Work program aimed at homeless individuals continues growth

WATSONVILLE—The streets of Watsonville continue to get tidied up thanks to an ever-expanding group of people experiencing homelessness that bands together and hits the streets under the WatsonvilleWorks! program.

Founded in September 2019 by a group of human services leaders, the program has thus far hauled in more than 675 bags of trash and hired 137 people off the streets, program coordinator Sandra Varela said.

Once homeless herself, Varela said the hirees are paid a small stipend and, more importantly, they gain a sense of purpose in helping make their community a better place.

“The program is a blessing,” she said. “Today we had a collaboration with Care Kits that helped hand out care packages to the crew. They included a phone and a charger, an emergency kit and a care kit; it was amazing. The majority of them don’t have a phone, so it really helps them get connected. And lately, we have been collaborating with Loaves and Fishes who provide them with lunch.”

Varela said Watsonville Works! also provides shoes and clothing for their workers.

“We also try to help these people get a second in life,” said Valera, who works alongside crew leader Felipe Ponce. “They have so much to give back to society. The majority of them—when they’re finished with the program—want to come back and volunteer.”

The program runs through the Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County. In addition to getting 12 days of work experience—and $25 gift cards to stores at places like Target and Food Maxx—participants can also get connected with services they might need.

Venessa Holland, who was part of the work crew cleaning up Second Street on Jan. 20, said she has been homeless for the past eight days. 

“It’s working out great for me,” she said of Watsonville Works! “And the good thing is they have now located a home for me to move into next week. They’re getting my first two months’ rent, offering me a moving kit and getting me started again. I won’t have to worry about storage and a safe place to sleep. It’s amazing for me.”

The crew typically helps clean downtown streets and sidewalks, slough trails and other trails around the city.

“Right now, because of Covid, we only crew with four members and we do everything within walking distance because we don’t want to get in the van,” Varela said. “We got out three days a week and we are also collaborating with the County now, which gets us to the outskirts of the area, like at the beach, the dunes, along the river when we have access to the van.”