La Manzana Community Resources

Our compassionate staff build a warm, friendly, safe place for the Pajaro Valley community to access resources that offer stability and hope for the future. La Manzana Community Resources is part of the Community Bridges family of programs. (Para Español, desplácese hacia abajo y en el icono de Google seleccione “Spanish.” La información estara traducida a partir de allí.)

Services

Community Advocacy

We seek to meet the needs of families through bi-lingual, bi-cultural support on both a long and short-term basis. Our drop-in advocacy support aims to help our community access resources and set goals to address issues such as housing, employment, education, domestic violence prevention, childcare and more.

Counseling

We partner with professionally pre-licensed clinical counselors to offer free counseling and advocacy to youth, families and individuals. Our services provide support for people to learn and access healthy coping skills, stress management techniques and work on other issues as needed. Click here to apply for services or call 831-476-7284 Ext. 104 to make an appointment.

Housing Navigation

We guide you through the intricate process of finding a safe and secure home. We are committed to helping you locate suitable housing options and connecting you with vital services and other providers capable of securing emergency rental assistance and additional essential resources.

Emergency Preparedness

Our mission goes beyond mere response; we believe in proactive preparedness. That’s why we are dedicated to ongoing emergency preparedness education and organization, ensuring that our community is ready to face any challenge that may arise. For more information and resources to stay prepared for disaster and emergencies, visit our Emergency Preparedness page.

Parent Education

We offer a variety of parent education classes and one-on-one sessions, including classes that address a wide range of topics including preventing tantrums, traveling in the car, managing chores, the power of self-esteem, and more. Classes, workshops, seminars and individual sessions are available in both Spanish and English, funding for the program is made available by First 5 Santa Cruz County. Click here for more information and class schedules.

Public Benefits Enrollment Assistance

Our advocates help with enrollment and reporting for government benefits and services (i.e. Cal-Fresh, unemployment, MediCal, CoveredCA). Our advocates can help you select the best healthcare program for you and your family.

Summer Lunch

During the summer months we serve lunch to children in Santa Cruz County as part of the USDA’s Summer Food Service Program. Summer Lunch provides a nutritionally balanced meal to children who may be without lunch while school is out. In collaboration with Snap-Ed, we also provide nutrition education, food sampling and physical education for children and families at the Summer Lunch sites. For a list of Summer Lunch 2025 dates, times, and sites, CLICK HERE.

Eviction Defense

Whether you’re facing an urgent situation or simply seeking a second opinion, we connect you to trusted legal representation that understands the intricacies of your unique circumstances and empowers you to face the future with confidence.

“I worked in the field for 40 years, but I can’t work anymore. This food is very important to us. I use the fruits and the vegetables to cook for my wife, she’s diabetic. I also like to come here for help filling out forms. I can’t speak English or read, so it helps me a lot.”

—Retired Farmworker & Pajaro Valley Resident

Call for Artist: Mural Project open in Pajaro

Community Bridges’ is seeking a professional mural artist or artist-led team to design and install a landmark mural in Pajaro. This mural will serve as a powerful tribute to the resilience, history, and diversity of the Pajaro Valley community while honoring the agricultural workers and families who have shaped the region.

The period to respond to the Request for Qualifications closed on April 7, 2025.

Key Dates:

Finalist Selection: May 1, 2025
Project Completion: No later than July 31, 2025

Mural Theme and Vision

The mural will be a highly visible landmark at the southern entrance to Pajaro, welcoming visitors and residents while reflecting the area’s rich cultural heritage. The artwork should depict key aspects of Pajaro’s identity, including:

Agricultural Legacy – Recognizing the essential role of farmworkers and the agricultural industry in shaping the region.
Community Resilience – Honoring the strength of Pajaro residents in overcoming social and environmental challenges, including natural disasters.
Cultural Diversity – Highlighting the multicultural fabric of Pajaro, with representation of its Indigenous, Latino, and immigrant communities.
Hope and Progress – Inspiring a vision for the future of Pajaro, rooted in unity, strength, and opportunity.

The mural will be developed through a collaborative process, incorporating input from Pajaro residents, local organizations, and community leaders. Artists will be expected to engage with the community through interviews, public meetings, and design discussions to ensure authenticity and local representation.