Our View: South Valley Community Church’s efforts to entertain
the youth of Gilroy should be commended and encouraged
In the wake of numerous neighborhood complaints about unruly teen behavior accompanying South Valley Community Church’s youth concerts, the church has vowed to redouble efforts to keep the “congregation” in line. Good. It’s too bad a few teens, intent on drinking and loitering, have spoiled a fun night for their peers. Popular local bands such as Sonic Mirth are a big draw for junior high and high school students, and it certainly fills a void on the fun-things-to-do teen calendar.
Perhaps predictably, the monthly events have outstripped the church’s ability to monitor behavior and keep the teens from negatively impacting the neighborhood.
Could the church turn its positive efforts in trying to entertain teens and attract them to the church’s youth group into something wonderful for Gilroy?
With creative and critical thinking, the answer should be “yes,” without a doubt.
What about a summer concert series for teens held at the Christmas Hill Park amphitheater? A partnership with the city’s youth commission could help accomplish that. The youth commission could even advocate for a park fee waiver.
What about contacting youth groups affiliated with other Gilroy churches? Could an alliance be formed to deliver quality concerts and the proceeds be split?
Hopefully, South Valley Community Church will not retreat from what, in essence, is a good idea. An effort to reach out and creatively solve the challenges associated with youth concerts would be a much-welcomed endeavor. The area’s ministerial association might even be willing to support a group effort.
The concerts are a definite positive for Gilroy. The unruly behavior of a few should not spoil the idea. Hopefully, there is a way to solve the problems so that Gilroy’s youth are treated to a series of fun, local concerts led by church-affiliated youth groups trying to provide positive experiences and affiliations for youth in our city.
