Retired East San Jose advocate leaves lasting legacy - San Jose Spotlight

"When Rose Amador took over as the director of San Jose nonprofit ConXión to Community 43 years ago, it was a flailing organization on the brink of shutting down. Through Amador's grit and determination, the organization survived budget deficits, a housing market crash, the pandemic and current grant cuts. Her steady hand helped the nonprofit pivot through each wave of change to become a perennial cornerstone for immigrants and at-risk youth."

""We're always changing to the needs of the community," Amador told San José Spotlight. When ConXión began nearly 50 years ago, it was called Center for Training and Careers. It offered educational programs and job opportunities for the disenfranchised, including immigrants and formerly incarcerated people. Amador expanded the day worker center by installing showers and laundry facilities for those looking to be connected to contractors for temporary work."

"Early advocacy Amador and her family moved to Santa Clara from Pennsylvania when she was 12 years old. Her father Monico C. Amador, a community advocate and World War II veteran, started organizations and helped Hispanic and Chicano candidates on the campaign trail. From a young age, Rose Amador accompanied her family to community functions. When she was a teenager, her father drove the family to Delano to meet l"

Rose Amador revitalized ConXión over 43 years, rescuing it from near-closure and guiding it through budget deficits, a housing market crash, the pandemic, and grant reductions. She expanded services by adding showers and laundry at the day worker center and creating after-school mentoring programs for at-risk students at East San Jose schools including Overfelt, Yerba Buena, and Bridges Academy. Amador emphasized adapting services to community needs and built ConXión into a dependable resource for immigrants, formerly incarcerated people, and youth. She recently handed leadership to Lori Ramos-Chavez, a nearly 30-year staff member promoted to chief operating officer. Amador's early community roots trace to her father's advocacy work.

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