Tacos, Tunes, and Belonging: VOICES Youth Help Bring Napa Together

Third Annual Lowrider Summer Jam Connects Culture, Young Leadership, and Community Support

On July 26 2026, VOICES Youth Programs welcomed families, young people, community organizations, and local partners to the 3rd Annual Tacos & Tunes Lowrider Summer Jam in Napa.

Presented in partnership with Grapetown Car Club, the free event brought together classic lowriders, oldies played on vinyl, street tacos, family activities, and information from local service providers. Throughout the afternoon, the Les Schwab parking lot became a place where people could gather without pressure, enjoy time together, and connect with support in a setting rooted in culture and community.

For On The Move and VOICES, that combination is intentional. Community support does not always begin with an appointment, an intake form, or a formal request for help. Sometimes it begins with music or over a shared meal. Sometimes it begins when a young person, parent, or neighbor comes upon a space and immediately feels welcomed.

“We’re intentionally creating spaces where families can come together, celebrate culture, and build community,” said Odelia Bueno, VOICES Pathways Coordinator. “Lowrider culture is rooted in family, artistry, pride, and tradition. We want young people to experience that positive side of the culture while also connecting with organizations that can support them and their families.”

A Community Celebration With Purpose

Tacos & Tunes was created to celebrate lowrider culture while making community resources easier to access. Lowriders from Grapetown Car Club gave attendees the opportunity to appreciate the creativity, history, and care represented in each vehicle. DJ Tuff of Suavecito Soulies added to the atmosphere with classic oldies on vinyl, while families enjoyed free street tacos, elote, fruit cups, and activities for all ages.

The event also offered a different way of understanding community outreach. Rather than expecting families to enter a traditional service environment, VOICES and its partners brought information and support into a gathering that felt festive, familiar, and welcoming.

“Sometimes people don’t come because they need resources, they come because they want to enjoy a great community event,” Bueno said. “If they leave with a full stomach, new connections, information that helps their family, or simply a stronger sense of belonging, then we’ve accomplished our goal.”

Resources Built Around Relationships

Local organizations joined VOICES to share information and connect with youth and families throughout the day.

Participating partners included NEWS Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse Services, LGBTQ Connection, Expressions of Hope, Abode, VOICES opioid prevention educators, and additional community organizations. Their presence gave attendees the opportunity to learn about available services, ask questions, and meet the people behind local programs in a relaxed environment.

This relational approach is central to the work of On The Move. People are more likely to reach out when they know who they are reaching out to. Trust grows through repeated contact, familiar faces, and experiences that communicate respect. Events like Tacos & Tunes help create those points of connection before a crisis happens or a family needs immediate assistance.

Young People Helping Shape the Day

VOICES youth and staff helped create the energy that carried the event. Young people supported activities, welcomed community members, assisted partners, and helped build an environment where families could feel comfortable. These responsibilities gave youth a direct role in shaping an event for their own community. That kind of participation matters for young people.

Youth leadership is not only developed through workshops or formal programs. It also grows through opportunities to contribute, solve problems, build relationships, and see the results of one’s work. Tacos & Tunes gave young people a chance to practice those skills while helping create something joyful and meaningful for others.

Made Possible by Community

The event was supported by local partners and businesses that contributed food, space, and resources.

Grocery Outlet, Safeway, and Azteca Market donated toward the meal. Grapetown Car Club helped secure the expanded location at the Les Schwab parking lot and supplied the vehicles featured during the event. Their contributions helped VOICES keep admission and food free for families while supplies lasted.

Tacos & Tunes has grown into more than an annual car gathering. It is a community tradition built around pride, relationships, access, and belonging.

As an initiative of On The Move, VOICES works alongside young people and families across Napa, Solano, Sonoma, and Alameda counties. Its programs support youth wellness, prevention, leadership development, outreach, and connection to resources.

Read the Napa Valley Register’s coverage of Tacos & Tunes.

To help VOICES continue offering youth leadership opportunities, free community events, and family support, make a donation through On The Move and designate your gift to VOICES Youth Programs.

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