Alvin the Intern’s Farewell Blog

Posted on July 31, 2024July 31, 2024 by Intern DSA

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By Alvin Cho

This week, we have a farewell blog from Alvin (Youngbeen) Cho, the DSA’s recent Korea WEST exchange program intern:

Hello. I’m Alvin from Korea, and I completed a 4-month internship at the Downtown Stockton Alliance from March 17th to July 3rd. During this time, I had the pleasure of working with amazing colleagues who made my experience enjoyable.

As a foreigner, having the opportunity to work in the United States was incredibly valuable to me. Who else gets to have such an experience?

I worked on various tasks as a marketing intern, including taking photos downtown for social media uploads, modeling company apparel for posters, setting up booths and selling clothes outdoors, and more.

I met wonderful people who made my internship fulfilling: Mike and Courtney who always checked in on me; Johnny and Charisse, who greeted me warmly every morning; Shaun, who I could chat with like a friend; as well as the community ambassador and maintenance teams, who were always friendly. I feel confident that future Korean interns will have a great experience too.

Initially, I was a bit disappointed when I first arrived in Stockton, as it’s not a big city like LA or San Francisco, and I feared it might be boring. However, my perception changed in less than a week. I now see Stockton as a small, but beautiful city. Even now, when I walk along the delta in front of the company, I think how beautiful it is.

I’ll be leaving for New York soon, but I know I won’t forget the happy time I had in Downtown Stockton.

Thank you all.

The DSA wishes Alvin all the best on his next adventure. He was a huge help to our organization. Thanks for everything, Alvin! Cheers!

To learn more about the Korea WEST exchange program, click here: https://www.icceusa.com/programs-in-the-usa/korea-west/

If you are interested in an internship with the DSA, contact [email protected].

👮‍♂️ National Night Out 2024 in Downtown Stockton!

Posted on July 26, 2024July 31, 2024 by Intern DSA

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By Zachary Hulsey

National Night Out is back, bigger and better than ever!

Enjoy a day of family-friendly activities that promote unity, love, and community strength. The 2024 Downtown Stockton National Night Out event – hosted by the San Joaquin County Office of Education, Parents by Choice, Stockton Ports, and the Downtown Stockton Alliance — will take place Tuesday, August 6th, from 5:30 – 8:30 PM at downtown’s Banner Island Ballpark, located at 404 W. Fremont St., Stockton, CA. There will be carnival games, giveaways, community resources, workshops, music, local mascots, raffle prizes, and much more!

The event takes place the same night of a Stockton Ports matchup against the Lake Elsinore Storm, which starts at 7:05 PM. The first 600 people who attend the event will get in free!

As Stockton continues to grow into an even more amazing city, it is imperative that we actively engage and unite! Some of the organizations which will be represented at this event include: Stockton PD, Child Abuse Prevention Council, Visit Stockton, Stockton Kings, LAZ Parking, San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority, Youthbuild San Joaquin, SJ Regional Transit District, DCA, Codestack Academy, Head Start San Joaquin, UOP Athletics, YMCA, Ready to Work, Uplift All, Behavioral Health Services, El Concilio, Harvest Home Animal Shelter, Scottish Rite, SJVV, Girl Scouts, SJC Probation, and Children’s Choice. Through events like National Night Out, we engage families across Stockton; bridge community disconnects; and focus on creating a bright future for our youth. By building a better relationship between law enforcement and residents, we can create a greater sense of community and safety.

So, if you’re planning on attending a National Night Out gathering in Stockton this year, don’t miss the chance to come on out to Downtown Stockton’s Banner Island Ballpark to catch a ballgame and enjoy this extraordinary community event! In addition to all of the activities and resources, you’ll have a beautiful view of the Courthouse and the downtown waterfront. You might even see the Stockton Ports mascot, Splash!

I encourage you all to bring your family and friends to this free community event! See you there, Stockton!

When: Tuesday, August 6th, 5:30 – 8:30 PM

Where: 404 W. Fremont Street, Stockton, CA, 95203 | Banner Island Ballpark

Tickets: First 600 attendees get in FREE! First-come, first-served, so get there early! If you aren’t in the first 600 attendees, here is the link to purchase game tickets.

My First Time in an American Movie Theater 🍿

Posted on July 18, 2024July 26, 2024 by Intern DSA

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By Alvin Cho

I recently had the pleasure of watching “Kung Fu Panda 4” at the Regal Stockton City Center, conveniently located just a short 3-minute walk from my house in Downtown Stockton. The proximity alone made the experience incredibly convenient and hassle-free.

Upon entering the theater, I was pleasantly surprised by the cozy and inviting atmosphere. The interior was well-maintained, and the layout made it easy to navigate. What stood out the most were the seats—they were exceptionally comfortable. I could easily recline and stretch out my legs, which added to the overall enjoyment of the movie.

The screening I attended was scheduled for 6 p.m., a perfect time slot for unwinding after a day’s work. Despite the theater being smaller than some of the larger multiplexes, the intimate setting actually enhanced the viewing experience. It felt more personal and less crowded, allowing me to immerse myself fully in the film.

Before the movie started, I had a chance to explore the amenities. There was a game arcade and a snack bar offering a variety of treats. I opted for a bag of Cheetos and a drink. The convenience of having snacks available right there was a definite plus!

After the movie, my friends and I were quite hungry; thankfully, there were several Downtown Stockton restaurants nearby offering a variety of dining options. This proximity to dining choices added another layer of convenience to the overall outing.

In conclusion, my experience at Downtown’s Regal Stockton City Center – located at 222 N. El Dorado Street – was positive and enjoyable. The combination of convenience, comfortable seating, and a cozy atmosphere made it a great place to catch a movie. I recommend this theater for your next movie outing!

Click Here to See What’s Playing Now at Regal Stockton City Center

ALL ABOUT DSA’S NEW, ARPA-FUNDED PROGRAMS!

Posted on March 15, 2023April 18, 2023 by Courtney Wood

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By Courtney Wood

The Downtown Stockton Alliance has four new ARPA-funded programs to benefit Downtown Stockton businesses and property owners. In the last year, DSA staff have received over $2M in American Rescue Plan Act funding for projects and programs to benefit our Downtown stakeholders.
Learn more about these programs below!

DOWNTOWN BUSINESS FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM

Does your Downtown building or business exterior need a subtle glow-up, or maybe a full-on facelift? Our Business Façade Improvement Program, funded through City of Stockton ARPA money, has no-strings-attached cash for those makeovers. This program offers up to $25,000 of improvements per building for:

New Awnings
New Paint
Window & Door Replacement
Outdoor Dining Enclosures
Façade Repairs of Stucco/Tile/Brick
Other Street-facing, Façade Improvements

To be eligible, your business or property must be located in Downtown Stockton, have an up-to-date business license, have no active code violations, and not be a publicly traded company. For a step-by-step guide on how to apply, click here. Let this program give your downtown space a youthful glow!

*_{We have funding available to repair and update Downtown building facades!}*

DOWNTOWN ENTREPRENEUR SUPPORT PROGRAM

Are you a Downtown business owner who has always been curious about joining a chamber of commerce, but hesitated due to the fees? Or a long-standing chamber member who would jump at the opportunity to have someone cover this year’s dues for you? Or maybe there’s a Quickbooks class you’ve been eyeing that would help you up your business’s bookkeeping methods, but felt that investing in that course would take away funding from another important aspect of your business? Well, the DSA has the answer to your prayers this year!

*_{February’s Talk to Downtown featured representatives from local chambers!}*

Our San Joaquin County ARPA-funded Downtown Stockton Entrepreneur Support Program offers to reimburse Downtown business owners for up to $1,000 per business for EITHER a chamber membership at any of the local chambers, such as the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce, the African American Chamber of SJC, the SJC Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, or the Central Valley Asian-American Chamber of Commerce; OR a business development workshop, class, or course that would help you improve your business or train your staff! To learn more about the benefits of joining our local chambers, check out February’s Talk to Downtown.

We can reimburse you for memberships or workshops occurring from December 2022 onward through the submission of this form. Let the DSA help you network, up-skill yourself or your staff, and grow your business into the best it can be in 2023.

DOWNTOWN STOCKTON WINDOW REPAIR REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM

Have you recently had a window broken at your Downtown business, and struggled to find the funds to repair it? You already have enough to worry about as a small business owner. Our new SJC ARPA-funded Downtown Stockton Window Repair Reimbursement Program can help! Through this program, we can reimburse Downtown business owners for up to $800 per window for window repairs. All you need to do is fill out this form, which asks you to upload the window repair invoice and your proof of payment, and the DSA will send your reimbursement check to you within 10 days!

DOWNTOWN STOCKTON WINDOW WRAP PROGRAM

Does your downtown business or building have empty windows or faded window wraps that are screaming to be updated with colorful artwork or customized branding? Let our SJC ARPA-funded Downtown Stockton Window Wrap Program brighten up your space and attract clients to your business. Through this program, the DSA will pay for up to $2,500 of window wrapping per business. Just submit this form to apply – the DSA can help you with a customized design OR use artwork you already have. Once you’ve approved the design, we work with the installer and pay them directly. It’s that easy to completely upgrade the look of your business!

*_{Check out one of our Window Wrap Program beneficiaries, Alex Floral!}*

APPLY NOW!

These four programs are all running on a first-come, first-served basis while funding lasts; as of the writing of this article, we still have approximately $44,000 remaining in the Entrepreneur Support Program, $47,000 left in the Window Repair Reimbursement Fund, $47,000 to spend in the Window Wrap Program, and 40 spots left in the Business Façade Improvement Program. Click here to learn more or to apply today, contact [email protected] with any questions, and please share this article with every Downtown Stockton business owner or property owner you know.

Staff here at the DSA are thrilled to be able to offer these one-time programs to our stakeholders, who we know have waded upstream through adversities in the past few years. We hope for this funding to provide support, improvements, enhancements, and momentum which will propel Downtown Stockton toward a steady river of success.

P.S.

In addition to the programs mentioned in this article, we still have funding for the digital media promotion of Downtown Stockton events and job listings through COS ARPA money; if you are hosting an event or have job openings at your Downtown location, send them our way by emailing [email protected]!

Sometimes It’s The Simple Things

Posted on August 12, 2022March 15, 2023 by digitalgear

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by Gynae Davalos

A refreshing, warm shower is sometimes the only thing one wants to recharge, rejuvenate, and relieve the body, mind, and spirit. For those in our community with no home in which to shower, Downtown Stockton Alliance provides a free Portable Bathroom Shower Unit (PBSU) right behind St. John’s Episcopal Church on El Dorado Street.

^{A simple shower can make a huge difference}

Monday through Friday starting at 8:30am, anyone needing a bathroom or warm shower can sign up, reserve a time slot, and freshen up. Through generous donations, food, beverages, and clothing are often also available, as well as access to a washing machine and dryer.

SJ Public Health is also on site once a week providing free COVID-19 testing and vaccinations, in addition to other health services.

The PBSU shuts down at 4pm.

“I’m disabled and it has a shower for the disabled,” said Jesse Tora who frequents the PBSU.

DSA staff member Shirley Griffith and her team manage and maintain the unit, providing not only an essential need to the unsheltered community, but social support as well.

“A lot of them are appreciative; they’ll thank us over and over,” Shirley explained.

_{Music by S.T.A.T.I.K.}

“The people are always so nice and respectful – love the fact we have longer time and they don’t play favoritism. They treat everyone the same,” commented Lisa Yoder.

In 2021, the PBSU served 887 individuals who took about 7,444 showers. The unit is funded through a combination of ESG-CV and CDBG grants obtained from the City of Stockton and San Joaquin County. Since 2020, over $350,000 total grant dollars have been secured and devoted to PBSU operation.

“It’s available 5 days a week and it’s convenient for afternoon showering. They feed you and they make sure everyone gets in the shower,” said Yujmon Charles.

It’s easy to take the simple things in life for granted, until they are no longer easily accessible. The Portable Bathroom Shower Unit is just one action Downtown Stockton Alliance takes to support and uplift everyone in our community. Do you have ideas to help make Downtown Stockton the best it can be for everybody?

Best. Job. Ever

Posted on July 11, 2022March 15, 2023 by digitalgear

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by Gynae Davalos

Getting paid to do what you enjoy is a lifelong goal for many. But what happens when you actually DO reach that goal? Well, I just got this job and I’m freaking out.

What’s this place? Who owns this building? What was this before? Is it for lease? So many questions. . . .

I have to show and tell how awesome Downtown Stockton (and subsequently the whole city) is. I have to give reasons why everyone should come downtown more often. I have to encourage entrepreneurs, investors, and businesses to open or expand their companies downtown. I have to reassure the public that downtown is safe. I have to shine some light on businesses and services that may be on the brink of going out in hopes of possibly saving them. I have to inspire and motivate ideas to fill all the empty buildings and spaces speckled throughout downtown. I have to harness enough energy through my adventures to help revitalize all of downtown as soon as humanly possible.

But I only get 5 hours a day.

Good thing I’m on skates.

I’ll do the best I can do Downtown Stockton, but let’s help each other out! Events, meetings, celebrations, announcements, specials – I need to hear about ALL of it. PLEASE send me an email, a direct message, call me at the office, hand a DSA Safety Ambassador a flyer to give to me – however digitally or physically I can retrieve info, the sooner I can share and let everyone know about all the cool happenings downtown and continue to show and tell how awesome downtown is and is becoming.

I was born in Stockton and I’ve spent the majority of my life here. The grass is NOT greener on the other side. Everything we need to grow and flourish is right here. And I hope everyone rolls right along with me to help Downtown Stockton and the rest of our fine city continue to blossom and thrive. Because this is the best job ever and I love it here!

The Waterfront. From here, you can go anywhere.

Meet Dejon, DSA Community Ambassador

Posted on September 11, 2020January 16, 2024 by digitalgear

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The DSA’s Community Ambassador Team serve as “eyes and ears” in the downtown area. Although they are not downtown security, they are here to make the community feel safer. Back in February, we introduced the Community Ambassador program in a blog article. Now, we’d like to give you an update on the program by featuring an interview with one of our community ambassadors: Dejon Underdue! His enthusiasm and positive energy throughout the interview was infectious, and his passion for the downtown community shone through his words. We’re proud to have him on our team.

MEET DEJON

Born and raised in Stockton, Dejon pridefully shares, “I like doing things for people any way I can- especially for the community.” Along with his current role as DSA Community Ambassador, Dejon also operates the Baby Bottoms Diaper Bank, an organization that supplies free diapers for babies and infants for families in need. In the past, Dejon also worked with his family to run and operate a safe haven for victims of domestic violence. When he isn’t helping others, Dejon spends his time making music. In fact, he’s a three-time Grammy nominated musician and producer! Whether he’s patrolling downtown areas, lending a helping hand to others, or even working on producing music, one thing is clear- Dejon is passionate about giving back to the community.

WHY HE BECAME A COMMUNITY AMBASSADOR

Dejon first heard about the Community Ambassador program earlier this year from his mother, and landed the position in early February. After completing his first training during a shift, he reflects, “I loved it.” Dejon expresses that the role can be challenging at times, yet fulfilling, as he’s, “always down for things that make me [him] think; things that require judgment calls.”

Communicating with those in the community is another reason Dejon is so passionate about his role, as he enjoys, “dealing with different people.” He explains that Community Ambassadors work to connect individuals in need to various resources, such as shelters or food banks. They also help in other ways, including but not limited to helping fix flat tires or escorting people to their cars at night. The assistance they offer, “takes a lot of stress off of people…makes life easier for people.”

IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY

From when the Community Ambassador Program was first implemented in February to now, Dejon shares that the difference is like “night and day. Now, people are coming up to us all the time saying, ‘we can actually walk around at night now!’” He’s happy that the Community Ambassadors are making a difference, and wants everyone in downtown to know, “I’m here to assist and I’ll be here every single shift.”

In addition to helping community members feel safe, Community Ambassadors also work closely with the Stockton Police Department. Officers are grateful to have their help, as the ambassadors can take care of smaller matters (loitering, escorting, etc.) and can also quickly alert and inform the police when a situation arises.

LOOKING FORWARD TO THE FUTURE

When asked what he’s most excited to see in the future, Dejon answers that he wants to see a decline in loitering and hopes to continue, “guiding people in the right direction.” In regards to the program, he says there is, “so much we have planned and so many ideas for the future. I’m excited for the future.”

So the next time you’re downtown, you may see Dejon during one of his shifts, or you might catch him grabbing a bite at Port City Sports Bar & Grill (after all, he says, “I find myself spending half my paycheck there!”). If you do run into him, don’t be afraid to say hello!

COVID-19 Resources

Posted on March 20, 2020 by digitalgear

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Courtney Wood, our Economic Development Director, participated in a webinar addressing the resources available for small businesses during this public health crisis. The information has been condensed into the following list!

Disaster Relief

Resources to consider during this COVID-19 emergency (organizations who specifically have offerings to deal with this particular crisis/or crises in general):

SBA Office of Disaster Assistance
- The sooner businesses apply, the better, as there will be many businesses seeking out this resource
  - https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/
  - 1-800-659-2955
  - [email protected]

IBank California Small Business Finance Center, which among other things has a Disaster Relief Loan Guarantee Program
- California Capital is one of the FDCs who participates in this loan guarantee program; [email protected] is the contact
  - https://www.ibank.ca.gov/small-business-finance-center/
Kiva
- 0% interest and offering a special grace period of 6 months due to the COVID situation
  - https://www.kiva.org/about
California Treasurer’s CALCAP
- https://www.treasurer.ca.gov/cpcfa/calcap/sb/index.asp

Capital Resources

Here are additional loan programs/funding programs which are available (not specifically handling the COVID-19 scenario, but offering potential capital resources during this difficult time):

Downtown Stockton Enterprise Loan Fund (DSELF)
- Prime interest rate + 2%
  - https://www.downtownstockton.org/dself/
City of Stockton MicroLoan Program
- $3,000 – $30,000
  - http://www.stocktongov.com/files/Small%20Business%20Micro%20Loan%20Brochure.pdf
Main Street Launch
- Richard Morris
  - [email protected]
  - 209.637.5589
Opportunity Fund
- loans $2,600 – $250,000,
  - their interest rates are a bit higher than some of the other resources
    - 866.299.8173
    - [email protected]
Stockton Impact Corps
- loans $1,000-$5,000
  - http://www.stocktonimpactcorps.org/start-ups.html

Additional Resources

For other COVID-19 related information, please visit StocktonStrong.org.

Update: 3/27/20

DSA has launched a COVID-19 Disaster resource page, where we will continue to add new resources as we learn about them.

Attention

Posted on March 13, 2020 by digitalgear

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By DSA Staff

On Thursday, March 12th, the City of Stockton released a Public Health Emergency notice informing the public that the city is adopting the State Mass Gathering policy, which states:

Postponing or cancelling large gatherings that include 250 people or more;
Social distancing of six feet per person for smaller gatherings; and
Limiting gatherings of individuals at higher risk for severe illness from coronavirus to no more than 10 people.

Venues such as the Stockton Arena, the Bob Hope Theatre, and Banner Island Ballpark have suspended and/or postponed all events for the time being. Visit the Stockton Live website for more information. http://www.stocktonlive.com/tickets-events/event-updates

If you won tickets for either a Stockton Heat game or Stockton Kings game via our social media accounts, please contact us directly at [email protected].

Doing our part

The health & safety of our downtown visitors, businesses, and property owners are our top priority. We are continuing our maintenance efforts by pressure washing at a heat between 140-160 degrees Fahrenheit.

Currently, our CEO, our Operations & Office Manager, and our Safety Ambassador Supervisors are the only staff in the office. Our other office staff are currently working remotely, or have been furloughed for the time being.

Our Maintenance techs are continuing their daily routes, but are not allowed to drive two to a vehicle to comply with social distancing.

We are closely monitoring those who are coming in to work for any symptoms of COVID-19.

Additionally, we have updated our events calendar to reflect cancellations and postponements.

For the latest info on the Coronavirus (COVID-19), sign up for text updates. Text Covid19 to 211211 to receive updated information provided by Public Health and Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Placemaking Award Program

Posted on February 7, 2020 by digitalgear

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By Jessica Nguyen

Need Funds for a Downtown Project? Apply For Our New Placemaking Award Program!

If you want to bring a Downtown Stockton project to life but are a little short on funds, consider applying for our Placemaking Award Program! Discussions took place between the DSA Board of Directors last year about potentially creating a grant program, and this year, it’s going live! Courtney Wood, DSA’s Economic Development Director, shares that this program was created because, “businesses and events might need a little extra help to get going.” Examples of projects include (but are not limited to) organizing an educational and fun cultural event downtown, adding a small but charming outdoor patio to your restaurant, putting on rewarding workshops or seminars, and adding vivid art installations downtown.

How to Apply

Applications for the Placemaking Awards will be available on the DSA website starting February 1st, and the deadline to turn them in will be April 1st at 4pm. The applications are open rather than restrictive, because we want you to get creative! What would you like to bring to downtown that will attract more visitors? Pop up stores? Musical performances? A butterfly garden? A statue of Danny DeVito? (Okay, probably not that last one).

Criteria

Along with the requirement that the project must take place in Downtown Stockton, there are several other criteria the Board of Directors will consider to determine whether or not you are eligible for a grant:

Does your application demonstrate that you have a clear vision for your project?
Does it seem like you will be able to complete the project within a certain timeframe?
How much will the proposed program or project benefit the downtown community?
How much revenue will the proposed program or project bring to downtown?
How much enthusiasm do you have for your proposed project?

After review by the Board of Directors, final funding discussions will take place in May. On the 1st of June, the DSA will announce the grant recipients. Recipients will receive 50% of the funds upfront, while the other 50% will be in the form of a reimbursement, provided once the project has reached completion. Overall, you can apply for up to $10,000. The Placemaking Award Program has $20,000 of available funds in total.

Excitement for the Future

Courtney, who helped DSA Board Member Jared Rusten design the program, shared, “I’m looking forward to seeing all the creative ideas that people can bring downtown and seeing the DSA having a role in making this happen through the grant.” In addition, she’s excited to see how the community will respond to the implementation of new projects and the economic growth the projects will bring to downtown.

Don’t forget, you can start the application for the grant on February 1st! Start thinking of those ideas, we can’t wait to see them!