SUICIDE PREVENTION RESOURCE FAIRS
SOLEDAD — September is National Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month, and Suicide Prevention Service, a program of Family Service Agency of the Central Coast, is partnering with Hartnell College, Monterey County Behavioral Health and Community Human Services to host two Together for Hope: Monterey County Suicide Prevention Resource Fairs this September. These free, public events will bring together community organizations, educators and residents to share resources, raise awareness, and inspire hope. Attendees will find raffles, informative presentations, refreshments and resource tables from local agencies dedicated to mental health and wellness. The first fair takes place at Hartnell’s Soledad Education Center, 1505 Metz Road in Soledad, on Friday, Sept. 5, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the second fair will be at Hartnell’s Main Campus, Building C, 411 Central Ave. in Salinas, on Wednesday, Sept. 10, also from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
SPCA CAMPS
MONTEREY COUNTY — SPCA Monterey County is now accepting registration for its new series of One-Day Camps, held on Saturdays and during school breaks. These camps, hosted at the SPCA’s recently renovated Claire Jacobson Learning Center, focus on teaching children kindness and compassion toward animals. Upcoming camps include such themes as Canine Companions (Sept. 27), Boo-tiful Bats (Oct. 25), Feline Friends (Nov. 15), Happy Howlidays & Winter Whiskers (Dec. 13), Jr. Vet Day Camp (Jan. 3), Pawsome Valentines Day (Feb. 14), Spring 3-Day Camp (March 23-25) and Hay Day Camp (April 18). Activities feature lessons on animal safety, handling, crafts, animal hikes and interaction with rescued wildlife, horses and barn pets. Kids will also create pet toys and treats, participate in animal trivia and learn about wildlife conservation. To register, visit spcamc.org/camp.
RELAY TEAM FUNDRAISER
GONZALES — City of Gonzales is partnering with the American Cancer Society to host a team for this year’s Salinas Valley Relay for Life, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Salinas City Center. The event honors cancer survivors and remembers loved ones lost. Community members are encouraged to join the team, make a donation or register for the relay by visiting the website main.acsevents.org/goto/cityofgonzales. Proceeds from the event benefit the American Cancer Society. For more information, contact 831-675-4206.
BONUS BRIEF: EARTHQUAKE GRANTS
CALIFORNIA — California Residential Mitigation Program (CRMP) has announced a second registration period for the 2025 Earthquake Brace + Bolt (EBB) grant program, running from Aug. 20 to Oct. 1. Homeowners in over 1,100 ZIP codes, including the Monterey-Salinas region, can apply for up to $3,000 to retrofit their homes for seismic safety. For the first time, the program now includes rental properties, allowing landlords to apply, with additional supplemental grants of up to $7,000 available for income-eligible households. Since 2013, the program has supported over 32,500 homeowners in strengthening their homes against earthquakes, aiming to improve safety across California’s aging housing stock. Applications can be submitted at EarthquakeBraceBolt.com. The initiative responds to high demand, with nearly 19,000 applications during the January 2025 registration period.
