In 2023, United Way of Santa Cruz County was awarded the All Children Thrive Grant to mitigate Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in our community. Recognizing this as a pivotal opportunity, we set out to strengthen youth development and access to resources within the City of Scotts Valley.
United Way has a long history of serving communities across the county—through initiatives like Jóvenes SANOS, the Youth Action Network, and United 4 Youth—focused in areas such as Watsonville, Live Oak, Santa Cruz, and Capitola. However, Scotts Valley remained an area where we had yet to cultivate transformative relationships.
The need was also clear. Since the pandemic, Scotts Valley has seen a rise in youth mental health challenges, substance abuse, and harassment in its middle and high schools. According to the California Healthy Kids Survey’s most recent data, 52% of 11th graders at Scotts Valley High School reported experiencing chronic sadness, compared to 30% in Watsonville and Santa Cruz. Compounding this, Scotts Valley is the only city in the county without dedicated funding for youth programs.
This gap presented an opportunity to co-create solutions with students and the community and to advocate for policy changes that could earmark funding for youth programming and resources.
A Year of Connection & Growth
In a year marked by building trust, fostering collaboration, and centering youth voices, the Pathways to Possibility project took its first steps by connecting with existing partners and Scotts Valley community members. These initial efforts helped identify current needs and potential participants for the Design Team—youth and adults who would work together to co-create solutions.
Through these initial conversations, we built strong relationships with key partners, including the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Cruz County, Scotts Valley High School and their HOPE Squad, Scotts Valley Library, and the City of Scotts Valley. These connections helped us form a Design Team composed of eight high school students and five adults.
In Fall 2024, we launched our Design Team meetings where we:
- Set goals for fostering meaningful youth-adult partnerships,
- Engaged with City Council Member Allan Timms,
- Identified our strengths as a team and within the broader Scotts Valley community.
As the year came to a close, we gathered to celebrate our progress and collaboratively envision what an ideal Scotts Valley could look like for youth and the entire community.
[Photo: Youth & Adult Design Team at the Scotts Valley Library for the end-of-year celebration]
In the new year, we are eager to build on this foundation by working with the Design Team to conduct a needs assessment. This assessment will gather input from students and community members on their vision for youth in Scotts Valley and explore the potential impact of dedicated funding for youth programs.
Voices from the Youth Design Team
[Photo: Student Design Team members & Marlize Velasco, P2P Youth Liaision]
At the heart of the Pathways to Possibility project are the dedicated student Design Team members. Their passion, consistency, and drive to create meaningful change in Scotts Valley have been clear from the very beginning. Each student brings their own experiences and hopes, making the work deeply personal and impactful.
Ella, a senior at Scotts Valley High School highlighted the urgent need to address youth challenges in Scotts Valley, sharing, “Our county’s rankings for youth substance disorders and abnormally high adverse childhood experiences aren’t just a statistic—they’re a grim reality exemplified by my peers and high school culture. I chose to join the P2P Design Team in order to directly bridge the distance between youth and professional resources, especially in an area where Scotts Valley’s youth is highly overlooked.” Ella's dedication speaks to the power of youth taking the initiative to create change in areas where they feel their voices have been unheard.
Another student shared a similar drive to address community challenges, saying, “I would love to make a difference in the community of Scotts Valley. Many of my friends have experienced mental health struggles, along with myself, and I think this is a way for change to occur. My cousin has also faced bullying and racism, and during those moments, I felt so helpless. I want to prevent such experiences from happening here.” These reflections emphasize the need for mental health support, anti-bullying initiatives, and inclusive community policies.
The Design Team experience has also been about building connections with the community. Abby, a senior at Scotts Valley High School, explained, “The biggest part about why I joined the team was to be able to make a significant change in the community I have been a part of for my whole life. I feel a need to give back to the city, as well as make sure that the next generation of students have the resources and help they need to continue to thrive in this environment.” Abby also shared how these experiences have deepened her perspective, saying, “Being able to talk with people who play a significant role in the community and can help us achieve our goal has been enlightening. Everyone has lived their life in different ways, and it has been amazing to see how one’s childhood can shape them as a person.”
The students’ reflections embody hope and excitement for the future. Ale, a senior, shared, “I can’t wait to see how we change Scotts Valley as we move forward.” Meanwhile, Kaylie, also a senior, added, “I’m so excited to see what the new year will bring. Everything was so fun and truly amazing.”
These stories highlight the resilience, compassion, and determination of Scotts Valley youth. The Pathways to Possibility project is more than just an initiative—it’s a platform for these young leaders to shape their community, amplify their voices, and create lasting solutions. Ella expressed how this collaboration has inspired her, saying, “Being a part of the team, I really enjoyed speaking eye-to-eye with experienced figures in my community—whether it be my liaisons, city council members, or members of the adult Design Team. It gives me hope for the future of trust dynamics between youth and authority figures, which is the first step to a better future for Scotts Valley.”
As we look forward to the new year, the students’ energy, vision, and commitment inspire us to continue this journey, empowering all children to thrive.
What’s Next for Pathways to Possibility
As we enter the second year of Pathways to Possibility, we remain driven by the same spirit of collaboration, trust, and youth leadership that guided us through our first year. Our goals are ambitious, but with continued community support and youth engagement, we are confident they are within reach
Here’s what we’re working toward:
Expanding Youth Participation: We plan to welcome more students into the Design Team, ensuring a diversity of perspectives and experiences. By increasing youth involvement, we aim to amplify even more voices and empower the next generation of changemakers.
Conducting a Needs Assessment: In January, we will begin conducting a needs assessment to gather input and ideas from youth and the broader community. This assessment will help us better understand the challenges and opportunities facing Scotts Valley youth, ensuring that our policies and programs are grounded in real, lived experiences.
Implementing Policy Recommendations & Securing Funding: The work of Year 1 has laid the groundwork for actionable solutions. In Year 2, we will focus on turning these ideas into potential policies that could support funding opportunities for youth programs.
Growing the Community Partnership Network: Collaboration is key to lasting change. We will continue building partnerships with local organizations, schools, and community leaders to create a robust network of support, resources, and opportunities for youth in Scotts Valley.
Join Us in Empowering Youth
The success of Pathways to Possibility is a testament to what happens when youth, adults, and community partners come together with a shared vision. But this is just the beginning. We invite you to be part of this journey—whether by offering your expertise, resources, or simply your encouragement.
Together, we’re shaping a future where youth voices lead the way. Join us in Year 2 to help make Pathways to Possibility a lasting reality.
-P2P Project Lead - Program & Communications Officer, Amanda Gamban