Thursday, June 28, 2018

Youth Leadership Academy for Alameda County High School Students


Rose Padilla Johnson, former president for the early-education focused organization California Alternative Payment Program Association and chief executive officer of the Davis Street Community Center located in San Leandro, California, is a longtime advocate for immigrants as well as families and children with low-income backgrounds. As a result of Rose Padilla Johnson’s tireless efforts, San Leandro families and their children have facilitated access to resources and opportunities in Alameda County. 

Alameda County's Youth Leadership Academy (YLA) brings together high school students from around the county to participate in a civics-focused career readiness program. Seniors and juniors attending Alameda secondary schools are eligible for the free program. Since the program’s launch in 2008, nine student cohorts have graduated. 

Program participants attend five weekly sessions led by Alameda County agency staff to learn about the programs and services each department operates. The students also participate in forums focused on community issues affecting the county’s youth and discuss possible solutions to these problems.

Thursday, June 21, 2018

Davis Street Collaborates with SSGC for Artful Steps Program


Rose Padilla Johnson of San Leandro, California, serves the needs of individuals with low incomes through the Davis Street Community Center, a family service organization. As the nonprofit’s chief executive officer, Rose Padilla Johnson helps provide Stepping Stones Growth Center (SSGC) services to more than 250 children and adults with developmental disabilities.

Founded in 1975, SSGC collaborated with the Davis Street Community Center in May for its annual spring art show. The event, held at the San Leandro Library, displayed a variety of works by artists from the Artful Steps program.

Artful Steps aims to teach individuals with different levels of ability how to express themselves through art. The program is comprised of two parts, an activity session and a social recreation session.

Since its implementation, Artful Steps has exhibited participants’ artworks in Oakland and Union City. For 18 years, the program has been organizing live art auctions that raise money for the artists.

Tuesday, June 12, 2018

Davis Street Community Center Partners with Volunteers of America


As CEO of the Davis Street Community Center in San Leandro, California, Rose Padilla Johnson has facilitated numerous projects that have helped children and families in low-income communities. Under the leadership of Rose Padilla Johnson, the community center has partnered with organizations like Volunteers of America to make the process of supporting the center easier for San Leandro residents.

Established in 1896, Volunteers of America is a nonprofit organization that provides assistance services to individuals in need around the United States. With almost 16,000 paid employees and 60,000 volunteers dedicated to serving others, the organization helps over a million people each year in more than 400 communities in 46 states nationwide.

Its partnership with Davis Street makes it easy for people to donate their car, truck, RV, or boat, and split the proceeds between the two organizations. Donors only need to request that a portion of the proceeds go to Davis Street, and Volunteers of America will guide them through the necessary paperwork and logistics. Donations are tax-deductible.

Those who would like to donate their vehicles may do so by visiting carshelpingpeople.org.

Saturday, June 2, 2018

Davis Street Community Center Participates in Annual Food Drive


As the CEO of Davis Street Community Center in San Leandro, California, Rose Padilla Johnson has helped the nonprofit organization with its goal to offer family support services to individuals in need. Under the management of Rose Padilla Johnson, the community center has provided short and long-term assistance via programs like fundraising activities and food drives.

On May 12, Davis Street lent a helping hand with the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive event held at the San Leandro US Post Office. Preparations for the food drive, now in its 26th year, began at four o’clock in the afternoon. More than 50 volunteers, including high school students and Navy officers, arrived to support the event, which was able to collect 25,000 pounds of nonperishable food to be donated to families in need.

The Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is an annual event. It is held in each of the 50 states on the second Saturday of May.