The CARAS Youth Hub in Gilroy was buzzing with energy, conversation, and a powerful sense of community on Monday, January 24, for the official launch of the Gilroy Resilience Hub Planning Project, led by Greenbelt Alliance and CARAS – Community Agency for Resources Advocacy and Services and funded through the California Strategic Growth Council’s Community Resilience Centers (CRC) grant!
We were overjoyed to be at full capacity, sharing space with so many engaged and passionate community members, all eager to help shape the future of resilience in Gilroy.
True resilience is built from the ground up, and this event was a testament to that principle—every attendee played a role in shaping the project.
Between bites of delicious tacos, neighbors came together to learn about the Gilroy Resilience Hub Project and share their voices. Our presentation introduced the vision behind the hub: a future community space designed to provide essential resources in times of crisis, while also serving as a year-round hub for support, connection, and empowerment. Community members gained insight into the planning process and the role they play in shaping it. A focus group offered an opportunity for deeper conversations, where residents shared their experiences, identified key needs, and helped co-create ideas for the services and programs the hub should provide.
We distributed solar-powered lamps, hand warmers, emergency blankets, rain ponchos, and other emergency supplies—a small but meaningful way to equip our community for future challenges. These items reflect what the Resilience Hub will stand for: a place of safety, support, and readiness for whatever comes next.
Why Gilroy Needs a Resilience Hub
As the southernmost city in the Bay Area, Gilroy is located in Santa Clara County along Highway 101. Flanked by bountiful agricultural lands, its crops are an essential part of California’s economy. Gilroy faces significant climate risks including fire, flooding, and extreme heat. Severe flooding and wildfires have historically and recently caused serious property damage and economic challenges for local residents—a community that is also grappling with health issues caused by rising temperatures. For all these reasons, Gilroy lit up as one of Greenbelt Alliance’s Resilience Hotspots.
The Gilroy Resilience Hub Planning Project aims to create a space that addresses these needs while strengthening community connections. More than just a physical building, it will serve as a resource center, gathering space, and emergency support system that offers services such as:
- Clean air spaces during wildfires;
- Cooling and charging stations during heat waves;
- Year-round programs that promote stability, education, and well-being.
And the best part? It’s being built with the community, for the community. Every voice matters in this process, and Monday night’s event was a great example of how collaborative and community-driven this effort will continue to be—and this is just the beginning. The real work starts now, and we can’t do it without you! We’re eager to continue collaborating with community members, local organizations, and stakeholders to bring this vision to life.
Stay Connected
- Sign up for our mailing list to receive project updates.
- Download our free Be Prepared Gilroy emergency preparedness guide to stay ready for any situation. Download your copy today (available in English and Spanish).
- Learn more about the project and how to get involved by contacting Victorina Arvelo at varvelo@greenbelt.org
