CITY OF SANTA MARIA
MEASURE U – YOUTH SERVICES
Expenditures by Council Priority
89.0%
5.6%
5.4%
FY 2023-24 Measure U Actual Expenditures by
Council Priority
Public Safety Youth Services Quality of Life
Measure U Expenditures by Department
In fiscal year (FY) 2023-24, $1,719,594 or 5.6 percent of Measure U funds were spent on Youth Services.
Youth Services – Recreation and Parks
Measure U funds are primarily spent on
staffing that provide services, including
the operation of the Abel Maldonado
Community Youth Center (Youth Center)
and implementation of the extensive
lineup of youth and teen programs.
Youth Services – Recreation and Parks
The Youth Center is a vibrant hub where
teens can connect, socialize, and
engage in activities within a safe and
welcoming environment. It remains a
vital resource in keeping teens
engaged, active, and involved in
meaningful experiences that contribute
to their overall well-being.
In the calendar year 2024:
• 2,923 youth served in registered
activities
• 3,226 teen check-ins at the Youth
Center
• 1,185 unique members at the Youth
Center
Youth Services – Recreation and Parks
Sample highlights of Youth and Teen
Programs include:
• Youth sports and fitness, including
junior golf clinics, youth pickleball
clinics
• Teen activities, including creative
arts, gardening club, teen yoga
• Outdoor and educational adventures
• Special events and workshops
Youth Services – Recreation and Parks
Community and Leadership Programs
include:
• Key Club
• Mayor’s Youth Task Force
• Chick-fil-A Leadership Program
• Full STEAM Ahead
• Teen CERT Training (Community
Emergency Response Team)
Youth Services – Library
The Santa Maria Public Library (Library) provides a wide array of youth and family programs that set the foundation for early literacy, provide academic support, and foster a culture of community engagement, literacy, and lifelong learning.
Youth Services – Library
The Library and associated Bookmobile
have successfully served youth and
families in the Santa Maria community
through impactful programming as
funded by Measure U. These include,
but are not limited to:
• Story-time for children of all ages,
from babies to preschoolers
• Homework assistance for
elementary school students
• Clubs for school-age children ages
6-11 featuring learning and literacy-
based activities
Youth Services – Library
• Teen programs include cooking
experiences, visits to junior high
schools, and the Anime Club,
providing social engagement
through art and reading.
• Bookmobile expanding outreach,
attending elementary school events
and festivals, literacy nights, class
visits, and parent nights in
partnership with local organizations.
Youth Services – Library
In the calendar year 2024, the Library
served a significant number of youth,
hosting 1,688 programs for all ages.
The Bookmobile served 5,819 patrons
at youth-centered events. By age group,
the Library connected with:
• 1,533 children age 0-5
• 1,118 elementary age children 6-11
• 691 teens age 13-17