The importance of supporting local youth was highlighted during the inaugural Standing With Youth event, held at the Railroad Clubhouse in Santa Maria on January 27.
CEO Maria Fabula hosted the breakfast event, with dozens of local community leaders in attendance, including Santa Maria City Manager Dave Rowlands, Councilmember Gloria Flores and Guadalupe City Councilmember Christina Hernandez. Fabula moderated a panel consisting of Santa Maria Police Chief Christopher Williams and Councilmember Gloria Soto, to get their expertise and knowledge on the state of youth in the Santa Maria area. Many topics were discussed, such as the issues that young people are facing in the community, what investments can be made to better the opportunities for youth and how to keep kids safe in the modern age of social media and internet misconceptions.
Both the Youth of the Year and Jr. Youth of the Year recipients were honored briefly following the panel. Jessenia Aguilar of the Railroad Clubhouse was honored as the 2026 Youth of the Year for the organization, while Haddie Neely from the Creston Club was recognized as the Jr. Youth of the Year. According to the BGCA website, Youth of the Year is “our signature effort to foster a new generation of leaders, fully prepared to live and lead in a diverse, global and integrated world economy.”
Boys & Girls Clubs of Mid Central Coast is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, and plans to continue creating a community where young people can become the safe, responsible citizens they strive to be.
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