Santa Cruz Barrios Unidos

The National Coalition of Barrios Unidos began as a community-based peace movement in the violent streets of urban California in 1977. Incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1993, the national office of Santa Cruz Barrios Unidos has given rise to chapters across the county from Fresno, CA to Washington D.C. Over the past 40 years, BU has developed a leading holistic healing model geared toward constituencies affected most by economic instability, racial or social discrimination and violence. By providing cultural, spiritual and community support service, BU has remained a coveted resource in the path of peace, justice and unity. This approach reaches social justice and economic equity goals through individual healing, civic leadership and community development. Confident, healthy individuals possess the capacity to build a community that is self-reliant and economically sustainable which, in turn, can achieve broader health, mobility and advancement goals. Barrios Unidos elevates this social responsibility by strongly advocating for the connection between cultural consciousness and political action as it relates to the oppressions of poverty. In this way, Barrios Unidos embodies a unique advocacy identity, grounding our policy development projects with the struggle and hope of those actually affected by political measures. We strive to keep our work authentic and unbounded as we focus on building positive, healthy individuals, neighborhoods, and communities no matter the environment, be it a small neighborhood or a prison yard. Our current programs include:

Intervention Services

Prison Project: Lecture series, reentry resource events, reentry correspondence and trauma-informed healing practices brought inside facilities throughout California.
Juvenile Transitional Program: On-site, trauma-informed curricula and counseling services directly focused on providing reentry support to currently incarcerated youth.
Evening Center: In partnership with Santa Cruz Probation Department, this site offers BU curriculum to youth currently involved in the probationary stage of the criminal justice system.
AB109: Adult reentry services ranging from linkages to mental health resources, housing needs, job preparedness, family unification and on-site individual and group non-violence counseling services

Prevention Services

Educational Outreach: On-site, culture-based programming for local high schools including coordination of school-wide educational events intended to increase awareness of race, culture, violence prevention, substance abuse prevention and community resources.
Kids Clubs: Community-based after school programming for youth 5-12 including family connectedness, immigration support services and linkages to community resources.
Audio Engineering Program: In-house recording studio and technical course offered to at-risk youth as alternative educational opportunity.

BU Productions

Silk-screen shop offering skill-building opportunities and jobs to youth. If you have any questions about BU Productions, or are interested in placing an order, contact Joaquin at 831. 469. 8337. or go to www.buprints.com. Also you can visit their FaceBook page.

Walter Guzman Retreat Center

The Walter Guzman Healing Retreat Center
currently serves as a base for healing and a cultural connection for children, youth, adults, and other non-profit organizations. With a central focus around traditional Native American ceremony visitors are immediately greeted by nature, tipis, tree houses, and a sweat lodge. The Walter Guzman Retreat Center is a peaceful place perfect for promoting self-confidence, awareness, sense of purpose as well as many other positive mental, physical and spiritual qualities for youth.