Monthly Newsletter January 2022
|
|
|
Dear friends,
We have kicked off the new year with a mixture of alarm about the Omicron surge, and hope as we see increased access and availability to vaccines. This roller coaster has been challenging for all of us. Yet as I talk to friends, colleagues, neighbors, and community members, I see our community embodying courage and perseverance.
I encourage you all to stay smart and diligent as we all do what we can to flatten the curve. Let’s keep our sights on the upcoming Spring weather for outdoor gatherings and community events. In the meantime, if you haven’t received your booster shot you can schedule an appointment through MyTurn and VaccineFinder. For more information about vaccines, please visit the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency. Need a ride to your appointment? Lyft is offering free transportation to vaccine appointments!
Testing is just as important as vaccinations to help stop the spread. If you feel any oncoming symptoms, we are lucky to have so many testing sites available to our community. Below you will find just a few of our free testing locations in Santa Cruz County. To find additional testing centers and local updates, please visit the County website.
Santa Cruz Community Health Centers Mobile COVID-19 Testing Bus
21507 E Cliff Drive Depot building, 119 Center Street
Mon-Thurs: 8am – 8 pm Mon-Fri: 7am-7pm
Fri: 8am – 4 pm Make an appointment
831-427-3500 888-634-1123
Mobile COVID-19 Testing Bus Doctors on Duty – Watsonville
Mountain Community Resources 1505 Main St.
6134 Highway 9, Felton Mon-Fri, 10am-4:30pm
Friday - Tuesday: 10am – 6pm Sat-Sun: 9am-3pm
Make an appointment Phone: 831-722-1444
888-634-1123 Phone: 831-425-7991
For assistance scheduling vaccinations and testing call (831)-440-3556 (English, Spanish, Mixteco and Triqui)
I also encourage you to take advantage of The White House program that offers four FREE at-home COVID tests to every household in the United States. Ordering these home tests will help alleviate pressure at our local testing sites. Each residential address is eligible to receive one order, find yours here.
As we continue to navigate the COVID pandemic, our community is in action towards well-being. It is encouraging to see everyone forge ahead, safely but with purpose. Below are some updates about my campaign for District Supervisor, on City Council, and other community efforts that contribute to the welcoming and inclusive culture we all know and love in Santa Cruz.
Stay safe and close to your loved ones as we get through these Winter months.
In Community,
Shebreh
|
|
|
District 3 County Supervisor Campaign Update
|
|
|
My District 3 County Supervisor campaign is picking up speed, and we have had a strong and exciting start so far in 2022! I have had a blast chatting with our fantastic local radio hosts about my campaign, the pressing issues our community faces, and my goals as district supervisor. I look forward to similar opportunities to continue the conversation about building a future where all Santa Cruz residents live with equity and dignity. Please, take a listen!
As I begin diving into these important discussions, I hope to hear from you as well. What are your top priorities for our community? You can share your thoughts with me by filling out this brief poll, I look forward to reading your response!
I am so grateful for the outpouring of encouragement and support for my campaign. I'm truly honored to be part of such a compassionate community. While we are off to a roaring start, we have only just begun. Please consider donating, sending your endorsement, or signing up to volunteer if you haven't already. Don't forget to follow me on Facebook, Instagram @Shebreh4SC, and Twitter too!
You may donate on my website: shebreh.org or by mailing a check to:
849 Almar Avenue Suite C #432 Santa Cruz CA 95060.
If you'd like to endorse me, please use this link: https://www.shebreh.org/endorsements/
Thank you for all of your support!
|
|
|
Redistricting maps are live, and you can provide your input!
Our new district maps have been drafted, and you can provide your input before the new lines are finalized. The City's demographer, National Demographics Corporation, has created three draft maps (Map 101, Map 102, and Map 103) and potential sequences of elections for City Council consideration. These maps can also be viewed in more detail on the interactive review map.
There are multiple opportunities to engage in this conversation. Residents are encouraged to:
- Provide your feedback through an online survey.
- Attend a public forum on February 12 at 10am. Check the City website for a link as the event approaches.
- Attend a Public Hearing, held as part of regular City Council meetings on February 22 and March 29. Details can be found on the City Council meetings page.
More information about the county’s transition to district elections can be found on the City of Santa Cruz Website.
|
|
Promise, realized! The Friends of Santa Cruz Public Libraries...
The Friends of Santa Cruz Public Libraries met their $1million fundraising goal to support improvements at the Aptos, Branciforte, and Garfield Park branch libraries. Last week, the Santa Cruz City Council approved the Library Naming Rights Gift Agreement for the Allison Endert Memorial Children's Room at the Branciforte Branch Library. Allison Endert was an advocate for children and worked tirelessly to address structural inequities. What a beautiful way to honor her work and memory.
|
|
The City of Santa Cruz seeks feedback on the next stage of the community-wide Climate Action Plan 2030 development process!
The City is conducting an inclusive process to develop a community-wide Climate Action Plan for 2030. The draft actions are the policies, programs, projects and infrastructure needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote a low carbon economy, and restore natural spaces– all while promoting equity in the community. The priority deadline to provide input is March 4, 2022. For more information and a link to the survey, visit the Climate Action City Website.
|
|
|
Housing
The City council unanimously approved a 233-unit apartment complex on Center Street across from Depot Park. I was moved by the young adults who wrote letters and made public comments urging us to think differently and to be proactive about building more housing. As quoted in LookOut’s article, one community member commented: “Local youth like myself are being forced out of the community we used to call home,” he said. “New neighbors should never be considered a nuisance.” The City of Santa Cruz also received a $29million grant for 100% affordable housing at Pacific Station North, and breaking ground in 2023.
|
|
|
Community Events and News
|
|
-
WILDR (Women in Leadership for Diverse Representation) hosted a wildly successful virtual forum on 1/26. WILDR is committed to realizing more diverse representation by women in elected and appointed positions in Santa Cruz County. Over 70 participants attended where guests discussed what to expect when running for office and how women can make social change through political activism. The next forum, How to Build a Campaign, will take place on Thursday, March 3rd, 6:30-8pm. You may register here. Please consider donating to this group and supporting women in leadership positions at GoFundMe for WILDR 2022.
-
Santa Cruz Like Me. “A Santa Cruz Like Me” is a partnership between Santa Cruz Community Ventures, a local nonprofit, and Santa Cruz County to paint a picture of Santa Cruz County’s representative bodies. The effort started as a recognition of the value of a representative government to ensure the diversity of our government reflects the diversity of our region. The report underscores the need for more diversity in appointed and elected positions.
-
Community Tour of Housing Matters. Housing Matters is the largest nonprofit in Santa Cruz County working exclusively on the issue of homelessness, and is hosting a tour on Tuesday, February 8 at 10 am. Join experts from Housing Matters for an in-person tour of their campus in Santa Cruz County. Register for this event here.
-
For Allies: Understanding Domestic Violence discussion with the Walnut Avenue Family & Women's Center – Tuesday, February 8 at 11 am. This event is an introduction and discussion on domestic violence for allies and people wanting to be better support for survivors. Register for this free event here. You can also join their weekly conversations on Mondays and Thursdays. To register, please call (831) 426-3062.
- Triple P (Positive Parenting Program), Helping Teens Cope with Depression – Tuesday, February 8 from 6-7:30pm. Parents will learn how to identify common causes and signs of depression in teens, what to do if you think your teen is depressed, and tips for helping teens develop healthy coping skills. Register here.
|
|
|
Council Meetings
Dates of Upcoming Council Meetings:
-
February 8, 2022
-
February 22, 2022
-
March 8, 2022
-
March 22, 2022
To access packets and links for live stream council meetings, please visit: City of Santa Cruz website.
To access packets and links for live stream council meetings, please visit: City of Santa Cruz website
|
|
|
Please follow me on my instagram and facebook pages if you would like more regular updates.
If you have thoughts, ideas, questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at: skalantari-johnson@cityofsantacruz.com for city council related topics and at: shebreh4santacruz@gmail.com for any other topics.
|
|
|
“We do need women in civic life. We do need women to run for office, to be in political office. We need a feminist to be at the table when decisions are being made so that the right decisions will be made."
Necesitamos mujeres en la vida cívica. Necesitamos que mujeres se postulen, que tengan cargos políticos. Necesitamos que una feminista esté presente cuando se tomen decisiones para que se tomen las decisiones correctas.
~Dolores Huerta
|
|
|
|
