Kaiser grants nearly $1 million to local nonprofits
WATSONVILLE — Kaiser Permanente Santa Cruz County announced grants of $928,007 to 27 local nonprofit groups whose mission is providing health and wellness to Santa Cruz County residents.
The grants are part of Kaiser Permanente’s national Community Benefit program, which has distributed $2 billion in healthy living grants across the nation.
In Santa Cruz County, the grants range from $10,000 to $98,000, and will support programs that encourage healthy eating and active living, mental health and wellness initiatives, and access to care.
“Kaiser Permanente is building strong partnerships with the Santa Cruz County community,” said Christine Levan, physician-in-charge of Kaiser Permanente in Santa Cruz County. “We have a long history of working with local schools, nonprofits, local partners and the health care safety net to identify community needs and make appropriate investments to help them in their important work.”
A grant for $95,000 went to Watsonville’s Salud Para La Gente and its partners — Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance, Santa Cruz Community Ventures and the Watsonville Law Center — to support the start of an innovative total health program.
“Kaiser Permanente is helping Salud and our partners create a healthier, more vibrant Central Coast,” said Dori Rose Inda, CEO of Salud Para La Gente. “This grant will help us design a single, seamless system of care to address the social, legal and economic issues faced by our patients every day. We’re incredibly grateful for Kaiser Permanente’s investment in the Pajaro Valley.”
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Families in Transition marks 25 years
WATSONVILLE — Families in Transition is celebrating 25 years of providing supportive housing services and case management to families throughout Santa Cruz County.
The 25th anniversary celebration and fundraiser will be Sunday from 4-7 p.m. at Elkhorn Slough Brewing Co., 65 Hangar Way in Watsonville.
Families in Transition assist families with employment, training and resources to provide stable homes for their children and become interdependent members of the community.
A $25 ticket donation includes two craft beers and a raffle ticket.
RSVP by calling Karina at 728-9791 or ka****@fi**********.org.
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Elkhorn Slough Reserve holds open house
ROYAL OAKS — The Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve welcomes the community to its 2017 Open House on Saturday to kick off National Estuaries Week with events and activities.
Activities and presentations are scheduled from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. at the reserve, 1700 Elkhorn Road in Royal Oaks.
The event is free and open to the public, with local vendors on site all day selling fresh tacos, burritos and beverages.
For information, visit www.elkhornslough.org or call 728-2822.
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FashionART returns for 12th year
SANTA CRUZ — FashionART Santa Cruz will celebrate its 12th anniversary Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, 307 Church St.
Fashion and art will come together in a runway show featuring more than 10 artists and eight fashion designers. Wearable art pieces made of recycled and industrial materials, couture designs, and an entire line of fashion tech pieces will be some of the features of the evening.
Designers from Santa Cruz and the SF Bay Area and beyond will premier their newest lines while artists will showcase their hand-crafted, wearable art.
For information, visit www.fashionartsantacruz.org or www.facebook.com/events/625967310935378.
