March to End Homelessness: April 1

The first-ever March to End Homelessness in Santa Cruz County will take place Saturday, April 1, in downtown Santa Cruz.

“By marching together, we show solidarity with our neighbors experiencing homelessness,” said Phil Kramer, chief executive officer of Housing Matters. “This event will build momentum for the future, by advocating for solutions to end homelessness right here in Santa Cruz County.”

The march will be a partnership event with local nonprofits Santa Cruz Community Health, Housing Santa Cruz County, Abode Services, Homeless Garden Project, Front Street Inc., Families in Transition, WINGS and Pajaro Valley Shelter Services.

Members of the business community and local residents are invited to march and rally.

This is a moment for Santa Cruz County neighbors and friends to gather, connect and give voice to ending homelessness.

The March to End Homelessness will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 1, at the corner of Cathcart and Cedar streets in downtown Santa Cruz.

Attendees will hear from local leaders, advocate partners and people with lived expertise regarding the importance of “housing as a human right,” before marching through downtown Santa Cruz to the Santa Cruz County Governmental Center for a festival open to the public.

The festival will feature partner resources, food trucks, live music and vendors.

“Housing Matters is dedicated to resolving homelessness in Santa Cruz County,” said Mer Stafford, chief Iimpact officer for Housing Matters. “We aim to expand our reach by elevating the voices of those with lived expertise and our service provider partners. We encourage our community to show their commitment and support to ending homelessness by connecting with us and marching shoulder-to-shoulder in the spirit of compassion in action.” n

For information including detailed FAQ, partnership and volunteer opportunities, visit: https://housingmatterssc.org/march2023/

Rowland was approved unanimously by the shelter board on Feb. 13 following a competitive nationwide search.

“We sought someone who would build on our amazing internal staff and operations as well as strengthen our relationships with the community,” Board Chair Chris Clark said. “Amber has the right skills, experience and temperament to make her an excellent choice as our next director.”

Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter is a publicly funded joint powers authority serving the County of Santa Cruz, and the cities of Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley, Watsonville, and Capitola. It is an open admission shelter which welcomes every animal in need, with a goal to be a humane resource for the community by providing a safety net and second chance for local animals. With locations in Live Oak and Watsonville, the shelter offers adoption services, low-cost spay/neuter programs for all resident pets, 24-hour rescue services, Catio Tours, and operates the Benefits Shop. n

On Your Feet

ACROSS

1. Pampering places

5. *____ de trois

8. Lend a criminal hand

12. Toy block

13. As old as time?

14. Milan’s La ____ 15. Drug addict 16. Craving 17. Some primatologists’ study object, for short 18. *Shoe, not a titular character in Henry James’ novel 20. What spirits and culprits have in common 21. Falstaffian in body

22. Jack Kerouac’s ___ Paradise

23. *Shoe, not lazy person

26. Concealing plant, in a painting (2 words)

30. Not leg

31. ____ ____ help

34. Poet Pound

35. *Sound of Wellington boots

37. U.N. labor issues org.

38. Twig of a willow tree

39. Database command 40. Type of purse

42. “Platoon” setting, for short

43. Canadian province 45. Overly preoccoupied with something 47. Motion of assent 48. Louisiana swamp

50. Like list of chores

52. *Animated movie about a dancing penguin (2 words)

56. “All About Eve” star

57. Biblical birthright seller

58. Generic dog name

59. Are not

60. What snob puts on

61. Cogito, ____ sum

62. Mountain, in Germany

63. Trinitrotoluene, for short

64. Movie tape

1. Yarn defect

2. 100 centavos in Mexico

3. A long time ago

4. Somewhat (2 words)

5. City on the Seine

6. Pool growth

7. ____ but not heard”

8. *Rupturing this will take you off your feet

9. Can of worms

10. Deciduous tree

11. *Percussion with one’s feet

13. Piano adjusters

14. Scrawny one

19. Caribbean religious and healing practice

22. Noble title

23. Apple TV+ coach

24. Acrylic fiber

25. Amortization root

26. *0.3048 meters