Youth Impact Awards

Want to celebrate young people making a difference in Santa Barbara County? Join us at the KIDS Network's annual Youth Impact Awards, Thursday May 5 in Santa Barbara. Visit www.youthimpactawards.com to learn more and/or RSVP.

Youth Impact Awards Winners Announced and Celebrated

Youth Impact Victory Award winner Adela Lopez accepts a certificate of recognition from Blanca Figueroa, District Representative for Congresswoman Lois Capps. Looking on are Joyce Howerton, District Representative for State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson, and Doug Coleman, Field Representative for State Assemblymember Katcho Achadjian. 

Each year the KIDS Network – a countywide umbrella organization including members from public agencies, the courts, law enforcement, education, community-based organizations, school-linked programs and parent groups – honors people ages 10-18 who have had a significant positive impact on their communities in Santa Barbara County.

Two types of awards were given this year: a Victory Award to a winner who has overcome adversity and hardship to help others, and a Champion Award to a winner whose long-standing or time-intensive service has helped others overcome adversity and hardship.

This year's top winners are Adela Lopez and Christopher Wagonhurst.

Youth Impact Awards: nominations now being accepted

Every year, KIDS Network presents the Youth Impact Awards, celebrating young people who have given their time, talent and energy to make a positive impact for individuals in Santa Barbara County...often while overcoming adversity in their own lives.

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2015 Youth Impact Awards. Please help us distribute the nomination form and/or the event flyer by sharing them with others and posting as appropriate...and if you know of a youth who fits the criteria, please take the time to nominate them! Nominees may be individuals or groups of young people, between the ages of 10 and 18, who reside and/or attend school in Santa Barbara County. The deadline to submit a nomination is April 30, 2015.

Winners receive a small monetary award, and winners and nominees alike are honored at the Youth Impact Awards Ceremony. We invite you to attend this ceremony, to be held Friday May 13 from 4:00 to 5:30pm in Shepard Hall at the Santa Maria Public Library, 421 South McClelland Street. The ceremony is free and open to the public, so we ask that you register online to ensure yourself a seat.

For more information about the Youth Impact Awards,please visit the event webpage at www.YouthImpactAwards.com.

Child Abuse Prevention Month Focuses on Neglect

Our prevention poster...click it to enlarge!

How can we prevent child abuse and neglect? Every April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, when we help communities answer that question by sharing activities and information to build awareness and knowledge. 

2014 Youth Impact Award winners honored

LEGIT representatives at the awards ceremony 

Winners have been chosen for the 2014 Youth Impact Awards!

Winners this year included Ella Brewer of San Marcos High School, Fatima Cacho of Cabrillo High School, and the LEGIT Club of Righetti High School. Honorable mentions included Maria Frias of San Marcos High School, Diego Hernandez of Santa Maria High School, and Marcy Montano of Grizzly Academy.