City Of Santa Cruz: Santa Cruz Holiday Parking Program Donates Over $15,000 To Hope Services

Press release from the City of Santa Cruz:

02/23/2022 9:00 AM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

Feb. 23, 2022

Contact:  Janice Bisgaard, Community Relations Specialist, (831) 420-5166

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. — Santa Cruz Mayor Sonja Brunner awarded $15,982 to local nonprofit Hope Services on behalf of the City of Santa Cruz and the Downtown Association's Parking for Hope program at yesterday’s City Council meeting. The check was virtually accepted by Hope Services staff and workers including Program Manager Heather Perez.

The funds were collected from Dec. 18 through 25 in the eighth annual Parking for Hope downtown holiday parking program. The usual parking rates applied, however, the proceeds from street meters during these eight days were designated for donation to Hope Services, a Santa Cruz organization that provides training and support services to adults with developmental disabilities and has helped to keep downtown streets clean for 23 years.

To date, Parking for Hope has generated a total of $218,507 in funds that support the Downtown Litter Abatement Crew at Hope Services. The crew of six part-time workers includes Sara who has worked for Hope Services for nine years.

“I like being outdoors, cleaning, making money and feeling like a part of Santa Cruz,” said Sara. “I enjoy the familiar faces of shoppers and business owners we have come to know while making our rounds.”

Another crew member, Aaron, lost his previous employment because of the pandemic. “I feel lucky to be working now,” said Aaron. “Without this job, I don’t know what I would do.”

More City of Santa Cruz parking information is available at www.cityofsantacruz.com/parkingservices.

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This press release was produced by the City of Santa Cruz. The views expressed here are the author’s own.