Expanding Community Advocacy in Santa Clara County With CIC, CAP, CPL And UPA · Before Silicon Valley

Title: Expanding Community Advocacy in Santa Clara County With CIC, CAP, CPL And UPA
Description: The Mexican American Community Services Agency, Inc. (MACSA) was organized in 1964 by Santa Clara County ethnic Mexican activists to identify ways to respond to the discrimination, racism, poverty, police brutality, educational inequity, and inadequate access to public services that existed in Silicon Valley. Their methods emphasized self-help, coalition building, and neighborhood organizing based on the model established by the Community Services Organization (CSO) of the 1950s. Young people were of particular concern to MACSA because many students were afraid to complain to their parents about the harassment and discriminatory treatment they experienced in schools. Compounding the problem were prevailing attitudes held by many ethnic Mexican parents who saw teachers as authority figures who were not to be questioned. MACSA, however, was broadly successful in focusing its efforts on youth, families, and senior outreach with targeted educational cultural activities and programs. In addition, MACSA developed nutrition programs as well as employment and training programs at youth centers, schools, libraries, and community sites.
Identifier: B4SV Exhibit Topic Six: Slide 015