Neighborhood Connections -- the program designed to revitalize a neighborhood by better connecting residents to programs, neighbors - services, public agencies, elected officials, volunteers, and other has expanded into another area of Santa Clara.

The focus is a portion of the neighborhood served by Scott Lane School, one of the most diverse communities in Santa Clara. In March, Neighborhood Connections teams composed of Council members, City staff and school staff walked door to door to ask residents of 401 households about their community concerns. Since more than 21 languages are spoken by children attending Scott Lane, Language Development Aides from the school helped with translation for non-English speaking residents.

A community gathering at the school a few weeks later reviewed the results of the "Walk & Talk" survey. About 80% of the survey participants rated their neighborhood as very good or satisfactory, but they still had several suggestions for improvements: better control of traffic, especially speeding vehicles; additional police presence; better building maintenance; more affordable housing; and removal of illegal or abandoned vehicles. While adults discussed these issues, children participated in a hands-on art activity in the school auditorium organized by the Triton Museum of Art. Each child received a Certificate of Participation from the Museum and their artwork was displayed at the City Open House in May.