Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance

09/12/2025

PVPSA and Empower Watsonville help make our community such a special place,and now’s our chance to lift them up! 💜

🗳️ Lookout Santa Cruz is taking write-in nominations until September 21 for THE BEST OF LIST AWARDS
👉 Go here: https://thelist.lookout.co/
✅ Make your nominations
✅ Remember: you can only vote once per category
Let’s show Santa Cruz County the power of our community & nominate PVPSA and Empower Watsonville today!

09/10/2025

💜 Today is National Su***de Prevention Day💜
Every life matters. Every voice matters. Every story matters. At PVPSA, we are committed to walking alongside youth, families, and our community to bring hope and healing.
✨ Reaching out is a sign of strength, contact PVPSA at 831-728-6445
📞 If you or someone you love needs immediate support, call or text 988 — 24/7, confidential, and available in English and Spanish.

09/08/2025

From the heart of Santa Cruz our very own Jasmine Nájera’s story shines with purpose, compassion, and resilience! Her story reminds us how one person, rooted in community values, can inspire profound change.

Read more about her journey here: https://growingupsc.com/jasmine-najeras-journey-of-service-and-leadership/

09/05/2025

🌟 Exciting News from PVPSA! 🌟 Please join us in welcoming our newly appointed Executive Board! We’re honored to have this incredible group of leaders guiding our mission and impact in the community:

President: Mandy Tovar
Vice President: Samantha Folb
Secretary: Leann Luna
Treasurer: Kate Kirkwood
We’re looking forward to a powerful year of collaboration, growth, and community under their leadership.💜

09/03/2025

🚨 We’re Recruiting! 🚨 Do you know a youth in 8th–12th grade who’s passionate about making a difference? ✨
Empower Watsonville is looking for motivated young leaders to join our Youth Leadership & Substance Use Prevention Program!
✅ Build leadership skills
✅ Get involved in advocacy & community change
✅ Connect with peers and community partners
✅ Make a real impact in Watsonville
🔗 Interested? Fill out our Interest Form here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScGBPITEWJpaZzv--cAporuy_IH7PEVIsFViCFY7fNQKAcYXA/viewform
Let’s empower the next generation together! 💪🌟

08/29/2025

Honoring the workers who keep our communities strong. In observance of Labor Day, PVPSA offices will be closed Monday, September 1, 2025, and will reopen Tuesday, September 2.

08/26/2025

We rallied for youth—and we were the champs! 🥎 PVPSA All Stars took home the title at the Rally in the Valley Softball Tournament. Proceeds support local youth health, benefiting Watsonville Family YMCA. Thanks to everyone who played, volunteered, and cheered!

08/25/2025

📣 Staff Spotlight Amanda Engeldrum Magaña 📣 Amanda feels blessed that PVPSA is part of the dedicated network of children's behavioral health providers in Santa Cruz and Monterey County. She also feels strongly that at PVPSA, workforce development is our heartbeat. We invest in training, supervision, and staff wellness—helping former clients, Empower youth, and parents grow into community health workers, clinical trainees, and tomorrow’s therapists. Most of our team identifies as Latino/Latinx, and Spanish is the norm when we serve families.
💜Thank you, Amanda! We’re so lucky to have you as part of the PVPSA family. 💜

08/21/2025

We love being out in the community! PVPSA is always happy to table and share much-needed resources. Big thanks to our amazing staff for showing up with so much heart!

08/15/2025

Today, PVPSA staff came together for our annual retreat to kick off the new school year!

We’re proud to partner with schools, families, and the community, standing alongside all who are committed to supporting our youth.

From mental health therapy and crisis support to case management, community health workers, and Kids Korner counselors, we ensure our community has access to the critical resources they need to thrive.

🐨

08/15/2025

⚾️ Play ball! Can’t wait for this years Rally in the Valley!!

🎉 Meet the 2025 Rally in the Pajaro Valley Participating Organizations! 🎉
A huge THANK YOU to these amazing nonprofits and businesses for stepping up and joining the fun! 🥎💪

Participating Organizations:

Water
Digital NEST
Inspira Studios
Martinelli's
Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance
Santa Cruz Community Health
Santa Cruz County Probation
Watsonville Community Hospital

📅 Join us Saturday, August 23rd, from 8 AM-4 PM, for a day of community, competition, and giving back!
👏 Come out and cheer for these incredible organizations as they rally for a cause. All proceeds will benefit the Watsonville Family YMCA.

👉 Don’t miss it. Bring your friends, bring your energy, and be part of something meaningful!

🥎 Click the link to learn more: https://pvhealthtrust.org/rally-in-the-pajaro-valley/

07/28/2025

At PVPSA, our hearts are heavy as we mourn the tragic loss of 15-year-old Nicholas Magana-Zamora. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him. It is always devastating when our community loses such a young life. In times of profound grief, PVPSA stands with our youth and our community. We are here to provide support, healing, and a safe space for processing this unimaginable loss.

https://www.ksbw.com/article/body-missing-watsonville-teen-found-california/65521091