Hello everyone! My name is Elsa Tamayo, current intern for Nonprofit Connection and CSUMB student. In this member spotlight, I want to highlight the incredible merger of two NPC Member organizations Salud y Cariño and Monarch Services, who will now be known as Salud y Monarca, a project under Monarch Services!
Salud y Cariño is a nonprofit organization based in Santa Cruz dedicated to empowering girls. Established in 2013, the organization focuses on fostering self-empowerment, personal growth, and well-being among middle school girls. Monarch Services is a nonprofit organization based in Santa Cruz County, dedicated to ending domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking through prevention and intervention services. Established in 1977, this organization offers a range of support to survivors through legal assistance, emergency shelter, and advocacy.
Both Salud y Cariño and Monarch Services have worked together since Salud’s pilot program back in 2015. Salud and Monarch’s missions align perfectly, while Monarch will provide Salud with foundational stability as a more established organization.
To gain deeper insight into this exciting merger, I had the opportunity to speak to Theresa Cariño, Executive Director of Salud y Cariño, and Leeann Luna, Chief Executive Officer of Monarch Services. They shared their thoughts on what this merger means for both organizations.
What inspired the decision to merge both organizations?
Theresa Cariño: “At the beginning, in 2013, my sister and I founded Salud y Cariño as volunteers. Just a couple of years ago, we realized we needed a plan for sustainability. We have worked with Monarch since 2015—Monarch has given presentations on healthy relationships and teen dating violence prevention over the years. My beliefs and personal mission, along with Salud’s vision and mission, align with the work that Monarch does. Monarch wants a society that’s free from abuse. SyC’s programs have served as an abuse prevention model through connection and confidence building for hundreds of young women for over a decade.”
How does this merger strengthen the mission of Monarch Services?
Leeann Luna: “This merger allows Monarch to create a safe and healthy community where young women can be their authentic selves, free from fear or judgment. Participants not only find their voices but learn to use them—to speak up, advocate, and create change in their lives and communities. Many youth remain engaged long after their time in the program, becoming leaders and role models for the next generation.”
What do you want members and supporters to know about this new chapter?
Leeann: “This last year, we have been experiencing challenges with needing to prepare for possible budget reductions, and this year, the new administrator’s executive order continues to threaten the ways in which we deliver vital support services. If nothing else, I want our community to know that like during Covid, Monarch will do our best to make any necessary pivots. Monarch will augment if needed, but the goal is to always center survivors’ needs and voices within our work. We are also incredibly proud of the programs that we have available for survivors and for the person who caused harm.”
How will this merger enhance the impact of your mission?
Theresa: “So the first thing it will do is make it sustainable. As I said, the model that we had wasn’t necessarily sustainable in the sense that it’s part-time work and it’s hard to find people who can afford to work part-time or work multiple jobs to make ends meet. We want our staff to be able to take care of themselves and their families. The second piece is that Monarch Services has a strong foundation and is a much bigger organization, they also have a wider reach. By coming together, merging our work, relationships and resources, we have the potential to serve more youth across Santa Cruz County.”
What has been the most rewarding part of leading a nonprofit?
Leeann: “Some of the most rewarding parts of being at the helm of Monarch Services is being a part of the solution to end violence within our community. It is incredibly rewarding to be giving back and bringing support to the community I was raised in. We have the ability to be creative and innovative in our approaches, too. And the staff that are doing the hard work every day are amazing. They are the real heroes, as this work is difficult and emotionally taxing, but they push forward to help survivors begin their healing.”
Theresa: “The most rewarding part would be the relationships and connections, along with tbe of service to the community. My parents and my grandparents, especially my Nana, always instilled in me the idea of wanting to give back to your community. I think she would be really proud of the work we’ve done. Doing this work has allowed me to create really strong connections and relationships with the youth, their families. I’ve also built long lasting relationships with other executive directors, and other strong chingonas in the community that have enriched and made my life better.”
What are your top priorities for the first year as a combined organization?
Leeann: “Increased intervention and prevention programming for youth. Actively participate in the restorative justice movement. Maintain and continue to create a culture of staff well-being and effective leadership. Actively participate in the restorative justice movement.”
What inspired the new logo?
Theresa: “We wanted to have it be similar to the logo that everybody knows. We’re thinking about the youth that we’ve been serving for 10 years along with the youth that we’re going to serve in the future. If you look at our logo side-by-side, you’ll see that we took the elements of each of them. We kept the general foundation of the Salud y Cariño logo but infused the colors of Monarch and the butterfly. The butterfly, in this sense represents the evolution, Salud y Cariño has always evolved and adapted to the needs of the community.”
Looking Ahead: A United Vision for the Future
As Salud y Monarca embarks on this new chapter, the merger represents more than just two organizations coming together—it symbolizes strength, sustainability, and a deeper commitment to empowering youth and survivors. With a shared vision and expanded resources, the impact of this partnership will be felt throughout Santa Cruz County and beyond.
This is just the beginning. By combining forces, Salud y Monarca is poised to reach more young people, provide crucial services, and continue the fight for a future free from violence and abuse. As they move forward, the focus remains on fostering resilience, leadership, and healing in the community.
If you’re inspired by their mission, consider getting involved—whether through volunteering, donations, or simply spreading the word. Together, we can support a stronger, safer future for all!
Stay Connected & Get Involved!
Follow Salud y Carino and Monarch Services on social media to stay updated on programs, events, and ways to support:
Instagram: @saludycarino @monarchsccounty
Facebook: Salud y Cariño Monarch Services