By Wade Sheldon, Tulalip News
Under the gleaming summer sun on July 6, the Tulalip Resort Casino Amphitheatre roared to life with candy-colored lowriders, smiling families, and the steady beat of DJ Sugar Bear spinning tracks that lifted spirits as much as the custom hydraulics on display.
The second annual HOPE Fest, short for Helping Our People Evolve, brought together culture, community, and compassion in one powerfully vibrant celebration. From car enthusiasts to families in need, everyone found something meaningful in the day’s offerings.
Neaners Garcia, executive director and founder of HOPE for Homies, is the driving force behind the event. With the mission of bringing healing and resources directly to marginalized communities, he shared how vital this work is to him.
“This event is based on serving our community,” he said. “A lot of the bigger cities get all the resources, but communities like Tulalip, Marysville, Camano, and Arlington often get overlooked, especially the brown community. That’s why we’re focusing on bringing support where it’s needed most.”
Born out of lived experience and personal transformation, Neaner’s passion is rooted in trauma-informed care and gang prevention. HOPE for Homies works year-round to offer healing, dignity, and hope for those who often fall through the cracks. “Many of us are taught to stay quiet, to hold everything inside. For people to trust us with their stories, it’s powerful. That relationship is everlasting,” he reflected.
And HOPE Fest isn’t just a one-day event. Neaners emphasized the importance of consistency and long-term support: “We don’t want to be something that just pops up and disappears. That’s why we’re working to host these events every six months, to keep the momentum and support alive.”
Throughout the day, visitors were greeted by a lineup of sleek lowriders, muscle cars, and classics, all customized with bold paint, chrome accents, and a sense of community pride. But the heart of the event pulsed from the rows of booths offering tangible help, including free backpacks stuffed with school supplies, free food and drinks, haircuts, access to healthcare, and even vaccines.
Organizations such as NW Plus Credit Union, Tulalip Tribes, Mother Nation, and the Snohomish County Health Department, among others, partnered to offer vital resources.
HOPE for Homies also provided banking assistance to youth without family support and enrolled participants in a program that delivers food boxes to their homes. The goal was clear: meet people where they are, and uplift them with care, compassion, and community.
Teak Pocinwong, a member of the car club Ruthless Ryderz and a longtime supporter of the nonprofit, explained why events like this matter, especially for young people. “We try to give back to at-risk youth through supplies, presents, and teaching life skills, like how to break down a car or learn a trade. It’s about building confidence.”
Teak knows firsthand how powerful that shift can be. “Growing up, I was told that if you don’t have a college degree, you’re a bum. But that’s not true. We need welders, mechanics, and people who can work with their hands. Not every kid is meant for college, but that doesn’t mean they’re not smart. They need the opportunity to find what they’re good at.”
That message resonated with many, including eventgoer Elizabeth Edelman, who called the event “awesome” and praised its positive impact on local youth. “There’s not much of this that goes on out here. It’s exposing our youth to a lot of diverse cultures and possibilities.”
As the day ended with the traditional Aztec dance called Mashika, and a crowd energized by both music and meaning, one thing was undeniable: HOPE Fest isn’t just a car show, it’s a movement—a celebration of resilience, unity, and transformation that rolls forward on chrome and compassion.
If you’d like to support the mission, donations can be made at hopeforhomies.org.