NEWS RELEASE: San José Secures Nearly $4 Million to Support Youth Through Schools and Community Partnerships

CONTACT
Amanda Rodriguez, Public Information Manager, Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Department
408-460-4468; [email protected]

San José Secures Nearly $4 Million to Support Youth Through Schools and Community Partnerships
Funding will go to local nonprofits to help students succeed in school and achieve positive outcomes

"Every young person deserves the opportunity to succeed, and sometimes that starts with having someone in their corner," said City Manager Jennifer Maguire. "This funding will help us reach more students with the guidance, encouragement, and resources they need to make positive choices and build a bright future."

This grant enables the Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services (PRNS) Department to launch the new Accountability. Resilience. Connection. (ARC) Program, a multi-year initiative designed to support youth, strengthen families, and improve school and community safety.

"When I was a public school teacher, some of my most important work happened outside the classroom - coaching the girls' soccer team and keeping my door open after the bell rang for kids who needed somewhere to go," said Mayor Matt Mahan. "I saw firsthand how much a little extra support can mean to a kid. A mentor, a tutor, or simply someone who cares can make the difference between struggling and succeeding. I'm excited to see this program make that difference for our young people for years to come."

The ARC Program will focus on helping students stay connected to school, build healthy relationships, and avoid substance use and violence. Working alongside schools and families, nonprofit partners will offer mentoring, academic support, prevention education, and other services tailored to students' needs.

"Some of the most important work we do happens through our partnerships with schools and community organizations," said Councilmember Peter Ortiz, chair of the Neighborhood Services and Education City Council Committee and member of the San José Youth Empowerment Alliance Policy Team. "These groups know our neighborhoods, understand the challenges families face, and have built relationships with the young people we want to reach. We're excited to put more resources in their hands to make a difference."

Once selected through a competitive process, up to $2.5 million will go directly to local nonprofit partners to provide services in grades 6 through 9, including additional support as students transition to high school.

PRNS will begin selecting nonprofit partners in January 2027 to launch services during the 2026-2027 school year. Interested nonprofits are encouraged to sign up with Webgrants to receive the official Request for Proposals. The grant will support the ARC program through 2031.

About the City of San José
With almost 1 million residents, San José is one of the most diverse large cities in the United States and is Northern California's largest city and the 13th largest city in the nation. San José's transformation into a global innovation center has resulted in one of the largest concentrations of technology companies and expertise in the world.

About Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Services
The City of San José Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Department (PRNS) oversees ten regional parks, over 200 neighborhood parks, more than 40 community centers, and 65 miles of trail. It has one of the most diverse service models of any agency of its type. For more information, please visit www.sanjoseca.gov/prns.

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