United Way of Santa Cruz County (CA)

Last week, our leadership team at United Way Santa Cruz County attended the Your Future Is Our Business luncheon, celebrating their mission of Linking Students to Careers. This year, they also honored our CEO, Yvette Lopez Brooks (She/Her) for her past leadership of this organization. Like Your Future Is Our Business we are deeply committed to empowering youth—through mentorship, fostering leadership skills, and opportunities that help them thrive. Cheers to building pathways for the next generation to succeed! #UnitedWeThrive

?? Exciting News! ?? We’re happy to announce that Laurel Maxwell has been honored with the Emerging Leaders Award at the upcoming United In Purpose Celebration and Awards! Join us for this inspiring evening where we’ll celebrate Laura and other remarkable individuals and organizations making a powerful impact in our community. Your support helps us continue empowering youth and building a thriving community. Don’t miss this unforgettable event! Grab your tickets today: www.unitedwaysc.org/Awards

? Celebrating Our CEO, Yvette Brooks! ? We are beyond proud to share that our Yvette Lopez Brooks (She/Her), our CEO United Way Santa Cruz County, has been recognized as one of Santa Cruz County’s “15 Women to Know” for HERstory Month! ?? Last night, at a sold-out event, Yvette share her story of resilience. The room was filled with energy, inspiration, and admiration as we honored the incredible impact of these women who are shaping our community. Yvette’s leadership, dedication, and passion continue to uplift and empower those around her. Congratulations, Yvette, on this well-deserved recognition! ????

Don't forget to grab your tickets for United Way's United In Purpose Celebration & Awards on April 24th! ?? Join us for an inspiring evening as we honor those making a difference in our youth and community. ?? Date: April 24th ? Time: 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM ?? Location: Dream Inn RSVP by April 12th to secure your spot: www.unitedwaysc.org/Awards Let’s come together to celebrate and support a thriving community! #UnitedInPurpose

Thank you to?Pacific Gas and Electric Company?for sponsoring the 2025 United In Purpose Celebration & Awards! We appreciate your partnership as a Gold sponsor and your dedication to supporting youth well-being in our community. Join us this year as we recognize those who have made a meaningful impact in empowering young people. Enjoy an evening of celebration with dinner, drinks, and awards! RSVP today: https://lnkd.in/gJMXTVDt Interested in sponsoring the event? Email [email protected] for more details. #UnitedWeThrive

Thank you to our community partner, Santa Cruz Community Credit Union for the invitation to join Second Harvest Food Bank’s Annual Awards & Dinner—what a special night celebrating this amazing community of partners and supporters! This community came together to raise over 5.2 million meals for families in need—an inspiring testament to the power of collective impact. ?? Shout out to Laura Owen, and her phenomenal SCCCU team for being recognized with a Platinum Can Award this year! ???? Your dedication to serving community is truly inspiring. #StrongerTogether

Thank you to Comcast for sponsoring the 2025 United In Purpose Celebration & Awards! We appreciate your partnership as a Bronze sponsor and your dedication to supporting youth well-being in our community. Join us this year as we recognize those who have made a meaningful impact in empowering young people. Enjoy an evening of celebration with dinner, drinks, and awards! RSVP today: https://lnkd.in/ei3E4YM8 Interested in sponsoring the event? Email [email protected] for more details. #UnitedWeThrive

We are excited vto share that our CEO, Yvette Brooks, will be a speaker for the 2nd Annual HERstory Celebration! ? Join?Lookout Santa Cruz,?Santa Cruz County Office of Education?and?Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History?as we hear from three incredible women, each representing a different era in Santa Cruz County’s history. Their leadership and vision have shaped, and continue to shape, our community in powerful ways: ?? Bettina Aptheker – Professor, UC Santa Cruz ?? Yvette Lopez Brooks (She/Her) – CEO, United Way of Santa Cruz County ?? Madeline Aliah – Student, Cypress High School Come celebrate Women’s History Month with our wonderful speakers, performances, hands-on art activities, and community connections. This event is free and will fill up. Don’t miss out—register now at?Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History ?? Thursday, March 13 ? 5:30 - 7:30 PM ?? Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History ??? FREE & open to all! Let’s celebrate the women who shape Santa Cruz—past, present, and future!

Join us at the United Way's United In Purpose Celebration & Awards on April 24th! This special evening is dedicated to honoring the incredible individuals and organizations making a difference for our youth and community. ?? Date: April 24th ?? Time: 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM ?? Location: Dream Inn RSVP by April 12th to secure your spot: www.unitedwaysc.org/Awards Together, we can build a community where everyone thrives. We can't wait to celebrate with you! ?? #UnitedWeThrive

We are honored to welcome Regina Langhout, Professor in the Psychology Department at UC Santa Cruz, as a new Board Member for United Way Santa Cruz County! Regina brings a distinguished academic career and a profound commitment to social justice and community empowerment. With expertise spanning psychology, Latin American and Latino Studies, and Critical Race and Ethnic Studies, her groundbreaking research on youth participatory action and the effects of state-led violence against immigrant communities provides invaluable insights. As a renowned scholar and advocate, Regina’s dedication to fostering equity and creating systemic change aligns perfectly with United Way’s mission to build a stronger, more inclusive Santa Cruz County. We are excited to collaborate with her and look forward to the impactful work she will bring to our team! #UnitedWeThrive #SantaCruzCounty