ARVAC: EMPOWERING THE ALUM ROCK VILLAGE COMMUNITY
By Shannon Sapien
The Alum Rock Village Action Committee (ARVAC) was born from a tragedy in East San José but has since become a force for positive change in the community. In September 2016, a neighborhood in the East Foothills area of Alum Rock was shaken to its core by a heartbreaking and brutal home invasion that led to the tragic loss of a beloved long-time resident, Miss Flo. This senseless act of violence left a profound impact on everyone in the community, prompting us to come together in solidarity to address the growing concerns about safety and the overall quality of life in the area.
In response to this devastating event, more than 200 community members gathered at St. John Vianney Church to discuss the challenges surrounding the neighborhoods. Together, we identified critical areas for improvement, such as enhancing public safety, caring for our elders, fostering stronger relationships between neighbors, taking pride in our surroundings, addressing crime hotspots, and beautifying key parts of the neighborhood. Clearly, if we wanted to honor the victim's memory and ensure a safer future, we needed to take action.
With the support of former Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez and ARVAC founder Jesse Haro, a call for volunteers formed a neighborhood association dedicated to creating change in the Alum Rock community. This call was answered by 15 passionate and committed individuals from diverse backgrounds, each eager to contribute to improving the Alum Rock Village area. In October 2016, our first meeting was held, and it was there that the Alum Rock Village Action Committee (ARVAC) was officially established. We chose to add "Village" to our name deliberately, not only because we are centered around the Alum Rock Village but also because we recognized that building a stronger, safer, and more vibrant community would require the collective efforts of a village. ARVAC is a registered neighborhood association and non-profit organization; our fiscal agent is the La Raza Historical Society. This partnership strengthens our commitment to fostering positive change while ensuring financial responsibility and transparency.
Our mission has remained consistent: to enhance the quality of life for residents, build stronger neighborhoods, and advocate for positive change. Nine years later, ARVAC continues to thrive, having delivered meaningful results that align with our original goals. Whether it's through organizing neighborhood cleanups, hosting community events, maintaining relationships with local business owners, or working with local authorities to address crime, we remain dedicated to improving the well-being of our fellow residents.
