Jóvenes Sanos, a youth program of United Way Santa Cruz County, is proud to host its 4th Annual Cultivating HOPE Youth Mental Wellness Conference, a full-day event planned by youth, for youth, dedicated to empowering young people, promoting mental wellness, and building resilience in the community. The conference will take place at Sequoia High School from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
For four years, Cultivating HOPE has provided a space for youth to come together to raise awareness about mental health, explore coping strategies, and foster hope in themselves and their peers. The conference brings together youth leaders, community partners, and mental health advocates for interactive workshops, peer-led dialogues, and resource booths.
"Cultivating Hope's meaning is in the name — it gathers hope in one place and explodes, giving those tiny hope particles to others around," said Giovanni Melgoza, a youth leader and program lead with Jóvenes Sanos. "Working on this year's Cultivating Hope, I’ve been eager to bring new ideas into the mix that express hope. These past years haven’t been the nicest to us, so it wouldn’t hurt to take a little break. Cultivating Hope brings that fresh air to an otherwise bleak situation, creating a space where hope is always the loudest thing in the room."
"For me, the conference is about showing youth that we put thoughtfulness and effort into every activity," shared Lourdes Lopez-Diaz, youth leader. "It’s a reminder that we all share value, journey, and complexity in life, and that mental health is more than the stigma people have normalized. Youth leave knowing they’re capable of cultivating hope within themselves."
Participants will engage in activities designed to reduce stress and strengthen mental well-being, including building supportive relationships, experiencing nature, physical activity, mindfulness practices, balanced nutrition, and access to mental healthcare resources.
The conference is supported by the Santa Cruz County Office of Education, in collaboration with local agencies including NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) and Living Evolution, as well as other community organizations dedicated to youth wellness.
The event is free and open to all youth in Santa Cruz County ages 13 to 18. For more information and to register, visit www.unitedwaysc.org.
About the United4Youth
To learn more about the transformational work being done by United Way and its United4Youth programs, visit the United Way website at www.unitedwaysc.org and subscribe to the United Way Newsletter.
Together, we are building a stronger community and a better future for our youth.
Together, we are #United4Youth.
About Jóvenes Sanos
Jóvenes Sanos is a youth-led initiative of United Way of Santa Cruz County that empowers young people to lead programs, advocate for mental health, and create safe spaces where youth voices are centered and celebrated.
Contact:
Pamela Velazquez, Director of Community Impact, United Way Santa Cruz County
pvelazquez@unitedwaysc.org