Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County
Transforming our community and ourselves through volunteerism.
When people are connected to causes they care about and given the right tools and support, everything changes for good. Real connections power personal happiness, strong families, healthy businesses, and vibrant communities.
On May 20, 2025, 5 students from Watsonville High were awarded $1,000 Alicia Schoellhamer Memorial Scholarships. As a dedicated volunteer Alicia positively impacted the lives of thousands of community members in Watsonville. She volunteered with the Transportation Program, the Literacy Program, helped to start the Adopt a Family Project, and served on the board of directors as well.
“As far back as I can remember my mother worked to make the world around her a better place. She believed in looking at the community she was part of, seeing who needed help and what needed to be done, and then putting in the work needed to make it happen. For her it was as natural as breathing, and she continued to do it as long as she drew breath,” states Alicia’s son Paul Schoellhamer who has remained actively involved in the scholarship process since it’s inception.
“While the world is filled with wonderful volunteers, Alicia had the rare ability to make others feel like a better version of themselves. After she was diagnosed with cancer and went on chemotherapy, she was a lot weaker and we worried about her. She assured me that her work with the community in Watsonville didn’t tire her out but made her feel more alive. I have no doubt that it made those around her feel more alive as well,” states Alicia’s daughter in-law Kathleen Rose.
“Our family is proud to be part of the history of the Volunteer Center. For almost 60 years they have connected individuals like Alicia with meaningful opportunities to make our community more vibrant and generous. It is truly impressive,” states Rose.
“What began in 1990 as an idea to award one student $300 dollars has grown each year and provided more than $100,000 in scholarships to Watsonville youth who make service an important part of their lives” states Volunteer Center Executive Director Karen Delaney.
“The Schoellhamer family demonstrates you don’t have to be Bill Gates to be a philanthropist. These are stories of hope, determination and joy that need to be lifted up” continues Delaney. “As the Director for over 40 years I had the privilege of working with Alicia, then her kids who founded this effort, and now are engaging their kids to help manage the selection committee. Together, we’ve created a beautiful legacy of love for each other, for Watsonville and for volunteering.”
Financials
Programs
Adopt-A-Family
Each year the Volunteer Center partners with 32 local non-profits and social service agencies to meet the needs of local families struggling to make ends meet. Our partners provide us with a short bio about each family and a list of the items that each family member requests.
All of these families are struggling with special circumstances such as homelessness, displaced by natural disasters or floods, parents in recovery, parents or children with disabilities, victims of violent crime, families facing serious health challenges, or other hardships.
Adopt-a-Family Volunteers then set to work connecting families with donors who shop for them for the holidays. Requests include basic necessities like sheets, towels, or shoes along with special gift requests for the children.
Adopters provide families with holiday packages that include food gift certificates, clothing items, a gift for each child, and household items like blankets, towels, or sheets. Adopters will deliver these items to our warehouse during the designated drop-off days in December.
Literacy Program
Nearly every day someone reaches out to the Literacy Program to ask about learning English. Some want to get a job, advance their career, or to be able to talk with their child’s teacher. Our goal is to connect these motivated adults with a volunteer tutor.
Tutors impart more than English. They provide a wealth of information about how life works in Santa Cruz County. They may assist students in gaining the basic skills to go shopping, engage socially, navigate the local landscape, or they may provide insight about work norms. In addition, our tutors provide the basic training for students to further their education and to obtain citizenship.
Volunteering + Events
Friends of Pogonip
Volunteer to clean up Pogonip removing trash from trails.
Please wear hiking boots or sturdy shoes, layers for warm or cold weather and sunscreen. Volunteers will do lots of walking on the trails and some volunteers may use a wheelbarrow to remove larger items.
We meet at the gate at the end of Golf Club Drive at 10AM on the 3rd Wednesday of the month.
Volunteer and help us leave nature cleaner than we found it!
Literacy Program Orientation
Join the Literacy Program for a free 40-minute online orientation to learn more about becoming a tutor to a motivated adult learner. No teaching or foreign language skills are necessary, just a desire to be of service. We provide training and match you with the right student. Orientations will be held via Zoom. RSVP below & we will follow up with further instructions.
In Santa Cruz County, nearly 23% of households struggle with basic English literacy.
You can make a difference by becoming a volunteer literacy tutor! Tutoring is a deeply rewarding opportunity that helps individuals gain new skills, empowers families, and strengthens our community.