Two events set for MLK Day
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People of Santa Cruz County Branch will honor and celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with Youth Day on Jan. 13 and the MLK March for the Dream Jan. 15.
The public is invited to join both events. Youth Day will feature local children and community organizations for a day of music, performance, food and speakers. It will be held at the Resource Center for Nonviolence from noon to 3pm at 612 Ocean St. in Santa Cruz.
The MLK March starts at 10am at Pacific Avenue at Cathcart Street in downtown Santa Cruz with post-march events at 11am at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium.
For information, email sa************@gm***.com.
City Shakers Toastmasters hosting open house
City Shakers Toastmasters invites the public to an open house on Jan. 22 from noon to 1pm at the Old City Council Chambers, 250 Main St. in Watsonville.
“City Shakers Toastmasters provides a supportive and positive environment where members have the opportunity to develop their communication and leadership skills,” said Bryan Condy, club president for City Shakers Toastmasters.
Members and guests will take part in a regular Toastmasters meeting that will include a prepared speech, Table Topics (impromptu speeches) and evaluations.
Refreshments and networking opportunities will be available, allowing guests to connect with fellow attendees and members to learn more about the club’s mission.
For information, email Guadalupe Sanchez at gs******@uc**.edu.
City Shakers Toastmasters meets each Monday at noon at the Old City Council Chambers. For information, visit cityshakers.toastmastersclubs.org.
Toastmasters International is a nonprofit educational organization that teaches public speaking skills through a worldwide network of clubs that meet online and in person.
Agri-Culture offers scholarships
Agri-Culture is now accepting applications for scholarships.
The six scholarships offered through the organization are for students entering or currently attending college and majoring in agriculture, animal science, political science, history, culinary arts and other subjects. The scholarships are:
• Jimmie Cox Memorial Scholarship: A $4,000 award for a student entering or currently attending college and majoring in agriculture. This award includes $2,000 from American AgCredit.
• Jeannie Witmer Memorial Scholarship: A $1,500 award for a student active (past or present) in California High School Rodeo Association District 4 or California 4-H Horse Program, entering or currently attending college and majoring in agriculture and/or animal sciences.
• J.J. Crosetti Jr. Memorial Scholarship: A $1,000 award for a student entering or currently attending college and majoring in agriculture.
• Laura Brown Memorial Scholarship: A $2,000 award for a student entering or currently attending college and majoring in agriculture or a related field or majoring in culinary arts.
• Frank Prevedelli Memorial Scholarship: A $1,000 award for a student entering or currently attending college and majoring in agriculture or a related field.
• Lou and Carol Calcagno Memorial Scholarship: A $1,000 award for a student entering or currently attending college and majoring in agriculture, or a related field, political science, history, marine biology, wildlife management or culinary arts.
The eligibility for the scholarships is listed on the application. The deadline for submitting applications is Feb. 16.
For information and applications, visit agri-culture.us/scholarships.
Panetta secures funding for Cabrillo College program
Rep. Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) recently secured $633,334 in federal funding for Cabrillo College’s ongoing work to improve student wellbeing through a one-stop NEST Resource Center.
Funding was secured through the U.S. Department of Education’s Basic Needs—Supporting Student Success Program.
The three-year grant aims to help Cabrillo College’s Nourishment and Essential Supports Team (NEST) Resource Center improve students’ social, emotional, academic and career development by connecting them with resources for food, housing, transportation and technology, as well as health and wellness services.
“For many college students in our 19th Congressional District, the cost of living can make it difficult to attend school full time and get on with their careers,” Panetta said. “This federal funding will allow Cabrillo College’s one-stop NEST Resource Center to better assist students in navigating available community resources, provide counseling and a supportive environment. This federal investment is another important step to help ensure students’ success in the classroom and in our community.”
“Cabrillo students are experiencing the most extreme levels of housing and food insecurity due to a severe shortage of affordable housing and the extremely high cost of living in Santa Cruz County,” said Matt Wetstein, Cabrillo president and superintendent. “We are grateful for this grant, which will allow our NEST Resource Center to become a one-stop resource for our students, connecting them with the basic needs that often become a barrier to completion.”
As part of the grant activities, Cabrillo staff will work with organizations such as Second Harvest and Salud Para La Gente to refer students to food and healthcare resources. Cabrillo NEST staff will also continue to work with the Santa Cruz County Continuum of Care to address housing insecurity.
Public invited to participate in Master Plan for Aging survey
The County of Santa Cruz’s Human Services Department is developing a Master Plan for Aging in partnership with the Seniors Council and local cities. The effort is called “Age Well Santa Cruz County.”
“The County of Santa Cruz is dedicated to promoting the well-being of older residents and people with disabilities,” said Alicia Morales, director of the Human Services Department’s Adult and Long-Term Care Division. “Age Well Santa Cruz County will be a blueprint for implementing strategies and partnerships that promote healthy aging for all.”
The State of California developed a Master Plan for Aging (MPA) that was released in 2021. Individual counties, including Santa Cruz County, are now creating local MPAs.
To initiate Age Well Santa Cruz County, a local survey was launched on Jan. 8 to collect community feedback focused on aging in the county.
Age Well Santa Cruz County will work with organizations, businesses, clubs, agencies and individuals throughout Santa Cruz County to ensure as many people as possible participate in the survey. The survey will be available online through March 31 at agewellsantacruzcounty.org and buenavejezcondadodesantacruz.org.
For information, contact Ag*****@sa***************.gov or 454.4397.
