{"id":82758,"date":"2025-12-05T13:43:11","date_gmt":"2025-12-05T13:43:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/82758\/"},"modified":"2025-12-05T13:43:11","modified_gmt":"2025-12-05T13:43:11","slug":"giving-thanks-the-independence-network-way","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/82758\/","title":{"rendered":"Giving Thanks the Independence Network Way"},"content":{"rendered":"

For more than a decade, Santa Clara Unified School District\u2019s Independence Network<\/a> has marked Thanksgiving with a holiday luncheon that celebrates community, and especially the tight-knit community at Independence Network. On Nov. 22, about 50 people \u2014\u00a0students and their families, teachers and friends \u2014\u00a0enjoyed this year\u2019s Thanksgiving celebration.<\/p>\n

Eleven years ago, Daljit Chahal, a volunteer at Wilson preschool<\/a>, discovered that the adult students at Independence Network* didn\u2019t have any special events to celebrate the holiday together. There was a holiday lunch in the past, but it stopped when its volunteers could no longer undertake the project.<\/p>\n

Daljit proposed to her husband, Santa Clara city council member Raj Chahal, and the rest of the family that they restart the Independence Network lunch. But, Daljit says, \u201cThis isn\u2019t about us, it\u2019s about the students being able to give something to those who support them.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The Chahals buy the food, and their son, Amar, roasts the turkeys. The day of the luncheon, work starts at 9 a.m. when the volunteer crew arrives, and students help in the kitchen and with the setup. By 11:30 a.m., the tables are set, and everyone is sitting down to eat.<\/p>\n

Holiday meals aren\u2019t only about food. They\u2019re also a strong symbol of belonging.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur students are truly a family,\u201d said Yvonne Jassi, a longtime teacher at Independence Network. \u201cThey\u2019re thankful for each other, they\u2019re thankful for their families, they\u2019re thankful for the Chahals. They truly celebrate one another.\u201d<\/p>\n

The entire Chahal family is engaged in the effort.<\/p>\n

\u201cSeeing the smiles on the students\u2019 faces is heartwarming,\u201d said Ajaipal Chahal.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe students with disabilities face difficult challenges every day and have unique lives that are different from the ones most of us live,\u201d said Ajaipal. \u201cWe want them to know that they are part of our community and are appreciated.<\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone should feel a sense of belonging,\u201d he continued, \u201cespecially on Thanksgiving. I\u2019m so glad my parents have been giving back to the community in this way.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Independence Network is part of\u00a0Santa Clara Adult Education, a program run by the Santa Clara Unified School District that serves adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities with an individual program for each student.<\/p>\n

Independence Network teaches students how to manage daily living activities and healthy living, as well as academics, job training, and introduces them to leisure interests like dance and painting. The program also offers social activities and opportunities for community service. For example, Independence Network students help serve lunch at the Santa Clara senior center.<\/p>\n

*The two schools are at the Wilson school site.<\/p>\n

Carolyn Schuk can be reached at carolyn@santaclaraweekly.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Related Posts:
Giving Thanks for 10 Years at Independence Network<\/a>
Independence Network Receives Surprise Visit at Annual Holiday Party<\/a>
Council Member Raj Chahal and His Family Help Keep a Holiday Tradition Alive<\/a><\/p>\n

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