Sacred Heart Community Service served about 10,000 people when it moved into its new building at Alma Avenue and South First Street in 1998. Today, that number has skyrocketed to more than 50,000 people, squeezing the existing space beyond its limit. Which is why the nonprofit was thrilled to give the community a sneak peak last weekend at a second location at 550 S. First St., in the heart of downtown San Jose’s SoFA District.
Executive Director Poncho Guevara says the 12,000-square-foot building — which dates to the late 1800s and was previously home to the Metro weekly and a gym — will allow Sacred Heart to move some staff from its existing facility, create community collaboration spaces and provide more private areas for one-on-one counseling for case management and rental assistance discussions. Sacred Heart also wants the space — which sits between the Institute for Contemporary Art, the SoFA Pocket Park and the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles — to be an active part of the neighborhood when it opens in late spring.
The new space is allowing Sacred Heart, which was founded in 1964, to make changes to its Alma location, knocking out walls to expand its food pantry and Clothes Closet, two programs that will remain at that original location.
The open house on Saturday — which included performances by Calpulli Tonalehqueh Aztec Dance, San Jose Taiko and Oriki Arts African Drum and Dance — also marked the start of a $2 million capital campaign with a twist. Guevara says the campaign’s primary goal is to get 10,000 donors, contributing anywhere from $5 on up, as part of the “Building Community Together” effort. You can find out more at www.sacredheartcs.org/building2022.
“It’s not just about large donations,” he said. “It’s about all of you contributing to make this dream possible. Every contribution matters. It’s the small actions from real people that make lasting change in our community.”
GRAND OPENING FOR GRAND DYNASTY: You might not think of a restaurant as being a big political draw, but the grand opening of Grand Dynasty Chinese Seafood in San Jose on Wednesday could have been mistaken for a mayor’s conference. The roster of elected officials who made an appearance at the elaborate ribbon-cutting included San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo, Cupertino Mayor Darcy Paul, Santa Clara Mayor Lisa Gillmor, Fremont Mayor Lily Mei and former Saratoga Mayor Yan Zhao, as well as Santa Clara Vice Mayor Kathy Watanabe, San Jose City Councilman Matt Mahan and San Jose Vice Mayor Chappie Jones (who has the restaurant in his district).
The opening of the restaurant at the cavernous site of a former Rite Aid store on the border of San Jose and Cupertino was attended by hundreds of guests and included lion dancers and the ceremonial cutting of a roasted pig.
Aaron Wong, who owns the restaurant with his wife, Zenobia Wong, said Golden Dynasty “strives to honor Chinese cuisine and tradition. Our big philosophy is serving the community with the best possible service and Chinese cuisine.”
SPIRITED VIEW OF HAKONE: If you haven’t seen the cherry blossoms at Saratoga’s Hakone Gardens this season, there’s an opportunity coming up to do so in real style. “Hanami and Highballs at Hakone” on April 5 offers an evening viewing of the gardens during peak bloom while sipping on Suntory Toki whiskey.
It’s a big ticket at $500 a person, but the contribution goes toward restoration of Hakone’s magnificent koi ponds. You can get more information at www.hakone.com.
Source: www.mercurynews.com