Title
Approve expenditure of $45,000 to fund Ventures’ Alas Program, which assists Pajaro residents in building financial resilience, from District 2’s discretionary fund.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Approve expenditure of $45,000 to fund Ventures’ Alas Program, which assists Pajaro residents in building financial resilience, from District 2’s discretionary fund.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
If approved, the money will be spent on Ventures’ Alas Program.
The March 2023 Pajaro levee breach devastated an already vulnerable community, displacing families and disrupting livelihoods. Pajaro’s residents, predominantly rural, working-class Latinx individuals, face systemic challenges such as limited financial literacy, barriers to accessing banking and credit services, and precarious employment in seasonal industries like agriculture. Many families are unbanked or underbanked and struggle to navigate financial systems, leaving them ill-equipped to recover from economic shocks or natural disasters. The Pajaro community's resilience is further hindered by linguistic and educational barriers, with a significant portion of residents speaking indigenous languages or Spanish and having limited formal education. These challenges underscore the urgent need for targeted programs that build financial capability, economic security, and community preparedness.
Ventures’ Alas Program, part of the broader Familias con Más (FcM) program, directly addresses these critical needs by combining financial education, guaranteed income support, and economic development. The program will focus on equipping Pajaro residents with the tools to build financial resilience, enhance their economic prospects, and prepare for future challenges.
PUBLIC PURPOSE FINDINGS:
In approving this expenditure, the Board of Supervisors finds that the expenditure is for a public purpose and the transaction is not prohibited by Article XVI, Section 6 of the California Constitution. Any benefit to an individual is incidental to the significant public purpose identified in the description above.
FINANCING:
There is no impact to the General Fund.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This item administers grants pursuant to the Discretionary Fund Policy.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives
__Economic Development
X Administration
__Health & Human Services
__Infrastructure
__Public Safety
Prepared by: Supervisor Glenn Church, District 2
Approved by: Susan K. Blitch, County Counsel x5045
Attachments:
Ventures Grant Proposal - El Pajaro Community Cohort