COMMUNITY NEWS
CASA: New Advocates
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n May 19, Santa Cruz County Superior Court Judge Timothy Schmal swore in 13 community members as Court Appointed Special Advocates for children in foster care. All 13 had completed CASA’s 35-hour training program. CASA of Santa Cruz County recruits, trains, and supervises volunteer Advocates who are matched one Jaheidi Reyes on one with a child in the county’s dependency (foster care) court system advocating for them the
20 / June 2022 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com
entire time they have a case open with the court. As officers of the court, CASA volunteers ensure that the children’s needs are recognized and their best interests are considered in the courtroom, school, and in the community. There is a great need for bilingual and
male volunteers, however, people from all cultures and professions and of all ethnic and educational backgrounds are encouraged to learn more. n For information on how to become a CASA volunteer advocate, call Clarita Cortes at (831) 761-2956, ext. 102, or visit www.casaofsantacruz.org/volunteer
From Left: Asia Hwan, Michele Helene Mckee, Alexandra M Beltran, staff member Puiyee Tse, Meghan Reilly, trainer Roxy Greenspan, Rhonda Lynne Carvalho, staff member Karen Silva, trainer Jenny Hundemer, Pia Dori Morabia, Pushya Faith Wahl, Barbara Durham Park-Lee, Victoria Louise Granger-Jones, Cynthia Kent-Mills, Helene R Weil, Renee Aplustill, and Judge Timothy Schmal
“Summer Fun” from page 18 Later in the summer, there will be family-friendly Friday night Movies at the Beach featuring Jungle Cruise on Aug. 26 and Sing 2 on Sept. 2. The movie times will be at dusk. Also, during the summer, the Capitola Recreation Department is sponsoring Food Trucks at Monterey Park on Fridays from 4 to 7 p.m. on June 17, July 15, August 19, and Sept. 16. These are family-friendly events featuring some of Santa Cruz County’s best food trucks, as well as, a beer garden for the adults. Catch up with your neighbors while having food and drink in an outdoor setting. These events take a lot of work from City staff and volunteers. The Twilight Concerts and the Sunday Art at the Beach are brought to you by the volunteers from the Capitola Art & Cultural Commission. The Capitola Art & Cultural Commission advises the City Council about allocation of public funds for the support and encouragement of existing and new programs in the arts; acquires works of art; initiates, sponsors, and directs special programs that enhance the cultural climate
of the City; and implements Capitola’s Art & Cultural Master Plan. There are nine members of the commission. Each serves a maximum of three, two-year terms. The commission is composed of one City Council member; one Planning Commissioner; one artist or arts organization representative member; one arts professional member and five “at-large” members. Appointments are made by the City Council following recommendation by the current commission members. We are thankful for all the Art & Cultural Commission volunteers and the city staff that work to make Capitola a more beautiful, inspiring, and enjoyable place to live and visit. Many of the wonderful events that are sponsored by the Art & Cultural Commission are only successful because of the volunteers and donors. If you would like to be an Art & Cultural Commission volunteer or donor go to the City of Capitola’s website or call 475-7300. Enjoy a safe and fun-filled summer! n ••• Sam Storey is mayor of Capitola. Contact him at samforcapitola@yahoo.com
