Silicon Valley Leaders Address Concerns of Discrimination by Nonprofit In recent discussions, leaders from two Santa Clara County city councils raised concerns and questioned officials from the nonprofit organization HomeFirst regarding allegations of racial discrimination and the quality of their services. During a presentation to the Sunnyvale City Council, HomeFirst CEO Andrea Urton and Chief Program Officer Kelly Vazquez provided information about the nonprofit’s support services in the city and countywide. The council had requested additional details after extending HomeFirst’s contract for six months. The San Jose City Council also briefly discussed their contracts with HomeFirst for two overnight warming shelters and expressed concerns about allegations of racial discrimination made by the NAACP regarding the firing of five former employees. The Sunnyvale council will make a decision on the contract in March, but council members expressed the need for more information, particularly about the city’s five reserved shelter beds at the Boccardo Reception Center in San Jose. During the meeting, council members were presented with a fact sheet indicating that 15 individuals had used the reserved beds for an average of 19 days over the course of a year. Councilmember Murali Srinivasan noted that this accounted for approximately 15% of bed usage and only 10% of the 152 clients. When asked why the beds had a low usage rate, Urton explained that HomeFirst initially believed the distance between the shelter and the clients’ preferred locations may have deterred their use. Councilmember Alysa Cisneros inquired about the nonprofit’s data collection practices and its internal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Council. She emphasized the importance of understanding not only what information is collected but also the methods and synthesis of that information. The NAACP San Jose/Silicon Valley branch has accused HomeFirst of racial discrimination against Black employees, citing the firing of five individuals over a two-year period and alleged inflexibility in scheduling three single mothers of color, two of whom are Black. Cisneros raised these allegations as reasons for concern regarding HomeFirst’s treatment of employees and clients of color. During the meeting, Urton suggested that Cisneros attend a HomeFirst DEI council meeting to gain more insight into their procedures. Cisneros expressed the need for HomeFirst to provide a clear explanation of why such discrimination would not occur within their organization, instilling confidence and comfort among stakeholders. Earlier in the day, several San Jose council members also voiced similar concerns. Urton stated that an employment attorney had reviewed all five terminations and concluded that they were appropriate. HomeFirst COO Rene Ramirez added that Urton had reached out to NAACP San Jose/Silicon Valley President Rev. Jethroe Moore II, but had not received a response. Ramirez stated that HomeFirst is not currently considering rehiring the terminated employees but is working with three single mothers to accommodate their child care needs alongside their work schedules. The council has been evaluating HomeFirst’s diversity policies, including hiring practices, and is seeking ways to become more involved in termination processes to ensure appropriateness and legality, according to Ramirez, who co-chairs the DEI council. Rev. Moore expressed disappointment with the San Jose council’s discussion and suggested that council members should speak with the former employees to gain a better understanding of the situation. He mentioned that he was initially informed that HomeFirst would consider rehiring some of the employees but acknowledged the need to follow up on his conversations with HomeFirst officials before deciding on the next steps. These discussions and concerns highlight the importance of addressing discrimination and ensuring equitable treatment within organizations providing essential services to the community. It is crucial that all stakeholders work together to find solutions that promote inclusivity and fairness. Source: – Bay City News, Inc.