![]() “After the march, there are plans for this coalition to continue working together to think about how we can create more solutions and to be more effective than when we are working within our own organizations.” March to End Homelessness marchers receive a positive reaction from a Pacific Avenue eatery patron on Saturday. “For the trainees in our crew, who are here today, it’s really inspiring to see that the community cares so deeply, and who that community is and to be a part of it,” said Ganzhorn. Homeless Garden Project Executive Director Darrie Ganzhorn felt that the march and similar community gatherings such as the project’s upcoming Cesar Chavez Day of Service & Plant Sale serve as ways to unite differing perspectives to come up with real solutions. “Get in their face, but be civil about it.” “I believe that you should try to work with everybody because you’re better off when you’re as civil as you can be,” he said. Walking with Frances was Santa Cruz resident Michael Winn, who was skeptical of the outcomes of the march and some of the organizations involved, but came out to show his support for the homeless community nonetheless. If there’s a catastrophe or something unexpected happens like something goes wrong with your car, what do you do?” ![]() “Most of us are so close to homelessness. “It hurts my heart so much when I see my brothers and sisters suffering,” said Soquel resident and Omnifath Minister at Soul Sanctuary Esther Frances. Morning sunlight shines through Spring blossoms Saturday morning as the March to End Homelessness fills Pacific Avenue. The march was then led by the staff of Housing Matters down Pacific Avenue, where participants spoke to the Sentinel about their housing concerns and hopes for the march. “We need to make change and we need to make it now, not tomorrow, now.” “I pray that we can do better and give more housing to more people,” she said. The panel ended with a profound presentation by Mace Crowbear, Santa Cruz County Health Centers board member who grew up in an Indigenous community in Boulder Creek and has experienced bouts of homelessness throughout her life. Crowbear is part of a small indigenous community in Boulder Creek. Santa Cruz Community Health Centers board member Mace Crowbear brings her entire being to a native chant as she lends her voice to Saturday’s March to End Homelessness. The rally featured a panel of speakers that included Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley - whose speech was interrupted by hecklers, one shouting “Talk is cheap,” which the mayor agreed with - diversity, equity and inclusion coach and poet Diversity Guru, and Adult Services Director with Santa Cruz County Behavioral Health Services Karen Kern, who experienced homelessness in the past. I know a lot of people that are working and just live out of their cars because they can’t even find a room to rent that is affordable.” “I have a friend who works 40-plus hours a week and still can’t afford a place, so he lives out of his van. ![]() “I hope that the march energizes and educates the community to come together and come up with some really viable solutions to handling the very extreme housing crisis,” said Robbe. (Shmuel Thaler – Santa Cruz Sentinel)Īt the future site of the mixed-use library project, hundreds began to gather for the march including Jeff Robbe, who currently lives in one of the micro tiny homes devised by local photojournalist Alekz Londos and works at the Homeless Garden Project. I think we all agree that we want fewer people to experience homelessness in Santa Cruz County and in our country, and today is an opportunity for folks to get together and understand that we really are aligned in a common objective.” March to End Homelessness participants cast morning shadows on Saturday during the pre-march rally in downtown Santa Cruz. “What we want to do here is to bring the community together and have an opportunity to do some coalition building. “This is something that we have wanted to do for a long time,” said Kramer as community members began to gather at the rallying point on Cathcart and Cedar. ![]() SANTA CRUZ - Around 500 community members and activists rallied at Lot 4 in downtown Santa Cruz on a sunny Saturday morning for the March to End Homelessness, organized by local nonprofit Housing Matters, and led by Housing Matters CEO Phil Kramer. ![]()
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