Program Information United Way of Santa Cruz County plays a unique and trusted role in the community as a convener and catalyst for collective impact, prioritizing youth achievement, family economic stability, and overall health as the cornerstones of a thriving community. By highlighting critical issues and advocating for systemic change, we work to empower individuals and strengthen the well-being of our entire region.
Our Community Impact initiatives are led by three complementary departments within United Way Santa Cruz County, each with a distinct focus:
- United4Youth (U4Y) – U4Y focuses on uplifting youth voice, leadership, and well-being across Santa Cruz County.
- United4Community (U4C) – U4C centers on connecting individuals and families to essential resources and building community resilience through programs like 211.
- Development & Fundraising – This department supports United Way’s mission by managing grants, donor communications, and fundraising efforts that sustain programs and initiatives across the county.
United4Youth (U4Y)
United4Youth (U4Y) is United Way’s countywide framework that uplifts youth voice, expands access to resources, and champions youth well-being across Santa Cruz County. U4Y unites and supports youth-focused programs under a shared vision of collective impact—including leadership programs, youth-adult partnership initiatives, and mental health awareness campaigns.
U4Y works in close collaboration with schools, city governments, and community-based organizations to create equitable opportunities for youth to thrive. The initiative focuses on three core areas:
- Youth Leadership & Advocacy – supporting young people as community leaders and policy advocates
- Youth-Adult Partnerships – strengthening collaboration between youth and adults in decision-making spaces
- Mental Health & Wellness – promoting stigma reduction and expanding access to wellness resources
Meeting Schedule and Site Locations:
- Jóvenes Sanos – Watsonville: Mondays at 4:00 PM
- Jóvenes Sanos – Soquel: Tuesdays at 4:00 PM
- allcove Watsonville: TBD
Intern Responsibilities Include:
- Attend U4Y team meetings and site-based youth leadership gatherings
- Conduct research on best practices in youth development and policy
- Support outreach and communication strategies, including social media and newsletters
- Assist with planning and coordination of youth leadership and community engagement events
- Perform administrative tasks as needed to support program implementation
Interns will gain experience in youth development, community engagement, and cross-sector collaboration.
Desired Characteristics
- Demonstrated leadership and initiative
- Strong communication and writing skills
- Technical and professional skills development
- Hybrid (mix of 80% in-person and remote work)
- Evening and Weekend Availability may be needed
- Minimum availability of 8–10 hours per week (including meetings and events)
- Local travel necessary