November Newsletter
Santa Cruz County Youth Action Network
 Adult Allies Meeting
On Monday, November 16th, we convened 27 Adult Allies who were interested in learning more about the Youth Action Network (YAN) and what roles they could play. 

In this meeting we: 
  • Reviewed the history of YVPN and why we shifted to the Youth Action Network
  • Covered how the Youth Action Network will still focus on meeting results from the YVP strategic plan, which includes a strength-based public health approach to youth well-being and includes positive youth development. 
  • Shared updates about YAN and how we are planning to convene a planning committee team to further develop the structure of YAN. (The planning committee will consist of youth and adult coordinators from existing youth leadership groups/youth advisory councils.)
  • Shared how we want to incorporate Adult Allies and strengthen youth-adult partnerships: Adult Ally/Youth-Adult Partnership Tip Sheet 
  • Discussed the ways in which Adult Allies can support the Youth Action Network such as:
  • Connecting them to opportunities 
  • Supporting funding and development 
  • Providing in-kind trainings and workshops 
  • Fill out our Adult Allies survey if you are interested in supporting YAN: Click Here
Representatives from: Community Action Board, Watsonville City Council, UCSC Faculty, Pajaro Valley Health Trust, Aptos Community Youth Program, Housing Matters, Encompass, County Office of Education, Monterey Peninsula Foundation, SURJ, Black Youth Empowerment Workshop & Monarch Services (not all pictured above)

If you would like the recording and notes from this meeting or if you are interested in learning about how you can support the Youth Action Network, please reach out to us! 
Connect with other Santa Cruz County
 Youth Collaboratives
Although we are no longer holding the traditional YVPN quarterly meetings and look forward to convening folks for future YAN events, we wanted to share other opportunities for former YVPN members to network with other agencies and partners. Below is a great list of places to connect and network. If we missed any youth focused collaboratives, please let us know!
Community Events & Opportunities
Black Health Matters

Black Health Matters is a community wellness initiative to bring safe engaging, and COVID mindful outdoor activities to Black community members of Santa Cruz County. Next event is November 22nd! Click here to learn more.
PVUSD Parent Support Groups
Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance (PVPSA) is hosting Parent Support Groups for those who are feeling the weight of COVID-19 and distance learning. They will be hosting a series of support groups from 11/19-2/24 and will be available in Spanish & English Click here to learn more.
Santa Cruz County Probation DJJ Transformation Forum
Next year California will be transitioning to close down its Youth Prisons.
This provides an incredible opportunity for local communities to do things differently. If you're interested in learning more about DJJ Realignment & local impacts/opportunities for Santa Cruz County, please register for this event (*Space is limited*): bit.ly/SCCTrasformationForum
Winter Donation Drive Opportunities
As we are approaching the winter season, continuing to face the impacts of COVID and the CZU wildfire, we wanted to share some opportunities to give back to youth, families and community members in need during this time.

Now Hiring!
Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance (PVPSA) is hiring a Youth Engagement Specialist: 

Under the direction of the Policy Management Analyst and the Youth Reclaiming Voice and Power Program will coordinate various activities that fall in line with policy strategies that promote and advance community level health and wellness in the areas of alcohol, tobacco, and other substances for youth.

Youth Engagement Specialist will be working in the greater Pajaro Valley region (Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties) to engage youth in leadership development, and to prepare them to be the next generation of community leaders. Partnering with other local governmental and non-governmental agencies, this position will provide youth the training and resources needed to create equity focused policy change at school, city, and county level.

(Please let us know if there are other events and opportunities that we missed and would like us to share! We would love to highlight them on our social media and our next newsletter!) 


Youth Action Network Coordinators

Amanda Gamban

Gabriela Sanchez Ramirez


4450 Capitola Rd, Ste 106
Capitola, CA 95010

PHONE | [831.479.5466]
Follow us on Facebook & Instagam