May offers the perfect opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the important role that Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs) have played in our shared history. During this month’s festivities, it’s essential to honor community figures like Rosie Tabasa, whose legacy continues to inspire our neighbors in Watsonville, in the Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay region.
Rosie Tabasa was one of the first Filipino business owners in Watsonville during the 1930s and is celebrated for her contributions to the Filipino farmworker community. From helping fellow immigrants get vaccinated and making sure that their children register for school, to assisting them in applying for affordable housing, driver’s licenses, and work permits, her dedication has left a mark on countless lives.
Her spirit lives on at Tabasa Gardens, a 53-unit affordable housing project developed by Eden Housing in Watsonville. This development not only provides essential affordable housing, but also pays tribute to Tabasa’s legacy with a mural on its facade.
We are humbled and proud to be part of this community, and provided an acquisition loan through our #MontereyBayHousingTrust fund (a partnership with the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership), and via our #TECHFund.
Read more about the project and Rosie Tabasa’s lasting legacy in this round-up of coverage following the recent grand opening:
Pajaronian: https://pajaronian.com/watsonville-celebrates-new…/
KION News Channel 46: https://kion546.com/…/grand-opening-of-watsonville…/
Santa Cruz Sentinel: https://www.santacruzsentinel.com/…/community…/
#AANHPIHeritageMonth #AAPIHeritageMonth #Community #AffordableHousing