WATSONVILLE >> Santa Cruz County officials say they’ve put their money where their mouth is when it comes to protecting local communities targeted by the Donald Trump administration.

In February, the county Board of Supervisors agreed to carve out $200,000 from its general fund budget in order to quickly funnel it to efforts and organizations that provide undocumented immigrants and LGBTQ+ people with legal and supportive services. At a press event held Wednesday outside the county’s Behavioral Health Division office in Watsonville, county officials announced they had found a home for those freed-up funds.

“This is a message to our community that we have your back,” said 5th District Santa Cruz County Supervisor Monica Martinez, the first openly LGBTQ+ person elected to the powerful county governing body. “We cannot allow our community to be driven back into the shadows.”

When it comes to the $100,000 for immigrant services, the county shared that Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey and Community Action Board each received $25,000 of the funding while the Watsonville Law Center was provided $50,000.The other $100,000 was granted to four organizations that provide LGBTQ+ support services: $75,000 for the Diversity Center, $10,000 for Gay-Straight Alliances, $10,000 for the Queer Youth Task Force of Santa Cruz County and $5,000 for TransFamilies of Santa Cruz County.

“Immigration is not just a moral issue. It’s an investment in our shared future in the county and in the community,” said county Board of Supervisors Chair Felipe Hernandez. “By ensuring all residents have an opportunity to succeed, we strengthen our local economy, enhance our cultural diversity and build a more just society.”

Watsonville Law Center Executive Director Adriana Melgoza said her organization, which will be celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, serves about 2,500 to 3,000 low-income local families annually.

“With this funding, we’re able to continue our outreach, offer legal consultations, host essential workshops and ensure that those who are most vulnerable in our community have access to the legal resources and protections they deserve,” said Melgoza. “Immigrants are a major force in our community and economy. Your resilience, strength and dedication makes Santa Cruz County a better place for all. We are honored to stand with you and to continue to work together to create a future that uplifts and protects every member of our community.”

Since President Donald Trump took office for his second term in January, Melgoza said many within the immigrant community were initially gripped by uncertainty and fear. But with help from groups such as the Watsonville Law Center, that trepidation was transformed into action and now Melgoza and her colleagues are experiencing a growing number of residents trying to learn more about the rights they are entitled to.

“We don’t want them to go into the shadows, we don’t want them to withdraw from services,” added Melgoza.

A similar story has played out for the county’s LGBTQ+ community. Martinez said that in the aftermath of a flood of executive orders and federal actions targeting LGBTQ+ programs and services across the country, it’s important for local government and nonprofits to step in and fill the financial gap as much as possible.

“These funds are just a drop in the bucket considering what is ultimately needed,” said Martinez, “but I am confident that they will be put to good use as we continue to seek out additional ways to support our LGBTQ+ family.”

Izabella, 18, a local student and member of the Queer Youth Task Force, said the $10,000 will help connect LGBTQ+ leaders and clubs from across the county by providing basic transportation services, student-led workshops and accessible leadership opportunities.

“This is an opportunity for queer youth across the county to connect with each other and build community and lifelong friendships,” said Izabella. “I have been able to meet so many amazing people through the programs that I otherwise wouldn’t have been able to meet. I wish for the younger generations of queer youth to experience the same meaningful connections.”

The grant allocations come a month after the board unanimously agreed to make the funding available at its Feb. 25 meeting. That action was also a follow up to largely symbolic resolutions adopted by the board in December and January, where it declared Santa Cruz a sanctuary county and reaffirmed its support for LGBTQ+ residents.

Several more county officials spoke at the news conference, including Human Services Department Director Randy Morris and Health Service Agency Director Mónica Morales. The local health care leaders said they were glad to see the county funds make their way to community-serving groups, but both delivered sobering messages about the immense fallout expected from actions and policies carried out by the Trump administration.

“These grants are an investment that will help us prevent devastating consequences in our county, and I really mean that,” said Morales. “The policies that we’re listening to, that we’re hearing, that are coming from the federal government, will really have impactful consequences to families.”