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The JUNTOS Initiative is centered in a strong collaborative effort between healthcare providers, park and environmental organizations with the goal to reach under-served populations. The Initiative is comprised of 1) Quarterly Park Activity Schedules, 2) Capitanes del Bosque (youth volunteer programming), and 3) Promotores. These components seek to promote environmental stewardship and urban agriculture and address social inequities that prevent families from utilizing parks.
The Authority contributed funds towards the Santa Clara County Public Health Department's Park and Play Initiative, which aims to address health equity related to park utilization by underserved communities. The goal of this Initiative is for families to visit Santa Clara County Parks, participate in park programming, and become comfortable utilizing parks on an ongoing basis to increase their physical activity and overall understanding of environmental stewardship. Park utilization has many known benefits including diabetes management and prevention, depression and anxiety reduction, and increasing community cohesion. Many of the families in the geographic focus area for this initiative (Milpitas and East San Jose) have had limited opportunities to visit parks and limited exposure to environmental education.
The Authority helped to fund the City of San José’s project to construct an outdoor classroom for Guadalupe Oak Grove Park patrons that serves as a space for environmental education programs and nature-based outdoor play. This space invites families to spend time in nature while also encouraging them to learn about the five different ecosystems within the park and the various wildlife that live there.
