Community Agency For Resources Advocacy & Services

First and foremost, I would like to thank each one of you who has supported us in this effort to restore a piece of Chicano history in our beloved town of Gilroy, CA! Whether you donated your money, time, materials for fundraisers, or even simply shared the link to this GoFundMe campaign....YOU ARE THE REAL MVP Y GRACIAS POR SU APOYO (thanks for your support)!!

Moving forward, I want to make sure the people supporting this mural restoration are given frequent updates because a community project of this scale requires full transparency. Due to the Corona Virus pandemic and some internal conflicts the project has been put on pause for the time being. As the county slowly continues to lift their restrictions on social gatherings a memorandum of understanding is being developed so both supporting non-profits (CARAS and MANOS) can work together to complete the restoration. Ray Romo (Original lead artist from the 70's) is also working on the Artist Release form for Santa Clara County. Once these contracts have been signed by both parties, the Santa Clara County Parks division will be able to disperse the grant funds (Historic Grant Program-Approx. $96,000) to support the entire project.  Again, these funds will be used to pay the artists and youth interns, the cost of materials, cost of events (Kick-off and closing ceremony), maintenance, and etc.  As of right now, the money raised through this GoFundMe account will remain untouched until we can get the project rolling again. If you would like to donate to this project we are still accepting donations through this account, but it is no longer necessary since CARAS has been awarded the county grant. 

Furthermore, I would like to reiterate that our commitment is and will remain directed towards the mural and towards our community which has graciously continued to advocate for the restoration of "La Pierda del Sol" aka the Aztec Calendar . If you have any questions, comments or concerns please feel free to leave them in the comments sections below or contact me directly. 

Regards & Respect,

Armando Franco

SURJ South County, (Showing Up for Racial Justice) and C.A.R.A.S. (Community Agency for Resources, Advocacy and Services) are sponsoring a conference: Youth Conversations on Racial & Social Justice, September 22, 2018, beginning at 10:30 a.m.

We will have two keynote speakers, four break-out workshops and additional resources.

Through community organization, mobilization, and education, SURJ promotes all people to act as part of a multiracial society for social justice with passion and accountability.

Education is a key component in that process, and in bringing awareness to the injustices and inequity that people of color experience on a daily basis so that we can change society for the better.

This conference will empower youth to look at their own privilege, become powerful organizers in their own right, and strive together for equity, love, peace, justice, human dignity, compassion and a sustainable world. 
 
To make this possible, we are not charging any fees to attend. We would like to provide a T-shirt, several meals to all students, as well as stipends to our generous speakers and workshop leaders for their time. Your funds can help make this a reality.