On the morning of February 21st, a large community beautification event was held in the East San Jose Foxdale community. Mayor Matt Mahan and over a hundred residents joined forces to repair facilities, paint walls, and clean up the environment, collectively improving the public spaces in the community.
The event was initiated by the Foxdale Community Association, in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office, City Council Office, and several non-profit organizations. Volunteers checked in at 8:30 am on the day of the event and activities kicked off after a brief speech.
During her speech, President of the Community Association, Lucette Tirado, reflected on the association’s continuous advocacy to the city government for the past few years, including requests for improved lighting, repairing the soccer field, and organizing public space maintenance. She emphasized that the day’s action was a tangible result of long-term efforts by the residents.
She mentioned that refurbishing the soccer field was one of the residents’ top priorities, stating that “it is where young people play soccer, and we want them to be safer and more active.” She said that engaging in community service rejuvenated her, stating, “when you give, you also receive.”
Mayor Mahan emphasized in his speech that local governance should start from the residents’ needs. He recalled walking through the community with residents previously, where they raised specific issues with accompanying maps and data. “This is the power of democracy – residents speak, and the government actively responds,” he noted. He pointed out that public safety cannot rely solely on law enforcement but also on community involvement and environmental enhancement.
District 5 City Councilor Peter Ortiz stated that the Foxdale community had been plagued by crime and gang activities in the past years, but through collaboration between residents and the city government, the situation was gradually improving. His office had long supported the Foxdale Community Association by establishing a “Friendship Library Corner,” organizing youth activities, and hosting community events like the National Night Out. He particularly thanked the young volunteers, calling them the future leaders. He also highlighted the presence of the mayor, city departments, police force, and sports teams at the event, signifying that East San Jose was receiving more attention and resources.
Following the speeches, Mayor Mahan and Councilor Ortiz joined in voluntary service, assembling bleacher seats alongside young people, and then participated in painting and decorating walls to add color to the community. The activities also included patching the soccer field, seeding the lawn, trash cleanup, and installing additional lighting fixtures.
During his speech, Robert Davis, Vice President of Community Relations for the San Jose Earthquakes, stated that sports teams were not just about competition but also an integral part of the community. He shared a story of playing soccer with a young girl during a community event, describing how “a little time and effort could open up new opportunities for a child.”
In an interview with a reporter, he further expressed that without an audience for the games, everything would be meaningless. Supporting the team in the community and giving back to the community were responsibilities of the team. He pointed out that soccer naturally fosters connections; passing the ball to someone, they pass it back, symbolizing the best representation of community bonding.
Former MLB star Hunter Pence mentioned in his speech that combining sports with the community could ignite tremendous energy. He told the reporter that whenever the Earthquakes invited them, they would be there because everyone was part of the Bay Area. He expressed special gratitude to the participating young people, calling them role models who were bringing change to the community.
San Jose Police Chief Paul Joseph emphasized in his speech that real change comes from residents’ participation and community pride, not just through law enforcement. In an interview with the reporter, he pointed out that community safety was built on trust. If residents were unwilling to report crimes or provide clues, it would be challenging to reduce crime. He stressed that clearing trash, improving lighting, and enhancing public facilities were essential measures for crime prevention.
Many families were present at the event. Thanh Nguyen, who works in IT, pushed a stroller with his two young daughters, stating in an interview that he hoped to make the community better through participation, saying, “I do it for our children.”
Another mother, Mayra L Rivera Solis, along with her husband and children, immersed themselves in the event. She expressed pride in seeing many people working together, stating, “we are proud of everything we do for ourselves and for the community.”
The event concluded at 11 am that morning, with volunteers sharing lunch and exchanging experiences. The organizers mentioned that they would continue to promote community improvement projects in the future and assess ongoing needs.
This initiative was initiated by residents, with the government responding and providing support, while also integrating the efforts of sports teams and police forces. The relevant parties stated that they would continue to push for community safety and improvements in public spaces in the future.