Meet Sylvia Arenas
As a Santa Clara County Supervisor and a City of San José councilwoman, I’ve devoted my professional career to public service, focusing on making it possible for families and children to have a high quality of life within our community. To do this, I’ve prioritized economic development, public safety and supporting our families and children.
I’m a proud champion for expanding economic opportunity for our families, and I’ve been proud to initiate the successful launch of two new Business Associations in San Jose as well as creating the County’s new Office of Economic Development – so farmers in unincorporated Santa Clara County have the same kind of support as businesses in cities. As a daughter of farmworkers, I was proud to help author and pass new state legislation that makes it easier to build farmworker housing.
Santa Clara County must play a bigger role in improving the health and safety of our neighbors, which is why I’ve been proud to lead major initiatives to provide the support for our most vulnerable residents. Since I’ve joined the Board, we’re on track to increase mental health and substance abuse services by 50%, to address the crises we see on our city streets. I’ve expanded services to help young people turn away from gangs and I’m leading a major health initiative to address critical gaps in health services in our district.
I will never back down when it comes to the safety of our children. When I arrived on the Board of Supervisors, I found that the county was allowing too many children to continue facing abuse and neglect, with barely any meaningful intervention. I stood my ground, despite major opposition, and for the first time in years, we’re starting to provide children the safety they need.
And from the moment Trump was elected, I’ve led critical steps to prepare for and protect our families.
Before joining the Board of Supervisors, I proudly served as a member of the San Jose City Council, where I led efforts to reform the city’s response to rising rates of sexual assaults and improve public safety, as well as initiating the City’s Family Friendly Initiative and Child and Youth Master Plan.
Before serving on the city council, I received an M.P.A. from the University of San Francisco, and served as a member of the Evergreen Elementary School District Board of Trustees. My professional experience includes working in youth and early childhood educational agencies. I’m a proud long-time resident of Evergreen, where I’m raising my family.