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Council presents $17,835 parking-for-Hope donation to Hope Services
Summary
The council presented Hope Services with a $17,835 check from the city's annual downtown "Parking for Hope" program, bringing the 10-year total donated to $285,580 to support downtown litter-abatement and job-training crews.
The Santa Cruz City Council presented a $17,835 check to Hope Services on Tuesday as part of the city—s tenth annual "Parking for Hope" program.
Vice Mayor Kalantari Johnson described Hope Services as a nonprofit that provides training and support for adults with developmental disabilities and noted the organization—s crews have worked downtown for more than 26 years. The vice mayor said the city and the downtown association donate downtown parking-meter revenue collected during an eight-day holiday program to Hope Services each year.
Vice Mayor Kalantari Johnson presented the check and said the $17,835 donation brings the 10-year total to $285,580. Hope Services staff and crew members attended the meeting; program manager Heather Perez, program coordinator Jessica Guzman and job coach Catherine Pell spoke briefly to thank the council. Guzman said she appreciated continuing the partnership, and Pell described the job as "the best job I ever have." Crew members Sarah Reed and Raul Villalvos were also present and recognized by the vice mayor.
Why it matters
The contribution funds Hope Services— downtown litter-abatement and beautification crews and represents an ongoing public–private partnership that directs parking-meter revenues to a local nonprofit job program.
Quotes
"We greatly appreciate this, your support and this ongoing partnership," Heather Perez, program manager at Hope Services, said at the dais.
"It's a pleasure to continue the partnership with the city and the ambassadors," program coordinator Jessica Guzman added.
Ending
Council members and attendees thanked Hope Services staff and crew members for their work in downtown Santa Cruz. The vice mayor and council recognized the program as an established, recurring contribution to local nonprofit services.
