Senator Anna M. Caballero Secures $5 Million for a Teen Innovation Center in the City of Gonzales

SACRAMENTO: Senator Anna M. Caballero, (D-Salinas) visited the City of Gonzales on Tuesday, October 19 to present City Leaders and members of the Gonzales Youth Council with a check for $5 million for the construction of the Teen Innovation Center which will be located off 400 5th Street. The Gonzales Youth Council (GYC) comprised of 7th-12th graders, established in 2015, serves as a platform for young leaders to have a voice to tackle issues and make improvements in their community. Members also serve as advisors to the Gonzales City Council. In 2016, the GYC identified the need for a dedicated space that would be accessible to teens outside of school hours, granting them access to a variety of resources and experiences in preparation for life beyond high school. The Council made it clear that they wanted a safe space to gather that provided STEAM activities and opportunities and a place to receive career readiness. Through the state budget, Senator Anna M. Caballero (D-Salinas) was able to secure $5 million dollars for the completion of this visionary project. The Teen Innovation Center will now be part of the greater Community Center Complex, which will also host the Gonzales Library and a large room with adjacent classroom spaces. The Teen Innovation Center will be what the teens have asked for– a place to call their own. Construction is set to start at the end of 2022 and slated to open in late 2024. “I am extremely proud of the initiative shown by the Gonzales Youth Council,” said Senator Anna Caballero. “It is because of their vision, hard work, and dedication, that the youth in the community will have a safe, centrally located space to call their own. I am excited to see what great things will come from this project, and know that it will inspire and transform the lives of the students who will utilize its programs and resources. It is my honor to be able to provide $5 million dollars towards the completion of the project, and look forward to attending the ribbon cutting, standing beside the phenomenal members of the Gonzales Youth Council. The City of Gonzales thanks the Senator for her continuous support: “We have been supporting our Gonzales youth for quite some time now, because they are our future and if they do well in life, we all do better. The Teen Innovation Center, inspired by our Gonzales Youth Council will allow us to bridge a gap for many of them who don’t currently have a space where they can study, learn, create, and visually and dream their future and potential. With the Senator’s support, we will build an indispensable opportunity for our young people that will continue to push them to the next level of growth and success.” “We want to create a safe and resourceful place where students can take academics beyond the classroom by immersing themselves into 21st century programs and activities,” said the Gonzales Youth Council. “We want to promote college and career readiness, academic success, entrepreneurship, and most importantly—to spark innovation.”