I-You Venture

Supporting seniors in local assisted living and skilled nursing facilities

What We Do

I-You Venture has served the senior residents of care facilities since 1974.

When seniors begin living in a care facility, they face a profound set of challenges: physical, emotional, social, intellectual, and spiritual. At a time when the loss of physical or mental capacities can severely limit verbal expression of thoughts, feelings, and beliefs, they must make adjustments that can change how they view the world and themselves.

I-You Venture exists to ensure that no seniors are forgotten. We work with volunteers to help seniors overcome isolation, while introducing our community members to the vast resources of history, experience, and talents of care facility residents through our friendly visitation and outreach projects.

Explore I-You Venture’s programs below, and learn how you can get involved!

Friendly Visitor Program

I-You Venture’s “Friendly Visitor Program” volunteers are involved in a broad spectrum of activities with residents, ranging from arts and crafts, music, reading, and movement, to the quiet intimacy of one-to-one visits.  Because activities are based on the talents and interests of both residents and volunteers, their mutual experiences are active, meaningful, and highly personal.

Follow the link below to submit an interest form, so you can begin making a positive impact in seniors’ lives!

Additional Opportunities

Holiday Helper

During each holiday season, volunteers donate thoughtful cards and wrapped gifts to make holiday celebrations extra special for our seniors to ensure no one is forgotten! Learn more about Holiday Helper by clicking the image above.

"Thinking of You"

Many of our seniors appreciate receiving mail, and sending thoughtful cards, postcards, and gifts is a way to help brighten their day and let them know they're remembered. Materials can be mailed to our main address below, or dropped off at the Volunteer Center.

Ageless Art

Become an Ageless Art volunteer to help revitalize creative expression and a sense of worth for people living in residential care homes. By leading or assisting with an art class in a care facility, you can share your passion for art with residents as they once again enjoy their creative process.

I-You Venture Archive

Picnic in the Park

The smell of burgers on the grill and the sound of music greeted care facility residents each fall for their annual Aptos picnic. Volunteers, including members of the Surf City Kiwanis, created a fun-filled afternoon serving delicious food while Upbeats Take Two played the music from days gone by. Due to the ongoing prevalence of Covid-19 in care facilities, the annual picnic has been put on hold.

Seniors at a local care facility gather together for Ice Cream Day

Ice Cream Month

Each July, we celebrate National Ice Cream Month! We supply ice cream and cookies to fifteen facilities in the Central Coast, spreading joy to over 1,000 senior residents and staff members.

Contact I-You Venture

I-You Venture Main Office
104 Walnut Avenue, Suite 208, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Nancy Cleveland, Program Director
(831) 459-8917
cleveland.n@fsa-cc.org

Gifts & Cards Drop-Off
Main Office, OR Volunteer Center, 1740 17th Ave, Santa Cruz, CA

I-You Venture Office

104 Walnut Avenue
Suite 208
Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Gift & Card Drop-Off

Volunteer Center
1740 17th Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA