The Isla Vista Community Services District (IVCSD) partnered with Isla Vista Youth Projects (IVYP) and Channel Island YMCA St. George Youth Center (SGYC) this year to provide summer programs to Isla Vista’s youth. Due to COVID-19 the Isla Vista Community Center and Community Room did not operate with regular programming during 2020-21.

IVCSD allocated unused funding in the budget to support efforts by two partner agencies to keep Isla Vista’s youth and families connected to services and learning over the summer. A total of 55 youth were served through both programs.

As summer began, working families had to find a fun, accessible, affordable, engaging and educational summer experience. IVCSD aimed to ensure there was adequate funding for Isla Vista families to access such programs.

This year IVYP collaborated with GUSD to provide three weeks of additional summer care not previously planned. IVYP sought to fill a gap from the time the school year ended and the summer programming began, with funding from IVCSD. This supported vulnerable students who were negatively impacted by remote learning.

This summer programming provided full-day child care and enrichment including meals and snacks.

Days were filled with reading, math, science, history, art, physical education and mindfulness. All families in the program had the opportunity to engage in all the services offered by their Family Resource Center including, but not limited to, parenting education, immigration education, food distribution, resource navigation, and vaccine education and support.

“I am grateful to the IVCSD for their support and partnership in ensuring that our students have a safe, fun and supportive learning and playing environment over the summer, and for enabling local
parents to work knowing their children are well cared for,” said Lori Goodman, IVYP executive director.

SGYC created the Arts, Community Safety, and Exploration (ACE) summer program. Students learned a bilingual script and performed “Senora Tortuga,” which was recorded and shared with the public. Exploring Isla Vista took students along the coast and beyond with 970 Embarcadero del Mar, beach hikes and bike rides. Bike rides were done in collaboration with IV Foot Patrol and UCPD.

A 20-hour Teen Community Emergency Response Team program was offered to all students from seventh-grade through college. Participants learned how to put out small fires, conduct light search and rescue, assist injured individuals, assist emergency responders, and identify and anticipate hazards.

“Throughout the summer, youth were able to gain confidence and explore their skills as young leaders,” said Jennifer Heinen-Stiffler, COO of Channel Islands YMCA. “Since this program was free of charge, it would not have been possible without our key community partners lending support.”

“Isla Vista is a diverse community that is home to hundreds of elementary, middle, and high school-aged youth. Providing our youth with opportunities to learn, grow and thrive is crucial to building a better community, and is a leading priority of the IVCSD,” said Spencer Brandt, IVCSD Board president.

St. George Youth Center has been serving Isla Vista and Goleta youth and families since 1998, providing a safe, fun, alternative space for teens during the high-risk after-school hours. Their goal is to create a space where all youth and teens feel safe, supported and empowered to be the best version of themselves.

IVYP mitigates the effects of poverty, racism and trauma by providing high-quality, trauma-informed childcare, comprehensive, culturally-sensitive family support and visionary community leadership. IVYP has been strengthening the children and families of Isla Vista for 50 years.

The Isla Vista Community Services District is Isla Vista’s first broad-based local government, achieving 47 years of community advocacy for self governance. The IVCSD is empowered to provide eight critical services including public safety, housing mediation, community facilities, parking, graffiti abatement, lighting and sidewalks, and both a municipal advisory council and area planning commission.

The IVCSD Board is composed of five publicly elected directors and two directors appointed by UCSB and Santa Barbara County.