Santa Cruz Barrios Unidos

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Santa Cruz Barrios Unidos is dedicated to promoting peace, social justice, and community empowerment by addressing systemic inequities through leadership development, indigenous practices, advocacy, education, mutual aid, culture, and empowering youth and families to realize their sacred purpose.

OUR MISSION

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Our organization relies heavily on support from our community donors.
Every dollar makes a difference. Thank you for your support.

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A space for vocational training
and leadership development.

BU PRODUCTIONS

YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

We guide youth in realizing their sacred purpose as leaders. We develop youth through vocational training, mentorship, education, cultural practices, ceremony, advocacy, mutual aid, and internships.

CIVIC LEADERSHIP & RACIAL EQUITY

We fight for justice through advocacy, policy reform, direct action, restorative justice, and education. We believe that the people directly affected by violence should be at the front lines of social change.

CULTURE, SPIRITUALITY & HEALING

Our elders, staff, and leaders guide community members in getting in touch with their roots. We hold true to our indigenous, chicano roots while providing a safe multicultural space for all to participate in their ancestral traditions.

HEALTH EQUITY & WELLBEING

We are a health institution that provides holistic well-being through culturally rooted and accessible care including; medi-cal connections, rapid response, linkage to recovery resources, Indigenous-based health practices & traditional healing.

Our Founder: Nane Alejandrez

The Walter Guzman Retreat Center

Barrio Science Workshop (SPANISH)

VIDEO ON INSTITUTE OF PEACE & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

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BARRIOS UNIDOS GALLERY

Since 1977, Santa Cruz Barrios Unidos (SCBU) set out to heal our communities, build sustainable peace and end interpersonal, community and structural violence.

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BARRIOS UNIDOS EVENTS

Join us in celebrating community at one of our events.

SUMMER INTERNSHIP & LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

June 22–July 31 | Tues–Thurs | 11am–3pm | A six-week youth leadership program for ages 12–17 and 18–26, empowering young people through mentorship, workforce development, cultural awareness, and community engagement.

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COMMUNITY MUSIC WORKSHOP

Every Wednesday | 4:00pm–6:00pm | A free, all-ages music program where community members can learn, create, and connect through hands-on instruction, collaborative music-making, and diverse musical traditions.

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CAFÉ BARRIO COMING SOON

Opening Late July 2026 | A new community gathering space where culture, connection, and opportunity come together. Café Barrio supports youth workforce development, leadership training, and economic mobility while celebrating Latino and Indigenous communities.

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EXPLORE ALL BU EVENTS

10000+

COMMUNITY SERVED THROUGH FOOD PANTRY IN 2025

1500+

YOUTH SERVED IN 2025

130

INDIVIDUALS COMPLETED OUR REENTRY PROGRAM IN 2025

125

INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS COMPLETED IN-PRISON CLASSES IN 2025

TESTIMONIALS

Santa Cruz Barrios Unidos is grateful for our community volunteers and supporters.

“When I go to Santa Cruz, one of my greatest joys is visiting the Barrios Unidos headquarters and their retreat center in the Santa Cruz mountains”
DANNY GLOVER
ACTIVIST & AWARD WINNING ACTOR/PRODUCER

“Barrios unidos is a breeding ground for leaders, a lot of us who have gone to do work around the world have come out of Barrios Unidos”
CARMEN PEREZ
CEO OF THE GATHERING FOR JUSTICE