Media Advisory: Community Bridges Holds Press Conference to Respond to County Cuts to Critical Services for Unhoused Individuals, Seniors, Children, and Families

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’ ten 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.

We’re excited to welcome Alicia, Gregorio, Jocelyn, and Maria to the Community Bridges team! 🌟They’re bringing fresh energy, new ideas, and a shared passion for making a difference. We’re lucky to have them, and we can’t wait to see the impact they’ll make through our programs and in the communities we serve.If you'd like to be part of this work and join our growing team, visit communitybridges.org/careers to apply.Here’s to new beginnings and continued growth — welcome aboard! 🎉#CommunityBridges ... See MoreSee Less
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🎉 Exciting News! 🎉We’re thrilled to announce the honorees for the 10th Annual Farm to Fork Gala! 🌾🍴The Community Bridges Bridge Builder Awards celebrate those who help drive our mission, strengthen community connections, and inspire meaningful change.✨ For this milestone year, we’re honoring some of our most dedicated supporters from the past decade:Driscoll's – A longtime partner in our work, supporting local growers and farmworkers, providing essential aid during the Pajaro floods, and volunteering across our programs.Tere Carrubba & Cathe Race – Co-chairs of the Farm to Fork planning committee since 2015. Their leadership has helped raise over $550,000 in support of Community Bridges’ ten programs, which serve more than 20,000 local residents each year.🌟 Please join us in honoring these incredible changemakers!📅 Saturday, June 28, 2025📍 Seascape Golf Club | 610 Clubhouse Dr, Aptos🕔 5–9 p.m.🎟️ Purchase tickets: communitybridges.org/events ... See MoreSee Less
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FREE Food Distribution📍 Location: 6134 Highway 9, Felton, CA 95018📅 Every Thursday🕥 Time: 10:30 – 11:30 AMWe’re here to support our community with free groceries and essential items every Thursday. No registration or ID required. Just stop by—everyone is welcome!Learn more about us: communitybridges.org/mcr/------------------------------------------------------------------------Distribución Gratuita de Comida📍 Dirección: 6134 Highway 9, Felton, CA 95018📅 Cada jueves🕥 Horario: 10:30 – 11:30 AM¡Estamos aquí para apoyar a nuestra comunidad con alimentos gratuitos y artículos esenciales todos los jueves! No se necesita registración ni identificación. Solo venga—¡todos son bienvenidos! ... See MoreSee Less
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Congratulations to Larisa Perez, our May Employee of the Month! 🎉Larisa serves as our Social Work Assistant in Elderday Adult Day Health Care and is truly a model of dedication and integrity. She consistently goes above and beyond, always ready to lend a helping hand wherever it's needed. Her actions reflect her genuine commitment to our mission and values.Thank you, Larisa, for your hard work, compassion, and for being such a valued member of the Community Bridges family! 😊🤗 ... See MoreSee Less
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Photos from Meals on Wheels for Santa Cruz County's post ... See MoreSee Less
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