After years of serving those without homes on the weekends, Nathan Ganeshan was sure the simple act of feeling clean and refreshed would not only renew their spirits but grant them dignity. He set out fundraising and planning. Then, as he watched a truck hauling a trailer with showers into the First Presbyterian Church’s parking...
In the Spotlight
Welcome to In the Spotlight.
These stories spotlight the people who make San Jose a remarkable place to call home. From unsung heroes to community leaders, we catch up with San Joseans who are doing amazing things — and we share the awe-inspiring stories behind their struggles and successes.
We are telling the unique, ever-changing, diverse story of San Jose. One person at a time.
Who should we feature next? To nominate someone for our next In the Spotlight profile, email [email protected].
Affordable housing champion Katherine Harasz is ready for the next chapter
The outlook on the availability of affordable housing in San Jose was grim even before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Still, Katherine Harasz of the Santa Clara County Housing Authority found a way to get as many people as she could housed. “Just seeing people enjoy a new park or seeing people have an apartment or...
A bodybuilding pastor: Homeless advocate Scott Wagers is unapologetic about his calling
A muscle T-shirt wearing, bodybuilding rabble-rouser may not be the typical image of a church pastor, but Scott Wagers said he had a calling to help the homeless to bring him closer to God — and get him arrested from time to time. Wagers, 55, has worked on behalf of San Jose’s homeless for three...