A Night of Jazz + R&B — the Lompoc Teen Center’s annual fundraiser — raised nearly $75,000 in support of local teens and the center’s year-round academic, college, and career readiness programs.

The event welcomed more than 150 community members for an evening of live music, student performances, dining and philanthropy on Jan. 17.

Winner of the 2025 Lompoc Teens’ Got Talent competition secures first place following a second round face-off at A Night of Jazz + R&B. (Photo by Namu Williams)
Winner of the 2025 Lompoc Teens’ Got Talent competition secures first place following a second round face-off at A Night of Jazz + R&B. (Photo by Namu Williams)

Funds were raised through sponsorships; ticket sales; a live auction; and Stand Up for Teens, the center’s donation pledge program.

The evening featured saxophonist Paul Taylor, along with performances by the winners of the 2025 Lompoc Teens’ Got Talent competition.

The benefit highlighted the center’s continued growth and its role as a hub for teen development and community collaboration in the Lompoc Valley, organizers said.

“This event demonstrates what is possible when a community comes together to invest in the future,” said Victor Alejandro Cortes, Lompoc Teen Center executive director.

“Tonight’s support will directly impact teens by expanding access to academic support and college and career readiness,” Cortes said.

A Night of Jazz + R&B was made possible through the support of the following community foundations, businesses and individual donors.

Diamond sponsors, $10,000, included the Hutton Parker Foundation and the Richard & Marguerite Berti Trust.

The event was further supported by Platinum Sponsor, $5,000, G.A. Fowler Family Foundation.

Gold and Silver Sponsors, the Monroe-Cliff Lambert Fund, Hebda Property & Title Solutions, Santa Barbara Foundation, Benevity, PEAC Foundation, SoCalGas, and Sanger, Hanley, Sanger & Avila LLP.

Additional support was provided through live auction contributions and more than 150 in-kind door prize donations from local and regional businesses across the Lompoc Valley and Santa Barbara County.

Proceeds from the event will support the Lompoc Teen Center’s programming for students in grades seven through 12, including academic support, career exploration, paid internships, enrichment activities, and community events.

The nonprofit Lompoc Teen Center provides a safe space for at-risk teens (seventh-12th grade) to achieve academic success and college and career readiness.