Santa Cruz - Christie's Sereno 1% For Good Community Impact Recipients

180/2020 Initiative

180/2020 is a multi-agency community initiative in Santa Cruz County, CA to help men, women, and families who have experienced long-term homelessness turn their lives around.180/2020 provides permanent housing and support services they need to stay housed, thereby changing lives and improving the community. Building on the success of housing over 200 people during their first 180 initiative, they have set a new goal to end chronic homelessness in Santa Cruz County by 2020.

For more information about their work or how you can get involved, please visit 180santacruz.org.

Abode Services

Abode Services’ mission is to end homelessness by assisting low-income, un-housed people, including those with special needs, to secure stable, supportive housing; and to be advocates for the removal of the causes of homelessness.

Learn more about Abode Services at AbodeServices.org.

American Legion Veterans Lunch Program

The American Legion honors the sacrifice of those who served by enhancing the lives of our Veterans, military, and their families, both at home and abroad. They advocate for Veterans, educate our citizens, mentor our youth and promote patriotism, good citizenship, peace and security.

Post 64’s Veterans Lunch Program feeds over 100 Veterans each week with fresh, healthy food. 100% of its donations goes towards their Veterans Service Day every Wednesday with hot lunches, groceries to help maintain a healthy diet for the rest of the week, and offers counseling and support groups.

Sereno is honored to support and provide any necessary upgrades to the American Legion Post 64. To learn more about their program or how to get involved, please contact:

Commander Ron Petty
(831) 462-4742
uvcrp15@gmail.com

Veterans Memorial Building
846 Front Street | Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Santa Cruz

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Santa Cruz County’s mission is to provide children facing adversity with strong, enduring and professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. Since 1982, the agency has served nearly 6,500 youth by creating mentoring relationships between children and carefully screened adult volunteers. Mentors provide guidance, academic support and appropriate role modeling.

By exposing children to new opportunities, volunteer mentors show children that options exist, despite the difficulties they may be experiencing.

Learn more about Big Brother Big Sister of Santa Cruz County at santacruzmentor.org.

BirchBark Foundation

BirchBark Foundation provides pet owners financial assistance for emergency and specialty veterinary care by partnering with local veterinary hospitals and clinics.
In addition, BirchBark Foundation provides support for families with pet care education and pet loss counseling programs.

Learn more about BirchBark Foundation at birchbarkfoundation.org.

Boys & Girls Club of Santa Cruz

The Boys & Girls Club of Santa Cruz promotes youth guidance through educational, vocational, recreational, social and character development of girls and boys ages 6 to 18. The Club is the only youth service organization in the greater Santa Cruz area providing daily drop-in programs five days a week. Their goal is to support and encourage children and young adults to become productive, caring, and responsible citizens. Members come to the Club looking for fun and a sense of belonging that results in friendships and skills development lasting a lifetime.

Sereno is proud to support the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Cruz in their effort to renovate their teen rec room, a place for kids to feel safe, unwind, play, and grow. It is our hope the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Cruz will continue to create a legacy of self-discovery and growth.

For more info about the Boys & Girls Club, their programs, or how you can get involved, please visit boysandgirlsclub.info.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Cruz County

Every day, thousands of kids in Santa Cruz County leave school with no place to go, putting them at risk of being unsupervised, unguided and unsafe. The way a child spends the hours after school and during the summer can significantly impact the path they take. As a leading advocate for youth, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Cruz County is committed to ensuring that every child has access to a safe place after school and during the summer where they can build the knowledge, skills, and behaviors to put them on the path to a great future.

Our Downtown, Live Oak and new Joe & Linda Aliberti Clubhouse, located in Scotts Valley, serve youth ages 6 to 18. The annual Membership fee is $75. Thanks to our donor-supported scholarship fund, no one is ever turned away for inability to pay.

Help us reach more kids in need during the out-of-school time at boysandgirlsclub.info.

Building for Generations

Founded in 2005, Building for Generations is an organization that builds facilities, provides materials and raises awareness to support the vision that every human being has value and deserves equal opportunity.

Learn more about Building for Generations at buildingforgenerations.com.

Camphill

The mission of Camphill Communities California is to provide a nurturing and dynamic residential community where adults with developmental disabilities live, learn and work together with professional care givers and volunteers. Located on six acres of land near Santa Cruz, it is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, and is part of the International Camphill Movement, a worldwide initiative for social change with over a hundred affiliates worldwide.

Sereno is committed to helping people find homes they love, so are proud to be working with Camphill whose mission is to help adults with special needs find a welcoming, supportive community that they can call home.

Learn more about their programs at camphillca.org.

Carrie's Dream

Founded in 2014, Carrie’s Dream teaches teamwork, leadership, dedication, physical and mental training to aspiring young dancers, regardless of financial circumstances, to keep them on the path to success in life.

Learn more about Carrie's Dream at carriesdream.org.

CASA of Santa Cruz County

While we do know a thing or two about homes, we have discovered a whole new meaning for “CASA.” We know that hundreds of children in the Santa Cruz area have been taken in by the foster care system and what they need most in their developmental lives is a constant, positive influence.

CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocates, provides a caring adult whose sole focus is to love and advocate for these children in need, and whose reassuring presence is strong and constant. CASA recruits, screens, trains and supervises volunteers to act on behalf of these children.

CASA of Santa Cruz County’s services are in high demand. It is our goal to collect enough funds to train new volunteers who will provide this valuable service. For every $500 raised, another child will be taken off the current wait list and receive the advocacy they deserve.

Learn more about CASA of Santa Cruz County at casaofsantacruz.org.

Coastal Watershed Council

The Coastal Watershed Council envisions the San Lorenzo River as a healthy watershed connected to a vibrant community. To accomplish this ambitious goal the Coastal Watershed Council (CWC) founded the San Lorenzo River Alliance in December 2013 to transform Santa Cruz County’s relationship with its largest watershed from one of apathy to one of respect, restoration and recreation.

CWC is engaging community members and working with local leaders to boldly transform a distinct lower section of the river into a thriving urban park that enhances habitat and recreational opportunities. Successes along the lower river will lay the groundwork for essential watershed restoration along the entire river and throughout California’s Central Coast.

Sereno is proud to support the commitment and service that the Coastal Watershed Council provides in taking care of the environment in our community.

For more information about their program or how you can get involved, please visit coastal-watershed.org.

Community Bridges: Meals on Wheels

Community Bridges has made it their mission is to deliver essential services, provide equitable access to resources, and advocate for health and dignity across every stage of life. Their Meals on Wheels program is enhancing the lives of elders through healthy meal delivery and friendly human contact.

Learn more about Community Bridges at communitybridges.org.

County Park Friends

County Park Friends has made it their mission to preserve, protect, improve and promote the use of Santa Cruz County parks and open spaces for recreational activities, arts and cultural activities to benefit all generations in our diverse community.

Learn more about County Park Friends at www.countyparkfriends.org.

Cultural Council of Santa Cruz County

We are proud to support the Cultural Council of Santa Cruz County’s SPECTRA and Mariposa’s Art whose programs this year will provide more than 10,000 students the opportunity to participate in theater, visual arts, music, and dance programs. Both programs focus on students whose schools have little or no funding for arts specific education. The Mariposa’s Art program trains and pays teens to teach and mentor kids in arts and music education, while the SPECTRA program provides grants to schools in the county for arts education. These activities enrich the lives of students throughout the county. We see the impact of these programs as a direct and worthy investment in our local community.

Digital NEST

The Digital NEST (Nurturing Entrepreneurial Skills with Technology) is a 21st century, Technology Workforce Development Center located in Watsonville. The Mission of the Digital NEST is to bring prosperity to underserved communities by teaching technological and entrepreneurial skills to youth and young adults. Digital NEST is creating entrepreneurship and community economic development by giving youth and young adults in and around Watsonville, California marketable technology skills. It is modeled after successful technology companies that  inspire creativity and innovation and will provide its members with state-of-the-art technology in a safe space that gets them off the streets.

Sereno is proud to support the commitment and service that the Digital NEST provides to the youth of our community.

For more information about their program or how you can get involved, please visit digitalnest.org.

Dominican Hospital Foundation

Dominican Hospital Foundation provides life support for premature babies, emergency heart attack care, neurosurgery, certified stroke care, in-patient cancer treatments, and a mobile wellness clinic. A vibrant health care system known for service and chosen for clinical excellence.

To learn more about the Dominican Hospital Foundation, please visit supportdominican.org.

Downtown Streets Team

Through their evidence-based work-experience program, Downtown Streets Team empowers those experiencing homelessness to be a part of the solution to their struggles. DST provides the support and dignity needed for homeless and at-risk individuals to rebuild their lives and set goals, while they volunteer on beautification projects within their community.

Learn more about Downtown Streets Team at streetsteam.org.

Felton Library Friends

Felton Library Friends actively supports the Felton Branch Library and the adjoining Nature Discovery Park. The Felton Branch Library & Nature Discovery Park is a vibrant community center for learning, sharing, and discovering - a welcoming space with services to inspire and connect people of all ages.

Learn more about Felton Library Friends at feltonlibraryfriends.org.

Girls, Inc.

The mission of Girls Inc. of the Central Coast is to inspire all girls to be strong, smart and bold to respect themselves and the world around them. Our commitment is to ensure that participating girls and young women are active partners in program design and service delivery. Our programs encourage girls to make smart choices regarding their academic futures, promote post-secondary education, provide them accurate information on health and equip them with the tools to avoid risky situations. We offer programs conducted at elementary, middle and high schools. Programs assist with developing skills in leadership, decision-making, goal setting, facilitation, public speaking, program planning and academic pursuits.

Learn more about Girls, Inc. of the Central Coast at girlsinccc.org.

Grind Out Hunger

EMPOWER youth to gain the ability, authority, and agency to make decisions and implement change in their own lives and the lives of other people.

EDUCATE both about hunger issues within the community, good nutritional choices, as well as the importance of finding something you are passionate about and pursuing it.

Harnesses the energy of the youth, and their concern for helping their peers, to raise awareness, food, and funds to FIGHT HUNGER.

Grind Out Hunger’s mission is to empower the youth of our community by utilizing the passion of skateboarding, surfing, snowboarding, and music to take leadership in the fight against childhood hunger and malnutrition. Learn more about their programs, at GrindOutHunger.org.

Homeless Garden Project - Pogonip Farm

The Homeless Garden Project provides job training, transitional employment and support services to people experiencing homelessness. Their urban farm and garden provides a thriving, inclusive community, and place for individual growth and renewal.

For more information, please visit homelessgardenproject.org.

Hospice Of Santa Cruz County

At Hospice of Santa Cruz County, we are committed to helping youth grieving the death of a loved one find hope and healing, and discover they are not alone. Through Children’s Grief Support at Hospice, kids aged 6-17 have access to specialized counseling, grief education in schools, and Camp Erin – an annual weekend of fun, friends, and discovery. Through this program, more than 600 youth each year develop tools they can use throughout their lives to manage stress, improve mental health, and to thrive.

Learn more about Hospice of Santa Cruz County’s vision that all people in our community live and die with dignity at hospicesantacruz.org.

Joaquin's Warriors DMD

Joaquin’s Warriors raises money for the continuing research to cure Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. In addition, the organization supports young boys in their fight against the disease with individual help to obtain assistive medical devices, home and car modifications and medical bills.

For more information, please visit joaquinswarriorsdmd.org.

LEO’s Haven

1 in 10 children have a disability which translates to roughly 5,000 children in Santa Cruz County who need a playground where they feel they can belong. LEO’s Haven will be a playground designed to provide all children access to the benefits of play while fostering respect, empathy, and friendship. It will be Santa Cruz County’s first inclusive playground for children of all abilities.

An ever growing group of community supporters is working with the County of Santa Cruz in a unique public private partnership to build LEO’s Haven at Chanticleer Park in the Live Oak neighborhood of Santa Cruz by 2019. Once complete, LEO’s Haven will be an inclusive center where all children can play in the heart of our county.

If you would like to give children the opportunity to learn and play together at LEO’s Haven please visit santacruzplaygroundproject.org to find out how you can be a supporter.

Live Like Coco

Inspired by the vibrant life of Coco Lazenby, who tragically passed away in a car accident, the Live Like Coco Foundation embodies her generous spirit by helping thousands of Santa Cruz County kids. Through programs that supply free books and scholarships, encourage wellness and sports activities, and clean up the natural beauty of the region, Live Like Coco helps kids discover their passions and pursue their dreams.

To learn more about Live Like Coco, visit livelikecoco.com.

Live Oak Education Foundation

Live Oak Education Foundation ensures that students in the Live Oak School District have enriching opportunities in the visual and performing arts; the “STEM” fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; and positive play.
Sereno 1% For Good Charitable Foundation awards grants to local organizations actively making a positive difference in our communities. Since 2012, we have donated over $5 million dollars.
Visit liveoakedfoundation.org to learn more.

To learn more about Live Oak Education Foundation, visit liveoakedfoundation.org.

Loads of Love

Loads of Love (LoLo) is part of a non-profit organization that helps those in our community that are experiencing homelessness through the free service of washing clothes on the streets. With washers and dryers installed in mobile vans, LoLo is able to meet people where they are to wash their clothes. Having clean clothes restores dignity, improves health standards, reduces dirty clothes litter, and gives value to persons in need. It also helps create a fresh outlook, better interaction between people, and improves job marketability.

We at LoLo believe every person is created with value and we want to see each person reach their full potential in life. While we do loads of laundry, it is our goal to reach out in friendly conversation and provide encouragement.

Find out how you can donate or get involved at lolo-sc.com.

Meals On Wheels

Every year, Meals on Wheels for Santa Cruz County enhances the lives of more than 1,800 seniors in our region through healthy meals and friendly human contact.

This program provides nearly 150,000 nutritious meals to seniors and disabled residents, either delivered right to the doorstep of those in need, or enjoyed by seniors at one of five dining sites throughout Santa Cruz County. Without adequate food and nutrition services, these older adults risk losing their independence and suffer more disabilities.

Meals on Wheels for Santa Cruz County is part of the Community Bridges family of ten programs.

Please join Sereno in our effort to support and contribute to this wonderful organization.

For more information about their program or how you can get involved, please visit CommunityBridges.org/MealsonWheels.

Monarch Services

Monarch Services empowers individuals and families to take action against violence and abuse. Services provided include a 24-hour bilingual crisis and support line, emergency shelter, counseling, accompaniment to forensic exams, long-term housing support, legal services, and education to survivors of domestic violence, sexual, assault, and human trafficking, as well as their families. Monarch also offers services that focus on prevention and changing the social norms, attitudes, and behaviors that condone violence. Prevention services prioritize youth and teens, as well as the farm worker community.

Learn more about them at monarchscc.org.

Monarch Services

Monarch Services, formerly Women’s Crisis Support - Defensa de Mujeres, has been providing domestic violence and sexual assault services in Santa Cruz County for the past 37 years. The services give children and youth the opportunity to unlearn attitudes and behaviors that could otherwise cause them to perpetuate the cycle of violence in their adult relationships. Individual counseling sessions are available in order to help children and teens understand that domestic violence is not their fault and to teach them alternative coping skills. Educational/support groups are also conducted at several high schools, which include group counseling, and domestic violence and sexual assault prevention education.

We are proud to support the commitment and service that Monarch Services provides to the children and youth of our community.

For more information about their program or how you can get involved, please visit wcs-ddm.org/service/childrenyouth.

Monterey Bay Salmon & Trout Project

Founded in 1976, the Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project (MBSTP) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the restoration and enhancement of the native salmon and steelhead populations of the greater Monterey Bay area. The MBSTP operates a hatchery and rearing facility to supplement natural production which has been reduced due to habitat degradation.

Their efforts have put millions of fish back into our streams and oceans, benefiting the species and the sustainability of the larger, local ecosystem.

Learn more about the Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project at mbstp.org.

Mountain Parks Foundation

Mountain Parks Foundation has made it their mission to inspire the next generation of stewards by connecting people to the iconic Big Basin and Henry Cowell Redwoods State Parks and the natural wonders they contain.

Learn more about Mountain Parks Foundation at https://www.mountainparks.org.

MTNS2SEA

MTNS2SEA empowers underserved youth through outdoor adventure learning in the mountains and on the sea. In partnership with Santa Cruz County schools and community partners, MTNS2SEA is positively changing the direction of young lives using the outdoor environment as a unique backdrop for personal development and transformation.

Learn more about MTN2SEA at mtns2sea.org.

NAMI: Santa Cruz County

NAMI: Santa Cruz County is a compassionate and dedicated organization committed to supporting individuals and families affected by mental illness. By fostering collaboration with local organizations, mental health professionals, and community members, NAMI Santa Cruz County strives to improve the overall mental well-being of the community. Through their tireless efforts, they bring hope, compassion, resources, and support to those affected by mental illness, creating a stronger and more inclusive Santa Cruz County for all.

Learn more about NAMI at namiscc.org.

O'Neill Sea Odyssey (OSO)

O'Neill Sea Odyssey (OSO) provides hands-on educational experiences to 4th - 6th graders to encourage the protection and preservation of our living sea and communities. Founded by wetsuit innovator and surfer Jack O’Neill, OSO operates at the Jack O’Neill and Harry Hind Education Center and aboard a 65-foot catamaran in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

Learn more about O'Neill Sea Odyssey at oneillseaodyssey.org.

Oceanseed Project

Many of our community’s disadvantaged children don’t have the chance to experience the thrilling impact of beach sand, ocean waves, and sea creatures. Oceanseed Project uses evidence-based programs to transform the lives of these at-risk youth by providing access to oceans, beaches, estuaries, and watersheds. And they provide ongoing mentorship and student-centered curricula in the humanities and sciences that meet current educational standards. Oceanseed’s participants discover and develop profound connections to new skills and values while learning about our natural world.

Oceanseed Project maintains its programs through donations and grants. Sereno Group is proud to support this caring group of professional individuals who are immediately and directly taking action to improve lives in their community and teach environmental stewardship first-hand.

Learn more about their programs, or about how you can get involved at oceanseedproject.org.

Operation Surf

Operation Surf, a program of the nonprofit organization Amazing Surf Adventures, is a globally recognized surf program that changes the lives of wounded military heroes one wave at a time. Its unique curriculum combines the healing power of the ocean and compassionate mentorship to help our heroes overcome perceived challenges and instill hope.

Learn more about Amazing Surf Adventures at amazingsurfadventures.org.

Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes

Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes has a mission to combat food insecurity and nourish the souls of those in need in the Pajaro Valley area. Through their dedicated efforts, they provide essential groceries, hot meals, and compassionate support to local residents facing hunger.

Learn more about Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes at, visit pvloavesandfishes.org.

Pajaro Valley Shelter Services

Pajaro Valley Shelter Services provides families with a path to stable, self-sufficient futures through short- and longer-term housing and services. They support and accompany families on their path to self-sufficient futures by providing knowledge, skills, and connections to community resources.

To learn more about Pajaro Valley Shelter Services, visit pvshelter.org.

Pajaro Valley Sports Foundation

Pajaro Valley Sports Foundation was created to provide access to safe youth soccer fields for all. If we provide the fields, they will play and build confidence, courage and character.

Learn more about Pajaro Valley Sports Foundation.

Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter

Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter (SCCAS) provides animal rescue, regulation and humane care that protect the health, public safety and welfare of people and animals in Santa Cruz County. The only full-service, open admission shelter, SCCAS serves over 5000 stray, unwanted, abandoned, mistreated, neglected and injured animals each year.

Learn more about Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter at scanimalshelter.org.

Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History

The Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History (MAH) fulfills its mission to ignite shared experiences and create unexpected connections by bringing people together around art, history, and culture to build a stronger, more connected community.

Learn more about the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History at santacruzmah.org.

Santa Cruz Search and Rescue

When something goes terribly wrong, when someone is missing or injured, Santa Cruz is protected by a dedicated group of volunteers. They are the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s office Search and Rescue team (SAR), and are an elite group of human and animal volunteers and a handful of paid staff.

In good weather and bad, day or night, these dedicated highly trained individuals step out of their own lives to save another.

Since the volunteers pay for their own training, travel and equipment, Sereno has committed to raise funds for a Swift Water Rescue Program. Should Santa Cruz experience a heavy winter, the rivers we have may swell and there will be a need for trained volunteers and the appropriate equipment to save lives.

Learn more about Santa Cruz Search and Rescue Team at sczsar.com.

SC Museum of Nat History

The Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History is a unique and valued Santa Cruz County institution where they strive to open windows into nature’s past, present, and future through dynamic programs that inspire stewardship of our natural world. They are wholly supported by the work of a dedicated staff and inspiring community of volunteers as well as through generous donations from members and donors, entrance fees, and purchases at our Museum store.

Sereno is proud to support the commitment and service that the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History provides to our community.

For more information about their program or how you can get involved, please visit santacruzmuseum.org.

Survivors Healing Center

All children need to feel safe and supported. They should be able to trust those closest to them. When children are sexually abused by someone they know, it breaks that trust and leaves them traumatized and vulnerable.

Survivors Healing Center is a welcoming place for survivors of child sexual abuse and their allies. Their mission is to empower survivors of sexual abuse to reach out, get support and heal from the trauma inflicted on them. The ultimate goal is to prevent sexual abuse of children and youth through community outreach and education.

Healing is possible and Survivors Healing Center is here to help. Support groups are offered for women, men, teens, mothers of survivors and partners of survivors in both English and Spanish in Santa Cruz and in Watsonville. Sereno Group is proud to support the commitment and service that Survivors Healing Center provides to our community.

For more information about their program or how you can get involved, please visit survivorshealingcenter.org.

Teen Kitchen Project

The mission of Teen Kitchen Project (TKP) is to build healthy communities through food. TKP brings volunteer teens into the kitchen to prepare nutritious, medically tailored meals that are delivered to individuals and families who are in crisis due to a life-threatening illness.<

TKP is the only organization in Santa Cruz County offering free or low-cost meal delivery to patients, regardless of patients’ age or income level. TKP is unique because our meals are prepared by teen volunteers. In the process of preparing nutritious, medically tailored meals, our volunteer teen chefs gain valuable work experience, which is transferable to employment in the foodservice industry. In addition, teens benefit from the opportunity to give back to their community.

Learn more about Teen Kitchen Project at teenkitchenproject.org.

The Beat Within

Since 1996, The Beat Within has been committed to its mission to provide incarcerated youth in the juvenile justice system and beyond with a one of a kind forum where they can write about the things that matter to them, explore how they have lost connection with those things they value, and consider how they might re-connect to positive situations in their lives through the power of the written word and visual art.

Our primary commitment is to provide detained youth with a consistent weekly writing and conversation workshop that provides them with a safe space to share their ideas and experiences while promoting literacy, expression, critical thinking skills, and supportive relationships with the community.

From this work comes the national award winning publication, The Beat Within . The semi-monthly 60 page magazine is given to each young participant and our many subscribers.

Learn more about The Beat Within at thebeatwithin.org.

Unchained

UnChained teaches at-risk youth to train and socialize homeless dogs in need of adoption. In return, the youth develop core values of patience, respect and responsibility for themselves and others. When the youth train dogs who may share similar experiences of neglect, abandonment or abuse, they can begin to feel empathy and compassion for others, while improving their own sense of self worth. As the youth are able to help change the life of a shelter dog, by giving him a second chance at a better life, they can begin to take the risk in believing they can do the same for themselves.

For more information about their work or how you can get involved, please visit livingunchained.org.

Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired empowers clients to embrace life to the fullest through counseling, education, and training. The premier regional resource provider for vision loss and rehabilitation, Vista Center serves over 3000 people annually and believes that vision loss need not be a barrier to independent living.

Learn more about Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired at vistacenter.org.

Walnut Avenue Family & Women's Center

Walnut Avenue Family & Women’s Center is dedicated to improving the quality of life for women, children, and families in Santa Cruz County. Many of the families participating in Walnut Avenue programs are from under-served populations due to poverty, early pregnancy, homelessness, and/or domestic violence.

Learn more about Walnut Avenue Family & Women's Center at wafwc.org.

Watsonville Wetland Watch

For 25 years, the Watsonville Wetlands Watch has worked diligently to preserve, restore, and foster the appreciation of the wetlands and watersheds of the Pajaro Valley. This rich and diverse habitat is one of the last large freshwater wetland complexes on the California coast, and it provides a myriad of resources to resident and migrating wildlife and to the Pajaro Valley community. Such a unique and precious environment requires careful conservation to preserve it for future generations to enjoy.

Watsonville Wetlands Watch envisions a wetland ecosystem that thrives within Watsonville and the greater Pajaro Valley, and a community which is at the center of its conservation. Their education and volunteer programs serve over 2000 students each year, making sure the next generation of leaders is equipped to take on the complex environmental challenges our community faces. Their habitat restoration programs strengthen the natural resources of our region, cleaning our waterways, improving trails and greenbelts, and laying the foundation for the return of wildlife species whose future survival depends on thoughtful actions taken today.

For more information about their work or how you can get involved, please visit watsonvillewetlandswatch.org.