Community Heroes

The Community Hero Lifetime Achievement Award

Sandy Lydon, Community Leader

Sandy Lydon taught history at Cabrillo College formally for 35 years and since his semi-retirement, continues to offer classes, short weekend course, field excursions, and public lectures for a wide variety of local organizations and groups.

Sandy is highly recognized as “the” Santa Cruz County historian and over the decades he has lectured to and inspired thousands of people. He is also a published author, some of his best known works include: Chinese Gold – the Chinese in the Monterey Bay Region, and The Japanese in the Monterey Bay Region, which have been important contributions to understanding the diverse cultural history of our county and its inhabitants. Sandy is also co-authoring a book on the natural disaster history of Santa Cruz County, in an effort to help all of us understand the natural forces and processes that control our lives in this region and how communities have been damaged by past events and what we must think about to reduce future damage.

For over 40 years, Sandy brings history of this county to light in an engaging, interesting, humorous and sustained manner. Sandy is truly a hero in our community.

Economy

Goal:  By the year 2010, the annual Median Family Income will increase by a higher percentage than the Bay Area Consumer Price index.

Veronica Camberos, Job Developer/Case Manager for Community Action Board

Veronica Camberos has worked tirelessly over the past two years to improve the economic life of young adults in Watsonville, whose family incomes are below the poverty level, by qualifying them in the Workforce Investment Act’s funded services program.  In her role as a job developer/case manager, Veronica has placed over 50 youth and young adults in an accountability based program that incorporates on-the-job training, skill development, career exploration, job readiness and placement. She was raised in Watsonville and attended UCSC and was the first member of her own immigrant family to graduate from college. Veronica’s dedication towards helping her fellow community members to advance their own lives and careers is truly inspiring.

Back to top

Education

Goal:  By the year 2010, more students will be working at grade level with a curriculum that spirals in rigor throughout the K-14 system.

Curt Gabrielson, Director of the Watsonville Environmental Science Workshop

Curt Gabrielson opened the first City of Watsonville Environmental Science Workshop on Second Street in 1997. His workshop has been a beacon of safety and inquisitiveness for children in a neighborhood that does not offer many positive activities for youth. Curt trains “at-risk” teens to teach elementary students standards-based physics. Both the teens and the younger children learn about physics principles by building models and doing experiments. Not only do the children benefit from the science skills they learn but they also are exposed to adult mentors and are in an environment where they can learn to take charge of their own education. And in 2008, Curt published a book of many of these hands-on confidence building activities entitled: Stomp Rockets, Catapults, and Kaleidoscopes (30+ Amazing Science Projects You Can Build for LESS THAN $1).   

Back to top

And another in this category:

Goal:  By the year 2010, more students will be ready for college and transfer ready from the community college into four-year colleges and universities.

Pablo Reguerin, Deputy Director of the Educational Partnership Center

For six years, Pablo Reguerin has been the Deputy Director of the Educational Partnership Center. Pablo is a tireless advocate for students and families with a professional career in education for more than 12 years. His passion for education outreach comes from his genuine desire to ensure that all students are provided with the same rich educational experience he had at UC Santa Cruz. Founding statewide chair of UC Student Leadership Forum, a public information campaign to educate and build awareness about the benefits of state-funded outreach and academic preparation programs. His leadership, expertise and deep commitment to education outreach have helped increase college-going rates and transfer rates among underrepresented and educationally disadvantaged students across the county.

Back to top

And another in this category:

Goal:  By the year 2010, more schools will have a pre-kindergarten program available for all children.

First 5 SEEDS Quality Coaches

To help close the achievement gap, 24 dedicated child care professionals are working hard to help Santa Cruz County children be school ready. The First 5 SEEDS Quality Coaches co-teach a 3 unit Cabrillo College early literacy course for child care providers, meet on-site with each of their students throughout the semester to incorporate new knowledge into the work environment, set goals, assess literacy activities and environments and support the teachers’ learning. Young children across the county are making great gains because of their dedication.

Back to top

Health

By the year 2010, Santa Cruz County residents will have improved access to primary, specialty and emergency medical services.  Appropriate planning and training will have been accomplished for medical response to disasters.

Dr. Anthony Musielewicz , MD, Chief Physician of Dominican Hospital’s Emergency Department and Dr. Bernie Clum, MD, Chief Physician of Watsonville Community Hospital’s Emergency Department

Emergency departments frequently have had very long waiting times, and are so crowded that they had to “close” due to the fact that they could accommodate no more patients. Through the leadership efforts of these two hospitals, their staffs and Dr. Musielewicz and Dr. Clum, the challenge of reducing the diversion rate was taken on. Through their diligent efforts, these rates have been significantly reduced; dropping from an average of 80 diversions per month in 2006 to just 33 per month in 2007; this means that county residents needing emergency services can have access to care close to their homes and families. As heads of the Emergency Departments of Dominican and Watsonville Community Hospitals, we congratulate Dr. Musielewicz and Dr. Clum for their hard work towards achieving success in this important goal area.

Back to top

And another in this category:

By the year 2010, 80% of healthcare providers will use Health Information Technology to improve patient safety, enhance healthcare systems efficiency, and provide community-wide secure health data to improve population health for Santa Cruz County residents.

Dr. Michele Violich, MD, Medical Director of Watsonville Health Center

Dr. Violich is a practicing physician and the Medical Director of the Watsonville Health Center, and also a member of the Board of Directors of the Pajaro Valley Community Health Trust. She has lived and worked in the Watsonville area for over 10 years. Dr. Violich she has been an advocate for the implementation and successful adoption of EpicCare, an electronic health record which has greatly improved patient care and safety at the County Clinics. Over the last 4 years, she has devoted for than 20 hours a month working with OCHIN, a collaborative of other community health centers in Oregon and California, first on the EpicCare Core Design Team and now on the Clinical Oversight Group which continues to improve the effectiveness of EpicCare. As a result of Dr. Violich’s leadership and hard work, the Santa Cruz County Clinics were among the first safety net providers in California to implement an electronic health record.

Back to top

And another in this category:

By the year 2010, 50% of Santa Cruz County residents age 19 and older will report having their end-of-life wishes for medical treatment in a written document.

Hospice of Santa Cruz County

Since 2006, in collaboration with the Santa Cruz County End of Life Coalition and the Health Improvement Partnership, Hospice has been working to raise awareness regarding the need for advanced care planning through the Make Your Wishes Known Initiative.  Through outreach efforts with doctor’s offices, information regarding advanced directives is being made available to the community and thus creating opportunities for strides towards achieving this important CAP goal. In addition to these efforts, 2008 marked the 30th anniversary of Hospice of Santa Cruz County, making it both the oldest as well as the only non-profit hospice in the county. Hospice has played a pivotal role in our county, providing great comfort and support for all types of patients and families in a difficult period of life. Their service reassures confidence and competence in the care of a loved one and their compassion is deep and real.

Back to top

And another in this category:

By the year 2010, the prevalence of childhood obesity in Santa Cruz County will be reduced by 5%.

Dr. Salem Magarian, MD, Medical Director of Dominican Hospital’s Pediatric Clinic

As the founder of the Dominican Pediatric Clinic, a First 5 Commissioner and leader in the Health Improvement Partnership and Go for Health!, Dr. Magarian spends each and every day making sure that medical providers have essential resources to provide high quality services for children. Dr. Magarian has brought a number of physician experts to our community to educate all members of the health care team on the importance of measurement, motivational interviewing, patient and family self-management and evidence-based patient education.  Under the auspices of Go for Health!, the Santa Cruz County coalition working to decrease childhood overweight, he has raised awareness among physicians and other health care providers on the key role health care professionals need to play in these efforts.

Back to top

Natural Environment

By the year 2010, the health of rivers and the ocean is improved by reducing erosion, reducing pollution and increasing summer stream flows.

Dr. Gary Griggs, PhD, Director of the Institute for Marine Sciences at UC Santa Cruz

Dr. Gary Griggs has been the Insitute for Marine Sciences’ Director since 1991. Gary’s research and teaching are focused on the coast of California and ranges from coastal evolution and development, through shoreline processes, coastal engineering and coastal hazards. Gary has the persistence and wisdom of 40 years of work on this subject. He has a passion for developing the connection between sensible use of land and resources with an equal if not stronger sense for the effects of land use on the ocean and coastal environment. Gary communicates the fragility of our environment is practical and down to earth manner, using both science and objective data to convey solid, well-founded conclusions that he presents in a very effective and memorable way. He currently serves on the Science Advisory Committee for Save Our Shores and has co-authored several books including: Living with the Changing California Coast and The Santa Cruz Coast: Then and Now.

Back to top

And another in this category:

By the hear 2010, single-passenger auto use is reduced by improving cyclist safety, increasing miles of bike lanes and increasing use of public transportation.

Micah Posner, Director of People Power

Micah Posner and People Power have been working to improve bicycle access and safety in the community since the organization’s inception in 1991. People Power has also begun to couple this work with issues around urban planning and how our communities are built, in their efforts towards achieving their mission of promoting the use of non-motorized transportation and better alternatives to automobiles.  In addition to the work of People Power, in 1994 Micah co-founded PedEx (Peddler’s Express) which is a human powered delivery service offering competitive rates and reliable service throughout the county. On behalf of these organizations and other projects, such as Friends of the Rail Trail, Micah has played a critical role in influencing the conversation around alternative transportation in our county.

Back to top

Public Safety

By the year 2010, crime with in Santa Cruz County will continue to decrease and residents will have increased confidence in their personal safety at home and in the community.

Animal Evacuation Team leaders during the recent wildfires including: Lyn Hood of the Santa Cruz County Equine Evacuation Unit; Kristi Locatelli and Mary Sullivan-White of the Santa Cruz County Horsemen’s Association and Todd Stosuy of Santa Cruz County Animal Services.

The strong leadership and commitment of these four individuals was above and beyond the call of duty. As a result of their efforts, about 875 animals in Santa Cruz County were evacuated – approximately 550 horses and other livestock and about 325 domestic animals.

Lyn Hood was the ‘Core of Coordination’ between the Equine Evacuation Unit, Animal Services, the Horsemen’s Association, emergency personnel, volunteers, and those who needed their livestock evacuated during the County’s fires.  She juggled between emergency phone lines, her cell phone, the computer, and her email for countless hours at the Office of Emergency Services Center. Lyn’s command presence, leadership qualities, organizational skills and notable capacity to prioritize, and to facilitate and perform under emergency conditions was paramount to the County’s successful efforts in assisting the horse community.               

Kristi Locatelli, president of the Santa Cruz County Horsemen’s Association and owner of Zayante Creek Equestrian Center was absolutely unflappable and extremely skilled in handling horses during these emergency situations. Kristi was calm, patient and steady in these often volatile situations, respecting the animals and knowing how to treat them with their best interests at heart.

Mary Sullivan-White, a member of the Santa Cruz County Horsemen’s Association, became the “go-to” person during the recent fires; she conducted intake of the nervous horses as well as organizing temporary stalls for about 300 horses and other assorted livestock. Her personal knowledge of the horse community and her experience in handling horses at a veterinary clinic was invaluable time and again.

Officer Todd Stosuy of the Santa Cruz County Animal Services Authority, he served as Incident Commander during the recent fires, coordinating the deployment of trailers. His hard work, compassion, courage and love for the job are to be acknowledged. He enforces humane laws, proactively creates programs in education and humane treatment of all animals. He is largely responsible for creating a new paradigm where animal rescue is performed hand in hand with the rescue of people.

Back to top

Another winner in this category:

By the year 2010, children in Santa Cruz County will live in safer families and community.

Larry Markey, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) volunteer

For the past three years, Larry Markey has served as a dedicated CASA Advocate to numerous children in the county’s dependency system. Larry is the person who always volunteers to help with events, which can always be counted on to do an errand, fill in at the last moment, come up with an idea or find a solution. He speaks frequently at CASA orientations, introducing community members to the CASA program through his own personal experiences. Larry brings to his volunteer service not only deep compassion but a very keen ability to seek out facts, assess complicated situations, work with a variety of sometimes difficult people, coordinate resources through many agencies, and remain calm and supportive even in the face of great challenges. He is incredibly perceptive about the ways in which he can serve a child best, respecting the child, giving him or her time to adapt to having an Advocate, quietly building trust and ultimately, bringing warmth, generosity and boundless fun and energy into the child’s life.

Back to top

Social Environment

By the year 2010, more people will be educated and engaged in activities that strengthen our community.

Carmen Perez

Carmen Perez is the assistant basketball coach at Pajaro Valley High School where she is teaching her students that hard work and strong desire can take you a long way; that their greatest dreams are possible. She is a both a great friend as well as an inspiring coach, mentor and role model. She has made the court a place where there are no problems for the girls, a place where they are free of stress to play the game they love and most importantly, have fun while doing it. In addition to the impact that Carmen has made in this respect, she is also serving her community as a Probation officer, a founding member of the Girls Task Force, a board member for Barrios Unidos, working for an organization called The Gathering for Justice and as a commissioner for the Santa Cruz County Latino Affairs Commission

Back to top

Another winner in this category:

By the year 2010, families and children will have access to the information, resources and support they need to succeed.

Henry Carter, Exchange Club

One of the founding members of the Exchange Club of Santa Cruz County, Henry Carter has been an inspiration in communicating the value of the Exchange Club to many notable people in our city. The Exchange Club is an all-volunteer service organization for men and women to serve their community, develop leadership skills and to develop friendships. A natural leader, as president of the club, Henry developed a core of inspired volunteers to participate in many activities within our first year of membership. He bolsters their confidence and helps them recognize that they have valuable qualities. Henry’s enthusiasm and leadership has spurred the club on to many accomplishments over the past year. 

Back to top

Another winner in this category:

By the year 2010, all people in Santa Cruz County will have a way to meet their basic needs for food, housing, healthcare, childcare and transportation.

Rachael Spencer & Peggy Downes Baskin, WES

The dynamic duo of Rachael Spencer and Peggy Downes Baskin have put their hearts and their philanthropy solidly behind helping women stay in school at Cabrillo College, ensuring that they will be well prepared for further education at four-year colleges. In 1997, Rachael and Peggy instituted the Women’s Educational Success (WES) program, a special financial aid program funded by private donations to the Cabrillo College Foundation, as a way to encourage and support women with a strong commitment to succeed in college. Many recipients of the program are single mothers with very limited resources. The program was set up with the priority of quickly meeting the immediate, emergent needs of women; awarding grants within twenty four hours of the request. The grants cover unexpected expenses such as the replacement of a stolen school book; materials needed for a class, eye glasses, or a bus pass, which can be the difference between staying in school or dropping out. More than a decade later the program has grown; giving out $20,000 annually in emergency funding. Cumulatively, as of June 2008, a total of $110,000 has been given out to over 500 women. The financial support aside, these women, who often feel like the road to receive a college education is unbearably long and difficult, really appreciate the vote of support that comes along with the emergency funding. The boost that it gives to their self-esteem is often as valuable as the funding support. To the many women whose lives are touched each year by the WES program, Rachael and Peggy truly are heroes

Back to top

Another winner in this category:

By the year 2010, Santa Cruz County residents with disabilities will be able to obtain services needed to support increasing options, pursue goals and participate in community life at levels consistent with their ability.

Dana Cox, RN

Back to top

Community Heroes 1996-2007