Amid the Trump administration’s ongoing immigration crackdown, Santa Cruz County nonprofit Community Bridges has launched a new emergency family aid fund that aims to provide up to $2,500 to households facing the detention of or separation from a loved one.
“The detention of a parent or caregiver creates havoc for the entire family. Children face disrupted schooling, caregivers struggle to pay rent, and households lose the very person who provided for them,” Raymon Cancino, CEO of Community Bridges, said in a news release. “Our goal isn’t to replace every dollar lost — we can’t — but we can alleviate some of the immediate worry while families regroup.”
Per the release, the Puentes Para Familias program provides direct relief for urgent needs such as bond support, rent and utilities to prevent eviction or shutoffs, child care and caregiving, and transportation and legal costs. Although $2,500 per household provides vital relief, most families’ expenses, such as immigration bonds averaging $6,000 to $8,500, often exceed this.
“This program is designed to bridge the gap, not fill it entirely,” said Robert Re, interim program director for the Family Resource Collective. “We need neighbors, faith communities, and donors to stand with us.”
A recent survey conducted through Community Bridges’ Family Resource Collective of families across Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito counties revealed deep concern about immigration enforcement and policy uncertainty — but also interest in preparedness and education. While not all respondents were undocumented, over 90% expressed fear of deportation and its impacts, with nearly 1 in 3 reporting being “extremely scared.”
Those interested in the Puentes Para Familias program can learn more or donate by visiting this site.
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