Pajaro Valley Shelter Services

10/31/2026

🍂 Nothing Spooky Here! 📆Pajaro Valley Shelter Services was officially founded on October 31, 1983! 🥳✨

We are reflecting on 43 years of hope and transformation. What started as a 4 week Family Emergency Shelter has grown into a life-changing mission, helping families achieve stable, self-sufficient futures through programs and supportive services. PVSS Family Emergency Shelter is now a 6 month program and our extended programs and services now include 1 year and 2 year transitional housing plus long term housing.

Our journey began with Sister Marie Veronica Wagner, Sister Susan Olson, Sister AV Coyle and the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur who served as the catalyst for our founding. Alongside Catholic Social Charities, the Red Cross, Holy Eucharist Catholic Community, and County Health and Human Services, they saw a critical need in Pajaro Valley and took action.

Over the last four decades, that initial spark has evolved into:
🏡 Transitional and long term supportive housing
💙 Programs centered on self-empowerment, dignity, and trauma-informed care
🔑 Helping 41 families (and counting!) successfully transition into purchasing their very own homes.

We are profoundly grateful to our founders, our dedicated staff, our volunteers, and our community who have supported us for 43 years. 🫱🏽‍🫲🏽

www.pvshelter.org

10/29/2026

10/28/2026

Building a stable future starts with the right tools! 🛠️✨
A huge thank you to our incredible community partners at the Santa Cruz Community Credit Union for leading this class for PVSS participants. Taught by SCCCU Laura-Monique Brown Owen and translated by Adrian Ayala - Understanding interest rates, credit scores, and how to borrow safely is a game-changer when navigating these systems.

When your generosity gives our families the knowledge to make informed financial choices, the path to long-term housing and sustainable finances becomes so much clearer. 📈🏡

10/26/2026

So much gratitude to our sponsors for their continued support in making our Annual Shelter to Home Fall Giving Dinner possible! Thank you for standing alongside us and making a lasting impact! 💙

We appreciate our supporting partner Granite Construction!

10/19/2026

Our heartfelt thanks to our amazing sponsors for their generosity in making our Annual Shelter to Home Fall Giving Dinner possible! We truly couldn't do it without their support.

We appreciate for their long time support of PVSS!

10/15/2026

🎨✨ WE ARE INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL FOR THE CONTINUED SUPPORT OF MILPAS! ✨🎨
This week, Pajaro Valley Shelter Services (PVSS) participants came together for an art workshop hosted by MILPAS Programs and Leadership Coordinator, Bernie Gomez.

The workshop was a beautiful, family-friendly exploration of cultural representation and self-expression in commemoration of this Fall's holiday season and Día de los Mu***os. And for the kids, it was simply good ol' art fun! 🖌️

"We remember the past and think about what we want to shed moving forward with an emphasis of what we will be cultivating into our future. One step at a time."
— Bernie Gomez, MILPA Collective Programs and Leadership Coordinator

Thank you, MILPAS, for bringing our community together through creativity, healing, and meaningful connection! 🧡🌾
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🎨✨ ¡ESTAMOS INCREÍBLEMENTE AGRADECIDOS POR EL APOYO CONTINUO DE MILPAS! ✨🎨

Esta semana, los participantes de Pajaro Valley Shelter Services (PVSS) se reunieron en un taller de arte organizado por Bernie Gomez, Coordinador de Programas y Liderazgo de MILPA Collective.

El taller fue una hermosa exploración para toda la familia sobre la representación cultural y la expresión personal en conmemoración de las fiestas de otoño y el Día de los Mu***os. ¡Y para los niños fue simplemente buena y sana diversión artística! 🖌️

"Recordamos el pasado y pensamos en lo que queremos soltar al avanzar, con un énfasis en lo que cultivaremos en nuestro futuro. Un paso a la vez".
— Bernie Gomez, Coordinador de Programas y Liderazgo de MILPA Collective
¡Gracias, MILPAS, por unir a nuestra comunidad a través de la creatividad, la sanación y una conexión tan significativa! 🧡🌾

***os

10/12/2026

Building healthy self-esteem gives our kids the foundation they need to thrive! 🌱
This month, Pajaro Valley Shelter Services participants joined presenter Lidia Montesino for an impactful Triple P - Positive Parenting Program session: Encouraging Your Child's Self-Esteem.

Taught in both English and Spanish, this October workshop covers:
💠 Why healthy self-esteem matters for children
💠 Practical ways to encourage self-esteem at home
💠 Tools to help your child cope with big feelings and problem solve

We are incredibly grateful to host these programs at PVSS. A huge thank you to our amazing partners who make this possible: Community Bridges / Puentes de la Comunidad (), First 5 Santa Cruz County, Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency, and the Santa Cruz County Human Services Department.

Together, we are making a real difference for local families! 🫱🏽‍🫲🏽✨
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¡Desarrollar una autoestima saludable les brinda a nuestros hijos la base que necesitan para prosperar! 🌱

Este mes, los participantes de Pajaro Valley Shelter Services se unieron a la presentadora Lidia Montesino en una impactante sesión del Programa de Crianza Positiva Triple P: Cómo fomentar la autoestima de su hijo.
Impartido tanto en inglés como en español, este taller de octubre cubre:

💠 Por qué una autoestima saludable es importante para los niños
💠 Formas prácticas de fomentar la autoestima en el hogar
💠 Herramientas para ayudar a su hijo a lidiar con las emociones fuertes y a resolver problemas

Estamos increíblemente agradecidos de organizar estos programas en PVSS. Un enorme agradecimiento a nuestros maravillosos socios que hacen esto posible: Community Bridges / Puentes De La Comunidad - Vista Community Resources, First 5 Santa Cruz County, la Agencia de Servicios de Salud del Condado de Santa Cruz y el Departamento de Servicios Humanos del Condado de Santa Cruz.

¡Juntos estamos marcando una verdadera diferencia para las familias locales! 🫱🏽‍🫲🏽✨

10/06/2026

🎃 Celebrating milestones and building foundations! 🏡
We are so proud of our participants who recently completed the Hope & Home Tenant Education Program! This month wrapped up a 12-part series designed to empower families with the tools they need for long-term housing success.

Over the course of the program, participants learned about:
• Navigating the application process
• Understanding rental agreements
• Knowing their rights as renters
• Best practices for moving in and out
•What housing is best for them

These classes are a vital part of our 3 Pillars of Self-Sufficiency, helping families understand housing pathways and build a stronger foundation for the future.

To celebrate their hard work and certificates of completion just in time for the season, everyone decorated pumpkins! 🍁✨

Join us in congratulating our participants!

10/01/2026

Early Bird Registration Is Now Open for the 2027 Mother's Day Run & Walk💙. Our Annual Mother's Day Race started as a fun idea to help raise essential funds as we opened the first family shelter in Pajaro Valley back in 1983.

Now in its 43rd year, multi generations of women and families have continued the tradition by walking and running to support our programs and services.

🏅When you join our Mother's Day Run & Walk:
You support a mother finding a fresh start✨
You support a child having a warm bed
You support hope for families in crisis

Early Bird Registration Mother's Day Walk & Run
https://www.pvshelter.org/mdr

09/24/2026

🌊 Investing in our team to better serve our community.
Our PVSS team recently gathered at the beautiful Villa Maria Del Mar for an impactful staff retreat focused on growth, collaboration, and our shared mission.

This investment in professional development comes as we conclude our 2023–2026 Strategic Plan. As our Executive Director, Mike Johnson, noted in our recent newsletter:

"One of our highest priorities was investing in our staff, recognizing that exceptional services begin with exceptional people... Our current team is strong, engaged and passionate about our mission. These qualities allow for more consistent support and create an environment where families can thrive."

Thank you to our incredible team at Pajaro Valley Shelter Services, Villa Maria Del Mar for hosting us, Paula Harris with Greater Nonprofits for leading the workshop and to the committed donors and partners who make this vital work possible! 💙

Read more about PVSS in our latest newsletter https://www.pvshelter.org/post/summer-2026-newsletter?