Return the Favor: $158,000 Raised For Local Nonprofits • Cabrillo VP

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COMMUNITY NEWS Return the Favor

$158,000 Raised For Local Nonprofits

The Return the Favor campaign sponsored by Santa Cruz Community Credit Union ended Nov. 30, bringing in a little over $158,000 for 12 local nonprofits.

“We’re thrilled to be able to give back to our local nonprofit organizations who need help right now,” said Katie Fairbairn, Santa Cruz Community Credit Union’s vice president of communication and organizational development. “We are also very grateful our Board of Directors approved a match for all community donations up to $75,000. It’s gratifying to be able to give money back to these organizations who do so much for those most vulnerable in our community.”

Here are the 12 organizations that got Return the Favor funds in 2021: • Community Action Board • Community Bridges • Diversity Center • El Pájaro Community Development

Corp. • Grey Bears

The celebration with check presentations included: Community Action Board, Community Bridges, Diversity Center, Grey Bears, Homeless Garden Project, Pajaro Valley Loaves & Fishes, Pajaro Valley Shelter Services, Santa Cruz County Volunteer Center, Second Harvest Food Bank, Valley Churches United; media sponsor Lookout Santa Cruz and credit union staff (Not present: El Pájaro CDC, Housing Matters).

• Housing Matters • Homeless Garden Project • Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes • Pajaro Valley Shelter Services • Santa Cruz County Volunteer Center • Second Harvest Food Bank

“Return the Favor” page 9

Cabrillo VP Charged with Embezzlement at Former Job

On Dec. 9, Paul De La Cerda, vice president of instruction at Cabrillo College, was charged with overbilling his former employer for trips he took.

De La Cerda, 47, was charged with one felony count each of misappropriation of government funds and embezzlement of government funds, according to a press release issued by Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón.

De La Cerda is expected to be arraigned on Jan. 7 in Department 30 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center in Los Angeles. He is on administrative leave from Cabrillo until Jan. 31

He is accused of overbilling East Los Angeles College, where he was dean, about $1,575 for several hotel stays between March 2017 and 2019. He allegedly forged documents he submitted for reimbursement, according to Gascón.

The case remains under investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Fraud and Cyber Crimes.

De La Cerda joined Cabrillo in June of this year.

Cabrillo spokeswoman Kristin Fabos said via email, “We cannot discuss details due to the fact that it is a confidential personnel matter.” She provided a statement on behalf of the college: “The Cabrillo Community College District is actively engaged in working on this matter. We take this development very seriously and recognize this is creating concern among employees, students, and the community. We acknowledge that concern, but are restricted in what we can publicly share as this is a confidential personnel matter. Paul De La Cerda Please know that this has our full attention and that we will share additional details as we are able. The best interests of the College, its students and employees, and our community continue to be paramount.” n ••• The Cabrillo College Governing Board meets virtually Monday, Jan. 10, at 6:15 p.m. To attend, visit https://www.cabrillo.edu/ governing-board/board-meetings-and-dates/