The Hollister City Council approved a $22,000 contribution to Youth Alliance for a new Youth Empowerment Center. The funds were raised in the ‘80s to establish a community youth center. In March, the Parks and Recreation Commission unanimously voted to recommend to the council that the funds be allocated to the project.
The 6,200-square-foot facility will provide a larger, modern space for Youth Alliance’s youth-leadership work and will double the nonprofits’ current office space. “This center is specifically for youth empowerment, education and life success,” said Diane Ortiz, Youth Alliance executive director. “We are exceptionally grateful to the City Council and to Clay Lee for supporting this effort to provide positive alternatives to Hollister youth.”
The center will house multiple counseling rooms, a youth-training area with computer stations and program-specific meeting rooms. The Youth Empowerment Center will be located off of Tres Pinos Road in Hollister. “With our new space, we can expand our outreach and continue to provide a safe, fun place for youth to get support and work together on issues that are important to them while having a place to call their own,” Ortiz said.
Youth Alliance hopes to raise $40,000 to begin renovations of the new facility. Ted Davis, of Teknova, and K&S properties, has already committed generous monetary and in-kind support as well as showing business and community support for local youth.
The nonprofit is participating in Silicon Valley Gives, an online fundraising event, Tuesday, May 6. For 24 hours, people can donate to local nonprofits, including Youth Alliance, through the online donation platform Razoo. To donate to Youth Alliance, visit their Razoo page.
“This is a perfect opportunity to make a difference in our community,” Ortiz said. “By donating during SV Gives, your contribution can be doubled.” The Community Foundation of San Benito County has pledged to match up to $100,000 of SV Gives donations that participating nonprofits add to their endowment fund. SV Gives also doubles donations made within the hour of 7 a.m., 8 a.m., 12 p.m., 6 p.m., and 7 p.m.
Follow Youth Alliance on Facebook and Twitter for the latest information about their SV Gives fundraiser. To join the conversation, include #SVGives in Facebook and Twitter posts. For more about SV Gives, click here.
About Youth Alliance. Youth Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides innovative and culturally relevant services that strengthen and enrich youth, families and the community. Youth Alliance has served San Benito County since 1995. Today, they offer after school programs, youth support services, bullying prevention programs, and community outreach in San Benito and Santa Clara counties. For more information on Youth Alliance visit youthall.org.
Connect with Youth Alliance on Facebook, Twitter @youth4alliance and Instagram (Youth4alliance). Reaching Out & Making a Difference.