Community Bridges’ Free Cleanup Tool Library Helps Community Recover

Santa Cruz County, CA — Community Bridges is providing cleanup tools and resources at our Family Resource Collective (FRC) locations to help our community recover from the devastating floods and mudslides produced by the recent unprecedented winter storms. 

Community members can rent cleanup items such as air movers, dehumidifiers, wet/dry vacs, carpet cleaners, push brooms, and pressure washers, at no cost. Other single-use cleanup items, such as contractor bags, gloves, sponges, and disinfectant are also available for the community through generous support of Community Foundation Santa Cruz County, American Red Cross and Home Depot Foundation grants.  

These items are available at the following FRCs (We ask that you call ahead and check for availability): 

  • La Manzana Community Resources – 521 Main Street, Ste. Y, Watsonville | 831-724-2997  
  • Live Oak Community Resources – 1740 17th Ave., Santa Cruz | 831-476-7284 
  • Mountain Community Resources – 6134 Highway 9, Felton | 831-335-6600 

“It was critical that we responded as soon as the emergency began by purchasing items that would be likely to be sold out during the immediate days following the disaster. Knowing that those with the means would have the resources to repair while many working families and seniors would be with no other options isn’t a reality we wanted to see. This was a necessary response to ensure equity in recovery exists,” says Community Bridges CEO Raymon Cancino. 

To rent the equipment, simply complete a damage assessment form and liability release form at one of our FRC locations. Equipment is due and will need to be returned no more than of one week after check out or any time before then. We would like to give as many people as possible the opportunity to utilize the equipment. 

Community Bridges purchased the majority of the cleanup items available for rent and disbursement through the use of strategic agency reserves. In an effort to expand the program, we are asking the community to donate lightly used tools and new single-use items for the cleanup effort. 

Donations can be dropped off at any of our participating FRC locations.  

An early estimate from the County of Santa Cruz on the damage to public infrastructure as a result of the storms was placed at $36 million. That figure, however, does not include the damage sustained by more than 200 residential and commercial buildings across the county. 

With President Biden’s Major Disaster Declaration freeing up federal assistance grants and low-cost loans, hundreds across Santa Cruz County are expected to begin their road to recovery over the coming days and weeks.  

Before cleaning and repairing your home, FEMA asks that those impacted by the storm who seek to access assistance do the following: 1) take photos of your damaged home and belongings, 2) make a list of damaged or lost items, 3) if you have insurance, file a claim with your insurance provider, 4) apply for assistance at disasterassistance.gov, the FEMA smart phone app, or by calling (800) 621-3362.  

If you need assistance cleaning up, call the Crisis Cleanup hotline at 844-965-1386. Crisis Cleanup will advertise your need so local relief organizations, community groups, and faith communities who may be able to assist with can connect with you. All services are free, but service is not guaranteed due to the overwhelming need. This hotline will remain open through Friday, January 27. 

Clients are urged to connect with one of our FRC’s to do a disaster assessment that will allow us to help triage you and walk you through the road to recovery.  

About FRC 

Community Bridges Family Resource Collective has four locations to meet the needs of Santa Cruz County residents. Our centers in Santa Cruz, Felton, Live Oak and Watsonville create a safety net of services to meet individual and household needs. Our compassionate staff build a warm, friendly, safe place for the community to access resources that offer stability and hope for the future.  

About Community Bridges 

Community Bridges envisions a thriving community where every person has the opportunity to unleash their full potential. Together, our family of programs delivers essential services, provides equitable access to resources, and advocates for health and dignity across every stage of life. To learn more, please visit www.communitybridges.org. 

The County of Santa Cruz is undertaking an effort to improve economic, racial, age, disability, gender, geographic and other forms of diversity within its commissions and committees.The County is hosting community workshops beginning next week to facilitate community conversations around County commissions and their purpose, including how and why to participate, the lack of representation and how this impacts the community, and the resources or support needed to ensure the diversity of our government reflects the diversity of our community.- Learn more about the County and County advisory bodies- Find out how and why you should participate- Let us know what resources or support are needed for participationJune 14, 6:00pmCapitola Branch Library2005 Wharf Road, CapitolaJune 21, 6:00pmZoom OnlyMeeting ID: 827 4502 8186Password: 128142June 16, 6:00pmWatsonville Center for the Arts375 Main St, WatsonvilleJune 22, 6:00pmSheriff's Community Service Center790 Green Valley Rd, WatsonvilleSpanish translation/interpretation, Light meal/snacks,Childcare at Watsonville locations and Gift cards for participants over 18 ... See MoreSee Less
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El condado de Santa Cruz está llevando a cabo un esfuerzo para mejorar la diversidad económica, racial, de edad, de discapacidad, de género, geográfica y otras formas de diversidad dentro de sus comisiones y comités.El Condado está organizando talleres comunitarios a partir de la próxima semana para facilitar las conversaciones de la comunidad en torno a las comisiones del Condado y su propósito, incluyendo cómo y por qué participar, la falta de representación y cómo esto afecta a la comunidad, y los recursos o el apoyo necesario para garantizar la diversidad de nuestro gobierno refleja la diversidad de nuestra comunidad.- Más información sobre el Condado y los órganos consultivos del Condado- Averigüe cómo y por qué debería participar- Háganos saber qué recursos o apoyo son necesarios para la participación14 de junio, 6:00pmBiblioteca Capitola Branch2005 Wharf Road, Capitola21 de junio, 6:00pmSólo ZoomReunión ID: 827 4502 8186Contraseña: 12814216 de junio, 6:00pmCentro de las Artes de Watsonville375 Main St, Watsonville22 de Junio, 6:00pmCentro de Servicios Comunitarios del Sheriff790 Green Valley Rd, WatsonvilleTraducción/interpretación en español, Comida ligera/meriendas,Cuidado de niños en Watsonville y tarjetas de regalo para participantes mayores de 18 años. ... See MoreSee Less
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Thanks to the funds the Monterey County Supervisors recently approved, more economic assistance is now available for families and individuals in Monterey County impacted by the winter and spring storms!You may qualify for a grant between $450-750 if you: • Have a monthly income between 0-200% of the Federal Poverty Limit • Were affected by the cumulative effects of recent disastrous weather events• Live in Monterey County Residents whose homes have been identified as Red and Orange tagged via the Monterey County's CalFire Assessment Map and those who are ineligible for FEMA and previous funding assistance will be prioritized.You do not need to apply for this grant if Community Bridges or Catholic Charities have already assessed or helped you receive economic assistance. We are actively reaching out to people already in our system and those who did not previously qualify for funds.If you have not applied for or received assistance through Community Bridges or Catholic Charities, please call us.Catholic Charities: (831) 316-9122• Serving: Residents of Salinas and South Monterey County; Chualar, Gonzalez, Soledad, Greenfield, King City, San Lucas, San Ardo, etc.Community Bridges: (831) 724-2997• Serving: Residents of the Monterey Peninsula & North Monterey County: Pajaro, Royal Oaks, Las Lomas, etc.For more information about this program, visit bit.ly/45QqSIUFor a list of all assistance available to families who the recent storms have impacted, visit communitybridges.org/emergency ... See MoreSee Less
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¡Gracias a los fondos que los supervisores del condado de Monterey aprobaron recientemente, ahora hay más asistencia económica disponible para familias e individuos en el condado de Monterey afectados por las tormentas de invierno y primavera!Puede calificar para una ayuda entre $450-750 si:• Tiene un ingreso mensual entre 0-200% del Límite Federal de Pobreza• Se fueron afectados por los efectos acumulativos de recientes eventos climáticos desastrosos• Viven en el condado de MontereySe dará prioridad a los residentes cuyas casas hayan sido identificadas como rojas y naranjas a través del Mapa de evaluación de CalFire del condado de Monterey y aquellos que no sean elegibles para FEMA y asistencia financiera anterior.No es necesario que solicite esta ayuda si Puentes De La Comunidad (a través de La Manzana) o Caridades Católicas ya lo evaluaron o lo ayudaron a recibir asistencia económica. Nos estamos acercando activamente a las personas que ya están en nuestro sistema y a aquellas que no calificaron previamente para recibir fondos.Si no ha solicitado o recibido asistencia a través de Puentes De La Comunidad o Caridades Católicas, llámenos.Caridades Católicas: (831) 316-9122• Sirviendo: Residentes de Salinas y el Sur del Condado de Monterey; Chualar, González, Soledad, Greenfield, King City, San Lucas, San Ardo, etc.Puentes De La Comunidad: (831) 724-2997• Sirviendo: Residentes de la península de Monterey y el norte del condado de Monterey: Pájaro, Royal Oaks, Las Lomas, etc.Para obtener más información sobre este programa, visite bit.ly/45QqSIUPara obtener una lista de toda la asistencia disponible para las familias afectadas por las recientes tormentas, visite communitybridges.org/emergency ... See MoreSee Less
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