City of Salinas, California sent this bulletin at 03/30/2026 10:18 AM PDT
CASP DIGEST - March 30, 2026
NEXT CASP MEETING
Join us for our next CASP meeting Wednesday, April 1st at 10:00 AM. This will be a virtual meeting on zoom. This meeting will feature a presentation from our partners at Kidpower.
CASP Awards 2026 Invitation
🎉We are pleased to invite you to the CASP Awards 2026, a special event recognizing outstanding achievements and celebrating the impact of our community. 🤍
Join us on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, from 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM at the Salinas PAL Youth Center (100 Howard St.) for a morning of recognition, inspiration, and celebration.
The CASP Awards honor individuals and organizations whose dedication and service make a meaningful difference. We hope you will join us as we acknowledge their contributions and celebrate the positive work happening throughout our community.
Don’t miss the celebration! Register using this google form to attend the awards and help us honor the incredible people and accomplishments that make our community shine.🎉
Meeting Zoom Link (first Wednesday of the month only)
Salinas Youth Lead Change Through Friday Night Live Council
Youth in Salinas are taking an active role in their community through the Friday Night Live Youth Council, which is a program focused on leadership and prevention. This program is designed to empower teens to lead and support their peers.
Throughout March 2026, local students gather at The Epicenter, which is a community youth center. Where weekly council meetings are held that are focused on prevention efforts. The program encourages young people to take an active role in addressing issues that impact their generation, including substance abuse and mental health. During these meetings, students engage in peer led discussions, collaborative activities, and planning sessions that include promoting healthy choices among local youth.
Programs like these are essential in providing positive outlets for teens. By encouraging peer mentorship and open conversations, this council helps build confidence and resilience. Salinas continues to invest in its future, by investing in our youth.
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.
See you all in the CASP Awards 2026!
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
Join Us as a Volunteer Judge for the 2026 State Speech & Debate Tournament!
The Monterey County Office of Education in hosting the Migrant State Speech & Debate Tournament on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Monterey High School. This inspiring event brings together 6th–12th grade students from across California to showcase their skills in public speaking, persuasion, and critical thinking. We are looking for volunteer judges to help make this day a success and provide a meaningful educational experience for our youth. No prior experience is required, as comprehensive training sessions will be provided in April. If you’re interested in empowering the next generation of leaders while connecting with our local community, please register in this google form or contact Esther Medina at emedina@montereycoe.org for more information"
This discretionary grant offers funding to help communities improve outcomes for youth returning from confinement. This program supports state, local governments, and federally recognized Tribal governments in working with community partners to provide reentry services and ongoing support before release and after youth return home.
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.
Salinas Recreation Superintendent Kristan Lundquist will temporarily take the lead for CASP with support from City Manager Rene Mendez, Admin Aide Brisa Salcedo and new part time Community Outreach Assistant Alyssa Lacalamita.
With sincere gratitude,
Jose Arreola OUTGOING Director, Community Alliance for Safety and Peace
CASP COMMITTEE
Board of Directors
The members elect the governing body of CASP.
When: Quarterly, the first Thursday of the month. February, May, August, and November.
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!
