The ceremony began with a Land Blessing led by Jorge Sanchez, Encompass Residential Program Manager, honoring the Indigenous history of the land and the longstanding commitment of the Sí Se Puede program to incorporate cultural traditions into healing and recovery. Community members then heard remarks from local, state, and federal leaders, behavioral health advocates, program leaders, and graduates whose lives have been transformed through recovery. 

The event featured remarks from Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, Watsonville Mayor Kristal Salcido, Dr. Gray Clarke of Central California Alliance for Health, former Encompass CEO and Santa Cruz County Supervisor Monica Martinez, and other community leaders who have championed the project from its earliest stages. 

“This was a joyful and deeply meaningful day for our organization and our community,” said Kim Morrison, CEO of Encompass Community Services. “We are incredibly grateful to the many partners, funders, advocates, staff, and community members who helped make this vision a reality. Together, we are creating a place where individuals and families can heal, recover, and thrive.” 

Originally founded more than 30 years ago by local Latino community members seeking culturally relevant recovery services, the Sí Se Puede program has become a cornerstone of substance use disorder treatment in Santa Cruz County. The new facility expands the program’s ability to serve community members by combining outpatient behavioral health services with expanded residential treatment capacity in a single campus designed specifically to support recovery. 

When fully operational later this summer, the center is expected to serve more than 900 individuals annually, providing bilingual, trauma-informed treatment for substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. 

“This facility represents hope,” said Elaine Johnson, Chair of the Encompass Board of Trustees. “It stands as a testament to what is possible when a community comes together to expand access to those who need it most. We are proud of what has been accomplished and excited about the impact this center will have for generations to come.” 

The new campus was made possible through the generous support of public and private funders, including the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) through the Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP), Central California Alliance for Health (CCAH), Community Foundation Santa Cruz County, Monterey Peninsula Foundation, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, Kaiser Permanente, the City of Watsonville, and many individual donors. 

As Encompass prepares to welcome clients into the facility this summer, community support remains critical. Donations will help fund final touches to create a welcoming environment and support ongoing operations that ensure local residents have access to life-saving treatment services. 

Community members who would like to support the future of the Sí Se Puede Behavioral Health Center can contribute at encompasscs.org/donate.