Education Leads to Effective Advocacy

 

What We Do

Urban Vibrancy Institute is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity that conducts rigorous research and provides timely and actionable insights to inform strategic decision-making while collaborating with local businesses, communities, and government authorities to explore and reinvigorate the cultural, economic, and social vibrancy of San Jose.

UVI’s Origin

Starting off as an organization called San Jose Ship Kits, founded during the pandemic, we worked to procure, assemble and distribute essential items to families in need in San Jose. We provided toiletries – toilet paper, hand sanitizer, tampons -- food for a week, and activities for kids. We rescued produce from being plowed into the earth and redistributed it to our Hunger at Home who made sure it got into the hands of those in San Jose who needed support. We continue to deliver produce today and, to date, have received 2.2 million pounds. This equates to 2 million meals distributed to San Jose residents. Post-pandemic, our focus has shifted towards restoring and revitalizing San Jose and providing a platform to rebuild the fabric of our culture to make San Jose the world-class city it can become.


Who We Are

We are a team of dedicated individuals with a love for San Jose that want to see a positive change through collaboration with local businesses and community members.

  • Teresa Alvarado

    Board Chair
    VP, PG&E

  • Steve Wymer

    Vice Chair
    CEO, Boys & Girls Club Silicon Valley

  • Gary Dillabough

    Co-Founder & Board Member
    Partner, Urban Community

  • Jeff Arrillaga

    Co-Founder & Board Member
    Partner, Urban Community

  • Tony Arreola

    Co-Founder & Board Member
    Partner, Terrascape Ventures

  • Mark Lazzarini

    Co-Founder & Board Member
    Partner, Terrascape Ventures

  • Zachary Waldren

    Contracted Director
    CEO, Tailored By Design

Collaboration

Working with businesses, government and communities to reinvigorate San Jose.

Vibrancy

Providing live music for the community and activating local retail storefronts for a thriving economy

Safety

Advocating on behalf of the local businesses and communities for safer downtown streets

Cleanliness

Ensuring San Jose streets and gateways into the city are clean and welcoming for all to enjoy

Impact

With the support of our partners, we made amazing progress in 2021 to advance our initiatives to revitalize and restore San Jose to a more vibrant, cleaner, safer, and collaborative community where people want to live, work, and play.