CEO of Davis Street Community Center since 1991, Rose Padilla Johnson has grown the San Leandro, California organization into one of Alameda County’s leading social service providers to people in need. Davis Street offers life skills education, counseling, and food and nutrition classes, as well as a complement of family service programs and essential medical and dental care, all under one roof. Under Rose Padilla Johnson’s direction, the organization realized major capital funding resulting in the purchase of its more than 22,000-square-foot Teagarden Street site in 2012.
In 2019, Davis Street added another collaboration to its growing list of community partners. It began working with Stepping Stones, which now offers programming out of the Teagarden Street location.
Stepping Stones is a San Leandro-based organization dedicated to people with special needs. Founded in 1975, Stepping Stones aims to reinforce and elevate existing curricula of vocational, social, and personal care skills its clients already receive. It currently serves hundreds of adults who have developmental disabilities.
The Stepping Stones curriculum centers on several tracks, including a health and wellness programming emphasizing consumer-focused education to inspire healthy living. Its employment component provides pre-vocational and interventional help that works on achieving success in the workplace for those with little or no previous job experience.
And, through its Artful Steps program, people at all stages of experience and ability experience the personal growth and transformation that can only occur through creativity. Stepping Stones also showcases participants’ artwork through local events and exhibits.
