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YW-Leaders is in essence YW-Teens at the high school and college level. Originally steaming from our YW-Teens participants, the YWCA of Watsonville accepts volunteers from high school to college students who are interested in developing their skills further. Participants are trained as co-facilitators and join staff during YW-Teen Programming or many of our other programs.

Youth Services: HEALTH & WELLNESS, SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, YOUTH LEADERSHIP

Our Dientes Cares Program focuses on making oral health care available to all, especially for low-income, uninsured patients. For those patients who do not have dental insurance, Dientes offers a sliding scale fee (based on proof of income).

The County of Santa Cruz Human Services Department's Adult Protective Services (APS) provides intervention services to protect elderly or dependent adults from abuse, neglect, or exploitation. We support older and disabled adults who may be experiencing physical assault or abuse, domestic and/or family violence, sexual assault or abuse, bullying (verbal, cyber, or physical), stalking, harassment, neglect, identity theft or fraud, financial crime or scams.

County APS agencies investigate reports of abuse of elders and dependent adults who live in private homes, apartments, hotels, hospitals, or who are, or soon will be, experiencing homelessness. We support older and disabled adults regardless of status-if you are experiencing homelessness; are an immigrant; identify as LBGTQIA+; are a Veteran, have a physical or mental disability; or if you have limited English language proficiency.

The County of Santa Cruz Human Services Department's Adult Protective Services (APS) provides intervention services to protect elderly or dependent adults from abuse, neglect, or exploitation. We support older and disabled adults who may be experiencing physical assault or abuse, domestic and/or family violence, sexual assault or abuse, bullying (verbal, cyber, or physical), stalking, harassment, neglect, identity theft or fraud, financial crime or scams.

County APS agencies investigate reports of abuse of elders and dependent adults who live in private homes, apartments, hotels, hospitals, or who are, or soon will be, experiencing homelessness. We support older and disabled adults regardless of status-if you are experiencing homelessness; are an immigrant; identify as LBGTQIA+; are a Veteran, have a physical or mental disability; or if you have limited English language proficiency.

The County Of Santa Cruz Human Services Department's Veterans Services Office serves all veterans and their families, offering support and guidance of all benefits earned by military services, regardless of time in service, period of service or type of discharge. Established in 1946 to assist veterans, military retirees and their families, we are not employees of the federal government. We are County employees ready to assist you with the benefits and services earned through your military service.

Youth Services: ACADEMIC SUPPORT, CAREER EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT, HEALTH & WELLNESS, YOUTH LEADERSHIP

• Explore high in-demand jobs in your area
• Learn about career pathways
• Trainings based on your interests & strengths
• Become more competitive in the job market

The Multi-Family Utility Customer Assistance Program (UCAP) is designed to

assist financially struggling households that live in multi-family apartment

complexes. Households that live in large housing complexes usually pay their

water, wastewater, and/or refuse costs to their landlords or property managers via

rent, a 3rd party bill, or via HOA fees. This Multi-Family UCAP provides a onetime

utility assistance check to help struggling households afford their SCMU

utility service fees/costs. In order to apply, income-qualifying households must

live within SCMU's service area (generally Santa Cruz and Live Oak).

The Diversity Center supports Gender Sexuality Alliances (GSAs) in middle and high schools through workshops, special events, and resource sharing. We organize social gatherings and activities for LGBTQ+ and allied youth (ages 11-18) and young adults (ages 18-24), including mental health fairs, Queer Prom, and CampOUT. In response to community needs, we launched a playgroup for gender-diverse children (ages 5-11) in collaboration with TransFamilies. All program participants are asked to complete our Community Connection Survey annually.

Key Programs

Rainbow Kids: A monthly 90 minute playgroup for gender diverse, LGBTQ+ kids and allies elementary school age 5-11 and their families. Co-facilitated with TransFamilies.

Prismatic Youth Gatherings: A monthly activity for LGBTQ+ and allied youth ages 11-18. This program is designed to help youth feel a sense of belonging and empowerment.

GenderVentures: A monthly support group for gender-diverse youth ages 11-18. This program encourages youth to explore and understand how gender informs the way we experience the world. One of the best ways to freely explore gender diversity safely, is to do so with community!

We host an annual Queer Prom and CampOUT for LGBTQ+ and allied youth ages 14-18.

Youth Services: CAREER EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT, HEALTH & WELLNESS, SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, YOUTH LEADERSHIP

Gentle yoga taught through a trauma-sensitive lens. $5 suggested donation; no one turned away for lack of funds.

Stress Busters: Mindfulness Practices