Family Support

Town Hall Events to Inspire Positive Change The Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County is sponsoring several Town Hall events taking place related to civic engagement in Santa Cruz County.  The [...]

Local moms chime in on the question: “How do you do it all and carve out a little time for yourself?” Their practical suggestions include: Outsourcing Options, Setting Up Systems, [...]

Resources for parents and service providers of teens/youth Passing on some resources for parents and service providers of teens/ youth. These may be helpful to assist youth with questions and [...]

September 1, 2021 DOWNLOAD LETTER / LEER EN ESPAÑOL Dear Families of Santa Cruz County, Today we are heartbroken. We grieve with the Aptos High School community following yesterday’s tragic loss [...]

Ask Nicole: Support Emotional Well-being Nicole M. Young, MSW The new school year is here, along with a bundle of messy, complicated feelings. Many kids (and their exhausted parents) are excited [...]

Ask Nicole: Tips for Leaving Kids Home Alone By Nicole M. Young, MSW As a working parent, summer vacation was always a mixed blessing when my kids were younger. It was a relief to have a break [...]

by Kenny Jewell, New South Wales, Australia As a former surf lifesaver I constantly find myself when I’m at a beach automatically in patrol mode, and I’m always troubled seeing the [...]

Ask Nicole: Self-care is Essential By Nicole M. Young, MSW I’ve been a mother for 21 years, which is hard to believe. Although my kids are still at the center of my heart and mind, my daily [...]

Hopes Closet is Open Hopes Closet has been quietly serving the Santa Cruz community for many years. The expansion of our new storefront will allow us to serve more children and families in need [...]

Creating Positive Childhood Experiences By Nicole M. Young, MSW April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, which makes me pause to think about all the hardships and trauma children and families have [...]