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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.
The Application Center officially opened its doors on March 27 at Pajaro Park, providing individuals with the opportunity to complete applications in person. Operating on specific days and times until April 27, the center welcomes applicants during the following hours:
For more detailed information about the program, individuals are encouraged to visit readymontereycounty.org/recover or communitybridges.org/emergency.
For more information about the program, please click HERE. To read the official press release from the County of Monterey, click HERE.
With winter fast approaching and possible heavy rain and storms on the horizon, Community Bridges’ Family Resource Collective hosted a series of emergency preparedness events in Pajaro to help residents prepare for natural disasters.
Thank you to our partners for joining us for these events: County of Monterey, California, North County Fire Protection District of Monterey County, Catholic Charities Monterey, Regeneration-Pájaro Valley Climate Action, Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County, and the American Red Cross.
If you are interested in information shared during these events, contact info@cbridges.org.
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 is one of the lead local agencies providing one-on-one 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.
Since March 11th, Community Bridges has 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 is prioritizing grants for families, people living at or below 80% of the area median income, and people whose residences have sustained major damage and are yellow, orange, or red-tagged, according to the County of Monterey’s Damage Assessment Map.
More than 1,000 people have accessed our three-wave economic assistance program below:
The first wave began immediately after the flood and has continued. In this wave, applicants may receive a $500 grant if:
People are encouraged to visit La Manzana Community Resources at 521 Main Street, Suite Y in downtown Watsonville or the Pajaro Long-Term Recovery Center at 14 Porter Drive in Pajaro if they have yet to receive assistance from Community Bridges or the participating organizations below:
If you have been denied but feel an error has occurred, please visit La Manzana or the Long-Term Recovery Center for assistance.
The second wave began in May. People who completed the Damage Assessment Form and received assistance during the first wave do NOT need to reapply to receive assistance in the second wave. Community Bridges staff will contact you to set up an appointment.
In this wave, grants will range between $1,450-2,750 and be made available as donations and government assistance allow. In this wave, applicants may receive a grant if they can:
The third wave is for extreme cases assisted by case managers through Community Bridges and Catholic Charities. This wave will begin in tandem with the second wave, as a long-term recovery group will assist families and individuals who need additional support.
There is no range for grant funding, as money will be distributed as needed to help with the following:
In response to the series of storms across California in December 2022 through April 2023, the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) is providing state-funded storm recovery services to provide disaster relief case management and direct assistance to eligible individuals who experienced hardship from the storms and cannot access federal assistance due to immigration status.
Direct assistance payments will be provided for the purpose of helping storm-impacted individuals and households cover certain necessary costs including housing, food, and transportation costs.
Qualifying adults will receive $1,500 and children (under 18 years old) will receive $500, with a maximum of $4,500 per household. A household is defined as individuals who live and purchase and prepare meals together.
Storm recovery services are available in California counties where the President has issued a Major Disaster Declaration and approved Individual Assistance (IA) in those counties because of the impact of the storms.
Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey, Community Action Board of Santa Cruz, and Ventures will implement the program in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties.
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.
President Biden authorized a major disaster declaration for Santa Cruz County on Jan. 14. The declaration is meant to assist local governments, nonprofits, families, and individuals in recovering from the recent winter storms through Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants and Small Business Administration loans.
This may include financial assistance for cleanup and sanitation, repairs, and other services for eligible agencies and households. Additional resources, including referral lists and legal aid, may be available.
The deadline to submit FEMA applications was March 16.
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