“We ignite our community to give, advocate, and volunteer so that our youth succeed in school and life, our residents are healthy, and our families are financially independent.”
Years active: 80
Leadership: Keisha Browder, Chief Executive Officer
Their story: Since 1941, Santa Cruz County has relied on United Way to provide a way to give, advocate and volunteer so that our youth succeed in school and life, our residents are healthy, and our families are financially independent. United Way is committed to improving the quality of life for all and we do this in partnership with community organizations, experts, and government.
United Way of Santa Cruz County plays a unique and vital role in the community. We convene multidisciplinary stakeholders to address complex social issues such as economic mobility, access to health care services, and youth well-being. United Way has long stewarded the Community Assessment Project - a robust annual tracking of community quality of life indicators that is intentionally rooted in a community-focused continuous improvement cycle. United Way also coordinates the 211 Helpline - connecting vulnerable residents with live call specialists who refer them to health and human services they need.
Fundraising focus:
- 211 Helpline: Connecting vulnerable residents with live call specialists who refer them to health and human services such as housing, mental health/substance use disorder treatment, legal services, and food.
- United 4 Youth: This collaborative provides wrap-around services and leadership support to promote college and career readiness, health and wellness, economic sustainability, and community connection among Santa Cruz County’s highest-needs youth. During COVID-19, United 4 Youth innovated its services to serve and support youth and families by connecting
families to food distribution, providing no-cost tutoring for distance learning students, providing no-cost virtual mental health services, and more. United 4 Youth responds quickly to our community's needs to ensure we all connect, engage, and thrive. - Youth Action Network: (YAN) is a reformed community impact initiative (formerly known as the Youth Violence Prevention Network) focusing on amplifying youth voice, increasing youth-wellbeing, creating co-generational solutions with adult allies, and positioning youth as the drivers for community change.
- Jóvenes SANOS: Jóvenes SANOS is a youth leadership and advocacy program that partners with high school students to create a culture of health and wellness in Watsonville, California. Historically, JS focused on increasing healthy eating and active living and are shifting their focus towards destigmatizing mental health issues and increasing access to mental wellness resources. This work enhances their advocacy, public speaking, research, and other leadership skills.
- Community Prevention Partners: Promotes health and well-being, and enhances youth and community safety through sustainable alcohol and drug prevention efforts. This partnership led the way on local ordinances to protect youth from access and exposure to newly legalized cannabis and, also developed city and county policies on unsupervised parties involving youth and alcohol.
“We envision a community where every individual has an opportunity to succeed and Santa Cruz County thrives as a result. We are getting a little closer every day, with the help of hundreds of people throughout our community.”
Email: kbrowder@unitedwaysc.org
Phone: 831-465-2205