SOMCAN’s Programs and Activities

Because SOMCAN's community is largely low-income, immigrants of color, our engagement strategies encourage the civic participation of newcomers. It is our intention to build the human, social, and institutional and community capital of residents through leadership development, organizing and networking and bridge building. SOMCAN has a three pronged approach to building residents' capacity to participate in these processes thereby strengthening and legitimizing the public discourse that shapes the future of our community. Our first strategy is to provide education and training to develop resident leadership on issues such as housing, health and land use, gentrification and displacement and education and safety. Our second strategy is to provide organizing support to tenant and youth organizations that empower residents and contribute to the social cohesion of the community such as the Trinity Plaza Tenants Association (TPTA) and the United SoMa Resident Organizers (USRO) and Street Hustlin' Youth and Empowerment (SHYNE). Our third strategy is to network and connect residents to other community based organizations and public officials.

Organizing and Advocacy
Planning
Networking, Information Sharing, and Bridge Building
Developing Community and Resident Leadership
Youth Leadership