The Vista Center's most popular service is its low-vision clinic. An optometrist specializing in low vision care takes appointments with Santa Cruz County residents. In addition, the center helps with counseling and education for those who are visually impaired. A local woman works with the center to teach Braille. The center helps with mobility and independent living skills. In addition, a small store on-site offers a variety of necessities for those with limited vision. The store sells talking watches, oversize timers, large print address books and calendars, magnifying glasses and sunglasses that fit over prescription glasses.
Neary Lagoon is an interpretive park set in the midst of the urban watershed for the west side. Popular with families, the short walk through the lagoon on floating wooden decks is both easy and informative. All kinds of flora and fauna can be found here, and there are plenty of descriptive signs along the way to tell you what you are seeing -- waterfowl like mallard and wood ducks, pied billed grebes, a multitude of coots, the world's meanest geese and the occasional great blue heron or hawk. There is also a small playground, tennis courts and some picnic areas.
The Santa Cruz SPCA is a vital location for getting answers to pet inquiries for adoptions, donations, programs and resources in addition to assistance in education, news, events and more. Its website provides information on adoptions, volunteering, bequests and more.
Chabad by the Sea is Santa Cruz's center for the Chabad-Lubovich movement. Chabad-Lubovich is the largest Hasidic Jewish movement in the world. Chabad by the Sea is led by Rabbi Yochman and Bailey Friedman.
International Health Programs has operated a training center in Santa Cruz since the early 1970s. The organization's training programs address critical health issues across the globe. More than 6,300 people have received training in a plethora of languages, including English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Arabic and Russian. Currently, IHP's primary collaborators include UC-Berkeley, UC-San Francisco and several Planned Parenthood affiliates.
Seymour Center at Long Marine Lab is a working marine laboratory featuring tours with exhibit halls, an aquarium, touch tanks, an overlook, gift shop, and views of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. The center hosts the world's largest whale skeleton, full-size elephant seal sculptures and more.
Nonviolent Communication Santa Cruz is an organization dedicated to fostering respectful lines of communication between individuals, families, and communities. The center is located on Rooney Street in Santa Cruz and offers classes, sessions, seminars, and more on respectful and peaceful communications tactics.
The International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals is an organization that offers a community to rehabilitation professionals. It promotes education, interdisciplinary services and professional growth among its members.
The Gonstead Clinical Studies Society is a chiropractic research and education center. It follows the Gonstead method of chiropractics, discovered by Dr. Clarence Gonstead. To find a Gonstead chiropractor or to learn more about its services, visit the Gonstead Clinical Studies Society's website.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, or Mormon Church, is located in a row of churches just north of Highway 1 near Morrissey Boulevard. The church has a parking lot with entrances on both Pacheco and Elk Street. It's currently undergoing renovations, as is its parking lot.
Raha Kudo Design for Dying Project is an extension of Wo/Men's Alliance for Medical Marijuana, an organization started by Valerie Corral in 1993. The nonprofit organization works primarily with WAMM members who are terminally ill.
"They design their desires and their approach to their own death," says Corral, describing the business's mission for its clients.
Raha Kudo trains family members and friends to be caregivers in the late stages of their love ones' lives. According to Corral, about a third of the group's clients are HIV/AIDS patients and about two-thirds are cancer patients.
CALPIRG (California Public Interest Research Group) is an organization of primarily volunteers that fights for the rights and protection of all Californians. The downtown office shares a building with the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History. CALPIRG workers can frequently be found in the courtyard training new volunteers. The organization works on legal and political issues involving food safety, health care and prescription drugs,budget reform and transportation.