By Lookout Staff

December 7, 2016 -- Santa Monica's Pico Youth and Family Center (PYFC) will hold a holiday mixer Saturday to raise money for coding classes for underserved youth.

The first-annual PYFC Holiday Mixer, which takes place at 8 p.m. at Santa Monica's Solidarity Restaurant, is part of the center's Digital Dream Pathways Campaign, center officials said.

Launched in August, the campaign has raised more than $50,000 to invest in PYFC's Film & Visual Media, Music Production and Computer Coding programs and is targeting Silicon Beach, the Westside's coastal region that is home to an estimated 2,200 businesses.

"PYFC wants to make sure every young person in Santa Monica has the opportunity to pursue their talents and reach their full potential," said Santa Monica Mayor Tony Vazquez. "That's why I am calling on Silicon Beach to support PYFC's Digital Dream Pathways Campaign."

Last year, Tiny Rebellion became the first area tech company to partner with the center, offering to paint its new home and provide mentoring, internships and entry-level jobs to its members ("Newly Remodeled Pico Youth and Family Center Connects with Silicon Valley, Others, as it Fights to Stay Open," March 12, 2015).

"Silicon Beach is crucial to the success of the Dream Pathways Campaign," said Oscar de la Torre, the center's CEO. "Youth, like those we serve, are already their customers.

"Now, we want to make sure they can expand their horizons with opportunities to become Silicon Beach employees."

PYFC serves about 150 at-risk Santa Monica youth between the ages of 14 and 24, many of them students at Santa Monica High School, Olympic High School and Santa Monica College.

Saturday's holiday mixer will feature live music by rapper BLU and stand-up comedy by Joe Hernandez-Kolski. Guests will be treated to Polish-Mexican fusion appetizers and an open bar.

Individual tickets begin at $25; sponsorship opportunities are available for Silicon Beach firms and local business.

To purchase tickets and for complete details on sponsorship opportunities visit the center's Eventbrite page or call Filiberto Gonzalez at 818-963-0801.