FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FACT SHEET ON ANTICIPATED SERVICE IMPACTS
MEDIA ADVISORY: COUNCIL MEMBER SANDY BROWN AND THIRD DISTRICT CANDIDATE JUSTIN CUMMINGS JOIN COMMUNITY BRIDGES BOARD MEMBERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO SPEAK OUT ABOUT COUNTY’S PROPOSED CUTS TO CRITICAL SERVICES
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY PROPOSES MORE THAN $800,000 IN CUTS TO COMMUNITY BRIDGES’ FUNDING FOR SENIOR AND CHILD CARE SERVICES, FAMILY RESOURCE CENTERS AND FOOD FOR LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES
Santa Cruz County, CA — Community Bridges is inviting media, community members, supporters, and participants to a press conference to learn more about the impacts to Community Bridges’ eleven programs and more than 20 locations serving every community in Santa Cruz County. If adopted, these funding recommendations would remain in place through June 2025 – affecting three funding cycles.
When: June 7, 10:30 a.m.
Where: Community Bridges Watsonville Campus
519 S. Main St., Watsonville
Who:
Raymon Cancino, Community Bridges CEO
Justin Cummings, Santa Cruz City Councilmember and former Mayor
Sandy Brown, Santa Cruz City Councilmember
Mary McMillan, Community Bridges Board of Directors
Silvia Morales, Community Bridges Board of Directors
Clay Kemp, Seniors Council Executive Director
Paul Machlis, Food Pantry Volunteer Coordinator –
Mountain Community Resources
Bilingual staff will be available for Spanish-language publications and outlets.
What: Santa Cruz County released its proposed CORE funding recommendations for the 22/23 fiscal year, which would result in an $816,000 funding reduction that disproportionately affects certain programs.
Impacts
- Partial closure of all four Family Resource Centers (FRCs) and reduction in services offered and staffing (La Manzana serves – Watsonville, Nueva Vista – Santa Cruz and mid-County, Live Oak – mid-County, Mountain Community Resources – North County)
- FRCs serve more than 6,600 members of the Santa Cruz County community across four locations. Those individuals rely on the centers for weekly or bi-weekly food distributions, regular access to tutoring and afterschool homework support, summer lunch programs, and access to personal care and benefits programs.
- Loss of subsidized childcare slots and potential site closures across Santa Cruz County Early Education Child Care sites.
- Significant reduction in services for seniors through Elderday impacting up to 250 clients and their families relying on the only Adult Day Health Care provider in the county providing respite care and supportive services.
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 Community Bridges family of programs includes the Child & Adult Care Food Program, Early Education Division, Women, Infants and Children (WIC), La Manzana Community Resources, Live Oak Community Resources, Mountain Community Resources, Nueva Vista Community Resources, Elderday Adult Day Health Care, Lift Line and Meals on Wheels for Santa Cruz County.
