United Way of 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.
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Program Information United Way of Santa Cruz County holds a unique role in the community – in its ability to act as a convener – bringing those with a role to play to the table to strategically address complex social issues, such as youth violence, drug and alcohol policy, criminal justice reform, and obesity prevention. United Way Interns will have the opportunity to work with various stakeholders and community members, representing: business, community-based organizations, education, faith, government, justice, public health, and, of course, youth and families.
United Way of Santa Cruz County's Community Impact initiatives include: Jóvenes SANOS, Santa Cruz County Youth Action Network, and Santa Cruz County Shared Safety Workgroup
Santa Cruz County Community Corrections Partnership – Shared Safety Workgroup
The Santa Cruz County Shared Safety Workgroup is a collaborative that is to better meet the needs of survivors and victims of crime. The Workgroup, which includes representation from health, justice, government, community members, service providers, and survivors of crime. They come together on a monthly basis to grapple with complex issues and topics related to public safety and crime survivors/victims. Shared Safety involves centering survivors, viewing safety as wellbeing, emphasizing a public health approach, and working to break the cycle of harm and make the system work. The Workgroup is supporting the implementation of recommendations identified in the Santa Cruz County Shared Safety: Survivors at the Center report (2020).
2023 Areas of Focus
- Victim Financial Restitution
- Survivor Engagement
- Survivor System Mapping with the Office for Victims of Crime
- Trauma Recovery Center Planning
Interns will be working closely with the Director of Community Impact, in promoting a public health approach to criminal justice issues and reforms. Responsibilities include, but not limited to:
- community outreach
- meeting and event support
- research on best practice programs and policies
- administrative tasks
- Social media management
- Interns will have the opportunity to work with various stakeholders and community members, representing: business, community-based organizations, education, faith, government, justice, public health, and individuals with lived-experience.
Jóvenes SANOS
Jóvenes SANOS is a youth advocacy and leadership program based in Watsonville, California. Jóvenes SANOS strives to empower, educate, and raise awareness about youth mental health within the community. Jóvenes SANOS works to build an environment that embraces a culture of health and wellness by cultivating peer-to-peer conversations regarding mental wellness and promoting hope, resiliency and healing. Jóvenes SANOS is committed to growing a thriving community based on equity and justice.
Interns work closely with the Jovenes SANOS Coordinator, learning and gaining insight on community organizing, youth development as well as best practice programs and policies for promoting wellbeing for all youth and families in Watsonville, CA.
Responsibilities include, but not limited to:
- Attend Jovenes SANOS Monday meetings in Watsonville, CA; (1-2 hours)
- Staff Jovenes SANOS weekly team meetings (1 hour)
- Research on trauma informed practices
- Research on best practice youth programs and policies
- Administrative tasks; assist with Jovenes SANOS projects as directed
- Social media management; scan news outlets for relevant news stories and maintain archive binders
- Interns will have the opportunity to work with various stakeholders and community members, including young people
Santa Cruz County Youth Action Network (YAN)
The Youth Action Network (YAN) is a newly reformed community impact initiative composed of youth and adults working together to identify emerging needs in our community, creating positive change together, and working to increase overall youth-wellbeing through youth voice and youth leadership. The Youth Action Network is committed to centering and amplifying voices of young people, especially those from historically underrepresented communities.
Responsibilities include, but not limited to:
- Attend Youth Action Network meetings and other YAN Events
- Community outreach and engagement
- Meeting and event support
- Research on best practice youth programs and policies
- Administrative tasks
- Assist with YAN projects as directed
- Social media management; support in website updates and monthly newsletters
- Interns will have the opportunity to work with various stakeholders and community members, including young people