In 2004, Jamboree purchased Woodglen Vista Apartments in Santee, California. In 2017, Jamboree conducted a multi-million-dollar renovation that included a redesign of community spaces to better accommodate the needs of the residents. Then, a community needs assessment revealed that residents were seeking assistance with needs such as English as a Second Language (ESL) and General Education Development (GED) classes, consistent access to enough food for an active and healthy life, job training, healthcare, and more.
With a flexible approach to our Community Collaborative strategy, Jamboree joined the existing Santee Collaborative – a group of community stakeholders with more than 55 members, including the city of Santee, healthcare providers, the local school district, youth organizations, local law enforcement, mental health providers, and other social service organizations – that has served students and families in the region for more than two decades.
The Santee Collaborative wanted to encourage a healthy, proactive community that builds resilient children and families. Working together, they created an ongoing action plan for customized programming to support those outcomes.
Cajon Park School District provided data on student performance that was used to design customized after-school programs. Improved parent-teacher connections helped our international resident households with language and education barriers. Woodglen Vista residents have received donated meals through groups like Hunter’s Home Kitchen and accessed healthy heart classes thanks to student nurses from Azusa Pacific University. And, student volunteers from San Diego Christian College created back-to-school festivals that provided backpacks for younger students and college information for high school students and parents. During 2020’s COVID pandemic, more than 750 masks were donated by the City of Santee, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the Santee United Methodist Church.
Jamboree’s Community Engagement Coordinator at Woodglen Vista serves as co-chair of the Santee Community Collaborative. Together, we launched a Goodness Campaign to highlight the positive progress Santee is making in diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our strategic approach already includes the local Rotary, and is spreading positive messages across business, churches, and schools throughout Santee.
To be aware of changing needs and evaluate effectiveness, the Santee Collaborative conducts an annual review of community health data, school district data, student surveys, and other reporting mechanisms. Additionally, the city has been working to encourage inclusion, equity, and equality in Santee. These goals benefit the broad demographic of our Woodglen Vista residents, as diversity and inclusion are supported throughout the city of Santee.
