reform, sparking statewide change and helping reduce unnecessary jail time for those who need support, not punishment.

Housing has been a particular focus for Cindy. Recognizing the shortage of land for affordable housing, she proposed a creative partnership with school districts and community colleges to explore building affordable homes on school-owned land. She’s also worked to improve the lives of some of the most vulnerable children in our community. Partnering with the Santa Clara County Office of Education, Cindy streamlined the foster care system to better support dually involved youth – those involved with both child welfare and juvenile justice. Under her leadership, the county approved funding for The Hub, which is a resource center for foster youth that provides essential support so these young people can finish school, find jobs, and access basic services.

From being a voice for children, families, and seniors to championing public transit improvements through CalTrain and VTA, Cindy’s impact has been wide-reaching. And as she wraps up her time on the Board of Supervisors, she’s preparing for a new chapter in her native New Mexico, carrying with her the same dedication to community and equity. Today, we’ll hear about her experiences, the challenges she’s faced, and the lessons she’s learned as one of the Bay Area’s most respected Latina leaders. So stay with us – this is a conversation you don’t want to miss!

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