Boys & Girls Clubs of Mid Central Coast (BGCMCC) will host Standing With Youth, an advocacy event bringing together community leaders, educators, policymakers, and families to address the current state of youth on the Central Coast.
The breakfast program will be at 7:30 am. Tuesday, Jan. 27 at the Boys & Girls Club, 901 N. Railroad Ave., Santa Maria.
Standing With Youth is designed to spotlight the challenges and opportunities facing young people today, from academic achievement and mental health to workforce readiness and equity of access to after-school programming, BGCMCC said.
Maria Fabula, Boys & Girls Clubs CEO, will offer details on current youth priorities and lead a discussion with Santa Maria Police Chief Christopher Williams and Santa Maria City Councilmember Gloria Soto.
The talk will address ways the community can commit to ensuring that every child has the support and resources they need to succeed, BGCMCC said.
“As an important youth-serving organization on the Central Coast, who has been a leader in youth issues for 60 years, we see firsthand the potential of young people as well as the barriers they face,” Fabula said.
“Standing With Youth is about bringing the community together to listen, learn, and take action so that every child can build a great future.”
The event will feature keynote speakers, and opportunities for collaboration among stakeholders who care about creating a stronger, healthier, and more equitable future for the region’s young people, BGCMCC said.
A highlight of the program will be the recognition of BGCMCC’s Youth of the Year and Jr. Youth of the Year. Loca honorees go on to compete in the regional and state levels of this national competition.
Standing With Youth is sponsored by Mechanics Bank, Dignity Health, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Central Coast Foundation.
To learn more or register, visit https://centralcoastkids.org/event-calendar/standing-with-youth/ or contact Kelly Brickey, events manager, at kelly.brickey@centralcoastkids.org, or call 805-354-7421.
Founded in 1966, BGCMCC serves some 5,000 youth annually across 10 Club sites in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, offering safe spaces, academic enrichment, mentorship, and life skills programming.