Youth Rally set to take back the streets

Hollister teen Andres Guzman’s stabbing death in August 2013 prompted an explosion of talk on Facebook about needing affordable activities to keep youth out of gangs.
Andres Guzman, 19, of Hollister, was found Aug. 8 with stab wounds to the chest at Fourth and Powell streets and later died at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital.
This Saturday marks the return of the Youth Rally-Hollister, an event in which local juveniles take back their streets with a battle of the bands, car show, outdoor activities and good, clean, free fun.
“There is a lot for our youth to do in the community, but it’s not always affordable,” explained Andi Anderson, chairwoman of the event.
While the last youth rally held eight years ago was geared toward teenagers, this one is for minors of all ages.
“The whole goal is that as a result of this, it wouldn’t be just a one-time event, but throughout the year things would spring up (for) youth who wouldn’t ordinarily be able to afford to participate,” said Anderson, who imagines quarterly basketball scrimmages in the park and occasional, free classes.  
This year’s event will bring some new rally activities including a tie-dye station and a “Swap ’til you Drop” tent where youth can exchange clothes before strutting their new stuff in the Krazy Clothes Fashion Show at 5 p.m. Jewelry design workshops are set for 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. with Christie Martin, who has designed pieces for Taylor Swift, Pink, Britney Spears, Billy Bean, Janet Jackson and the Olsen twins.
Event organizers are also reviving some classics from past youth rally events, including the battle of the bands, car show, volleyball, basketball and art projects.
The one-day event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Park at 801 Memorial Drive in Hollister. It is organized by the Youth Rally-Hollister planning team with the help of local nonprofits and county agencies, including the Youth Employment Program Council, Sammy’s Animation Dance Community, Youth Alliance, Safe SBC, San Benito County Parks and Recreation Commission, the YMCA of San Benito County, Hazel Hawkins Community Health Clinic, Hollister Recreation Center, the Police Activities League and The Redeemed Team.
“I think it’s really going to bring the community together in a way that it has never been together before,” said Anderson.
For more information about events and times, check the Youth Rally-Hollister website at hollisteryouthrally.wix.com/hollisteryouthrally.