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

Click here for a complete list of services across our sites.

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.

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.

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.

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

Aztecas Program: Building Stronger Futures Together

Teaching Teamwork

Instilling Discipline

Providing Safe Spaces

Housed within La Manzana Community Resources in downtown Watsonville, the Aztecas Program is more than just a sports initiative—it’s a comprehensive youth development program that fosters personal growth, academic success, and community engagement. Designed for young people seeking a positive and enriching environment and supported by collaboration of Santa Cruz County’s Probation Department and Community Bridges, Aztecas provides a unique blend of mentorship, life skills, and teamwork to help youth thrive in all aspects of their lives.

What Makes Aztecas Unique: Comprehensive Youth Support

The Aztecas Program focuses on empowering youth through a variety of opportunities that encourage physical, emotional, and academic growth. By being part of this program, participants not only gain valuable skills but also find a community that champions their potential and promotes long-term success.

Be a Part of a Team—Build Character and Confidence

Develop teamwork, leadership, and discipline while engaging in competitive indoor and outdoor soccer matches. Practices are on Monday from 5-6pm at Soccer Central Indoor Sports (34 Harkins Slough Road, Watsonville). Stay active by learning valuable soccer techniques and strengthen personal accountability and collaboration skills, fostering self-esteem and resilience.

Learn, Explore, Grow

Participants enjoy enrichment field trips, after-school activities in a safe and structured environment, and access to a dedicated clubhouse where they can gather, learn, and grow. The Aztecas clubhouse (521 Main Street, Suite H, Watsonville) is open Monday from 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM, Tuesday and Thursday from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Wednesday from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM, and Friday from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

Academic and Career Support

Participants receive personalized counseling, tutoring, mentorship, and academic support to excel in school and beyond. The program guides youth through exams, assignments, college applications, scholarships, and job opportunities, helping them achieve their goals. By fostering self-confidence, accountability, and teamwork, it empowers youth to contribute to their community and build a brighter future.

Join the Aztecas Program

Be part of something bigger—a program that provides guidance, support, and opportunities to help youth succeed both on and off the field. Together with La Manzana Community Resources, Aztecas is creating a brighter future for our community.

Ready to Register? Contact Us Today: