Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara kicks off summer resource program for teens

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -  Johanna Gomez Lopez is among several high school students participating in a teens resource program in Santa Barbara.

“Field trip … service hours helps us connect with the community for  example for me I get to be with other kids my age," said Lopez.

Hosted by the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara, the program called “Readiness, Well Being and Culture” is a free program for Housing Authority youth entering grades 9 to 12. 

"Main purpose of the agency has been to provide housing, but we think it needs to be so much more than that for a families to succeed so this provides us a great opportunity to be able to do that," said resident program specialist Hector Avila of the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara.

It's an opportunity providing educational activities, social-emotional support, and cultural awareness.

Gomez is especially excited about the program, because she’s also learning about how to prepare for college.

“We do a lot of stuff but it’s like what does it mean to be doing all these things … people have done it for me … housing authority has helped my family and I through volunteers … so I want to give back," said Gomez.

The Housing Authority is hoping to expand this team programs in order to prepare more students for college.

“How to have those conversations with their families … have cultural competency … and after Covid mental health was a huge thing and we wanted to tie that all in together," said Avila. “My hope Is that this goes beyond this program that the students come back and look at us as a resource … to provide everything from mental health to college prep readiness.”

"It’s like it’s not as daunting anymore. It’s now coming to me like this is exciting. It’s gonna be changed, but I have support there people that have done this now because I’m considered first generation and it’s not as scary. It’s actually exciting," said Gomez.

Students will engage in workshops focused on UC, Cal State, and community college entrance requirements.

During the program, students will also be introduced to financial aid, tutoring, and college campus tours.

The program focuses on promoting cultural awareness to cultivate a stronger sense of self for diverse students. 

Leaders of the Housing Authority hope the program will enhance students’ academic performance and critical thinking skills, and social and community engagement.

As for Gomez, she hopes to attend Stanford University.

For more information, contact Hector Avila, Resident Programs Specialist, at: (805) 897-1044 or havila@hacsb.org.