While there are some big changes happening at SV@Home, one thing that isn’t changing is our incredible team’s commitment to housing policy work and advocacy! That’s why we’re excited to highlight our talented and committed policy team. Join us in meeting our staff and learning more about why their work is important, what housing policy issues they’re most excited about in the coming months, and how your membership directly supports their work.
What you work on at SV@Home:
Hi, I’m Antonia Gutierrez, Operations Management Associate. As the Operations Management Associate I focus on SV@Home’s operations, database management, human resources, and general administration. I help to ensure the inner workings of our organization continue to run efficiently, so the SV@Home team can continue to do what they do best, advocate for affordable housing!
What does Housing mean to you?
Housing means so many different things to me! First and foremost, housing means stability (a constant). It’s a sanctuary for you and your family to feel safe, comfortable and sheltered from the elements. Housing not only means having a place to live, it also means accessibility to transportation, schools and other community amenities. No one should have to worry about whether or not they will be able to make their monthly rent or mortgage payments. Living in Santa Clara County it can be difficult to find a home that is affordable. I recently experienced looking for a home for me and my family and it was quite the endeavor! I needed to find a home that both offered us access to great schools, and was AFFORDABLE. It took many months, but when I finally found a home that met all the criteria I was looking for, it felt so good!
What is the most fun project you’ve worked on at SV@Home so far?
I’ve now been with SV@Home for two months and in that short time I’ve had a few projects to work on, but the one I’ve had the most fun with was helping create the SV@Home pumpkin for SVCN’s Be Our Guest pumpkin contest and auction. The project gave me the opportunity to work side by side with members of the team that I had never met in person. It gave us a moment to have fun and get creative, all while crafting a pumpkin that would help to raise money for SVCN and all the work they do to support the local nonprofit community. It was a memorable experience!
What’s an example of a housing topic someone should reach out to you about?
I am new to the housing world and I am always open to learning as much as I can about housing. If you have any great resources you think may be of benefit to my housing education feel free to contact me with any recommendations or suggestions. You can reach Antonia at Antonia@siliconvalleyathome.org
#MembershipMatters As a member of SV@Home you have a multitude of ways and many opportunities to join alongside our 200+ organizations and community members who are concerned about housing stability during these unprecedented times. Your membership directly supports Antonia’s work, as well as all of our staff’s critical policy work.