Hospice of Santa Cruz County awards first nursing scholarship
In a significant step toward nurturing and enhancing nursing expertise in the community, Hospice of Santa Cruz County has announced Zach Pobre, LVN, as the inaugural recipient of the Emmi Schambeck Nursing Scholarship.
This scholarship, named in honor of the retired Hospice of Santa Cruz County RN, Emmi Schambeck, aims to deepen the pool of skilled nursing professionals and reinforce the organization’s commitment to growth and learning.
Pobre hails from Salinas and has recently been accepted into the Hartnell College LVN to RN bridge program. His journey with Hospice of Santa Cruz County has been marked by his exceptional flexibility and eagerness to learn.
Reflecting on his motivation, Pobre shared, “My personal experience with my father’s illness revealed a gap in awareness about hospice care. I witnessed the isolation and pain my family endured and vowed to ensure no other family goes through that. Changing my career path and aiming to become an RN is part of my commitment to provide comfort and support to those in need. I am thankful for the support of Hospice of Santa Cruz Care, an organization that continually inspires me with its dedication to quality care and patient needs.”
Pobre will be honored in a special presentation ceremony, which will also be attended by Schambeck, on Friday, Feb. 9, at noon at the Hospice of Santa Cruz County office in Scotts Valley.
Supervisor candidate forum set for next Friday
Seniors Council of Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties will be hosting a forum for District 5 supervisor candidates on Friday, Feb. 16, from 1-2:30pm, at the Scotts Valley Senior Center, 370 Kings Village Road, in Scotts Valley.
The event will be an opportunity for the candidates—Theresa Ann Bond, Christopher Bradford, Tom Decker and Monica Martinez—to meet and speak with local seniors, individuals living with disability and their families and caregivers.
Hear the candidates’ positions on issues important to seniors, people with disabilities and other topics related to aging. Audience questions will be included.
For more information about the forum, visit seniorscouncil.org/candidate-forums-2024/.
Omega Nu supports various community programs
Omega Nu of Santa Cruz has announced that it awarded nearly $66,000 to impactful community organizations in 2023.
Beneficiaries include: Boys and Girls Clubs of Santa Cruz County, Cali Project, Camp Kasem, CASA of Santa Cruz County, CERT Auxiliary, Common Roots Farm, Community Advocates of Scotts Valley, Community Music School of Santa Cruz, Dientes, Downtown Streets Team, Harbor High Baseball, Homeless Garden Project, Hospice of Santa Cruz, Housing Matters, Jade St Park Universally Accessible playground, Kidpower, Live Oak Foundation, Nami Funding for Mental Health, Nourishing Generations, Pacific School in Davenport, Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery, Santa Cruz Shakespeare, Scotts Valley Baseball, Scotts Valley Middle School Drama, Shared Adventures, Shoreline Theater Program, Skills of Life Café, Survivors Healing Center, Scotts Valley Recreation, Teen Kitchen Project, Valley Churches United Missions, Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz, and Women Care.
Nancy Rader, charity chairperson, emphasized the role of events like the Ducky Derby and other fundraisers in enabling the organization to give much needed support to local schools, organizations, children and families.
Requests for assistance are encouraged from teachers, coaches, organizations, children, families and those in need. Omega Nu members diligently review these requests semiannually, in March and October.
Detailed information about the application process and deadlines can be found on the Omega Nu of Santa Cruz website duckyderbysantacruz.org.
