Council learns that Kidz Care, as do SP employees who support UWVC
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula City Council
Published: April 30, 2008
Kidz Care, and so do City of Santa Paula employees the Council learned from two presentations featured at the April 21 meeting.
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula Times
Kidz Care, and so do City of Santa Paula employees the Council learned from two presentations featured at the April 21 meeting.
Pedro Chavez of United Way of Ventura County told the Council that each year the organization - which acts as an umbrella to more than 50 area social service programs and charities - partners with city governments, large and small companies, and others to “bring needed resources to the community.” Santa Paula “Just hit a homerun with a campaign” funded by city employees, who donated more than $13,000 for local organizations and programs.
“We thank you again for allowing us to continue this partnership” that showed city employees “opening their hearts” to help others, said Chavez, who also thanked Community Services Director Brian Yanez for “rallying the troops” in support of United Way. Chavez asked that a plaque noting Yanez’s support is a “token of our appreciation... and we also want to thank Police Chief Steve MacKinnon for really stepping up to the plate and saying that this a really important cause. He rallied his troops” to support United Way. Overall, noted Chavez, city employees deserve credit for their enthusiastic support of United Way.
“Selena Escoto has put together a really important program,” said Councilman John Procter, who introduced Escoto to the Council. Kidz Care in many ways, Santa Paula Family Resource Center Case Manager Selena Escoto - accompanied by numerous program participants - told the Council.
Kidz Care is a “service club, and if the city or another service club is having an event we’re here to help.” Several Kidz Care participants talked about what club members do - from Earth Day activities to a more concentrated effort, the Litterbug Project - to stem the flow of street litter.
To demonstrate just how much trash is left on city streets, Kidz Care members crafted a mobile of refuse displayed on the sidewalk outside the SPFRC. Kidz Care members have been circulating a verbal and written pledge to keep the streets clean, and so far have garnered more than 500 signatures. Club members asked the Council to both take the pledge - which avows to keep the city litter free - and sign the petition affirming same.
“I thank all you guys for coming,” said Vice Mayor Ralph Fernandez. “I know all the hard work you do, and it’s very much appreciated.”
Procter, a member of the SPFRC Board of Directors, said each Tuesday Kidz Care members clean up, including at times mopping areas that had been littered. Escoto said work crews usually start at the SPFRC and then expand out.
“We like to think the center is a place where people can come, and they’re welcome no matter” the need or reason, noted SPFRC Executive Director Veronica Vera-Vargas. The center offers case mentoring services for at risk youth that includes the whole family, and numerous after school activities.
“We have a whole array of services,” available at the center, located at 940 E. Main Street. For more information on the center call 525-6616.
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