Readers thank newspaper for a story on a local charity enduring
hard times, questions the city’s shuttering of a gymnastics program
and laud the publication of the Declaration of Independence
Professional, Thorough Story Outlined Tough Times for St. Joseph’s Fairly
Dear Editor,
I wish to convey our sincere appreciation to reporter Emily Alpert and the Gilroy Dispatch, for the excellent article on St. Joseph’s Family Center’s funding challenges during this current fiscal year. Ms. Alpert was very professional and thorough in her coverage and it is refreshing to know how much concern our local papers have for the value and services that non-profit organizations are providing to our communities.
St. Joseph’s Family Center has worked hard for many years to keep our program development in line with the needs of the community. Our diverse funding and fiscal management have allowed us to avoid situations like these during some tough financial times in recent years. As the article stated, it simply was a “perfect storm” of circumstances outside our control which occurred suddenly.
The families we serve on a regular basis are the “working poor” of our communities. Statistics show that many families coming to St. Joseph’s for services earn less than $1,500 a month. Those earnings put these families at the federal poverty line and well below the Santa Clara County levels for low-income! This is why our comprehensive services like our food pantry, hot meals program, emergency assistance programs and employment services are so vital.
Humbly, we recognize that our success as a community, faith-based organization comes from our loyal volunteers and by caring donors and supporters that believe in our mission. We are determined to work harder, as a staff and with the leadership of our Board of Directors, as we strive to maintain consistency with our service delivery. Together, we will continue to explore all avenues that will help us get through these difficult times.
David Cox, Executive Director
No Room at the Gilroy City Gym for a Wonderful Gymnastics Program?
Dear Editor,
I find it disgraceful that Gilroy can find the funds to build a new sports parks and a way too large city hall structure yet we can’t find the money to build a mere 2000 square foot gymnastics facility.
Ok, so close it down so we can play basketball? What sense does that make? What was the sports complex built for? My daughter Emily absolutely loves gymnastics. She has excelled greatly and at her current rate she will be on her way to a competitive level in no time.
We have been truly blessed to have our gymnastics program ran by people of Lu and Kim’s caliber. The city burned the previous instructor and now they are working on burning Li and Kim, too. Disgraceful!
Diana Tupper, Gilroy
Hats Off for Publishing the Declaration on July 4th
Dear Editor,
I’m proud to practice this profession in a town where the town’s newspaper’s editor deems it proper to publish the Declaration of Independence for our nation’s birthday.
Hats off to you.
Joe Thompson, Gilroy
