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Thank you for such a great evening!

On August 22, Working Partnerships USA brought together the biggest voices and change makers in labor, community, business, law, government, and philanthropy to celebrate our 2024 Champions for Change gala.

Power an inclusive future for all and a vibrant Silicon Valley. Support our ongoing work and make a tax-deductible donation.

Make a Gift

2024 Champions for Change

Thursday, August 22nd
Reception at 6 PM
Program and Seated Dinner at 7 PM

Hayes Mansion San Jose
200 Edenvale Avenue, San Jose, California

HONORING

BOB BROWNSTEIN
Activist, Advisor, Educator, Policy Director
Lifetime Achievement

SUPERVISOR CINDY CHAVEZ 
Santa Clara County Supervisor, Advocate for Children & the Underserved
Legacy Champion 

WEINBERG, ROGER & ROSENFELD
A Law Firm for the People Who Keep America Working
Labor Champion

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

PLATINUM

GOLD

SILVER

COPPER

California Faculty Association San José Chapter
Kaiser Permanente South Bay
Promise.
Santa Clara and San Benito Counties Building Trades Council
Santa Clara Family Health Plan
Service Employees International Union Local 521
SEIU United Service Workers West
Sheet Metal Workers Local 104
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Leslie Rodriguez/California Strategies LLC
United Food & Commercial Workers Local 5

BRONZE

AFSCME Local 101
Bay Rising
CFT A Union of Educators and Classified Professionals
Community Health Partnership
Darcie Green/Latinas Contra Cancer
Ironworkers Local 377
Santa Clara County Supervisor Susan Ellenberg
International Federation of Professional & Technical Engineers Local 21
South Bay AFL CIO Labor Council
Sanitary Truck Drivers & Helpers Teamsters Local 350
Unident

PARTNER

AACI
BMWL Public Affairs
California Assemblymember Marc Berman
California State Senator Joshua Becker
Dr. Mary Ann Dewan, Santa Clara County Superintendent of Schools
Enterprise Community Partners
HealthTrust
International Brotherhood of Teamsters Joint Council 7
Pacific Printing
Ruth Silver Taube
West Valley-Mission Federation of Teachers AFT Local 6554

FRIEND

San José City Councilmember Domingo Candelas
International Federation of Professional & Technical Engineers 20
MACLA/Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana
Urban Habitat

TABLE AMBASSADORS

The Honorable Jim Beall
Anthony Chang
California Nurses Association
Communications Workers of America Local 9423
Gardner Health Services
Northern California Carpenters Regional Council
Weinberg, Roger & Rosenfeld

CHAMPIONS FOR CHANGE HOST COMMITTEE

Tony Alexander
Trustee, San Jose-Evergreen Community College District Board

Dolores Alvarado
Chief Executive Officer, Community Health Partnership

The Honorable Jim Beall
Director, Valley Water District Board of Directors

David Bini
Executive Director, Santa Clara & San Benito Counties Building & Construction Trades Council

Anthony Chang
Manzanita Capital Collective and Fondo/ Mountain View CLT

Gabby Chavez-Lopez
Executive Director, Latina Coalition of Silicon Valley

Jean Cohen
Executive Officer, South Bay AFL CIO Labor Council

Senator Dave Cortese
California State Senate

Supervisor Susan Ellenberg
County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors

Enrique Fernández
Business Manager, UNITE HERE Local 19

Darcie Green
Executive Director, Latinas Contra Cancer

Anjee Helstrup-Alvarez
Executive Director, MACLA/Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana

Assemblymember Ash Kalra
California State Assembly

Leslie Rodriguez
Partner, California Strategies LLC

Ruth Silver Taube
Supervising Attorney, Workers’ Rights Clinic
Katherine & George Alexander Community Law Center

Jahmal Williams
Chair, Black Leadership Kitchen Cabinet of Silicon Valley

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workingpartnershipsusa

When our neighbors needed them, they answered 💪⁠ ⁠ When our neighbors needed them, they answered 💪⁠
⁠
This year, we're honoring the first group people call when ICE activity in our region threatens the safety of a family member or worker in our County—the Santa Clara County Rapid Response Network.⁠
⁠
Since 2016, @scc_rapidresponsenetwork has grown from a handful of volunteers to over 3,000 strong, running a 24/7 hotline that dispatches trained legal observers to verify and document ICE activity in real time. ⁠
⁠
They organize and empower the community—running know-your-rights education across all 15 cities in Santa Clara County and standing publicly with immigrant families so no one is pushed into the shadows. Every day, they demonstrate people power that doesn't ask the government for permission. ⁠
⁠
Join us at Champions For Change 2026 on Sep 17 as we celebrate the SCC Rapid Response Network as one of this year's Champions.🏆⁠
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🎟️ Get your tickets today at the link in our bio!
This year, we're honoring a leader who's spent 30 This year, we're honoring a leader who's spent 30 years protecting working people in California and across the country—David Huerta.⁠
⁠
As President of SEIU-United Service Workers West, David's spent his career (since joining SEIU in 1996) defending immigrant workers and working families, often before it was safe or easy to do so.⁠
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He and SEIU-USWW have long been partners of ours here in Santa Clara County—standing together to make sure the thousands of workers who power the tech industry have dignity and a voice on the job.⁠ David reminds us that courage means acting before it's safe, before it's easy, and finding joy and power in doing it together. ⁠
⁠
Join us at Champions For Change 2026 on Sep 17 as we celebrate David as one of this year's Champions. 🏆⁠
⁠
🎟️ Get your tickets today at the link in our bio!
460,000 people in Santa Clara County rely on Medi- 460,000 people in Santa Clara County rely on Medi-Cal. A new rule could 129,000 of them at risk of losing their coverage by 2028. 

25 states are suing to stop it. 

Tell us how this new rule would effect you or your loved ones using the link in our bio!
AI feels like it's everywhere right now. Let's tal AI feels like it's everywhere right now. Let's talk about it!

Join us for a conversation with Alex Hanna, leading researcher and thinker in AI and tech!

We'll dig into the real challenges you're facing with AI, hear from Alex about her work, and have an open conversation about where we go from here. 
This is an opportunity to find shared values, common goals, and ways we can act together. 

RSVP at the link in our bio! 🔗 

 #AI #TechTalk
When Savannah learned the program was free, it cha When Savannah learned the program was free, it changed everything.⁠
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TOP is a no-cost apprenticeship-readiness program that prepares individuals for careers in the trades—combining classroom instruction, hands-on training, and direct pathways to union opportunities.⁠
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For many, it’s the first step toward a stable, long-term career.⁠
⁠
wpusa.org/top⁠
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#StartWithTOP
Every county needs somewhere that can't say no. Fo Every county needs somewhere that can't say no. For Santa Clara County, that's VMC.

When a private ER hits capacity, patients get redirected. When VMC hits capacity, there's nowhere left to go. Cutting this system doesn't just hurt VMC's patients. It raises the risk for everyone who needs an ER bed in this county.

This is the hospital holding the whole system together. #HandsOffOurHealthcare. Protect Santa Clara Valley Healthcare.
Today for #ParamedicAppreciationDay, We're highli Today for #ParamedicAppreciationDay,

We're highlighting our public healthcare system that ensures anyone can get care when they need it: the Santa Clara County hospital system doesn't ask what insurance you have—it just treats you.

But this model is under direct attack. H.R. 1 is gutting the Medi-Cal funding it runs on, and we're still $270 million short this year—not from mismanagement, but because Washington pulled the floor out.

Swipe to see what's at stake.

#HandsOffOurHealthcare

Protect Santa Clara Valley Healthcare.
An airport can't run without its workers. ✈️ Yest An airport can't run without its workers. ✈️

Yesterday, we joined airport workers at San José Mineta International Airport to stand with them in their fight for a fair contract. Every worker deserves dignity on the job, fair wages, and working conditions that respect the essential role they play in keeping our communities connected.

When workers stand together, they build the power to win not just for themselves, but for all working people. ✊🏽
The people who keep our communities running deserv The people who keep our communities running deserve to be heard! 🔊⁠
⁠
Last Friday, workers from healthcare, childcare, fast food, gig work, and other industries came together with elected officials and candidates to share their experiences directly. From unsafe working conditions and low wages to the rising cost of living, workers spoke honestly about the challenges they face every day—and the changes they need to see from the people making decisions that affect their lives.⁠
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Real solutions start by listening to the people closest to the issues.
🐱 Things are getting purr-ty hot out there.⁠ ⁠ Whe 🐱 Things are getting purr-ty hot out there.⁠
⁠
When indoor temperatures reach 82°F, employers in Santa Clara County must provide important heat protections, including cool drinking water, a cool-down area, and training on heat illness. Staying safe at work isn't a perk—it's your right.⁠
⁠
Know your rights, share this with your coworkers, and visit the link in our bio for more workplace resources. 😸⁠
Curious about the trades but not sure where to sta Curious about the trades but not sure where to start?⁠
The Trades Orientation Program (TOP) is a no-cost pre-apprenticeship program designed to guide you step-by-step into a career in the trades. No prior experience needed.⁠
⁠
From orientation to hands-on training, TOP helps you build the foundation for union apprenticeship opportunities.⁠
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Start with TOP. ⁠
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🔗 Learn more using the link in our bio⁠
Mannuel Flores, an aspiring carpenter, understands Mannuel Flores, an aspiring carpenter, understands the value of a union career and took his first step by joining TOP (Trades Orientation Program).⁠
Through hands-on training and guided support, he’s building the foundation for a long-term path in the trades. ⁠
⁠
You too can build a career in the trades. Applications for our next TOP cohort are open now. ⁠
⁠
Learn more by attending an info session — link in our bio 🔗⁠
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