Home - Resident Services - Youth Programs

The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara is committed to providing academic support and safe and constructive extracurricular programs for youth of all ages. We believe this is a key to creating a healthy, engaging community in which our resident children and teens can succeed and thrive.

The Housing Authority provides many successful and innovative programs in collaboration with other community groups - and steps in to fill some of the gaps left by the school budget crisis and by the schedules of families working hard to advance themselves.

Family Opportunity Center at Monteria Village
The goal of the Center is to provide a safe learning environment for the children of Santa Barbara’s west-side community.  The program teaches self-esteem and focuses on peer interaction both in the complex and at school.  Children attend 2 hours per day, 3 days a week and receive assistance with their homework from community and UCSB student volunteers.  Participants learn to use computers and the Internet through our computer lab.  For some, this is one of their only outlets to access this type of technology.

The Housing Authority contracts with Ann Bennet, a retired teacher, to provide the children at this apartment complex with mentoring and homework assistance.  Ann has been instrumental in securing collaborations with the Women’s Assistance League of Santa Barbara and UCSB student volunteers to provide a teen program twice a month operating at the center.  

Paseo Voluntario Learning Center
Similar to the Family Opportunity Center at Monteria Village, our newest center serves children in Santa Barbara’s east-side community.  Youth are free to use the center and attend the After School Homework Program.  Resident Services staff and Housing Authority interns aid the children in several subject matters.  The computer lab provides education in computers and supervised access to educational benefits of the Internet.

GreenNet/Arroyo Gardens (computer/garden activities)
An intervention program to divert attention away from vandalism, gangs, drugs and violence, GreenNet/Arroyo Gardens teaches our public housing children computer skills and introduces horticulture and agriculture activities. 

Beginning with a seed and evolving into a mature plant, our children grow along with the seed they’ve planted and reward themselves with fresh fruits, vegetables and beautiful flowers to take back to their homes. 

GreenNet also provides small business training by teaching youths how to run a business and sell their product to the community.  Many donations are received each year and local restaurants buy produce or flowers for their venues. Children also receive instructions and research the internet on these subjects for more information.

Presidio Historical Park Summer Program
A collaboration between the Santa Barbara Presidio Historical Landmark and the Housing Authority, this 4-week summer program is open to all youth residing in public housing.  Participants learn many historical facts about their city and enjoy fun and interactive activities.

Girl Scouts
The Department of Resident Services also liaises with the local Girl Scouts chapter and residents are encouraged to participate in these activities in addition to the various programs offered by the Housing Authority.  Girl Scouts focuses on instilling girls with courage, confidence and character and therefore participants will be more likely to resist the influence of gangs, drugs and violence in their lives. Through Girl Scouts, participants learn to have long-lasting friendships and become leaders and model citizens.