5th Annual Gala & Auction
Presented by Fine Point Law
Celebrating 5 years of supporting families in Santa Cruz County
Saturday, September 26th | 5p-9p | Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
On the evening of September 26, 2026, something truly beautiful happened inside the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History.
More than 100 community leaders, healthcare professionals, local businesses, families, and friends gathered under one roof to celebrate five years of village-building in Santa Cruz County, and together, you raised $15,000 to support families through pregnancy, postpartum, and early parenthood.
We are still taking it all in.
To every single person who purchased a ticket, placed a bid, spun a raffle ticket, made a pledge, or simply showed up and said yes to being part of this community. THANK YOU! What you gave that night was not just financial. You gave families in our county something they cannot put a price on: the knowledge that this community sees them, values them, and will show up for them during one of life's most tender and transformative seasons.
To our extraordinary sponsors, donors, and auction and raffle contributors, your generosity made the entire evening possible and we are deeply grateful for every partnership, every donated experience, and every act of community care that filled our auction table with magic.
To our volunteers, our board, our staff, and everyone who worked tirelessly behind the scenes, this night was yours too.
And to our Presenting Partner, Fine Point Law, thank you for anchoring this milestone year with such grace and commitment. We are so proud to have you in our village.
The funds raised on September 26th will go directly toward sustaining and expanding our no-cost and low-cost programs, the support groups, the doula care, the mental health services, the lactation support, and the community connection that 2,000+ Santa Cruz County families have come to count on.
This is what five years looks like. And because of you, we cannot wait to see what comes next.
With so much love and gratitude,
Elisa Havens-Stokes
Co-Founder & Executive Director
The Circle Family Center
Your contribution does all of this…
2017 families served
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1000+ scolarships
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15,325 oz of donated breastmilk
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62 Medi-Cal doulas trained
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4,200+
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2017 families served 〰️ 1000+ scolarships 〰️ 15,325 oz of donated breastmilk 〰️ 62 Medi-Cal doulas trained 〰️ 4,200+ 〰️
“As an immigrant, when I first moved to the United States, I went through a deep identity crisis questioning where I belonged and how to root myself in a new place. The Circle helped me find my sense of belonging here. It has been a true compass for me, offering direction, grounding, and a feeling of home.”
— Laura
“The Circle is that place you dream about when you imagine having kids, and the place you NEED when those kids are actually here! So warm and accepting of the whole family.”
— CheyanneFrequently Asked Questions
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Yes! The Circle Family Center is a registered 501c3 and your ticket purchases is fully tax deductible!
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All proceeds from the gala feed directly back into the The Circle Family Center’s programs. This means your donation could provide the snacks for our Mama Café that often fills nutritional gaps for families, or contributing to the childbirth education of a low-income Family, or continuing our free Nurture and Grow mental health support group.
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You absolutely can! Seems is an email at hello@thecirclefamilycenter.org and we will gladly get you plugged in to volunteer in a way that is meaningful for you.
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100%! Email us at hello@thecirclefamilycenter.org and let us know what kind of in-kind donation you would like to give!
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We would be honored to accept a donation in honor or memory of someone dear to you. We would also love to know the story of why of you are open to sharing.