As the end of summer break draws nearer, so does a new beginning for the Santa Ynez Valley People Helping People Youth Coalition.
Dedicated to educating youth about the harms of alcohol and drug misuse through periodic visits to school campuses, this local initiative is taking a more collaborative approach with its programming this year, Director of Youth Programs Selene Sandoval explained.
“One of the things I really wanted to see was a stronger, more unified coalition. Prevention works best when everyone is at the table—especially young people,” Sandoval said in an email interview. “Youth are the experts on what they’re experiencing in schools and among their peers, so it didn’t make sense for them to simply be recipients of prevention efforts. They needed to be leaders in shaping them.”
While recognizing that middle school and high school students “understand what’s happening in their schools and among their peers far better than any adult can,” Sandoval said that teens in the coalition’s ongoing summer training are preparing to lead substance use prevention programs throughout the upcoming school year, “in a powerful peer-to-peer format.”
Often students join feeling a little nervous and leave realizing they have a powerful voice and the ability to create meaningful change.’
—Selene Sandoval, SYV People Helping People Youth Programs director
“We hope to expand opportunities for youth-led presentations and peer education because we know that young people often respond best when messages come from their peers,” Sandoval said. “While school partnerships for the upcoming year are still being finalized, our intention is to continue working with schools throughout the Santa Ynez Valley.”
When recruiting students for the role, Sandoval said there are some prerequisites People Helping People considers, but none related to academic performance or work background.
“One of the things I love most about the coalition is that students don’t need prior experience to get involved. We aren’t looking for students with perfect grades or previous leadership experience,” Sandoval explained. “We’re looking for people who care about their community, want to make a difference, and are willing to learn.”
Recruited students receive training in a variety of focus areas, including substance use prevention, leadership development, public speaking, advocacy, and peer-to-peer education, which Sandoval described as including tips for youth on facilitating conversations and delivering presentations in “a way that resonates with their peers.”
“My goal is to empower students with the skills and confidence to become leaders and advocates within their schools and community,” she said. “Often students join feeling a little nervous and leave realizing they have a powerful voice and the ability to create meaningful change.”
Anyone interested in joining the coalition can email Sandoval at selenes@syvphp.org.
People Helping People is also spearheading its school supply donation drive this summer.
Through July 31, the program invites people to donate backpacks, notebooks, folders, crayons, and other supplies, which they can drop off at various donation bins located in Santa Ynez, Solvang, and Buellton.
“We’ve partnered with several local businesses that are hosting our yellow community donation boxes throughout the valley,” said Sandoval, who listed First Bank in Solvang, the Buellton Chamber of Commerce, and Buellton Garage as examples.
Another option is to make a financial donation, which People Helping People will use to pay for additional backpacks and pack them with school supplies. The recommended donation is $90.
Highlights
• On July 9, Solvang Theaterfest announced the appointment of Kathryn Rohrer to its board of directors. A Los Olivos resident since 2018, Rohrer has a career background working with local organizations in roles dedicated to nonprofit leadership, education, advocacy, and community service, according to Solvang Theaterfest. “Her experience in governance, grant writing, and strategic planning will help strengthen our mission as we continue preserving this historic venue and expanding opportunities for our community to enjoy exceptional live entertainment,” Solvang Theaterfest Executive Director Chantel Green said in a statement.
• The Orcutt Mineral Society will host its 58th annual Rock and Gem Show at Nipomo High School on July 31 and Aug. 1 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days, and on Aug. 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit omsrockandgemshow.org to find out more about the event, which is set to include more than 60 featured rock and gem dealers, demonstrations, kids activities, and more. Nipomo High School is located at 525 N. Thompson Ave., Nipomo.
Reach Senior Staff Writer Caleb Wiseblood at cwiseblood@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in July 16 – July 23, 2026.
