San Fernando and Sylmar High School alumni competed in the Taste of the Valley Throwdown, a pozole cookoff and community fundraiser for the Youth 4 Hoods Coalition (YHC), on Saturday, Jan. 27, at the Phoenix House in Sylmar.
Comprised of community organizations and community volunteers, YHC is a program provided by the nonprofit Pueblo y Salud that works on solutions to reduce and mitigate substance abuse in Northeast San Fernando Valley schools.
“Eat some pozole, cast your votes and enjoy the rest of the event,” announced Jason Strickler, prevention program coordinator for YHC, over the loudspeaker.
Strickler, a Sylmar High School alumnus, and Hugo Blanco, program director of YHC and a San Fernando High School alumnus, both brought their “A”game, cooking up flavorful bowls of red pork pozole.
Blanco and the San Fernando alumni were this year’s Taste of the Valley champion – with Sylmar receiving 46 votes and San Fernando receiving 88 votes.
“I genuinely think people came to support the schools they graduated from,” said Blanco. “I don’t think taste had anything to do with it, to be honest.”
The pozole might have been the main attraction, but Strickler reminded everyone of the reason behind the cookoff.
“We are here for one reason and one reason alone, and that is to raise awareness for youth substance use disorder. There are plenty of kids who go around looking for a coping mechanism and we’re here to promote that they don’t do that,” said Strickler.
In addition to pozole, Verdugo Hills High School Music Program bands – Zezz and Ima E – and Danzone Dance Studio provided entertainment.
Pueblo y Salud, Champions in Service, MEND, Planned Parenthood, the San Fernando Young Democrats and the office of Representative Tony Cárdenas set up resource booths.
“Events like today’s fundraiser are not just about raising funds, they are about raising awareness, raising spirits and raising our collective commitment, so that we are ensuring that every young person in the San Fernando Valley has the opportunity to thrive,” said guest speaker Teodora Reyes, communication director of the San Fernando Young Democrats.
“We must also confront the pressing challenges that our youth face, including the issue of substance abuse that plagues far too many communities, like in the San Fernando Valley. We must educate our young generations about the dangers of addiction and provide them with the resources and support they need to make healthy choices and advocate for policies where we prioritize prevention, intervention and treatment,” proclaimed Reyes.
Strickler said the YHC meets once a month to figure out why youth in the Northeast Valley are turning to substance abuse and what to do about it. Recognizing that prevention is tied to other aspects of life such as poverty, mental health and gangs, they work with schools, parents and youth to come up with ways to mitigate access to substances.
“I don’t think there’s any such thing as a bad kid. I think there’s just bad circumstances and bad decisions,” said Strickler.
Rather than shame youth for substance abuse, Strickler said YHC fosters open communication and encourages positive coping skills. As someone who grew up skateboarding in the Northeast Valley and later worked in the music industry, Strickler is no stranger to the types of situations youth today encounter. Through his mentorship, he encourages youth to authentically be themselves and creates a safe space where young people can freely communicate their questions and concerns.
“It really means a lot to me to be able to do this work in my own community, because I know what it’s like here. I grew up here in the neighborhood, and I know that there are all types of temptations, all types of different paths that you can go down,” said Strickler.
“I want to be that person that I needed when I was a kid.”