City Of Santa Cruz: Santa Cruz Hosts Parking For Hope Program Dec. 18-25

Santa Cruz CA

15 December, 2021

11:55 AM

Description

Press release from the City of Santa Cruz: 12/14/2021 9:00 AM FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   Dec. 14, 2021   Contact: Janice Bisgaard, Community Relations Specialist, (831) 420-5166    SANTA CRUZ, Calif. — The City of Santa Cruz in partnership with the Downtown Association of Santa Cruz will host the eighth annual Parking for Hope downtown holiday parking program from Saturday, Dec. 18, through Saturday, Dec. 25. The proceeds from street meters during these eight days will be donated to Hope Services, a local nonprofit, while the usual parking rates will apply. Hope Services has helped to keep Pacific Avenue and other downtown Santa Cruz streets clean for 23 years while providing training and support services to adults with developmental disabilities. The nonprofit's Downtown Litter Abatement Crew employs six part-time workers including Sara who has worked for Hope Services for nine years. "I like being outdoors, cleaning, making money and feeling like a part of Santa Cruz," said Sara. "I enjoy the familiar faces of shoppers and business owners we have come to know while making our rounds." Another member of the crew, Aaron, lost his previous employment because of the pandemic. "I feel lucky to be working now," said Aaron. "Without this job, I don't know what I would do." To date, Parking for Hope has generated a total of $202,525 in funds that support the Downtown Litter Abatement Crew at Hope Services. Downtown street parking meters are now posted with placards describing Parking for Hope. For the seventh consecutive year, Parkmobile pay-by-phone parking fees of 35 cents per transaction will also be donated as part of the contribution to Hope Services for the eight program days. More City of Santa Cruz parking information is available at www.cityofsantacruz.com/parkingservices.   ### This press release was produced by the City of Santa Cruz. The views expressed here are the author's own.