Monica Hernandez placing a post it answering one of the questions asked during the listening session. Photo by Carmel de Bertaut.
Monica Hernandez placing a post it answering one of the questions asked during the listening session. Photo by Carmel de Bertaut.

Lea este articulo en español aquí. 

Youth safety and the cost of living were among the top concerns for Spanish-speaking community members who participated in a listening session on Feb. 20.

The main theme of the meeting was youth, with discussions ranging from services, safety and drugs. 

Many participants said after school programs and recreation opportunities for youth are needed. Many said this would put them under supervision and would deter criminal activity. 

“Abrir algo como bowling (boliche) para los adolescentes donde puedan pasar tiempo, donde ellos están seguros,” Nelci Cruz said. (Open something like bowling for the youth where they can spend time, where they can be safe.)

Participants also mentioned school safety as a concern.

“Más seguridad en las escuelas por que como mi niño está en la high school, pues la verdad en esta high school cualquier persona puede ingresar a la escuela y eso lo miro peligroso,” a participant said. (Safety at schools, because my child goes to the high school, and honestly in that high school anyone can walk onto the campus and I think that’s dangerous.)

Participants also voiced concern about the cost of gas, housing and food. Several said they wished there were more grocery stores in the community that offered competitive prices, compared to stores in Gilroy or Salinas. 

Community members gather to discuss concerns of Spanish speaking residents. Photo Carmel de Bertaut.

“Yo aveces tengo que ir a comprar mi mandado fuera de Hollister,” Laura Rodriguez said. “[Por precios] accesibles.” (Sometimes I have to do my grocery shopping outside of Hollister [because of food cost.)

In regards to support for families who need financial support, Isabel Muñoz said many are in a gray area and are struggling to pay for housing.

“No veo la salida,” Muñoz said about paying for housing that is large enough for her family. “Como no soy lo suficientemente pobre para recibir ciertos beneficios pero tampoco lo suficientemente rica para poder agarrar lo que otra pareja pudiera tener por su ingreso anual entonces puedo vivir solo en un lugar muy pequeño.” (I don’t see a way. I am not poor enough to qualify for programs and I’m not rich enough to afford what another couple may get with their combined income so I can only live in a small place.)

Participants give community feedback. Photo Carmel de Bertaut.

Asked what would be the best-case scenario if the issues they raised were addressed, participants said families and the community would be more united, there would be a higher rate of high school graduation, more youth in a pathway to a career, people earning liveable wages and living in good conditions. Others added that political leaders would be able to better represent their constituents. 

As for the worst-case scenario, participants said there would be more violence, homelessness, drug addiction, teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, higher costs for food and a decrease in mental health.

Community members gather to discuss concerns of Spanish speaking residents. Photo Carmel de Bertaut.

BenitoLink’s listening sessions are a continuation of those done by the Community Foundation for San Benito County. Several notable results followed the foundation’s 2011-12 listening sessions. 

  • The founding of BenitoLink, a nonprofit news organization serving the residents of San Benito County with local and regional news and information
  • The REACH Parks Foundation, which has been central to the development of parks and walking trails in San Benito County
  • The Community Foundation Women’s Fund, which has helped women with financial support and educational programs
  • Local nonprofits such as the San Benito County Farm Bureau identified the need for leaders with a better understanding of agriculture, and worked to bring qualified team members into leadership positions

The 2023-24 Vision San Benito County listening sessions are supported by the Calhoun/Christiano Family Fund and the Community Foundation for San Benito County. 

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Noe Magaña is a BenitoLink reporter. He began with BenitoLink as an intern and later served as a freelance reporter. He has also served as content manager and co-editor. He experiments with videography...