Michael Kraft
We’ll start by answering this question: how did Kerry Venegas end up on the North Coast? The answer is a Humboldt classic: she met a guy, a Yurok man committed to his ancestral lands. This was 2008 and Kerry was taking a tour of North Coast tribes. Upon moving to the North Coast, Kerry worked for the Hoopa and Yurok tribes, having previously served with the Gates Foundation and the Peace Corps, among others. She is now Executive Director of Changing Tides Family Services.
This year, as the agency celebrates its 50th anniversary, it’s worth reflecting on how it has evolved from a workforce development project into an indispensable community resource.
Changing Tides tackles an impressive array of challenges. From childcare to mental health, early childhood education to respite services for families with special needs, the agency’s offerings are as diverse as the needs of the county it serves. With the exception of childcare reimbursements, which vary depending on financial need calculations, these services are provided free of charge. For descriptions of the breadth of services, you can learn more here: https://changingtidesfs.org/.
But the work doesn’t stop there. Changing Tides scans the horizon to assess emerging needs of Humboldt’s families, addressing unique challenges like the growing isolation of parents in the age of social media. Their Parent Café program offers a rare opportunity for real connection, steering families away from the misinformation rabbit holes of the internet and toward practical, meaningful support.
Childcare remains a cornerstone issue for the agency—and a pressing one for the workforce at large. Changing Tides advocates tirelessly for better childcare reimbursement policies, knowing that when parents struggle to afford care, their ability to work and contribute to the economy suffers. It’s a domino effect that hits everyone. The agency’s childcare subsidies alone amount to over $1 million per month, ensuring stability for working families in the area.
The numbers behind their work tell the story:
· 1500 children supported annually.
· Over 1000 families served each year.
· Tens of thousands of respite care hours provided.
· Employment for 150–200 people at any given time.
To continue this work, the agency is seeking new board members, particularly individuals with a passion for supporting working families and who bring business and financial expertise.
Returning to the anniversary, this year’s celebrations include a gala event in October—a perfect way to honor five decades of service. Tickets are available now, and for those who prefer to skip the glitz, donations are always welcome. You can buy tickets or donate here: https://changingtidesfs.org/gala/.
Whatever you can do would be appreciated, as Changing Tides Family Services serves as a lifeline for families navigating the complexities of parenting, work, and community life.
Michael Kraft writes the Good Work series, volunteering on behalf of the Northern California Association of Nonprofits (NorCAN). NorCAN supports connections between people and organizations that work every day to keep our communities healthy and strong by offering professional development, board support, networking connections and more. Learn more at https://norcal-nonprofits.org/. To nominate a deserving nonprofit organization to be profiled, email michael@kraftconsultants.com.
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