United Way Santa Cruz County (UWSCC) envisions a community where every individual has an opportunity to succeed and Santa Cruz County thrives as a result. We are getting a little closer every day, with the help from hundreds of people throughout our community.
United Way focuses on youth wellbeing. We raise awareness surrounding key issues that affect everyone and promote social and policy change that helps strengthen people and our community.
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 two departments within United Way Santa Cruz County, each with a distinct but complementary focus:
- United 4 Youth (U4Y) – U4Y focuses on uplifting youth voice, leadership, and well-being across Santa Cruz County.
- United 4 Community (U4C) – U4C centers on connecting individuals and families to essential resources and building community resilience through programs like 211.
United 4 Youth (U4Y)
United 4 Youth (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:
U4Y programming takes place across several regions of Santa Cruz County:
- Jóvenes SANOS – Watsonville: Mondays at 4:00 PM
- Jóvenes SANOS – Soquel: Tuesdays at 4:00 PM
- Jóvenes SANOS – allcove Watsonville: Thursdays at 4:00 PM
- Pathways to Possibilities – Scotts Valley: Mondays at 4:00 PM
Intern Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Attend U4Y team meetings and site-based youth leadership gatherings (see schedule above)
- 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.
United 4 Community (U4C)
United 4 Community (U4C) serves as United Way’s Health and Human Services department, advancing community well-being through connection, resources, and resilience. U4C includes the Santa Cruz County 211 Helpline and all initiatives that leverage 211’s success in connecting residents to essential services.
Interns with U4C can expect to engage in community outreach and perform administrative tasks that support public awareness, resource navigation, and data tracking. Interns will also participate in resource fairs and community events to connect individuals, families, and seniors to local support systems.
Focus areas include: community outreach, information and referral, and supporting individual and family stability.
Additional Requirements and Considerations
- Computer literacy
- Must be 18 or older
- Volunteer position
- Demonstrated leadership and initiative
- Strong communication and writing skills
- Technical and professional skills development
- Hybrid (mix of in-person and remote work)
- Minimum availability of 8–10 hours per week (including meetings and events)