Efforts by the Si Se Puede Collective to restore a long-vacant youth center formerly operated by the Mexican American Community Services Agency (MACSA) took a heartbreaking turn on August 29th, when a 3-alarm fire destroyed the building.
Despite this setback, the Collective remains undeterred in their intent to transform the site into a community asset serving as the heart of East San José, including space for education, sports, and community services. Si Se Puede Collective members Somos Mayfair and the School of Arts and Culture at the Mexican Heritage Plaza are members of SV@Home’s Community Roots Collaborative, dedicated to advancing community-based development in the South Bay, and we are strong supporters of their work.
At the emergency meeting after the fire, the Alum Rock Union School District Board (ARUSD) voted unanimously to declare an emergency at MACSA. This will authorize site assessment, demolition, and remediation. While this step will be required in the short term, the Save MACSA coalition partners remain focused on the long-term vision: renovating and rebuilding MACSA as a space for youth and families to thrive.
The Si Se Puede Collective and the Save MACSA coalition partners will continue to advocate for a solution that serves the community. The coalition had a positive conversation with ARUSD’s administration on September 5th, and needs community support to urge board members to co-create a future where the MACSA site offers students and families the gym, library, and community resources they deserve.
How to Support?
- Attend the ARUSD Board Meeting
- We need a strong community presence to keep the vision alive.
- September 11, 2025
- 5:30 pm
- ARUSD | 2930 Gay Ave, San Jose, CA 95127
- Stay Connected
- Follow the Si Se Puede Collective on Instagram for real-time updates.
- Fill out the MACSA Form to stay involved.
- Share this message and invite others to be part of this fight.
- Support the Movement
- Rebuilding MACSA will take resources. Every contribution to the Rebuild MACSA Fund helps us:
- Sustain community organizers who are planning and holding space for collective action
- Ensure ongoing communications, from press outreach to social media updates, so our community stays informed.
- Begin raising funds for land assessment, site preparation, and ultimately, rebuilding MACSA into the thriving hub our families deserve.
- Rebuilding MACSA will take resources. Every contribution to the Rebuild MACSA Fund helps us:
No matter how you contribute, whether donating $1, showing up at board meetings, or spreading the word, it will take all of us to ensure East San José families have the resources and space they deserve.