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Dear Santa Clara Residents,
As we welcome the warmth of June, our city is buzzing with celebration, growth, and anticipation for the incredible year ahead. From honoring our graduating students to enjoying beautiful summer evenings in our parks, Santa Clara continues to thrive as a community that values education, family and shared experiences. This month, I’m excited to share updates on new educational opportunities coming to our neighborhoods, reflect on our city’s strong economic foundation, introduce you to a business that serves our vulnerable population, and most importantly, invite you to be part of the historic events that will put Santa Clara on the world stage in 2026. Your involvement and community spirit make everything we accomplish possible.
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June brings one of my favorite times of year, graduation season, when we celebrate achievement at every level in our Santa Clara community. From adorable preschoolers receiving their first diplomas to our distinguished Santa Clara University graduates earning their advanced degrees, this month has been filled with pride and promise. Our elementary school celebrate their fifth graders moving to middle school, including our dedicated 5th grade crossing guards who received special recognition for their service to school safety. Mission College graduates are ready to transfer to four-year universities or enter the workforce with valuable skills, while our high school seniors from across the district are heading off to colleges nationwide or beginning their careers right here in Santa Clara. On a personal note, I couldn’t be prouder of my youngest son, who just graduated from the University of San Francisco and plans to continue his education with the goal of becoming a high school English teacher, a reminder that the ripple effects of education touch every family in our community. Each graduation represents not just individual achievement, but our city’s investment in lifelong learning and the bright future these graduates will help create.
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What a joy it was to participate in Mathnasium’s Grand Opening celebration at their new Rivermark Plaza location! I had the honor of joining owners Divyata and Ryan Griggs for the ribbon cutting ceremony and presenting them with a Special Mayoral Recognition for bringing this valuable educational resource to our community. The Griggs family brings impressive experience to Santa Clara, already operating three other successful Mathnasium locations, and their dedication to math education was evident throughout the festivities. This math-only learning center specializes in helping K-12 students build confidence and excel in mathematics through personalized learning approaches. The grand opening was a true community celebration, featuring hands-on math games and fun activities for kids, a visit from our local fire station, face painting, and a raffle. As we celebrate so many graduations this month, it’s exciting to know that our families now have another excellent educational resource right here in our neighborhood. For more information, visit mathnasium.com/santaclaranorth.
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Equally important to our community is the arrival of Nurse Next Door, a compassionate home care service that brings professional nursing and caregiving directly to those who need it most. Leading this locally owned business in Director of Care and Happiness Rashi Khangura, who serves as the welcoming face of Nurse Next Door, assisted by her husband Jas. Rashi is deeply committed to community involvement and can often be seen at local events with her daughter Ajooni, and her mother, truly embodying the family-centered values that drive their business. This hands-on approach to community engagement reflects the personal care that Nurse Next Door provides to each client. The business specializes in helping seniors and individuals with health challenges maintain their independence and dignity in the comfort of their own homes, offering everything from medication management to companionship, from post-surgery recovery support to daily living assistance. As Santa Clara is an Age-Friendly City, Nurse Next Door embodies the principle of quality care, treating each client like a family. Their arrival in Santa Clara reflects our city’s commitment to supporting residents at every stage of life, ensuring that our community remains a place where families can thrive across generations. For more information, visit nursenextdoor.com.
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I had the distinct honor of presenting a State of the City address at the Silicon Valley Business Journal’s “Future of Santa Clara” event, held at the Santa Clara Marriott Hotel. This business-centric gathering brought together Silicon Valley’s top industry leaders to explore what makes our city such a dynamic force in the region’s economy. It was incredibly energizing to share our city’s achievements and future vision with an audience of decision-makers who understand the vital role Santa Clara plays in Silicon Valley’s continued success. The event featured an impressive panel of experts, which also included our City Manager and Economic Development Director, all deeply connected to our city’s growth and innovation ecosystem. What struck me most was the enthusiasm and engagement from attendees as we discussed everything from our robust business climate to our upcoming role as a host city for major international events. Thank you to the Silicon Valley Business Journal for creating this platform that brings industry leaders together and encourages vibrant discussion about our incredible city and all it has to offer. These conversations reinforce what we’ve always known, Santa Clara truly remains a city where businesses thrive, communities flourish, and the future is being built today.
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The countdown to history has officially begun! As we prepare to welcome the world to Santa Clara for Super Bowl LX on February 8, 2026, and six FIFA World Cup games in June and July, I’m thrilled to share news about our upcoming Economic Development and Community Engagement Plan. Our Economic Development and Marketing Committee will be working with diverse stakeholders to explore exciting possibilities for community events, economic partnerships, and celebrations that will showcase Santa Clara to millions of global visitors. The Committees dual focus ensures we’re planning events for both our community to enjoy and celebrate these two incredible global spectacles, while simultaneously creating opportunities to showcase the very best of Santa Clara for the world to see. We will be considering various campaign themes and event concepts, but here’s what makes this process special…. we want YOUR input on everything! This isn’t just about hosting world-class events; it’s about creating lasting economic opportunities through partnerships with our business community, local organizations, and residents. Every element of our plan is designed to reflect what our residents value most about Santa Clara…our innovation, community spirit, and cultural diversity. The committee will continue to meet regularly to gather community feedback and ideas. When the world comes to Santa Clara, they’ll experience the authentic heart and soul of our city as defined by the people who call it home. I encourage every resident to get involved in this historic opportunity to help shape how our city shines on the world stage. Our meeting schedule can be found online.
In closing, as we celebrate our graduates, welcome new businesses that strengthen our community fabric, and plan for the world’s arrival at our doorstep, one thing remains constant, Santa Clara’s greatest strength has always been its people. Your involvement, your ideas, and your passion for our city make everything we accomplish possible. Every moment of engagement helps write the next chapter of Santa Clara’s story. I invite you to be part of it all. Together we’ll continue proving that Santa Clara is truly “The Center of What’s Possible”.
With gratitude and excitement for what’s ahead.
Mayor Lisa Gillmor
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