The Monarch butterfly symbolizes the Presbytery of San Jose. To them it represents transformation, resurrection, and the beauty and amazing complexity of God’s creation. There are 46 congregations located in four counties (Santa Clara, San Benito, Santa Cruz and Monterey), serving 11,000 members in the Presbytery of San Jose.
West Valley Community Services serves the communities of Cupertino, San Jose, Monte Sereno, Saratoga and Log Gatos and does a remarkable job serving the hungry and homeless. One of their programs is a rotating shelter that moves 12-18 homeless men around to 12 churches for a one month stay at each location.
Congregations of the San Jose Presbytery are partnering together with Catholic Charities Refugee Resettlement Division and other community organizations to support refugees who are starting a new life in the Bay Area. Roughly 245 free case refugees resettle to the San Jose, CA, area every year.
Goal: Serve more hungry and needy people and recover from relocating one of the kitchens.
Loaves & Fishes Family Kitchen has been serving the working poor, families, homeless and seniors living in and around the downtown and East Side of San Jose for more than 27 years. What began as a simple first meal of fish and bread for 11 adults and 15 children has grown to 1,000 meals per week, served with dignity. Loaves & Fishes is committed to providing free, nutritious meals and support services in a dignified, safe, and caring environment. These services are provided to all needy individuals, with special concern for families and senior citizens.
Goal: Send more volunteers at $600 each to repair hurricane damaged homes.
Each year since the Huricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav, and Ike washed away many homes in the Gulf Coast area, the Presbytery of San Jose has sent groups to Houma, Louisiana to repair homes. The next group will be there November 8 -14.
Goal: Provide a safe environment for women and children escaping domestic violence.
Emmaus House in Hollister, CA is a retreat and shelter for battered women and their children plus counseling and a 24-Hour Hotline. This program was begun by Pastor David Rodriguez who pastored the Hollister Church and has become a ministry of many of the churches in the Presbytery of San Jose and Presbyterian Women.
