The Portuguese Community Center is committed to the enrichment of the quality of life of all members of the community. Opportunities for friendship, service, and lifelong learning are essential to live a full, productive life in the mainstream of society.
Since 1976, the Portuguese Community Center has been a gathering place where community members socialize, meet old friends, experience new things, help others and receive help from others; thus spending rewarding time in community. For these purposes, the following programs and services are offered:
Information and Referral
POSSO maintains an up-to-date bank of information on a full variety of public and private services and resources. The staff and volunteers instruct and assist people in the utilization of these resources in order to meet a multiplicity of personal and social needs. An essential part of this program is language interpretation and translation.
Case Management
POSSO continues to provide case management for individuals with multiple serious problems or who have difficulty negotiating the complex health and human services system. These individuals need extra support to live independently. These services are supported in part by the United Way of Santa Clara County and the City of San Jose.
Brown Bag
POSSO is a Second Harvest Food Bank distribution center. More than 100 bags of groceries are distributed to low-income individuals and families each week.
Food Distribution
In addition to the Second Harvest Food Bank Brown Bag Program, federal surplus food commodities are also distributed to those low-income seniors who apply and qualify for this benefit.
Nutrition Program
Begun in 1989 with a grant from Santa Clara County, this program provides seniors with a delicious hot lunch and an afternoon of camaraderie five times a week. This program fulfills one of POSSO’s long-range goals set many years ago and is one of the most enjoyed by the seniors.
Blood Pressure and Medical Screening
The blood pressure and medical screening provided by a public health nurse is one of our most-utilized programs. Participants agree that this program is vital to the maintenance and restoration of their health, and in ensuring timely treatment of potentially-serious health problems.
Immigration and Naturalization
POSSO offers services to help resolve immigration issues. The most common requests are for assistance in applying for naturalization and adjustment of status.
POSSO arranged for the Immigration and Naturalization Service to process Green Card applicants at our center. We have processed thousands of applicants, saving tens of thousands of hours in processing time to both the applicants and ICE.
Voter Registration
POSSO offers ongoing voter registration and holds voter education sessions before elections to promote civic involvement.