City of Salinas, California sent this bulletin at 06/23/2025 10:00 AM PDT
Welcome to our CASP Digest June 23, 2025
NEXT CASP MEETING
Join us for our next CASP meeting on Wednesday July 2, 2025 at 10:00 AM. This meeting will be virtual via Zoom. We will have a presentation from Veronica Rios from the Monterey County District Attorney's Office.
Join the Planning Committee for Our Upcoming CASP Events!
We're gearing up for exciting projects, and we're putting together two incredible teams to bring them to life. This is your chance to be part of the behind-the-scenes magic that makes our events unforgettable.
The planning committees will take the lead on organizing, brainstorming, and shaping the experience for the 2025 March for Peace and/or The Laurel Town Homes Project (Acosta Plaza). From logistics to creative touches, your ideas and energy will make a real impact.
Our first committee meetings are just two weeks away, if you would like to help drive the vision forward, please reach out to Brisa Salcedo at brisas@ci.salinas.ca.us by July 7, 2025.
March for Peace: July 8, 2025, Via Zoom at 11:00am.
Laurel Town Homes Project (Acosta Plaza): July 9, 2025, Via Zoom at 11:00am.
Let’s make something amazing happen!
CASP Awards Recap Video
Check out this outstanding video created by Alvaro "Coach Al" Venegas and his team at Man 0n A Missi0n, highlighting the 2025 Community Alliance for Safety and Peace (CASP) Awards!
Coach Al served as our inspiring keynote speaker, helping us celebrate the incredible contributions of Dawn Allen, Melissa Edwards, Zacil Pech Hernandez, and Julia Muruato.
Thank you to Coach Al and his team for the uplifting and empowering speech and for creating a video that captures the heart of the 2025 CASP Awards. It’s a meaningful way for us to remember and reflect on this special event.
My Life Story Conference - Google Drive Pictures Folder. June 13, 2025
If you have trouble accessing the presentations, please email brisas@ci.salinas.ca.us for a PDF copy.
Shining in Our Community
6th ANNUAL MY LIFE STORY CONFERENCE
On June 13, CASP, in partnership with 12 dedicated organizations, proudly hosted the 6th Annual My Life Story (MLS) Conference, a transformative, all-day event centered around justice-impacted youth and their families. Held this year in Soledad, the conference brought together service providers, government workers, and law enforcement officers to hear directly from the voices that matter most: the youth themselves.
Throughout the day, powerful stories unfolded from young people connected to organizations such as Seaside Youth Center, Partners for Peace, Sun Street Centers, and California Youth Outreach. Their experiences challenged perceptions, broke down barriers, and reminded everyone in the room why this work matters so deeply.
The conference was not only about dialogue; it was a celebration of resilience and culture. Jose A. Moran delivered a heartfelt poem reflecting on the tragic loss of a Boys and Girls Club member to violence, while Arcoiris Cultural, a vibrant Ballet Folklórico group from Greenfield, brought color, movement, and pride to the stage. Youth artist Edward Cholula-Rivera translated the stories he heard into art, creating three original pieces during the event, each one capturing the raw emotion and hope shared throughout the day.
Guiding us through the day was our youth Master of Ceremonies, Giovanny, a proud member of the Soledad Youth Council. We were also honored to hear from Mayor Anna Velazquez, who opened the conference with powerful words of inspiration and presented CASP with a formal recognition for bringing the MLS Conference to Soledad.
The keynote speaker, Zacil Pech Hernandez, shared a deeply moving story of transformation. Once at risk of entering probation, she is now a peer mentor and role model. Zacil’s journey is a testament to the conference’s long-lasting impact. After sharing that her family was currently facing housing challenges, a representative from CHISPA, who was in the audience, immediately stepped in to offer support and guidance, an unforgettable moment that exemplified the power of connection and community.
"for me, this is what healing looks like, being able to share your story with others so everyone realizes that there's always a second chance" — James Davis
Everyone walked away from the MLS Conference not only informed, but recharged, with a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper commitment to violence prevention work in our communities.
A heartfelt THANK YOU to the incredible planning committee. This event was only possible because of your dedication, collaboration, and passion. The overwhelming success of the 6th Annual MLS Conference belongs to all of you.
Together, we are building safer, more compassionate communities, one story at a time.
Looking Ahead
Mark your calendars! Here are the upcoming meeting dates.
July 2, 2025 (Virtual): Monterey County District Attorney's Office July 16, 2025 (In-person): MCOE Community Schools August 6, 2025 (Virtual): Monterey County
CASP Strategic Plan on Violence Prevention
Click on the image below to view our digital flip e-zine of our Comprehensive Strategic Plan to Prevent and Reduce Violence.
Announcements
Cal Wellness is launching the Be Well, Lead Well Sabbatical Award Program, offering up to eight $60,000 grants to nonprofit health equity organizations in California. The program provides senior leaders the opportunity to take restorative sabbaticals, ensuring their teams continue to operate at a high level during their absence. This initiative is designed to promote rest and rejuvenation for leaders, while also supporting the ongoing health and performance of the organization.
Program Highlights:
Grant Amount: Up to $60,000 per organization
At least $45,000 for the leader’s sabbatical (salary/expenses)
Up to $15,000 for professional development for staff and interim leadership
Eligibility:
Nonprofit health organizations based in California
Serving historically underserved communities (e.g., low-income, people of color, rural areas)
Senior leader with at least 5 years of experience in a leadership role
Full-time and committed to staying for 2-3 more years
Application Period: April 28, 2025 – June 20, 2025 (11:59 p.m. PDT)
Key Dates:
Application Deadline: June 20, 2025, 11:59 p.m. PDT
The City of Salinas will only accept applications for job postings that are currently open. To view a listing of our current employment opportunities and apply for positions, please visit our Government Jobs career page.
We're thrilled to announce that First 5 Monterey County is seeking a Finance & Grants Manager to join our team! Please share this news with anyone who you think may be interested.
First 5 Monterey County enriches the lives of children and families by elevating early childhood as a priority, strengthening connections, and advancing quality within a whole system of care and support.
The Finance & Grants Manager role supports F5MC by overseeing day-to-day financial activity, maintaining accurate financial records, and ensuring compliance with financial policies and regulations. The position requires significant financial and accounting skills and experience. This role plays a vital part in managing grants, budgets, contracts, and financial reporting under the direction of the Director of Finance while working closely with internal teams.
By contributing to the Community Alliance for Safety and Peace, you're helping build a safer and stronger community for everyone. All funds will be used for upcoming CASP events and activities, including the CASP Awards, March for Peace, My Life Story Conference, community outreach, and more!
