The Power of Teamwork #HumanRaceSC

Here in Santa Cruz County many nonprofits and funders are pooling together to promote and encourage community members to give and run for the #HumanRaceSC. But it is never so simple, really. It is not about a catch phrase or a run in a beautiful coastal town. It is not even about the lovely Olympic theme or even the matching funds provided by local funders. What it is about is at the essence of who we are as a community.

It is an effort to remember that we are in it together and that the legacy we want is one of vibrant communities into which our kids and grandkids can be a part of. It is about building a community where we as neighbors raise the bar on what being a neighbor is all about.

Santa Cruz is the leftist most city of the US that also just happens to currently be burden with extreme inequality. Every indicator from health to income show how we have fallen prey to the very system that has racked the country and the world.

It is not who we are and not we wish to be. At least, I don’t think it is.  This is our Santa Cruz, and it is up to us to lift up our sleeves and get to work on pulling apart the system and recreating one that works better for all of us and that reflect the values that make Santa Cruz great. And we must do it together.

Because it is about living wages, family sustaining jobs, equal pay for equal work and, yes, affordable housing.

It is about us, our legacy, our future, together.

It takes one first step.  Let’s run! 

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