NEXT, a local organization that works toward connecting the next generation of residents to the community and inspiring them to create a positive future for Santa Cruz, is holding its second NEXTies award extravaganza this Saturday at the classy Top of the Ritt in downtown Santa Cruz.

Tickets to the event include dancing to Dan P and the Bricks, a glass of champagne and a spread of gourmet food provided by local chefs. Local wines and microbrews will be available for purchase. The mouth-watering menu includes SmoQe BBQ’s house-cured sturgeon, smoked brisket sliders, smoked duck liver pâté and roasted corn cakes; Coastal Catering’s mac & cheese croquettes and Vietnamese sandwiches; Tabitha’s Appropriate Jams; and desserts from The Penny Ice Creamery.

And The Winners Are…

Santa Cruz Patch asked each of the winners about their inspiration, their organization’s impact on the community and what the NEXTies award means to them.

Doron Comerchero

In 2007, Comerchero started Food, What?! to give teens a vehicle for personal growth through growing, cooking and distributing sustainable foods.

Inspiration: When I was in my early 20s, I went to a youth empowerment and food justice conference in San Francisco. At that time, I was working in the South Bronx as an organizer helping folks preserve their community gardens that Mayor Guilliani was trying to bulldoze. At the conference, I was completely inspired that these rad youth from every corner of the country were organizing and educating around food justice issues. I saw the path I wanted to channel my skills and gifts.

Impact: The impacts of FoodWhat are personal to the youth we serve, nourishing to the low-income families we feed, and educational to the students we host on the farm. [FoodWhat is] distributing fresh produce to low-income families in Beach Flats, and at Gault Elementary School. FoodWhat [brings] over 650 Santa Cruz County students to the farm each year for exposure and education to where their food comes from and on food justice. And in light of the violence affecting our youth and the community at large, we are reminding youth they have positive options and we are reminding the adult community about the positive roles youth are currently playing in our community.

NEXTies: I am very excited and honored to be awarded a NEXTie. I also look forward to the many new relationships that will develop from receiving this award.

Analicia Cube

Cube is co-founder and president of Take Back Santa Cruz, an organization that is committed to the safety and well-being of Santa Cruz residents.

Inspiration: Creating ways for the community to come together. We wanted to get to people and found the best way for us to do that was through social networking and then taking it live.

Impact: We believe that we are creating ways for people to get involved. It can be to help those in need or make our streets safe. Each person doing something, even the smallest action is important.

NEXTies: I am grateful to the Santa Cruz Next organization. They promote prosperity in Santa Cruz. That is a major piece to the puzzle. I am humbled by this award. It belongs to each and every person that steps up. I am receiving this award for them.

Cliff Hodges

Hodges is the founder of Adventure Out, a business that encourages community-oriented outdoor recreation while preserving the environment.

Inspiration: I started Adventure Out because I felt compelled to give back and do something with my life that had a positive effect. Our current way of life isn’t sustainable, our planet is dying and we need to find a better way. By getting people outside, active, and having fun, I’m trying to get people to fall back in love with nature. It’s hard to kill something you love.

Impact: Adventure Out works with over 4000 people every year, all over the state of California. I’ve seen former surf students of ours working with Surfrider Foundation, former climbing students picking up trash at Castle Rock State Park, and countless other examples. As a member of the 1% For the Planet Alliance, we give away thousands of dollars every year to nonprofit organizations.

NEXTies: The NEXTies are a great honor. As someone who was born and raised here in Santa Cruz, it’s amazing yet humbling to be recognized by this community.  I know lots of people here that are doing good things for the community every day without an award ceremony, so hopefully everyone can remember that we aren’t the only 4 people making a difference. I think the best thing I can hope for is that the award brings more attention to my cause [and] it will inspire other people to do some of the hard work with me.

Deutron Kebebew

In spite of his UC Santa Cruz degree in electrical engineering and the possibility of a lucrative career, Deutron chose to work at the Santa Cruz Community Counseling Center (SCCCC) as a counselor for foster youth. After three years, he became program manager of the Papas/Supporting Father Involvement Program. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocates for foster children.

(Kebebew did not respond to  the questionaire.)

If you go:

What: NEXTies

Where: Top of the Ritt

When: Jan. 22, 6 p.m.

Tickets: $45, general admission

More information: http://santacruznext.org/