Your Gift Goes Directly to Families—Quickly and Responsibly

When families in Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Benito Counties lose a loved one to immigration detention, the crisis is immediate. Rent is due. Groceries run out. Children are left scared and uncertain.

Puentes Para Familias exists so the community can respond together.

This program began with $10,000 in seed funding from a local foundation that stepped forward in response to rising fear in our region. That early support helped Community Bridges build a trusted, rapid-response fund so that when families need help, they don’t have to wait.
When you give, your donation is put to work right away:

• 100% of funds support families in crisis—not overhead or unrelated programs
• Assistance is capped at $2,500 per family, ensuring help is shared fairly and reaches as many households as possible
• Funds cover only urgent, life-stabilizing needs like rent, utilities, bond, childcare, or groceries

How We Prioritize Support

Because need is urgent and resources are limited, Puentes Para Familias focuses assistance where it can make the greatest, most immediate difference. Every request is reviewed by trained Community Bridges staff using clear, consistent criteria.

We prioritize families who:

• Have children or dependent adults in the home
• Lost their primary wage earner or caregiver due to detention
• Are facing immediate housing instability, such as eviction or utility shutoff
• Do not yet have legal representation
• Have an upcoming court date within 30 days
• Are experiencing a critical financial gap where timely assistance can stabilize the household
• Live or work in Santa Cruz, Monterey, or San Benito Counties
• Have very low income and limited assets, with priority given to the most economically vulnerable

Why You Can Give with Confidence

Community Bridges has deep roots in this community and decades of experience delivering emergency assistance with care and accountability. We track every dollar and make thoughtful decisions, so your generosity has immediate, meaningful impact.

Families don’t have time to navigate red tape. They need their community to show up.

Your donation is more than a gift. It’s stability. It’s dignity. It’s a reminder that families in our region are not alone.

Give today and help keep families whole.