Target. Kmart. Taco Bell.
Although they may not be the hippest places to spend time, the
three businesses are where many youth in San Benito County find
themselves after school or on the weekends.
Target. Kmart. Taco Bell.
Although they may not be the hippest places to spend time, the three businesses are where many youth in San Benito County find themselves after school or on the weekends.
While many kids complain, “There’s nothing to do here!” not many have solutions. At a recent San Benito Youth Council meeting, eight of its members talked about why activities for youth are important and threw in their two cents about what should be done.
“This is how boring our town is – we went to Kmart yesterday and (my friend) pushed me in a cart and I fell down and that’s our entertainment,” said Devita Cota, 16.
In addition to Target, there is the movie theater and bowling alley to occupy time, the council members said. But these options can run thin and get old after a few weeks.
“My cousins ask me what I do for fun. I tell them I go to Target,” said Annie Nunez, 16.
Ask these students what they would like to see in Hollister and their imagination runs wild. On the list are a public pool, youth center, mall, paintball park, skating rink, golf park, arcade, petting zoo, water park, pool hall and a wider variety of eating establishments, including Jamba Juice, Carl’s Jr. and In-N-Out Burger.
Some adults say there are plenty of things to do in Gilroy, San Jose and Salinas, but the kids argue that they don’t all have cars and not everyone wants to drive on Highway 25, said Rosa Bezerra, 15.
While having a mall in Hollister was the most popular choice among the council members, they acknowledged the idea wasn’t realistic. Besides, they would like to see a youth center dedicated to youth activities.
“With a mall, we won’t grow out of it (like we would a youth center) – we can go when we get older,” Cota said.
Also, the teens argue that a mall brings in jobs and revenue. People from outside Hollister would travel to shop there, they said.
“There’d be more jobs for teens. It’s really hard to find a job right now,” said Lupe Sanchez, 15.
There are still opportunities for success with a youth center, the council members said. Amenities to include at the youth center are a pool table and space to hold dances, they said.
Dances are popular among the students because they allow kids a place to dance, meet new people and listen to good music.
While finding things and places for kids to spend time is important to keep them occupied and help them have fun, the council members cited other reasons.
“It’s important to keep kids out of trouble,” Cota said.
Trouble brings “bad consequences,” said Yadira Orozco, 15, including drinking and driving, drug use, teen pregnancy and being sent to juvenile hall. These are reasons teens should not be ignored, she said.
To be part of the solution, the council members brainstormed on ways to help adults. Suggestions included working with adults, gathering input, serving on committees, asking for donations and motivating other students for support.
