"Downtown Streets Team is ending operations Oct. 31, citing financial and political pressures that make it difficult to sustain the organization. The nonprofit formed 20 years ago in Palo Alto and expanded to 15 other cities in Northern California, including Sunnyvale and San Jose in 2011. Workers wearing bright yellow shirts help beautify neighborhoods affected by trash, waste and graffiti. Participants also attend peer groups and work with case managers to find housing."
""I wish I could report back a simple, single reason behind our closure, but the truth is it's the result of many factors," Gardner told San José Spotlight. "During this time, (Downtown Streets Team) lost several significant contracts and grants, creating a multimillion-dollar loss in overall funding. When combined with other factors, including rapidly rising operational costs, these losses made it impossible to continue running the organization in a financially sustainable way.""
Downtown Streets Team will end operations Oct. 31 because financial and political pressures made continued operation unsustainable. The nonprofit began 20 years ago in Palo Alto and expanded to 15 Northern California cities, including Sunnyvale and San Jose in 2011. Participants wear bright yellow shirts to beautify neighborhoods by removing trash, waste and graffiti, attend peer groups and work with case managers to find housing. CEO Julie Gardner cited the loss of significant contracts and grants, creating a multimillion-dollar funding shortfall, coupled with rapidly rising operational costs. The organization reported close to $17 million in contributions in 2024 and has helped thousands access housing and employment.
Read at San Jose Spotlight
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