Youth Resource Bank Meeting Needs of Our Children

By Jo Ann Allen

The Santa Cruz County Youth Resource Bank gathered at the beautiful outdoor courtyard of Bargetto Winery on a sunny Saturday afternoon in late spring for their annual fundraiser.

Guests received a complimentary YRB logo glass, a beverage of their choosing, and grazed on a large assortment of charcuterie catered by Carla Martinez of The Wild Bite. Musical entertainment was provided by the ever-popular local duo Ripatti & Rose along with special guest youth performers, Leilani Winkler, and Ronan Mai.

Sen. John Laird’s office presented the Youth Resource Bank with a recognition certificate for supporting the needs of children and youth in Santa Cruz County.

The Youth Resource Bank Honorable Thomas Black award was presented to Nathan Benjamin of Benjamin/Leibrock Law for his 20 years of service with the YRB.

More than 125 guests mixed and mingled while bidding on 75 silent auction packages and eight live auction items that included a sail on the Chardonnay, an African photo safari, a condo in Maui,

“Joby

The technology the company uses is called EVTOL, which stands for Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing Vehicle. You’ll be hearing a lot more about it. Joby Aviation is gearing up to launch the ride-sharing air taxi service in 2024. n

Photos Credit: Jondi Gumz ••• accommodations in Lake Tahoe, a private evening of candy-making at Marini’s at the Beach and so much more.

RIGHT: Eric Bayona in the former Plantronics building, which showcase photos of the new electric taxi and a wall of signatures of Koby Aviation employees.

LOWER RIGHT: A large crowd attends the grand opening of Joby Aviation.

BELOW: JoeBen Bevirt’s parent Ron and Paula, attend the grand opening in Joby Aviation logo jackets.

Guests who were not winners of an auction item opened their hearts to the numerous stories shared throughout the afternoon and became angel donors with cash contributions.

Thanks to our sponsors, auction donors, and attendees, we raised over $30,000, of which 98.99% goes directly to meet the needs of Santa Cruz County’s children and youth.

The Santa Cruz County Youth Resource Bank is a 501c 3 nonprofit all-volunteer organization working with professionals in our community (social workers, teachers, and public health nurses) to meet the needs of vulnerable children and youth in Santa Cruz County.

Since its incorporation in 1988, YRB has provided funding and items such as backpacks, sports equipment, school supplies, clothing, and so much more.

YRB believes that small things can make a big difference in the life of a child.

YRB accepts requests from organizations and professionals working in the community with vulnerable children and youth, including teachers, public health nurses, social workers, and juvenile counselors. These are the people who understand the patchwork of programs and systems, and who know when a child has fallen between the cracks and needs a little help without red tape.

Because of our network of referrals, the YRB serves many children and young adults not covered by various systems and agencies.

YRB does not accept requests from the public.

When a request is received, it is quickly reviewed and if the request meets basic requirements (assistance to a child in a situation in which there are no other immediately available resources, typically up to $250 per child), YRB fills the request with, for example, a check to a science camp or gym fee, a Ross or Safeway gift card --providing a quick and specific response to an acute need.

It is through the generosity of the following sponsors and hundreds of community members and businesses donating auction items to our annual fundraiser that enabled us to meet the resource needs of 240 children and youth.

We anticipate these numbers will increase over the next few years as our local families continue to face uncertainties in the ever-changing landscape of manmade and natural calamities of the modern world.

Heartfelt thanks go to the generosity of the following sponsors: • Bay Federal Credit Union • Capitola Candy Company • Community Printers • Indigo Beach Properties • Kiwanis International • Law Office of Benjamin/Leibrock • Mateo Family Foundation in Memory of Honorable Thomas Black • Monterey Bay Resources, Inc. • Paul B. Meltzer • Ramsey Lath and Plaster, Inc. • Santa Cruz Memorial • Santa Cruz Skateboards (NHS) • Tharen Miller.

If you would like to learn more about the Youth Resources Bank, donate, became a Board member, or volunteer at our events, please check out our website and follow us on: Facebook https://www.facebook. com/youth.resource.bank.sc or Instagram https://www.instagram. com/youth.resource.bank.sc/ n •••

If you missed the 2023 event, next year’s will be at Bargetto Winery on Saturday April 27, 2024. We hope to see you there! It is the power of community that makes a difference in a child’s life.