In a small town like Benicia, the presence of a dedicated space for teens to connect, create, and express themselves is crucial. The Kyle Hyland Foundation for Teen Support (KHF), founded in 2015, stands as a beacon of hope and resilience, offering what few other towns can claim: a safe, welcoming, and creative environment built entirely for our youth.
The foundation was created in memory of Kyle Hyland, a vibrant and empathetic Benicia High School junior who took his life at 16. His parents, Barbara Gervase and George Hyland, found purpose in their grief by establishing the KHF to ensure that “no other family experiences the loss that Kyle’s family suffered.”
Kyle was known not only for his musical talents, playing guitar, keyboard, ukulele, and singing, but also for his deep compassion and sense of humor. “He had a unique ability to make people feel better when they were sad, troubled or upset,” his family shared. “He would frequently seek out kids who were not part of the group, the new kid at school, the kid that was shy or was targeted by bullies.”
That kindness and natural ability to make other feel included became a driving force of the foundation. Inspired by Kyle’s observation that, for teens, “Benicia was just so boring with nothing to do,” Barbara and George created the Hyland Teen Center, a place where teens could hang out, create music, express themselves through art, and find support in a “stress-free and creative environment.” The teen center is open to Benicia residents and Benicia Unified School District students in 8th to 12th grade.
As Barbara explains, “The KHF is the only one of its kind in Benicia and neighboring cities. Teen centers are very rare, and the type of center that we power is more than just a recreational center as we also offer peer mentoring, and education about mental health through various workshops and teen forums.”
This dual mission to nurture creativity while addressing mental health is what sets the organization apart. What began in 2016 as a small rented space has since blossomed into a cornerstone of community support. The current center, located at 1135 Church Street, feels more like a cozy home than a facility, complete with a music room, art studio, games, and a quiet space to study or reflect. “The teens think of the HTC as their ‘home away from home,’” Barbara says.
When the foundation began, there was an intense stigma against mental health. “In 2015, there was so much more stigma with respect to mental health,” Barbara recalls. “When Kyle was struggling, it was very difficult to find an adolescent therapist that was accepting new patients.”
Free counseling for teens in both Benicia and Vallejo
Today, the foundation has helped to remedy that. Through its Behavioral Health Program, KHF now offers free counseling for teens in both Benicia (at the Hyland Teen Center and Liberty High School) and Vallejo (at Jesse Bethel, and Vallejo High). With two therapists on staff, these services are life-changing for families who might otherwise struggle to find affordable care.
KHF also has a Teen and Community Awareness Program, hosting campaigns and events on suicide prevention, bullying, teen dating violence, and more. Their annual Community Suicide Prevention Walk brings residents together to honor lives lost and raise awareness.
Benicia’s teens, like those in neighboring Vallejo, face unique pressures. “When you grow up in a small town such as Benicia, everyone knows you and knows your business,” Barbara explains. “This can put a lot of stress and pressure on the youth. Add in social media and this can promote both anxiety and depression.”
While many teens in big cities find community in youth centers or cultural hubs, small-town teens don’t often have those same options. “The lack of a movie theater, a bowling alley, or a mall leave many teens without much to do,” Barbara says. The Teen Center fills that void, offering safe, supervised after-school programs during the hours when “risky behavior in youth peaks.”
More than just a hangout spot, the center is a place where teens can process the challenges of growing up in an increasingly complex world, where technology, social isolation, and fear of violence weigh heavily on all of us. “KHF is a safe space for teens to be accepted, receive help and guidance,” Barbara emphasizes. “Community-building spaces that are free, accepting and welcoming for everyone are exactly what every city needs in modern times.”
Kyle’s passion is alive and well in the music room of the teen center
Music, which was such a major part of Kyle’s life, continues to inspire the foundation’s energy. “Kyle’s passion is alive and well in the music room of the teen center,” Barbara says, noting that his original keyboard sits among guitars, a DJ table, and a drum kit. “Teens play alone or together in groups there, and the creative expression of performing and creating music help to keep Kyle’s spirit alive.”
The center hosts open mics, karaoke nights, and “battle of the bands” events, alongside art programs where teens can paint, draw, sculpt, or create with any medium they choose. “You name it, we basically have it or will purchase it if a teen asks for it,” Barbara says. “All of these supplies are free for the teens.”
Local artists, musicians, and volunteers have been essential to KHF’s impact. Many have donated instruments and supplies, and some even lead workshops and mentor teens. Events like KHF’s annual “60s/70s Adult Party” fundraiser, featuring a band of local musicians called Kyle’s Misfits, help fund the programs year-round.
Partnerships with other local organizations also expand the foundation’s reach. “We love to partner with other organizations and businesses to offer workshops at the teen center,” Barbara says.
As the foundation celebrates 10-years of service to our community, its future looks brighter than ever. A major milestone is already in progress: KHF recently purchased a permanent home for the Teen Center at 1155 W. 10th Street, just a block from its current location.
“The Planning Commission approved the use permit in August 2025, and the City Council later upheld the Planning Commission’s approval by a unanimous vote.,” Barbara says. “We closed escrow in October and are now in the process of applying for building permits to remodel the house for use as the future teen center. We are excited to finally bring our vision to life with this new space for generations of Benicia teens to come.”
The foundation also plans to launch a Vocational Program connecting local business owners and professionals with teens to share insights about their careers. The program is a sort of “day in the life” experience designed to help youth explore possible career paths.
What began as a response to loss has transformed into an impactful lifeline for hundreds of teens, acting as a model for how small towns can effectively support their youth. The Kyle Hyland Foundation reminds Benicia and Vallejo that even in the smallest towns, positive change can come from compassion, creativity, and the courage to talk openly about mental health.
Kyle’s legacy continues to spread through every note played, every brushstroke, and every conversation where a teen feels seen, heard, and supported, possibly for the first time.
Because of the Kyle Hyland Foundation, our small town is stronger, more connected, and full of hope.
