Project Hope is a program of the Mayor’s Gang Prevention Task Force, managed by the Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services in collaboration with the San Jose Police Department. Project Hope implements principles of community partnership and development; neighborhood empowerment; and coordination of City services to address the challenges of crime, poverty and blight. For more information, contact Neil Rufino, PRNS Deputy Director, at 408-535-3576.

• Neighborhood Academy launches in Roundtable community with the first of a five-week session on Jan. 30. The series is designed to provide new, emerging and existing community leaders with the tools, skills and networking opportunities to increase their effectiveness and to promote civic engagement. Over 20 community members from the Roundtable Drive area and other parts of City Council District 2 attended the first session and learned how to “Create a Successful Neighborhood Association.” Future topics include: Tips on Hosting Effective Meetings and Communication Strategies; Traits of Successful Leaders; Retaining Members & Growing Your Association; Grant Writing; and Creating & Maintaining Partnerships.
• Winter Social Meet and Greets held on Jan. 16 and 23 were attended by 700 students and parents from Katherine R. Smith and Edenvale elementary schools in the Project Hope Welch Park area of Council District 8 and Roundtable site in Council District 2, respectively. The San José Police Department’s Captain Johnson Fong, Sergeant Stephen Donohue and Sergeant Eric Magnuson and Project Hope staff engaged with the community over hot chocolate and cupcakes. These events created an opportunity for the community to engage SJPD and Project Hope staff to find out how they can become involved with the Project Hope Program and allowed residents to interact with SJPD Officers.