I. Current State

In spite of the independent spirit which defines the characteristics of this community, social justice legislation promulgated both at the national and state levels impact both North and South County. For instance, the Welfare Reform Act includes drastic changes affecting the lives of single women on Aid to Financially Dependent Children (AFDC). In Santa Cruz, according to Will Lightbourne, Human Resource Agency administrator, the County 'win be left holding a $7.5 million year tab as the result of the cutbacks.' Hunger, homelessness and lack of medical care will increase. The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for elderly and legal immigrants will be threatened with loss of food stamps and benefits-factors that are the antithesis of social justice.

Sandy Brown, Coordinator for Campaign for Budget Fairness, researched the problems of poverty and its implication for social justice. The following is from her report:

'The current economic climate throughout the U.S. and the specific characteristics of local housing and labor markets affect the ability of low-income residents in Santa Cruz County (SCC) to survive. Those who receive public benefits have been hit particularly hard as state and federal government continue to erode the safety net. In California, AFDC grants have been cut each year since 1990, bringing the grant for a family of three down to $565 per month, or close to 50% of the federal poverty guideline. As recipients of programs such as SSI, food stamps, MediCal, and AFDC begin to lose public benefits as a result of federal welfare reform, these problems will undoubtedly be exacerbated. We can expect increases in the number of homeless and hungry, with private, non-profits, and service providers unable to pick up the slack.

Governor Wilson's proposed budget for 1997, provides for-even more draconian cuts and restrictions than the federal government would require. Welfare recipients are required to work and will be cut off from assistance regardless of their ability to find a job. As people begin to lose benefits, it is unclear how they will be absorbed into the labor market. In SCC the unemployment rate fluctuated between 7.4 and 12.4% during 1994-95, leaving little opportunity for public benefits recipients to find work. In addition, lack of health care, child care, job training, and living wage jobs serve as barriers to employment. In terms of housing, the current AFDC grant for a family of three is $565 per month, compared to a Fair

Market Housing Rate of $960 per month for a two bedroom rental unit. The Housing Authority has adjusted the federal poverty guideline for SCC to $23,400 for a family of three. In comparison, the yearly AFDC grant for SCC totals $6,780 and the average yearly income of a minimum wage, full time worker would be approximately $10,260. Wilson's budget, like the greater federal welfare reform movement, is based on myths, stereotypes, and political posturing rather than on any realistic analysis of the labor market.

For women, the problems of poverty are particularly acute. In SCC one in three single female heads of household with dependent children fives below the poverty guideline. The average female head of household income is approximately half that of a single male head of household ($21,804 vs. $40,390). For women trying to escape abusive relationships, opportunities are slim for living wage work that would make them self sufficient. Welfare, while it may be the only option, will not bring low-income women and families out of poverty, or even allow them to find adequate housing. Where there are homeless mothers, there are homeless children. In 1995, Supervisor Mardi Wormhoudt estimated that there are close to 2,000 homeless children in SCC with the total number of homeless children increasing by 100% between 1990 and 1994.'

Living conditions for migrant workers are very poor. The average farm worker household in SCC is 4.6 persons who, among them, make approximately $14,000 a year. Sometimes more than one family is crowded into a small house with insufficient sanitation. Somewhere between 10 to 15% of farmers who employ field workers in the county provide housing assistance. Since the farm worker population surges from 5,400 during off season to 17,800 during the peak agricultural season, many field workers are forced to live in labor camps in the outlying areas. "Most of the licensed farm worker camps surveyed need to be rehabilitated, and many camps are in very poor condition." 1

II. Desired State: Resolve Underlying Social Issues & Become a Community Dedicated to Fairness.

In order to eradicate the problems of poverty, we address the underlying social issues that lead to and perpetuate poverty. Among our top priorities are: adequate education, affordable housing, living wage employment opportunities, child care, and health care for all. A true full employment policy and guaranteed income for those who are unable to work due to injury, raising young children, or taking care of relatives are utilized as a means to eradicating poverty. Further, women have equal opportunities and wages in the workplace. Our ultimate vision is for a healthy, non-toxic environment for all, where there is fairness in the workplace, school, and living situations - liberty and justice for all people.

III. Goals by Year 2000: End Poverty As We Know It & Significantly Improve Women's Status.

A. Work with local labor organizations (e.g. local SEIU) and others to increase the minimum wage, provide universal health care, and to improve the status of women in the workplace.

B. Increase funding for poverty programs by up to 50% to assist women toward self-sufficiency, including adequate job training, health care, and prenatal programs.

C. Increase or expand existing youth centers and child care programs by at least 20%.2

E. Expand shelter program for battered mothers and children who are in danger; add at least I more shelter. E. Insure humane and toxic-free living & working conditions for all members of the community, including minorities and low-income members.

IV. What Has Been Done: Coalition Organizers

A. In SCC, service providers, advocates, and low-income individuals have organized to work toward some of the goals in Section Ill. These efforts have come in the form of rallies and protests, educational panels and forum meetings, and direct lobbying of elected officials in Sacramento and Washington through letter writing and legislative visits. Groups such as Welfare and Low-Income Support Network, Inc., Campaign for Budget Fairness, and the Human Care Alliance (organizational membership of these groups covers approximately 80 service provider and community groups) have worked together on these efforts. In addition, National Organization for Women, Health Care for All, Community Action Board, The Regional Alliance for Progressive Policy, Women's International League for Peace & Freedom, Service Employees Industrial Union, The United Farm Workers, and others are working on social justice issues.

B. In addition, SCC activists successfully lobbied the Board of Supervisors to adopt a resolution opposing further cuts to AFDC and a set of principles for implementation of welfare reform and human service block grants (adopted 3/19/96). This position serves as a basis for SCC social service providers, advocates, and low-income individuals to send a message to elected officials in Sacramento and Washington.

C. As a major show of support, 25,000 people gathered in a well organized rally/march in Watsonville to support the UFW and the strawberry workers.

D. Community Action Board runs seven programs within SCC ,-o support low-income families: Campaign for Budget Fairness, Davenport Resource Service Center, Energy Services, Familia Aztlan, Natural Resources & Employment Program, Santa Cruz County immigration Project, & The Shelter Project.

E. The Children's Network is an interagency planning council formed to improve the delivery of services to the children & families of SCC. There are representatives from schools, health & social service agencies, criminal justice and substance abuse prevention programs. [Also see Public Health & Educ. chapters.]

F. Beyond Beijing, a Santa Cruz group of women who attended the conference in Beijing in 1996, has initiated a Task Force to ascertain the needs of local women, presenting forums and scheduling follow-up meetings. The focus is the exploration of viable means to alleviate the violence of poverty. Micro entrepreneurship, one route to implement economic needs, will need to work in partnership with the financial sector to provide seed money for small businesses run by women.

G. The Women's International League for Peace and Freedom has worked closely with La Familia Center which offers poor Latinos a variety of social services.

H. The Santa Cruz County Women's Commission has created a Countywide Joint Task Force on Sexual Harassment, Prevention and Education. Annually, they promote 'Take Back the Night.'

I. Organizations working individually and in coalition to improve the status of women in the Santa Cruz Community include a variety of programs:

1. The Crisis Center maintains a battered women's shelter which provides intervention on domestic abuse.
2. Defensa de Mujeres also has a crisis line and offers counseling to Latino women.
3. Brennan Street Shelter serves as a safety net for women and children providing room, board and child care until they are able to take charge of their lives.
4. Community Action Board, an organization funded by entitlement grants, supports community programs to meet poverty needs and serves as an advocate for poor women in Sacramento.
5. Capacitar, a unique women's group in Watsonville, has introduced massage, accupressure and Tai Chai as tools women can use with each other for decreasing stress in the agricultural migrant camps.
6. WILPF has been working for many years on women's issues, as well as for peace and justice. 7. Santa Cruz City's Commission for the Prevention of Violence Against Women.

J. Seniors, both men and women on the bottom rung of poverty, receive weekly food bags from the Grey Bears which is run entirely by volunteer seniors. Elderly gleaners are invited into the fields to harvest vegetables, others bag food for the poor, some roll newspapers to be sold to florists, and a large team of workers sort the recycled papers, bottles and magazines donated by the community.

V. Suggested Actions For Further Progress

A. Given the current political and economic climate, SCC should focus on ensuring the maintenance of a safety net in California. (The costs will be far greater in years to come if we do not take care of the most vulnerable members of society today.)

1. Low-income people, service providers, and the general community should join with county governing bodies as a united front to lobby in Sacramento for maintaining the entitlement status of public benefits programs.
2. Local efforts should focus on community education and outreach, grassroots organizing, and monitoring the impacts of federal welfare reform implementation.
3. Rather than continually reacting to proposals to cut and restrict public benefits, SCC should work to put forth an alternative plan to 'end poverty as we know it.'

B. Continue to work on coalition building, strengthening grassroots efforts, and lobbying Congress to support goals mentioned above.

C. Research programs to assist women in becoming self-sufficient through forming independent small businesses

D. Work toward campaign finance reform to ensure proper representation and a government that is of, by, and for the people.

E. Consider an income tax on the super wealthy (i.e. over $200,000/yr. income) to enhance services for the low- income.

F. Look into starting a "Day Worker Job Center,' such as in San Jose (408)923-9019.

VI. Local Resources & References

• ACTION-SCC Committee for Social justice, 600 Valencia Rd., Aptos, CA 95003; (408) 684-2403, Susan Russell.
• Alliance for Children, 515 Broadway, Santa Cruz, CA 95062; (408) 438-0774.
• Beyond Beijing, 1038 Escalona, Santa Cruz, CA 95060; (408) 423-1074, Erin Ramsden.
• Campaign for Budget Fairness, 501 Soquel Ave., Ste. E., Santa Cruz, CA 95062; (408) 457-1741, x423.
• Capacitar, 3015 Freedom Blvd., Watsonville, CA 95076; (408) 761-5893; Email: capacitar@igc.apc.org.
• Child Care Planning Council, SCC County Office of Ed., 809-H Bay Ave., Capitola, CA 95010; (408) 479-5220.
• The Children's Network, SCC County Office of Ed., 809-H Bay Ave., Capitola, CA 95010; (408) 479-5220.
• Community Action Board, 501 Soquel Ave., Ste. E, Santa Cruz, CA 95062; (408) 457-1741
• The Women's Crisis Support Center, 477-4244.
• Defensa de Mujeres, 406 Main St., Ste. 326, Watsonville CA 95076; (408) 772-4532.
• Habitat for Humanity, 9850 Monroe Av., Aptos CA [see Housing chapter]
• Health Care For All, 123 Pryce St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060; (408) 426-1397, Jeanette.
• Healthy Start, Pajaro Valley Special Services, (408) 761-6131.
• Human Care Alliance - a network of 60 health & social service organizations. [See listing in Public Health] Contact: Carol Frankl (408) 426-7322.
• National Organization for Women (NOW), P.O. Box 11 19, Felton, CA 95018; (408) 335-7704 or 728-3988, Julie; Email: dans@cruzio.com
• Regional Alliance for Progressive Policy (RAPP), P.O. Box 536, Marina, CA 93933; Tel: (408) 626-0301.
• Salud Para La Gente, 204 E. Beach, Watsonville, CA 95076; (408) 728-8250.
• Santa Cruz County Women's Commission, 454-2772.
• Service Employees Industrial Union (SEIU), Local 415,517 Mission St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060; (408) 459-0415.
• United Farm Workers, 519 Main, Watsonville, CA 95076; (408) 763-4820.
• United Way, 1220 41st Ave., Capitola, CA 95010; (408) 479-5466 (publications: a Community "Resource Directory of SCC - "People's Yellow Pages,' & a Community Needs Assessment).
• Valley Churches United Missions, 9430 Love Creek Rd (at Hwy 9), Ben Lomond; (408) 336-5651 or 461-1817.
• Valley Resource Center, 231 Main, Ben Lomond, CA 95007; (408) 336-2553
• Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, P.O. Box 61, Santa Cruz CA 950631- (408) 476-2277 - Nadine Winslow, or 353-1065 - Joyce McLean.

Documentation Sources

San Jose Mercury, 'Farm worker Residential Needs Studied," 12/7/93.

Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors Resolution Opposing Further Cuts & Restrictions to AFDC, March 19, 1996.

"Changing Welfare" A Report by the Human Resources Agency to the Board of Supervisors, March 5, 1996.

• Schedule of Fair Market Rents, Housing Authority of Santa Cruz County, effective October 1, 1994.

• Fair Share Network, Testimony to the California Health and Welfare Agency.

• San Jose Mercury Article on Grey Bears, Capacitar, October 1993.

• Santa Cruz Sentinel, and Women's Commission brochure, October 1991.

• San Jose Mercury on Proposition, November, 1996.

• San Jose Mercury, "It's Working," September 5, 1997.