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Community Bridges is your partner in Disaster Response and Emergency Preparedness!
In the face of adversity, the strength of a community is truly put to the test. Community Bridges has been at the forefront of supporting and uplifting the diverse communities of Santa Cruz County and North Monterey County. Our commitment to the well-being of our neighbors has been unwavering, especially in times of crisis.
We believe in the power of readiness and education when it comes to disaster response and emergency preparedness. We understand that emergencies come in many forms – floods, storms, earthquakes, fires – and being prepared for any scenario is vital to ensuring the safety and well-being of our community.
That’s why we are excited to announce our continued commitment to multi-lingual and multi-cultural emergency preparedness efforts throughout Santa Cruz County and North Monterey County. We’re partnering with local agencies to expand our reach and provide even more comprehensive support.
Use the links at right to sign up for emergency alerts from Santa Cruz and Monterey counties, learn your evacuation zone, make an evacuation plan, and make sure to pack a “go-bag.”
To learn more or express your interest in our emergency preparedness initiatives, please get in touch with us at info@cbridges.org. Together, we can build a safer, more resilient community that can weather any storm.
We’re excited to announce that we have been selected as a nonprofit partner in the County of Monterey’s Pajaro Unmet Needs Disaster Assistance Program – a unique and unprecedented opportunity made possible through the hard work of local government, invaluable community partners, and the State of California.
This program, backed by $20 million in recovery funds secured by our state legislators, will assist individuals, households, and small businesses affected by the levee breach.
As a trusted nonprofit partner, Community Bridges’ Family Resource Collective will oversee the distribution of $5.4 million in individual and household recovery assistance along with our partners are Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey. We were selected as a nonprofit partner in charge of this distribution because of our experience as disaster case managers and proven record of assisting survivors from multiple local natural disasters, including the CZU wildfires, floods, and atmospheric rivers, as well as the California COVID-19 rental assistance program.
Phase 1 of the program in which qualifying Pajaro residents received up to $600 in economic assistance for food spoilage as a result of the evacuation order related to the March 2023 flood first wrapped up in April 2024. A second round of Phase 1 funding opened on December 18, 2024.
The County received 757 applications, with 688 eligible for the first round of Phase 1 assistance. All qualifying applicants have received grocery gift cards, successfully distributing over $450,000 in financial aid in the first distribution of Phase 1 funds. Of the 69 ineligible households, 13 were duplicate cases, 38 couldn’t provide proof of residency, and 18 were not Pajaro residents.
All households that received Phase 1 assistance will receive an additional award ranging from $200 to $1,000, based on household size. Community Bridges will contact eligible households within the next 60 days to provide information on how to receive the funds.
No action is required by applicants at this time.
Qualifying applicants were immediately moved to Phase 2 and paired with a caseworker.
Phase 2 of the program offers support for various expenses and losses, including home repair, vehicle replacement, housing assistance, and personal property damages. The Housing Assistance and Personal Property categories each have a maximum award of $15,000. However, the Vehicle Repair/Replacement and Home Repair Assistance categories do not have a maximum award, allowing for greater flexibility in addressing significant losses.
For more detailed information about the program, individuals are encouraged to visit readymontereycounty.org/recover.
Residents who qualified for Phase 2 should stay in touch with their assigned caseworker. For questions, call the Disaster Assistance line at 831-755-3400.
Prepare for the unexpected! Explore the must-haves for your Emergency Go-Bag tailored specifically for Pajaro Valley residents. From essential supplies to local resources, this video guides you on creating a well-equipped go-bag to keep you and your loved ones safe in emergencies. Don’t wait—be ready for whatever comes your way!
In this informative video, discover crucial actions to take during a flood. We’ve tailored this guide specifically for you from evacuation strategies to emergency contacts and local resources. Be well-prepared to face flood situations head-on and safeguard your community. Watch now and ensure your safety during unexpected events.
Watsonville/South Santa Cruz County: La Manzana Community Resources
Santa Cruz: Nueva Vista Community Resources
Live Oak/Mid-County: Live Oak Community Resources
Felton/San Lorenzo Valley: Mountain Community Resources
All locations are closed for lunch between noon and 1pm.
Click the links below
STAY PREPARED
Emergency Alerts – Santa Cruz County
Emergency Alerts – Monterey County
Track Your Evacuation Zone – Santa Cruz County
Track Your Evacuation Zone – Monterey County
Track Local Road Closures – Santa Cruz County
Monitor Agency Social Media – Santa Cruz County
DISASTER RECOVERY
2023 STORMS & FLOODS
California Storm Assistance for Immigrants
Insurance Information Webinars
Local Financial Assistance (Pajaro)
CZU FIRE RECOVERY
Santa Cruz County Fire Recovery Resources
Santa Cruz Long Term Recovery Group CZU Rebuild Guide
Santa Cruz County Post-Fire Watershed Recovery Guide
FEMA Flood Map (Check your address)
HOW TO HELP
Donate to Community Foundation Santa Cruz County
Community Bridges was one of the lead local agencies providing immediate and long-term services to families impacted by the March 2023 floods in Pajaro. Our Pajaro Valley Storm Recovery Plan was launched in the immediate aftermath of the March 11th flood in Pajaro.
Between March 11th, 2023 and November 2023, Community Bridges distributed more than $1.7 million in economic assistance, thanks to thousands of donations to our flood relief fund and support from partnering nonprofits and our foundation partners.
Community Bridges prioritized grants for families, people living at or below 80% of the area median income, and people whose residences sustained major damage and were yellow, orange, or red-tagged, according to the County of Monterey’s Damage Assessment Map.
More than 1,000 people accessed our three-wave economic assistance program detailed below that was implemented over the 10 months following the flood.
The First Wave began immediately after the flood. In this wave, applicants received a $500 grant if:
The following organizations also assisted in distribution of assistance during the First Wave the below:
This initial assistance was made possible by the investment of Community Foundation Santa Cruz County and Community Foundation for Monterey County.
The Second Wave began in May 2023.
In this wave, grants ranged between $1,450-2,750 and were made available thanks to private donations and government assistance from the County of Monterey.
In this wave, applicants received a grant if they could:
The Third Wave was for extreme recovery and rebuilding cases assisted by case managers through Community Bridges and Catholic Charities. This wave began in tandem with the second wave, as a long-term recovery group assisted families and individuals who needed additional support.
There was no range for grant funding, as money was be distributed as needed to help with the following:
Donations for the final wave were expended in late 2023.
In response to the series of storms across California from December 2022 through April 2023, the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) provided state-funded storm recovery services to offer disaster relief case management and direct assistance to eligible individuals who experienced hardship from the storms and could not access federal assistance due to immigration status.
Direct assistance payments were provided to help storm-impacted individuals and households cover necessary costs, including housing, food, and transportation.
Qualifying adults received $1,500, children (under 18 years old) received $500, with a maximum of $4,500 per household. A household was defined as individuals who lived together and purchased and prepared meals together.
Storm recovery services were available in California counties where the President issued a Major Disaster Declaration and approved Individual Assistance (IA) due to the impact of the storms.
Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey, Community Action Board of Santa Cruz, and Ventures implemented the program in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties.
The program ended in May 2024.
For more information about the program, click HERE.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency offered assistance for families impacted by the March 11 flood. The deadline to apply for individual assistance was Sept. 1. People who need help with their applications or appeals can visit:
FEMA Individual and Household Assistance may include:
San Lorenzo Valley residents impacted by the “Bomb Cyclone” in March can visit Mountain Community Resources at 6134 Highway 9 for help with insurance claims, FEMA applications and appeals, and replacement of tools of the trade, among other things.
Mountain Community Resources is open Monday and Thursday from 9am to 4:30pm (closed from lunch between noon and 1pm) and Tuesday and Wednesday from 9am to 12pm. It is open by appointment on Tuesday and Wednesday between 1-5pm. Call 831-335-6600 for additional information.
Through participation in the Santa Cruz County Long Term Recovery Group, Community Bridges and Catholic Charities provide Disaster Case Manager support for families in need of assistance as they navigate the rebuilding process following the CZU August Lightning Fire.
Disaster Case Managers provide one-on-one support to achieve effective communication with the Recovery Permit Center and connect families with resources, including funding through the Unmet Needs Committee for families that are experiencing rebuild funding gaps.
To connect with a Disaster Case Manager, please email CZUFireHelp@gmail.com or call 831-920-4764.
To support frontline fire recovery services in your community, please visit the Santa Cruz Community Foundation Fire Relief Fund
519 Main Street
Watsonville, California 95076
Phone: 831-688-8840
Fax: 831-688-8302
Email: info@cbridges.org
Community Bridges is a registered 501(c)(3) organization.
Federal Tax ID number: 94-2460211
