Community Corner
Downtown Streets Team Expands To San Lorenzo Valley
The program is funded by state and local dollars.
From The County of Santa Cruz: The County of Santa Cruz is pleased to announce the expansion of its partnership with the Downtown Streets Team to include the San Lorenzo Valley.
Under an expansion of an existing pilot contract to provide beach cleanup services along the North Coast, the Downtown Streets Team will provide cleanup services to identified dumping areas near downtown Felton, including Covered Bridge Park and other areas near downtown Felton. Under the expansion, the Downtown Streets Teams' five-member crew will conduct Felton activities on Tuesdays and Thursdays. "I'm pleased to bring these cleanup services to the San Lorenzo Valley," Supervisor Bruce McPherson said. "Illegal dumping threatens our environment and degrades the quality of life of our communities. We are proud to partner with the Downtown Streets Team, whose motto is 'Ending Homelessness through the Dignity of Work'." Downtown Streets Team operates its evidence-based volunteer work experience program in several California counties and provides homeless team members stipends for their volunteer service. Team members also receive access to case management services while taking steps toward employment and housing.
"We have been warmly welcomed into the town of Felton," said Brooke Newman, project manager of the Santa Cruz Downtown Streets Team. "We believe our team can make a real difference and help beautify the community." DST's activities are funded by a state and local dollars, and include North Coast beach cleanups north of Wilder Ranch State Park. Under a separate contract with the city, DST also operates in downtown Santa Cruz, on the Riverwalk/Levee, in the Harvey West neighborhood and Pogonip Park, as well as at Cowell's and Main Beach in Santa Cruz.
