Redwood City Together

Redwood City Together is a community coalition based in Redwood City, California, active in civic engagement, public safety, and homelessness response. The coalition emerged amid regional debates involving local authorities, nonprofit networks, and advocacy groups and has engaged with municipal agencies, county supervisors, and state legislators. Its activities intersect with nearby institutions and initiatives in San Mateo County, Silicon Valley, and the broader Bay Area civic ecosystem.

History

The coalition was formed in the late 2010s in response to controversies involving the City of Redwood City leadership, San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, and neighborhood associations. Early formation drew participants from local chapters of ACLU, NAACP, and faith-based organizations linked to congregations such as Saint Francis Episcopal Church (Redwood City), alongside advocacy groups with ties to Nextdoor, Make It Work Bay Area, and regional chapters of Indivisible. Its emergence coincided with policy debates in the California State Assembly and actions by the California Governor's office concerning homelessness and public safety funding. Local media coverage from outlets like the San Francisco Chronicle, Mercury News, and community blogs tracked the coalition's rapid growth and alliances with entities including the Redwood City Chamber of Commerce and the Silicon Valley Community Foundation.

Mission and Activities

The coalition positions itself to influence policy decisions at the level of the Redwood City City Council, work with the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office, and coordinate with service providers such as Catholic Charities, Samaritan House (San Mateo), and Second Harvest of Silicon Valley. Its stated objectives include enhancing public safety in collaboration with the Redwood City Police Department, expanding shelter capacity aligned with initiatives like the Whole Person Care pilot projects, and promoting tenant protections that intersect with legislation from the California Legislature such as statewide rent control discussions. The group has partnered with labor organizations like SEIU Local 2015 and housing advocates connected to Silicon Valley Tenants' Union to develop position statements delivered at City Council meetings and San Mateo County Board of Supervisors hearings.

Governance and Membership

Organizational structure incorporates representatives from neighborhood groups, nonprofit directors, faith leaders, small business owners, and civic activists drawn from networks including Rotary International, Kiwanis International, and chapters of League of Women Voters. The coalition's steering committee has included former elected officials, community organizers linked to MoveOn.org, and professionals with affiliations to the Stanford University civic programs and the San Mateo County Human Services Agency. Membership outreach utilized platforms such as Eventbrite, Meetup (website), and community newsletters distributed through the Redwood City Public Library and municipal channels. The group engaged legal counsel with experience in matters before the California Public Utilities Commission and administrative advocacy in proceedings at the California Coastal Commission when regional infrastructure issues arose.

Programs and Events

Programming has ranged from neighborhood safety forums with participation from the California Highway Patrol and county public health officials to volunteer drives with partners like Habitat for Humanity and disaster-preparedness trainings referenced by Federal Emergency Management Agency. The coalition organized public forums coinciding with electoral cycles involving candidates for Redwood City Council and the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, hosted debates in conjunction with the League of Women Voters of San Mateo County, and ran outreach at festivals such as the Redwood City Free Musical Express and cultural events promoted by Sequoia Union High School District. Educational workshops featured speakers from Stanford Law School, University of California, Berkeley (Berkeley Law) alumni, and policy analysts from think tanks like the Public Policy Institute of California. It coordinated volunteer responses alongside Canopy (nonprofit) and coordinated donation drives for clients of Glide Memorial Church and local food banks.

Impact and Recognition

The coalition's advocacy contributed to municipal deliberations leading to policy adjustments at the Redwood City City Council level and influenced partnerships with county agencies including the San Mateo County Health System. Local elected officials such as city councilmembers and county supervisors publicly acknowledged the group's role in convening stakeholders during hearings related to shelter siting, zoning amendments, and public safety protocols. Coverage by media organizations including KQED, CBS Bay Area, and the San Mateo Daily Journal documented its involvement in high-profile community disputes. Civic organizations such as the League of California Cities and regional chapters of United Way noted the coalition as a convening actor in cross-sector response efforts, and civic awards from municipal civic committees recognized volunteers associated with the group.

Category:Organizations based in Redwood City, California Category:Non-profit organizations based in California