July Newsletter
Youth Action Network Updates
YAN Jurisdictional Representative
We are excited to announce and introduce Robin Luckett, our newest Jurisdictional Representative to YAN! Robin was formally appointed by the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors and will serve as a bridge between youth and decision-makers to the Youth Action Network. Robin currently serves as the Director for Family and Children Services for the Santa Cruz County Human Services Division. Her experience and expertise serving youth and families will benefit the Youth Action Network as we will plan activities and projects this year.

“I am thrilled to join and to be a part of the Youth Action Network. The youth voice is a driving force in the work and the changes that are occurring in child welfare. As we strive to engage our youth in the work that we do, we do better work. The Youth Action Network creates an opportunity for me to learn and listen". -Robin Luckett

We look forward to working with you Robin!
Empower Watsonville
This summer, the United Way & Youth Action Network supported the development and implementation of PVPSA's Empower Watsonville's Youth Reclaiming Voice and Power Curriculum! This curriculum was developed to introduce youth to concepts and practices in community organizing, advocacy, local policy development, and youth leadership!

Youth leaders from Empower Youth Watsonville met for a total of 3 weeks to go through the curriculum and prepare for the upcoming year where they will be focusing on addressing mental health and substance use amongst youth within the Watsonville Community.
They also were just highlighted by the Santa Cruz Sentinel: Pajaro Valley youth group seeks expanded substance abuse services

Interested in learning more about Empower Youth Watsonville's work? Check out their Facebook and Instagram Page!

We look forward to our continued partnership and working with them this year!
We are Growing!
We continue to connect with partners who are committed to amplifying youth voices.

Interested in becoming a YAN General Member? Reach out to us and learn more about the roles & responsibilities by following this link click here
Meet the New Jóvenes SANOS Coordinator!

A Watsonville local, Pamela Velazquez graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a B.A. in Sociology and Chicanx studies. During her time there, she volunteered with a number of educational organizations and coordinated various programs to serve underrepresented students. Pamela is passionate about creating a positive change in the community and helping students develop their leadership skills. Her goal is to return to her community and serve to uplift and empower first-generation students to pave the way for future generations

"I am excited to join a committed and passionate team that is working to empower our youth and serve the community by providing resources to underrepresented students. I am committed to youth leadership and success and look forward to helping our youth discover their voice and find solutions to community problems." -Pamela Velazquez

Welcome to the United Way Team, Pamela! We are excited to work with you!
COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics in
Santa Cruz County
Saturday, July 31 – 10:00am-1:00pm                                        
Barrios Unidos – 1817 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95062 Pfizer                                           
(Pfizer 1st Dose & Janssen (J&J)   
 
Saturday, July 31 – 10:00am-2:00pm                                                 
Boulder Creek w/Rotary Club – 13233 Highway 9, Boulder Creek, CA 95006                                                        
(Pfizer 1st Dose & Janssen (J&J)   
 
Saturday, August 7 – 10:00am-2:00pm                                                
Boulder Creek w/Rotary Club – 13233 Highway 9, Boulder Creek, CA 95006                                                           
(Pfizer 2nd Dose & Janssen (J&J)
El Pajaro Community Development Corporation – SALUD – 24 E Beach Street/Plaza Vigil, Watsonville, CA 95076                                       
(Pfizer 1st Dose & Janssen (J&J)   
 
Wednesday, August 11 – 5:30pm-7:30pm                                              
Watsonville YMCA – 27 Sudden St., Watsonville, CA 95076                                                    
(Pfizer 2nd Dose & Janssen (J&J)
 
Friday, August 13 – 12:00pm-4:00pm                                                
Museum of Art & History (MAH) – 705 Front St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060                                                   
(Pfizer 2nd Dose & Janssen (J&J)
 
Saturday, August 21 – 10:00am-1:00pm
Barrios Unidos – 1817 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95062                                                         
(Pfizer 2nd Dose & Janssen (J&J)
 
Saturday, August 21 – 10:00am-2:00pm                                                 
Boulder Creek w/Rotary Club – 13233 Highway 9, Boulder Creek, CA 95006                                           
(Pfizer 2nd Dose & Janssen (J&J)
 
For further information regarding any of these clinics, please contact us at hsac19VaccineClinics@santacruzcounty.us or at 831-454-4242, Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.
Community Events & Opportunities
Save the Date! Annual Stuff-A-Thon Event!
Take Action and join the Stuff-A-Thon Event on August 7th at Kaiser Permanente Arena! Sign up by following this link: click here

Every year, the Santa Cruz County Office of Education and United Way team up to host Stuff the Bus to gather essential school supplies for youth experiencing homelessness and/or other hardships.

Data from the County Office of Education states that there is 4,749 youth who are currently experiencing homelessness or extreme hardship in Santa Cruz County. 

With your help, United Way is aiming to donate 3,000 backpacks with new school supplies to Santa Cruz County youth who need them. Your donation will send youth back to school fully equipped and on the pathway to success! If you are interested in donating: click here

Youth Opportunities
Digital Nest: Youth Mental Health Campaign.
"Hello Central Coast community! We are young volunteers from the Digital NEST, a local nonprofit in Watsonville and Salinas that works to build youth confidence and professional and technical abilities through hands-on work.
We are one of several NESTcorps teams this summer, working to address poverty, and public and mental health. Our team’s project is focused on mental health, basing a community-networked social media campaign on the research our spring team conducted.

Our spring research found anxiety, stress, negative self-talk, and sudden mood changes as a few difficulties young people were experiencing at high levels. 55% had experienced stigma around mental health issues, with 34% witnessing stigma in action. We also found that 17% of youth did not find help for a past mental health challenge, and almost the same number were not sure how to support someone struggling.

Therefore, this campaign will be to inform on self-care and community care tips and techniques, to create a safe space and share how to find help, as well as offer practical resources the team has requested from those working in mental health professions.

Please forward this newsletter and look for our posts on Digital NEST’s social media (@digitalnest on Instagram, @DigiNEST Twitter, and Digital NEST on Facebook!). We’ll see how many folx we can reach! Thank you!"

Follow @DigitalNest to stay updated and follow their work!
Diversity Center: Youth Prom
When: August 1st, 5:30-10:00pm
Where: 15 Madison Street, Watsonville

If you are in high school or recently graduated: you are invited to Youth Prom, hosted by the Diversity Center!

For more information please contact: youthprogram@diversitycenter.org
YWCA: Youth Program for Girls
Join YWCA Watsonville's YW-Teens Program. This program is for young women interested in learning about identity, women empowerment and social expectations and much more!

All young women attending middle school or high school and are between the ages of 11-18 years old are eligible to participate in the program. Participants will also be able to gain community service hours.

Follow this link to register: click here

Questions? Email: ywt@ywcawatsonville.org
Suenos: Youth Employment Opportunities
Are you between the ages of 16-24 and looking to gain job experience and professional development skills?

Check out Suenos Youth Employment Services! They are an amazing program through the Santa Cruz County Office of Education and will support you during your job experience journey.

For more information: email: wioasuenos@santacruzcoe.org or call (831) 446-5672
County Park Friends Events
Looking to get outside and explore all of the amazing parks throughout Santa Cruz County?? Check out all of the amazing and FREE programs that County Park Friends offers on their website: https://www.countyparkfriends.org/

This Weekend they are hosting free Zumba Classes at Pinto Lake and Jose Street Park!

Also, check out their Outside the Frame: Find them ALL Challenge! Click here to learn more.
Blended Bridge & Fuerza Latinx Backpack Drive
Blended Bridge and Fuerza Latinx are hosting their second annual Back-To-School Drive. All donations will be distributed to Black and Brown youth in Santa Cruz. School supplies are absolutely fundamental for a child’s success to excel in their eduction.

Drop-off locations include @treehousedispensarysc and @elchinomexicanrestaurant . Monetary donations can be made to @fuerzalatinx via Venmo.

Any donation is much appreciated!
Interested in sharing upcoming community events or youth opportunities?
We would be happy to include them in our future newsletters!


Youth Action Network
Coordinator

Amanda Gamban


4450 Capitola Rd, Ste 106
Capitola, CA 95010

PHONE | [831.479.5466]
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