SANTA CRUZ COUNTY 
  YOUTH VIOLENCE PREVENTION NETWORK
 
E-NEWSLETTER 
 
March 2020
 
 
YVPN NEWS:

Welcome Amanda, YVPN's New Coordinator!
 

Who is Amanda?
Amanda Gamban was born and raised in Santa Cruz County. She received an associates degree from Cabrillo College in International Studies and Spanish. Continuing her education, she transferred to UC Davis and received a B.A in International Relations and a Minor in Human Rights. In the fall of 2017, Amanda started her career at the International Rescue Committee as the Volunteer and Donations Coordinator, where she made valuable partnerships with community stakeholders to support recently resettled refugees in the Santa Clara County area. Most recently, she supported Google's outreach efforts for university students, specifically focusing on providing opportunities for underrepresented students in tech. In both roles, she focused her work on establishing relationships to provide equitable opportunities for marginalized populations. 
 
Why United Way? 
Amanda admires the United Way's mission, where all individuals and families should be able to achieve their human potential. From her studies and former experience she has always strived to make a positive impact in the lives of others and is thrilled to have the opportunity in her local community. 
 
Why YVPN?
Amanda also has a passion for working with youth in Santa Cruz County. From working as a Santa Cruz City Camp Counselor and now as Big Sister through Big Brothers Big Sisters, she understands how important it is to support and promote positive youth development. In her new role, she is ready to take her coordinating experience and passion for youth to the Youth Violence Prevention Network. 
 
Fun Fact!
Outside of work, Amanda enjoys playing soccer in a local co-ed indoor team, hiking and eating all the food that Santa Cruz has to offer. She also has a passion for learning about cultures different from her own and embraces all the beauty that diversity has to offer. 

We look forward to seeing where Amanda, in partnership with the YVPN Executive Team & countywide members, take this critical work in Santa Cruz County! Be on the look out for communications from her in the coming weeks. 

UPCOMING NETWORK MEETINGS 
& ACTIVITIES:

Please Note:
T he March 9th convening of the  Leadership Cohort for Advancing Equity & Cultural Responsivity  will be rescheduled for a later date. In the meantime, YVPN & Project Thrive leadership teams are continuing to work together to:
  • connect our efforts with other intentional work happening across the county,
  • build enrollment & strengthen partnerships for unified action,
  • and design meaningful and results-oriented next steps.
We look forward to bringing everyone back together to do this vital systems work and will be in touch when we have information about a new date for this meeting. 

Next Phase Planning  Activities :
We need YOU to help design  how we work and what we work on  moving forward. 
Below you will find info on ways you can be involved.
To participate in the Next Phase Design and/or Sustainability Ad Hoc Committees contact Sarah Emmert at [email protected].
 
COMMUNITY  EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS: 

Community Engagement 
Coordinator Position Open!

The Second Harvest Food Bank is on the search for a Community Engagement Coordinator. Please share this job announcement with your family, friends & networks!


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Opportunity for  Community Input
March 11th,  11 am-1 pm 
1400 Emeline Ave, Building K (Rm 206-207)

Santa Cruz County Community Prevention Partners (CPP) is hosting a panel discussion on the Cannabis Consumption Lounge policy proposal. The purpose of the event is to share information, address questions, and gather valuable perspectives from community stakeholders. 

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Tannery Talks: 
Youth Climate Activists
March 19, 7-8:30 pm 
Radius Gallery at the Tannery Arts Center
 
 Come out to hear new voices in the fight for environmental justice. This event will bring together Tannery artists, activists, and other professionals from the Santa Cruz region & beyond for a pressing discussion about climate activism,  environmental justice, &  the role of the arts. 


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Youth Program Supporters Needed!

California Youth Connection (CYC)  is seeking volunteers who care about foster youth, have an interest in assisting foster youth develop their leadership and political skills, can embrace a "youth-led" philosophy, and are interested in bring the needs and issues of foster youth to the forefront. Is this you or someone you know? Support the revitalized Santa Cruz CYC Chapter by volunteering. 


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Santa Cruz Teen Center: Teen Job Fair
Wednesday, April 15th 3-5 pm
Louden Nelson Community Center
 
The Teen Job Fair is the perfect place to connect with many employers who hire teens. In addition to employer tables, there will be a paper application table, volunteer opportunities, resume review (with Access2Employment) and other job readiness and career resources. 
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Restorative Justice :
The Walls to  Bridges Project

The Walls to Bridges Project is focused on fostering family communication during and after incarceration. The project is designed to address communication issues between incarcerated individuals and their family & friends through confidential dialogues using restorative justice principles and practices. The purpose of this program is to address the harms incarceration has on families and strives to improve and repair relationships and communication of participants. See below for more information about this program. 

(Outgoing) YVPN Coordinator
Julie Burr

(Incoming) YVPN Coordinator
Amanda Gamban

Ruben Garcia Jr
Project Thrive Coordinator
831.465.2211