We are so proud of the work of our volunteers, the growth of our clients and each opportunity we have to partner in the community. Check out our highlighted news or visit our press archive below.
Get in Touch About Press: Contact Communications Director Christine Loewe at volunteer@scvolunteercenter.org
Santa Cruz Volunteer Center Celebrates 50th Anniversary
Santa Cruz Sentinel July 17- Thousands of civic-minded Santa Cruz County residents want to lend a hand to support causes they care about, and the county’s hundreds of nonprofits — often operating with small staffs and shoestring budgets — depend on that aid. The trick is connecting the right people to the right groups. For 50 years the Volunteer Center has done exactly that ...Continue Reading
Cheers to 50 Years
Aptos Times July 20- All community members are invited to join the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County for their 50th Anniversary Birthday Celebration. Tickets are now on sale for the event and space is limited. “This is a wonderful opportunity for our supporters and the community at large to come together in celebration of 50 years of volunteerism in Santa Cruz County,” states Volunteer Center Executive Director Karen Delaney...Continue Reading
Volunteer Center Celebrating 50th Anniversary
Register Pajaronian July 11- The Volunteer Center opened its doors in 1967 when Marian McBee, Kathryn Merriam and Margaret Schaeffer, three local social workers inspired by their passion for helping others, set up shop at a loaned office space in downtown Santa Cruz. They set out to develop volunteer programs that would lift up residents in need. ... Continue Reading
Register Pajaronian May 18- Watsonville High Students Earn Scholarships
Register Pajaronian May 15- From the Editor's Desk- A boost for local organizations
Santa Cruz Sentinel May 14- Human Race Rounds West Cliff With Banner Year.
Santa Cruz Sentinel May 10- Human Race Creates Funding Platform for SC Non-Profits
Santa Cruz Sentinel April 21- Volunteer Center Launches 50th Anniversary During National Volunteer Week
Santa Cruz Sentinel April 20- Santa Cruz County Recognizes Volunteers
Aptos Times April 15- Human Race Campaign in Full Swing
Santa Cruz Sentinel Feb 9- Santa Cruz County Volunteers Earn Points of Light Award
Santa Cruz Style Magazine- Spring 2017- A Legacy of Service. Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County Celebrates 50 Years.
Aptos Times- Feb 6, 2017- "Santa Cruz Gives" Proves that Santa Cruz Gives
KSBW Action News- Jan 20, 2017- Volunteers Celebrate Martin Luther King
Santa Cruz Sentinel- 12/25/16- Santa Cruz County Volunteers Share Their Bounty on Christmas
Register Pajaronian- 12/20/16- Volunteers Give to Families in Need
Santa Cruz Sentinel- 11/29/16- Santa Cruz County Volunteer Serve Others on Thanksgiving
Santa Cruz Patch- 11/29/16 -Santa Cruz Gives Makes it Simple
Register Pajaronian- 11/25/16- Thanksgiving Meal for Mental Health Services
Santa Cruz Sentinel- 11/3/16- Volunteer Center Looks to Help this Holiday
Santa Cruz Sentinel- 10/30/16- Santa Cruz County Volunteer Center Honors Groups and Individuals
Register Pajaronian- 10/15/16- Volunteers Read to More than 600 Students
Santa Cruz Sentinel Coastline 10/4/16- Be the Difference RSVP Deadline
Aptos Times- 7/7/16- Soquel Drive Mural Gets Underway
Santa Cruz Sentinel- 6/24/16- Volunteer Center Opens New Office in Watsonville
Santa Cruz Sentinel- 5/8/16- Santa Cruz Human Race Brings Most Donations to Date
Register Pajaronian 4/11/16- Volunteers Celebrated for Service
Santa Cruz Sentinel 4/8/16- Former Inmates Commended for Recovery
Santa Cruz Sentinel 3/26/16- Teams Begin Prep for Human Race
Santa Cruz Sentinel 3/25/ 16- Watsonville Honors YouthServe Teens
Santa Cruz Sentinel 3/24/16- Volunteer Center Highlights Work of AmeriCorps
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Paul Martin is every Santa Cruz graffiti tagger's nemesis
Santa Cruz Sentinel 02/15/16 - Mental health summit Thursday in Watsonville
Santa Cruz Sentinel 02/18/16 - Success story shared at Mental Health & Wellness Summit
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Martin Luther King Day Draws Hundreds of Volunteers
GoodTimes Santa Cruz 01/19/16- Santa Cruz Gave Jan 19, 2016
KSBW 01/15/16- Santa Cruz Volunteers Ready for MLK Day Service
GoodTimes Santa Cruz- Dec 23, 2015- From the Editor
GoodTimes Santa Cruz- Dec 23, 2015- Early Adopters
Goodtimes Santa Cruz - Nov 25, 2015: Santa Cruz Gives
Register- Pajaronian - Nov 25, 2015 Volunteer Center gearing up for the holiday season
Santa Cruz Sentinel Nov 21- Human Race goal double fundraising by 2018
Santa Cruz Sentinel- Nov 2- Santa Cruz County Adopt a Family Drive Starts Monday
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Make A Difference Day Draws Hundreds in Santa Cruz County
Santa Cruz Sentinel - New Leaf Community Market Celebrates 30 Years 10/23/15
KSBW- News at 5 - Make a Difference Day preparations 10/23/15
KSBW - News at 5 - Read Across the Globe
Register-Pajaronian - Sharing a love of Reading 10/19/15
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Young Volunteers Read to 600 Children 10/19/15
Aptos Times - 9th Annual Be the Difference Gala 10/19/15
Santa Cruz Sentinel -Volunteerism Heals and Transforms 10/17/15
Aptos Times - 9th Annual Be the Difference Awards 10/9/15
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Organization Benefit from Bequest 10/7/15
Santa Cruz Sentinel Coastline - Deadline nears for RSVP to Awards 10/3/15
Register Pajaronian - Be the Difference Award Call for Nominations Community Calendar- August and Sept
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Santa Cruz County Volunteer Center Receives Grant for Adult Literacy 7/4/15
Santa Cruz Waves - Santa Cruz Human Race draws thousands
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Santa Cruz Human Race draws thousands of people
Register Pajaronian - Human Race Kicks off Saturday 5/6/15
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Human Race Set to Kick off Saturday 5/5/15
Register Pajaronian - Transportation Program Seeks Volunteers 4/21/15
Aptos Times - Organizations Gear up for Race Day 4/15/15
KION News - Friends Outside Recognizes Former Inmates 3/26/15
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Graduation honors Friends Outside Clients 3/26/15
Santa Cruz Sentinel - A Superhero Race to the Finish 2/28/15
Aptos Times - Register Now for the 6th Annual Trivia Challenge 2/1/15
Aptos Times - Literacy Program Seeking Tutors 2/1/15
Santa Cruz Sentinel - A Day on Not a Day off in Santa Cruz 1/20/15
KSBW TV - Hundreds Volunteer for a Day of Service 1/19/15
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Events Scheduled for Martin Luther King Day 1/17/15
Santa Cruz Sentinel - A Day on Not a Day off in Santa Cruz 1/20/15
Aptos Times - Martin Luther Day 2015 1/16/15
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Volunteers 'Adopt' Local Santa Cruz Families in Need 12/16/14
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Deadline Nears for Santa Cruz Adopt a Family Giving 12/12/14
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Adopt a Family Seeks to help 470 families 11/15/14
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Adopt a Family Kicks off Monday in Santa Cruz County 11/8/14
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Santa Cruz individuals, groups honored at annual Be the Difference Awards 10/29/14
KIONrightnow.com - 8th Annual Be the Difference Awards slated for Tuesday in Santa Cruz 10/27/14
KSBW News - Hundreds Volunteer on Make a Difference Day 10/25/14
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Make a Difference Day aimed at connecting volunteers to organizations 10/25/14
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Make a Difference Day Wants You 10/19/14
KIONrightnow.com - Friends Outside to honor 20 people for their successful re-entry 9/26/14
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Santa Cruz County AmeriCorps gather 9/12/14
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Dedicated volunteer Fairfax Lomonosoff steps down 8/8/14
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Training helps get the most out of Santa Cruz County Volunteers 8/16/14
Santa Cruz Patch - National Award Earned for Tech Match Program with Seniors and Teens 6/18/14
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Santa Cruz Volunteer Center Program Wins $15,000 Technology Grant 6/17/14
Register Pajaronian - Full Scholarships Available for Teens 5/22/14
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Julie Jag Out There Column: Pregnancy puts a new spin on Human Race Fun
Aptos Times - Step Right Up: Jubilation and Big Top Fun at the Human Race 5/7/14
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Santa Cruz Mental Health Program Honors Volunteers 4/30/14
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Friends Outside honors success of former inmates 3/29/14
Santa Cruz Sentinel - 300 volunteer for day of service honoring Dr. King 1/20/14
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Santa Cruz Spanish speakers receive English tutoring 1/6/14
Register- Pajaronian- Family Scores with Warriors Visit 12/5/13
Santa Cruz Sentinel- Santa Cruz Warriors bring holiday cheer to Watsonville Family 12/5/13
Santa Cruz Sentinel- Santa Cruz Exhibit Shows Art from Former and Current Inmates 12/4/13
Register- Pajaronian- Hundreds Show up for Community Thanksgiving Meal- 11/27/13
Santa Cruz Sentinel- Feeding Spirits-Watsonville Thanksgiving Meal Celebrates Mental Health- 11/26/13
Santa Cruz Sentinel- Adopt a Family Project Seeks Volunteers 11/20/13
Santa Cruz GoodTimes- Uniting the Community with Color 10/31/13
Register-Pajaronian- Murals Transform Watsonville Alleys 10/27/13
Santa Cruz Sentinel- Be the Difference Awards Ceremony Honors Volunteers in Santa Cruz County 10/17/13
Aptos Times-Seventh Annual Be the Difference Awards 10/17/13
Santa Cruz Sentinel- Be the Difference Awards to Honor Volunteer Center's Karen Delaney 10/12/13
Santa Cruz Sentinel- Santa Cruz Organization Gives a Second Chance, Helping Hand to Ex-offenders 9/19/13
Santa Cruz Sentinel- Santa Cruz's Human Race fun Run celebrates success stories 6/21/13
Aptos Times - The Literacy Program of Santa Cruz County to Honor Long Term Supporters 5/27/13
Santa Cruz Sentinel- Celebrate Potential Recognizes more than 100 people in Santa Cruz 5/15/13
Aptos Times- Be a Champion- 33rd Annual Human Race 5/3/13
Santa Cruz Sentinel- National Volunteer Week slate for April 21-27 4/18/13
KION News- Santa Cruz County Volunteer Center Community Investment Series April 2013
Register- Pajaronian- Seniors get technology questions answered at event 3/13/13
Santa Cruz Sentinel- Santa Cruz techie teens lend helping hand to seniors 2/23/13
Register-Pajaronian- Day of Service draws volunteers 1/21/13
Santa Cruz Sentinel- Santa Cruz County residents pitch in for Martin Luther King day of service 1/21/13
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Editorial- Today's political climate reminds us of the power of a great unifier 1/19/2013
Capitola-Soquel Patch- Commemorating Martin Luther King Day in Capitola and Soquel 1/16/13
Mercury News- Community organization seeks volunteers for Martin Luther King Jr. Day 1/15/13
Santa Cruz Sentinel- Community organization seeks volunteers for Martin Luther King Jr. Day 1/15/13
Santa Cruz Sentinel- Aptos kids save change for needy families: Adopt-A-Family helps about 400 county families during holidays 12/09/12
Santa Cruz Sentinel- Santa Cruz County’s Adopt A Family holiday tradition helps struggling families 11/08/12
Santa Cruz Sentinel- Local volunteers honored at Be the Difference Awards 10/23/12
Santa Cruz Sentinel- Name Dropping, Oct. 7, 2012: A battle of the brains 10/6/12
Santa Cruz Sentinel- Karen Delaney, Be the Difference: What is the answer? 9/29/12
Santa Cruz Patch- Jeopardy! Kids Winner to Compete at the Trivia Challenge Tonight at the Civic 9/21/12
Register-Pajaronian- “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” actor to join tonight’s Trivia Challenge 9/21/12
Aptos Times- Be a Difference Awards 9/13/12
Contra Costa Times- Karen Delaney, Be the Difference: Who’s going for the gold? 8/22/12
Mercury News- Animal Shelter launches new youth volunteer program: Youth, adults team up to provide TLC 7/17/12
Santa Cruz Sentinel- Volunteer Center seeks small business expertise 7/4/12
Santa Cruz Sentinel- Karen Delaney, Be the Difference Health Benefits of Volunteering 6/23/12
Aptos Times-Helping those in need get where they are going 6/15/12
Santa Cruz Sentinel- Karen Delaney, Be the Difference: When private disasters strike 5/24/12
Press-Banner- Valley People 5/24/12
Santa Cruz Sentinel- Santa Cruz mental health advocates commend clients for progress 5/23/12
Watsonville Patch- City Prioritizes Critical Needs: Food and Shelter 5/22/12
Santa Cruz Sentinel- Nonprofits gather for annual Human Race Walkathon and Fun Run; event offers chance to bond over good deeds 5/13/12
KSBW- Hundreds run for local schools and charities in Santa Cruz 5/12/12
Register-Pajaronian- 2,000 expected to turn out for Saturday’s Human Race Walkathon in Santa Cruz 5/10/12
Aptos Times- 32nd Annual Human Race Walkathon and Fun Run 5/4/12
KSMS News- Programa de ayuda a ex-reclusos 4/25/12
Mercury News- Karen Delaney, Be the Difference- In contrast to angry, bitter 4/25/12
Santa Cruz Sentinel- Volun-touring for a cause 4/18/12
ETR Associates- ETR Associates’ Project Director Nominated for National Points of Light Award 4/4/12
Points of Light Blog- I Was Lucky to Come from a Family of Volunteers 3/28/12
Santa Cruz Foodie- Community Connection Benefit at Aptos restaurant Bittersweet Bistro 3/28/12
Santa Cruz Patch- Pulling the Community Up from Under the Weight of Mental Health Issues 3/28/12
Santa Cruz Sentinel- Grant-funded training teaches leadership skills to volunteers 3/26/12
Santa Cruz Sentinel- Karen Delaney, Be the Difference- Arts organizations hit hard 3/23/12
Watsonville Patch- Volunteer Leadership: A Chain Reaction of Doing Good 3/22/12
Santa Cruz Sentinel- Karen Delaney, Be the Difference- Safety and Justice for All 2/25/12
Santa Cruz Sentinel- Santa Cruz County keeps probationers on the straight and narrow 2/22/12
Aptos Times- The R5 Program 2/15/12
Santa Cruz Sentinel- Literacy Program makes the call for new tutors 1/27/12
Santa Cruz Sentinel- Volunteers rally for Martin Luther King Day 1/16/2012
Santa Cruz Sentinel- Santa Cruz man who counsels prisoners to host benefit for Friends Outside 1/5/2012
Santa Cruz Sentinel- Woman ends Santa Cruz stay with goal of helping Krygystan’s orphans 12/15/11
Santa Cruz Sentinel- Volunteers help brighten holiday for Adopt a Family Project 12/14/11
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Last Minute Gift Guide-Give the gift of a helping hand 12/10/11
San Jose Mercury News - Holiday Dream- Watsonville boy brings holiday cheer to children 11/24/11
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Karen Delaney, Be the Difference- Charitable giving at the holiday season plays an important role 11/22/11
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Watsonville’s Sandra Toscano finds hope, new life at Mariposa Wellness Center 11/22/11
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Holiday Helping Hands- A list of ways to help during the holiday season 11/10/11
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Adopt a Family project aims to provide basic needs during the Holidays 11/5/11
Santa Cruz Good Times - Taking the Lead 11/2/11
Register Pajaronian - Community Turns out to Make a Difference 10/24/11
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Stop, drop and volunteer: Annual Make a Difference Day features Nine Projects 10/23/11
Register Pajaronian- County’s Best Recognized at Luncheon 10/22/11
Watsonville Patch- Make a Difference this Weekend 10/20/11
Santa Cruz Sentinel- Volunteering in Santa Cruz Spans Generations 10/20/11
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Volunteer Center to hold Be the Difference Awards 10/19/11
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Karen Delaney, Be the Difference- What’s Right With Today’s Youth 9/20/11
Capitola Patch - Meet Susan Cabrera: Capitola’s Jacqueline of All Trades 9/20/11
Times Publishing - 5th Annual Be the Difference Awards 9/15/11
Watsonville Patch - Engaging Youth to Resolve Conflict and Envision Peace 9/9/11
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Events to mark the 9/11 Anniversary 9/8/11
Aptos Times - Community Effort to Beautify Rio Del Mar – August 15,2011
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Project YouthServe Mural on Bonita Drive in Rio Del Mar draws Dozens of Supporters- August 8,2011
Santa Cruz Patch - The Long Road to Re-Entry: Why No One Should Have to Walk Alone- August 2, 2011
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Karen Delaney, Be the Difference- Flex Volunteering makes it easy to make a difference- July 26, 2011
The Patch.com - Living Safely in Your Santa Cruz Home- July 24, 2011
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Helping Hands Senior Home Repair Program Helps Keep Seniors Safe- July 8, 2011
Scotts Valley Times - Volunteers Support Seniors in Tough Financial Times – July 1, 2011
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Human Race Brings in 235,000 for local non-profits – June 15, 2011
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Agencies Hold Ribbon Cutting -June 4th ,2011
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Funding Cuts Concern Graffiti Removal Project- 6/3/11
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Karen Delaney, Be the Difference- Volunteer Turn Back the Tide of Graffiti – May 18,2011
Santa Cruz Patch - Santa Cruz Seniors Take on Technology 5/17/11
Santa Cruz Patch - Racing with Humans (and dogs) in Santa Cruz 5/11/11
Santa Cruz Sentinel - 31st Annual Human Race raises 250,000 for local organizations 5/7/11
Santa Cruz Patch- Patch Picks: Fun Places to Take your Mom 5/5/11
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Karen Delaney, Be the Difference- Walk for Change 4/19/11
Mid-County Post - Coping with Jail Crowding and Budget Cuts 4/19/11
Community TV- Friends Outside talks with Village Voices 4/12/11
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Volunteer Center and Live Oak Resource Center move into state of the art building 3/25/11
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Tech Workshops Pair Seniors and Teens 3/19/11
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Karen Delaney: Be the Difference Column-Animal Lovers and Animal Friends 3/15/11
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Santa Cruz Exhibit displays art of inmates and former inmates 3/4/11
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Karen Delaney: Be the Difference- E Pluribus Unum 2/15/11
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Praiseworthy: Families benefit from community’s generosity 2/14/11
Santa Cruz Sentinel - 31st Annual Human Race kicks off 2/11/11
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Grant seeks to reduce repeat criminal offenses in Santa Cruz County 2/8/11
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Hundreds volunteer on day of service honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 1/19/11
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Lending a set of wheels; Volunteers drive those who can’t drive themselves
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Karen Delaney, Be the Difference: Is it really better to give than receive? 11/16/10
The Pinnacle- Senior volunteers fill needs at many local agencies 11/12/10
Santa Cruz Patch- Holiday Volunteering Opportunities Abound 10/28/10
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Volunteer Center Presents Awards to Community Volunteers 10/24/10
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Hundreds volunteer during day of service in Santa Cruz County 10/24/10
Santa Cruz Patch - Your Chance to Give Back: Make a Difference Day 10/22/10
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Karen Delaney, Be the Difference: What a difference a day makes 10/19/10
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Literacy Program to host Trivia Challenge 10/9/10
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Karen Delaney, Be the Difference: Teaching people to read makes a world of difference 9/21/10
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Karen Delaney, Be the Difference: Baby steps to saving the world 8/17/10
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Karen Delaney, Be the Difference: What makes us strong? 7/20/10
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Kitchen tour helps Literacy Center 8/9/10
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Americorps Volunteers making a difference in the county 6/20/10
MCpost.com - Painting a Picture of Graffiti Vandalism 5/28/10
TPGonlinedaily.com - Bay Federal Credit Union Receives California Governor and First Lady’s Medal for Service Award – 5/15/10 (Aptos Times)
Santa Cruz Sentinel - 30th Annual Human Race raises more than 200,00o for Santa Cruz County Non-Profits 5/9/10
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Governor, First Lady Honor Bay Federal Credit Union for Volunteer Service 5/8/10
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Online Auction Site raises money for nonprofits 5/04/10
Santa Cruz Sentinel - As We See It- Volunteers Make a Difference 4/22/10
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Not Just a Volunteer- Be the Difference Column 4/20/10
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Calling all Dreamers- Be the Difference Column 3/ 16/10
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Adopt a Family Program a Success 3/1/10
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Many Ways to Volunteer in our Community – Be the Difference Column 2/16/10
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Be Ready to Respond to Disasters- Be the Difference Column 1/19/10
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Human Race Kick-off Breakfast 2/4/10
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Hundreds of Volunteer Opportunities open for National Day of Service 1/10/10
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Two County Non-Profits race to raise money for new building, Santa Cruz Sentinel, 11/26/09
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Give from the Heart: Donate or Volunteer this Holiday Season, Santa Cruz Sentinel, 11/26/09
Santa Cruz Magazine – Santa For a Day Nov Issue 2009
KIONrightnow.com - Big Brothers Big Sisters wins Santa Cruz “Be the Difference” Award, 10/26/09
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Community Rallies to Build New Home for Family Resource Center and the Volunteer Centers of Santa Cruz County
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Small change for a big cause 10/25/09
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Community Volunteers Awarded for their Service 10/23/09
Santa Cruz Sentinel - Santa Cruz County gears up for a day of service 10/18/2009
Gtweekly.com - Adopt a Fire Family Opens Doors: Sept 10th
