The Family Service Agency of the Central Coast provides resources, support, and counseling services to residents of Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito Counties. They offer these programs of interest to seniors:

I-You Venture (831) 459-8917

A volunteer group that develops friendships with residents in nursing and residential care homes. The volunteers offer companionship and help individuals to overcome isolation in many ways. They engage them in a broad spectrum of activities including arts and crafts, playing board games or cards with them, in addition to one on one visits.

Senior Outreach Program  Santa Cruz (831) 459-9351 Watsonville (831) 728-9009

Their  peer counselors help older adults maintain both their independence and a higher quality of life by offering peer counseling in their home or in one of their peer support groups. They offer help with depression, anxiety, bereavements, illness, and family problems at no cost. Services are provided in both English and Spanish. If you are interested in being a client or a volunteer for Senior Outreach, please contact their Santa Cruz or Watsonville office.

Suicide Prevention Services Crisis line (831) 458-5300 Toll-free crisis line  988

When you call their  24-hour multilingual suicide crisis line, you will be connected to someone who is compassionate, supportive, and accepting of anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts or a general life crisis. Calls to the Suicide Crisis Line are confidential, but they are required to report to outside agencies and/or get additional help in certain situations, including immediate risk of suicide or homicide and minor, elder, or dependent adult abuse or neglect.

Counseling for Adults and Senior (831) 423-9444

They provide affordable and professional counseling for those struggling with depression, job loss, parenting, sexual orientation, substance use, anxiety, grief, relationship issues or family conflict. They accept Medi-Cal through the Central California Alliance for Health, Medicare and a sliding scale for those paying out of pocket. There are staff that speak English and Spanish and their office is wheelchair accessible. If you would like to receive counseling service please call the office.

Survivors Healing Center (831) 423-7601

The Survivor Healing Center provides group support in Santa Cruz and Watsonville for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse and their allies. They offer online and in-person support groups and workshops. If you would like to sign up for services please visit their website to fill out the online form or call the office. 

WomenCARE (831) 457-2273 Entre Nosotras (831) 761-3973

WomenCARE provides cancer advocacy, resources, education, and support to women, their families and friends, and healthcare practitioners at each stage of the journey: diagnosis, healing, surviving, or dying. They do this by offering emotional support groups, one on one peer support, practical support, body work and body care from professionally trained volunteers, healing circle groups and a resource library. Their services are free to all women with any kind of cancer. They have an office in Santa Cruz and another in Watsonville. Both locations are wheelchair accessible. The Watsonville office has the Entre Nosotras program that provides culturally appropriate services for Spanish speaking women. Please call to sign up for their services.

Collaborative Suicide Prevention (831) 423-9444

The Collaborative Suicide Prevention program is an Intensive Outpatient Counseling Program that aims to help individuals who are feeling suicidal by providing them with the support, tools, and skills they need on their journey toward healing. The program is open to all aged 16 and above who face suicide ideation or have a history of suicide attempts. Counseling services  are available in person or through telehealth. They accept Medi-Cal and offer a sliding scale fee. The office is wheelchair accessible and they have staff that speak English and Spanish. If you would like to sign up for services please give them a call.