People Acting in Community Together (PACT)

PACT is a multi-ethnic, inter-faith grassroots organization that empowers everyday people to create a more just community. PACT’s leaders work in partnership with public officials to improve the health, education, housing, safety and general well-being of people in Santa Clara County. PACT is made up of 25 congregations, each focusing on an area of concern identified by the congregation.

With over 7,000 homeless individuals in Santa Clara County and with 60 percent in San Jose, FCC has joined with two other inner city congregations, First Presbyterian Church of San Jose and First Baptist Church of San Jose to focus on improving the lives of outdoor citizens in the downtown area. Focusing on the needs of transportation for the homeless, PACT held a community forum with leaders and outdoor citizens to generate creative solutions.

PACT Holds Successful Action with Elected Officials--over 100 in Attendance!
 

On September 25, 2011 PACT leaders held a community meeting with four elected officials serving on regional and local transit boards to ask for a fare reduction for low-income people in Santa Clara County as well as continued funding for taxi rides for low-income people unable to use public transportation.  Dave Cortese, Santa Clara County Supervisor and MTC (Metropolitan Transit Commission) Commissioner, Ken Yeager, Santa Clara County Supervisor and VTA (Valley Transit Authority) Vice Chairperson, Sam Liccardo, San José City Councilmember, VTA Board member and MTC Commissioner and Margaret Abe-Koga, Mountain View City Councilmember and VTA Chairperson stated they saw the need for a low-income transit pass and they committed to researching the financial feasibility to implementing such a pass.  They were also in favor of supporting a continuation of taxi rides for low-income people.

PACT leaders will continue to advocate for a reduced transit fare for low-income people  in our County and will be working with our elected officials to make this happen! 

See video clips of PACT leaders Monica Kessling and Zandra Allen sharing their stories of how access to transportation makes life in Silicon Valley possible for low-income residents.

See the Mercury News article and photos.
 

PACT meets monthly, noon to 1 pm at one of the three congregations. Call the church office for more information at 408-294-2944.