Hollister Cyber-Bullying Workshop, Hollister Boy & Girl Scouts, San Benito County Youth Alliance, Children & Youth Support Groups | BenitoLink, Hollister, San Juan Bautista, San Benito County, California

Mejka McMullen, Serena Barragan, Francisco Barragan and Samantha Slykas. Photo by Robert Eliason.

Children and Youth

Hollister 4-H volunteers share their hearts on Valentine’s Day

Published 02/14/2020
BenitoLink Reporter, Robert Eliason

Eighty-nine nursing facility residents to receive custom-made cards.

Santino Leahy, Angelo Hillstock and Kayla Salazar received the highest marks and moved to the final round where they each recited a second poem. Photo by Kaitlyn Fontaine.

Art & Culture

Local Poetry Out Loud competition sends student to state finals

Published 02/13/2020
BenitoLink Reporter, Kaitlyn Fontaine

Kayla Salazar will represent San Benito County in Sacramento in March.

Student Robert Rendon, teacher Teresa Stevens and student Isabella Favaloro at Maze Middle School. Stevens has asked her sixth-grade students to keep a kindness journal to show how kindness can be extended to everyone. Photo by Carmel de Bertaut.

Schools & Education

Maze Middle School implements a kindness challenge

Published 01/27/2020
BenitoLink Reporter, Carmel de Bertaut

Teresa Stevens assigns acts of kindness instead of homework.

The teaching room at the new Family Impact Center in Hollister. Photos by Robert Eliason.

San Benito Lifestyle

Family Impact Center brings help to troubled families

Published 01/23/2020
BenitoLink Reporter, Robert Eliason

Facility touted as a one-stop resource for those in need.

Bryanna Morales, 15, Angela Martinez, 14, and Ariana Ventura, 15, hang out in the video game room at the Esperanza Center in Hollister during the Jan. 6 grand opening of the youth drop-in center. Photos by Noe Magaña.

Children and Youth

Youth programming comes to Esperanza Center

Published 01/08/2020
BenitoLink Reporter, Noe Magaña

Aside from providing a place to hang out with friends, the drop-in center offers workshops, case managers and homework tutors.

Perez-Barragan Family first baby of 2020. Photo provided by HHMH.

Children and Youth

First 2020 baby born at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital

Published 01/06/2020
BenitoLink Staff

Bunny Perez and Jose Barragan welcomed their son Saleen on Jan. 1 at 6:18 a.m.

The Esperanza Center, located at 562 San Benito Street, is San Benito County Behavioral Health's wellness center. File photo.

Children and Youth

Esperanza Center holds grand opening for new youth drop-in program

Published 01/03/2020
BenitoLink Staff

Drop-in center is aimed at supporting young people ages 14-21, particularly at-risk or systems-involved youth residing in San Benito County.

Panoche School students with their wall of postcards. Photo provided by Amanda McCraw.

Schools & Education

The world arrives at Panoche Elementary School

Published 12/29/2019
BenitoLink Reporter, Carmel de Bertaut

Students learn about geography, world history through postcards.

Bitterwater-Tully student cast performs as audience looks on. Photo by Shari Schmidt

Features

Community and students gather at Tully Hall

Published 12/26/2019
BenitoLink Staff

South county students of Bitterwater-Tully School put on a show for over 150 at the Tully Hall. Home baked goods sold at auction help fund a student trip.

Children and Youth

Hollister resident builds beds for children without

Published 12/26/2019
BenitoLink Reporter, Carmel de Bertaut

Steve Austin of Sleep in Heavenly Peace says ‘no kid sleeps on the floor in our town.’

South Valley Community Church held its fourth annual Jingle Jam as a music and comedy filled the night to celebrate Christmas. Photos by John Chadwell.

San Benito Lifestyle

South Valley Community Church hosts fourth annual Jingle Jam

Published 12/24/2019
BenitoLink Reporter, John Chadwell

Christmas celebration brings families together for comedy skits and singalongs.

Santa greets an enthusiastic child. Photo provided by Community Services and Workforce Development.

Children and Youth

28th annual Family Winter Shelter Holiday Toy Drive

Published 12/11/2019
Community Services Workforce Development

This year, CSWD has partnered with Grillin and Chillin Alehouse and Ohana Shave Ice to collect unwrapped gifts to provide at the holiday party.

Photo provided by the San Benito County Free Library.

Children and Youth

Santa Claus visits the San Benito County Free Library

Published 12/10/2019
San Benito County Free Library

Patrons made holiday crafts, watched holiday movies, took pictures with holiday props at the library's new 'Selfie Station' and listened to festive music while waiting for their turn to meet Santa.