SANTA CRUZ COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
Non-Partisan
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging informed and active participation in government. It influences public policy through education and advocacy. They put out a monthly newsletter for voters in Santa Cruz County and provide articles for readers to stay up-to-date on local developments.
Indivisible is a grassroots organization that was created after the 2016 election. Indivisible Santa Cruz County focuses on local state and federal elected officials, applying pressure to shape California policies. Entirely volunteer-run and organized, Indivisible takes action through fundraising and Postcard Campaigns.
Planned Parenthood in Santa Cruz has volunteer opportunities for anyone interested in protecting accessible reproductive healthcare. Choose how you want to help, whenever you have time, and we'll give you the tools you need to take action. We'll follow up with more information about how to volunteer nationally and locally with Planned Parenthood.
The UCSC Women’s Club is open to all adults in the campus and town communities. Its purpose is to be of service to the university, to foster friendship between town and gown, and to encourage understanding and support for the mission and functions of the university. A special goal of the club is to raise money for scholarships for UCSC re-entry students.
YWCA USA is a nationwide network dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. They work to improve the lives of women, girls, and communities of color through three areas of focus: racial justice and civil rights, empowerment and economic advancement, and health and safety.
Cradle to Career is a family advocacy organization and a community connector. Our collective brings together valuable community partners and connects them to local parents, to hear directly about how to support the hopes, dreams, and concerns of local families.
Our mission is to work collectively to empower families, deliver resources, and advocate for equitable and inclusive support systems to eliminate disparities and ensure all Santa Cruz County children thrive in their education, health, and character.
The Santa Cruz County Black Health Matters Initiative is a community initiative that promotes health and equity through a network of community trust, advocacy, and collaboration to improve the quality of life for Black residents in Santa Cruz County. They provide three main programs: cultural and outdoor events, community sponsored events, and youth ambassadors.
The Diversity Center, founded in 1989, is a community center that inspires and supports LGBTQ+ people by providing critical services, events, activities, and spaces to enhance our community's well-being. We envision a healthy, vibrant, and diverse intergenerational LGBTQ+ community, safe and secure in their persons, schools, work, and homes, fueled by a spirit of collaboration with each other and the greater community.
The VWC started with a group of women who saw the need for an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life in the San Lorenzo Valley. Over the years the VWC has realized a wide variety of accomplishments, from founding the first recycling center in the SLV in its first summer (now grown to three, 7 days/week redemption/ recycling centers), to provide the inspiration and impetus for many other organizations. The VWC has empowered dozens of people, providing them with the skills and support to take stands and make changes.
THE WOMXN'S CENTER AT UCSC
The UCSC Womxn’s Center affirms the dignity and diversity of all womxn. The center continues and challenges feminist traditions by creating community space for all womxn and their allies to achieve individual and social change. The UCSC Womxn’s Center encourages women to find their voices and speak our truths, develop leadership skills, initiate and participate in campus ad community activist groups, and share out knowledge and experiences with each other.
Partisan
An independent, chartered club of the California Democratic Party, the Democratic Women’s Club of Santa Cruz County welcomes everyone interested in political activism and the election of Democrats through local, statewide and federal elections. We share our democratic ideals through monthly newsletters, discussion of controversial topics, and social networking. Meetings include programs on a variety of social, political, legislative, and electoral issues.
The Pajaro Valley Cesar Chavez Democratic Club, under charter from the County Democratic Central Committee, is committed to preserving and fostering the Democratic Party’s principles and it’s spirit of dedication in support of the rights of all citizens of American society, through education, voter registration and personal participation in the political process in all local, state and national political campaigns and elections.
COLLEGE DEMOCRATS AT UCSC
The student organization for Democratic Party political work in the Santa Cruz community. We use our power to organize for local progressive ballot measures and candidates!
Email: blueslugs@gmail.com
Instagram: @ucsccollegedems
COLLEGE REPUBLICANS AT UCSC
A social club for conservative students.