Pajaro Valley Nonprofit To Open New Office In February

WATSONVILLE, CA — Local nonprofit Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance will open doors of the new Mayou Family Center building in February, to serve children and families. The office, at 411 East Lake Ave., is close to the nonprofit's administration office at 335 East Lake Ave, the nonprofit shared in a Facebook post.

Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance aims to prevent criminal behavior and substance use by providing counseling, education and training to Santa Cruz and Monterey County residents.

The $3.1 million Mayou Family Center sits on a location previously occupied by medical offices, The Pajaronian reported. PVPSA will keep parts of that structure and expand that structure and the new space will allow the nonprofit to work with another 1,400 kids each year, according to The Pajaronian.

The building is named after local philanthropists Janet and Leon Mayou, who donate to local theater, education, health and media organizations, the nonprofit said. The Mayou Family Center features artwork from University of California, Santa Cruz Professor Kay Metz.

"This new home will be a warm, welcoming environment for children and families," the nonprofit wrote, "a place where they will feel safe, supported, and encouraged to move forward to a thriving life."

The grand opening will be held on Feb. 6.