A local program that affects the lives of at-risk youth received
a state award for its partnership in academic excellence.
A local program that affects the lives of at-risk youth received a state award for its partnership in academic excellence.
The Hollister Impact Program, which brings together county agencies to give troubled youth extra support and a different direction, was honored by the Association of California School Administrators. It won its category for ACSA’s Region 10, which includes San Benito, Monterey and Santa Cruz counties, then finished second as a state finalist.
“It’s unique because it’s not one agency trying to do it all,” said Santiago Echaore, vice principal of student management at San Benito High School, one of the program’s partners. “It allows different perspectives from every agency to create ways to work with the kids. … This bond we’ve had (over the years) has helped us.”
The partners are SBHS, the Hollister Police Department, the San Benito County Office of Education, the San Benito County Probation Department and the U.S. Army.
The program tries to catch kids when they’re young before they enter gangs, start to vandalize buildings with graffiti or turn to other types of juvenile crime, Echaore said.
Almost 80 students have gone through seven sessions of the program since it started, Vasquez said. Participants are referred by schools or parents or are wards of the court, Echaore said. All parents must attend a four-week class so they can help their children stay in a positive direction, he said.
The Impact Program started in March 2002 as a five-week session that met Saturdays. Students participate in physical drills, videos and class discussions and speakers come in to inspire the youths. A career day is held and students take field trips to a morgue and prison. Students also perform community service.
The trips to the prisons and morgues have a strong impression on the students, Echaore said. At the prisons, they visit criminals and experience what prison life is like. At the morgues, they see the affects of drug abuse on the body.
In September, the session will be 12 weeks long and have separate classes for boys and girls.
“We try to get them at an earlier age. We get kids on the borderline and try to change their direction,” said HPD Capt. Richard Vasquez.
Every person involved donates their time, Echaore said. Since the program has a very small budget, the state’s budget problems won’t affect it, he said.
“It proves to agencies that want to make a difference that money’s not always the issue,” he said.
As people donate their time, local businesses donate money and services to benefit the program, Echaore said.
