SLVHS Interact Club to host Community Egg Hunt on Saturday
The San Lorenzo Valley High School Interact Club will host its second annual Community Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 19, from 9am-12pm at the Field of Dreams at San Lorenzo Valley Elementary School, located at 7155 Highway 9 in Felton.
The event is free to attend for children and teens in the community. Families are encouraged to bring their own baskets, although a small number will be available for those who need one. The first egg hunt will begin at 9:30am, followed by a second hunt at 10:30am.
In addition to the egg hunt, the Interact Club will be collecting donations to benefit the Walnut Avenue Family & Women’s Center, which supports individuals and families experiencing crisis. Attendees are invited to bring new items, such as sleeping bags, blankets, sweatshirts, diapers, toiletries, feminine hygiene products and other essentials. Donations are not required to participate, but they will be appreciated.
The SLVHS Interact Club is a student-led organization connected with the San Lorenzo Valley Rotary Club. The club focuses on fostering leadership, building community and encouraging service both on campus and throughout the San Lorenzo Valley.
Community gathering at the Meet Me at the New Downtown Library Festival
Santa Cruz Public Libraries (SCPL) and the Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries invite the community to experience the future Downtown Library through an immersive preview on Saturday, April 26, from 1-4pm at the new site, on the corner of Cedar and Lincoln Streets.
The Meet Me at the New Downtown Library Festival will bring to the community a preview of the new Library building in its future location with large-scale renderings of the new library’s rooms, live music, food trucks, free library programs and hands-on activities for children, teens and adults. Project partners for the Downtown Library & Affordable Housing Project will be on-hand to provide the latest updates.
The Downtown Santa Cruz Public Library is the hub of the 10-branch Santa Cruz Public Libraries system, providing library services and resources to Santa Cruz County’s 260,000-plus residents, and this event invites the public to celebrate a major milestone on the site before construction begins.
The event also serves as the official public fundraising kickoff of the Downtown Library Capital Campaign. The Friends’ have already raised $1.9 million toward the $3 million goal. Now they are inviting the entire community to get involved because everyone can be a Friend to the new library. During the festival, a gift of any size given to the campaign will get donor names recognized inside a library book.
For more information about the event and campaign, visit santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/14347252.
Construction begins for new Bridge Housing facility
The County of Santa Cruz began construction activities, including demolition work, in April for a new 32-bed center located at 2202 Soquel Ave.
This facility is part of the County’s Behavioral Health Bridge Housing (BHBH) Program, designed to provide temporary housing and supportive services for individuals experiencing homelessness and behavioral health challenges. The facility is expected to open in early 2026.
Funded through a $10.2 million grant from the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), along with additional funding from Whole Person Care Housing Pilot funds and Measure K, the project will provide on-site services and transition support for individuals seeking permanent housing.
The new facility will feature LifeArk modular units, offering private living spaces, communal areas for gathering and dining, and access to health and behavioral services. Housing Matters has been contracted to manage and operate the facility, ensuring comprehensive care and support for its residents. No walk-up services will be available at this facility.
The facility is one of three new centers planned by the County and partners to help transition unhoused community members into long-term housing. Construction of the facility experienced minor delays due to site preparation and geotechnical studies but is now on track to complete the project by fall.
For more information on the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing Program, visit santacruzhealth.org/bridgehousing.
