Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley Celebrates Proven Programs That are Shaping Lives of America’s Youth

SANTA CLARITA (March 22, 2010) – The Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley joins Boys & Girls Clubs across America to celebrate National Boys & Girls Club Week, March 21-27, by hosting several events to emphasize the importance and value of the Clubs to the local community. The organization invites everyone to take a tour of any of the three facilities and see first-hand the impact being made on today’s youth.

“Boys & Girls Clubs are increasingly playing a vital role in many young people’s lives,” said Jim Ventress, the Club’s chief professional officer. “In today’s economic climate, we offer a positive place for kids whose parents are seeking an economical, safe and enriching environment for their children.”

The cost for parents to send their child to the Club is only $36 per year.  Boys & Girls Clubs are unique in the field of child development due to five identifying characteristics. The Clubs provide:

• A safe place to learn and grow;
• Ongoing relationships with caring, adult professionals;
• Life-enhancing programs and character development experiences;
• Hope and opportunity; and,
• Peer, staff and volunteer recognition.

For more than 75 years, Clubs have celebrated Boys & Girls Club Week in a variety of ways, all with an emphasis on five core Club program areas: Character & Leadership Development; Education & Career Development; Health & Life Skills; The Arts; and Sports, Fitness & Recreation. Activities in these five core areas support Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s overarching goal to help each child reach their full potential and BE GREAT by securing academic success, living a healthy lifestyle and distinguishing themselves as young leaders.

Planned activities during Boys & Girls Club Week include:

• Newhall (24909 Newhall Avenue):  Tuesday, 4:15 p.m., slideshow of Club kids and programs; Wednesday, 4 p.m., games room tournament for kids; Thursday, 4:30 p.m., Alumni Movie Marathon – a look at Club alumni who have gone on to become well-known entertainers, sports figures, politicians and other popular figures in the community
• Sierra Vista (19425 Stillmore Street—on campus of Sierra Vista Jr. High):  Friday, 5 p.m., basketball game between Club staff and participants
• Val Verde (30300 Arlington):  Kids from the Clubhouse will take an active role in Val Verde’s Community Appreciation Day on Saturday, March 27, from 3-7 p.m.  For more information, please contact Jaime at 257-4021.

The Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley is a member of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, an organization with more than 4,000 clubs nationwide.  The local Club was formed by a group of community leaders who recognized the need for high-quality programs and facilities at affordable costs for area young people. The Club now serves more than 2,700 youth, ages 7-17, at facilities in Newhall, Canyon Country and Val Verde.  Programs engage members in education and career exploration, the arts, sports, recreation and fitness, character and leadership development, and healthy life choices.  For more information, visit http://www.scvbgc.org/

Contact: (Boys & Girls Club) Jim Ventress/Bryan Lake: 661-254-CLUB