The wellbeing of children—and what locals are doing to ensure it —was the focus of the Santa Barbara County 2010 Youth Impact Awards on Dec. 9 at the Abel Maldonado Community Center in Santa Maria. Each year, Kids Network, a countywide organization of child safety agencies, recognizes individuals in the community who have gone out of their way to support and encourage young people.
This year’s honors went to Lompoc High School student Victor DeAlba; Don’s Net Café, Santa Barbara High School’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program; Pioneer Valley High School student Cesar Padilla; and the Guadalupe “Fun in the Sun” program’s native garden project.
Formerly known as the Awesome KIDS Awards, the Youth Impact Awards celebrate youth who have made significant positive impacts on their communities.
DeAlba contributed to city beautification efforts by mending fences in Lompoc. Members of the Santa Barbara High School VITA program assisted low-income and Spanish-speaking individuals with their yearly income taxes. Padilla earned his award for, among other things, volunteering at Marian Medical Center and campaigning for local Senate candidate John Laird. Children in the Guadalupe Fun in the Sun program constructed a native plant garden for the public to enjoy.
“That garden will be there for future generations and people in Guadalupe,” said Jeanette Delgado, a Santa Barbara County United Way grants coordinator who nominated the group. “The impacts of the garden will be long-lasting. It beautifies the city and creates a safer environment.”
The United Way supported both the Fun in the Sun project and the Santa Barbara High School VITA program with funds and guidance.
For more information about KIDS Network, the award winners, or to make a nomination for future awards, call 346-8356 or visit countyofsb.org/kidsnet.
This article appears in Dec 16-23, 2010.