Giving Thanks to You
Your actions ease isolation, strengthen our community, and touch the lives of thousands across Santa Cruz County and beyond. Through these connections, the people whose lives you touch—and who see your work—find hope.
Four Ways to Give Joy this Holiday Season with Adopt-a-Family
In Santa Cruz County, more families than ever are hoping for a holiday miracle. Nearly 600 families—including over 2,000 children and teens—are on this year’s Adopt-a-Family list, making it the largest in our program’s history. These are families from all walks of life who face difficult times and often heartbreaking challenges.
World Mental Health Day: It’s Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace
Despite our belief of being an innovative and civic-minded community, a majority of our institutions still subscribe to the belief that mental health is a personal responsibility rather than an organizational obligation to employees.
September is National Literacy Month!
At the Volunteer Center, we are proud to highlight our literacy program, which connects dedicated volunteer tutors with individuals in Santa Cruz County who seek to improve their English language skills. Our program is more than just teaching; it’s about empowering people to communicate effectively, gain confidence, and open doors to new opportunities. This month, … Read more
Connect for Good with the Volunteer Center
Volunteering: Good for the Community—and for You! Volunteering provides essential support to those in need, raises awareness about important causes and issues, and strengthens the fabric of our community. But the benefits go beyond that—they extend to you, the volunteer. The right volunteer opportunity can help you make new friends, build professional connections, learn new … Read more
Supporting Senior Health: Major Grant Expands Fall Prevention Efforts to Greater Monterey Bay Region
Volunteer Center’s Empowered Aging Division Receives Grant from Central California Alliance for Health to Support Falls Prevention Program Santa Cruz, CA, June 13, 2024 —The Volunteer Center’s Empowered Aging Division recently received a significant grant from the Central California Alliance for Health (CCAH) to support the expansion of its evidence-based falls prevention program, A Matter … Read more
Be the Difference Awards Celebrates the Spirit of Volunteerism
Featured Mini-Documentaries Shine a Spotlight on Local Heroes A Heartfelt Gathering That Inspires Us All to “Be the Difference” The event was not merely a celebration but a powerful reminder of the resilience and compassion that bind our community together, especially during challenging times. As Katie Fairbarin, Chief Experience Officer for Santa Cruz Community Credit … Read more
High Fives for Volunteerism!
Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County Receives Prestigious Community Service Award The Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County is honored to announce that it has been awarded the High Five Community Service Excellence Award. This prestigious recognition is presented by FOX 35 and Monterey Credit Union to commend organizations and individuals who demonstrate an unwavering … Read more
Meet the Stars of Volunteer Service
Introducing the 2024 Be the Difference Honorees! Tickets Now Open for the Heartwarming Community Event at The Boardwalk’s Cocoanut Grove In an inspiring celebration of service and community spirit, the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County is set to host the 2024 Be the Difference Awards on Wednesday, May 8, from 11:30 am – 1:30 … Read more
UCSC: Empowering communities through partnership
Five UCSC undergraduates, one graduate student, and two faculty members working with The Blum Center on Poverty, Social Enterprise, and Participatory Governance spent their Saturday volunteering at the build site, highlighting one of the experiential learning opportunities UCSC students are gaining from a partnership with Habitat for Humanity. Originally Published May 17, 2023 By Haneen Zain This project was made … Read more
