About Us

Growing Up in Santa Cruz began in 1997 as a dream of two mothers who wanted to develop a newspaper that would serve as a central place to access resources for children and families. The newspaper has grown significantly since its first issue in March, 1997 and now distributes 20,000 copies throughout Santa Cruz County and in Monterey. Each month features a calendar of events that highlights activities, groups, performances and other programs that are focused on children, families and parenting. Also included in each issue are regular columns and articles focusing on parenting from pregnancy through the teen years. There are six annual guides each year; Independent Schools, Childcare, Teens, Summer Activities, Public Schools and Pregnancy and Birth that offer an in depth listing of resources in those areas.

We welcome submissions to the publication including articles, letters to the editor, calendar entries, pushpins, children’s artwork and photographs. We value your feed back and you can reach the editor, Kim Allen at editor@guisc.com

Mission Statement

Our goal is to have a community centered newspaper that will support families in Santa Cruz County in their endeavor to raise healthy and happy children.

Our hope is to offer a broad spectrum of information that will value families for their diversities and for their commonality - the love of their children.

Our dream is that Growing Up in Santa Cruz will become a resource that Santa Cruz is not only proud of, but be a model to other communities in supporting and valuing their families.