La Esquina

Anchoring Future Economies of Belonging

A community hub in East San José where families, entrepreneurs and

neighbors access services,support, and opportunity.

What is La Esquina?

La Esquina is a community-based economic mobility hub located at the corner of Alum Rock Avenue and King Road in East San José. It brings together entrepreneurship support, financial education, workforce development, youth financial preparedness, and early childhood initiatives under one roof.

Co-founded in 2022 by SOMOS Mayfair, Latino Business Foundation, and Excite Credit Union, La Esquina is rooted in community trust and cross-sector collaboration. Together, these institutions strengthen families, support small businesses, and expand access to dignified economic opportunity. By centering women, youth, caregivers, and low-income families, La Esquina helps build long-term stability and generational wealth in East San José.

Our Vision

We envision a thriving Santa Clara County where families are permanently rooted and communities build health, wealth, and belonging.

Founded by Trusted
Community Institutions

For over 29 years, SOMOS Mayfair has been building community power in East San José through leadership development and by organizing around resident-led solutions, while advancing a vision of dignified, healthy, democratic, sustainable, and cooperative work for workers, families, and communities.

The Latino Business Foundation Silicon Valley’s mission is to provide empowering resources to existing and future leaders in the business community through long-lasting learning and support.

Excite is the community’s credit union dedicated to giving everyone the chance to build a financially stronger future. Excite proudly offers fair and safe deposit and loan products in an accessible and inclusive manner.

Who We Serve

45,000+

community members served

since 2022 across all

partner organizations

5,000+

Entrepreneurs supported

since 2022 through

Latino Business Foundation,

SOMOS Mayfair,

and Excite Credit Union

300+

Childcare entrepreneurs

engaged

80%

severely rent-burdened

Key Services

Entrepreneurship

Services

Workforce

& Leadership Development

Financial Services

& Education

Program Highlight:

Co-Op Hub

Anti-displacement

Advocacy

Role in the Ecosystem

► Raise philanthropic awareness of needs in Santa Clara County and elevate impactful partners regionally who are generating systemic solutions; securing greater regional investment in economic justice.

► Strengthen referral and integration systems by connecting families and entrepreneurs to a network of partners such as Start Small Think Big, NextDoor Solutions, and Working Solutions.

► Foster learning and collective capacity through ongoing knowledge-sharing, peer exchanges, and joint advocacy efforts that build alignment across the ecosystem.

PHOTO Volunteering Sacred Heart Pack A Back.jpg

► Bolster existing regional networks advancing economic mobility and justice.

► Champion alternative pathways to wealth

and stability.

► Advocate for shared resource models and collaborative fundraising.

Resource Allies and Funders

Two place-based co-op hubs

in Santa Clara County

and San Mateo County

Integrated co-op

service model

and accessible

training curriculum

90% of workers supported

are people of color,

immigrants, and/or other

underrepresented

community members

75% of workers

supported earn wages

above industry average

75% of co-ops supported

contribute to community

wellbeing and

climate resilience,

with expanded access

to capital and

financial services

La Esquina Co-op Hub

La Esquina Co-op Hub is helping build a more just and resilient local economy by supporting worker-owned cooperatives across Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. Through technical assistance, leadership development, capital access, climate education, and partnership-building, the hub creates pathways for excluded workers and families to access dignified, democratic, and sustainable economic opportunities.