|
9th Annual Club De Cuba – Friday, June 28th
A Casino Night Under The Stars
|
|
|
|
 Mark your calendars for the 9th Annual Club de Cuba fiesta! Join the Club for an exciting event Friday, June 28th at the Warner Center Marriot Hotel as we transform the outdoor Urban Oasis into a Cuban nightclub and casino. Enjoy a fabulous reception with dinner, dancing, exciting prizes and auctions, and lots of casino gambling – including a poker tournament and MORE!
Tickets to the event are $100 per person and $150 if you would like to participate in the poker tournament. This includes hors d’oeuvres, specialty cocktails, dinner, gambling, casino cash, and entertainment. There is limited seating to participate in the poker tournament and each buy-in is $50, so be sure to tell your friends to sign up as soon as possible!
For more information or to purchase tickets, please contact President/CEO Jan Sobel at 818-610-1054 or
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
<Purchase Tickets>
|
|
|
|
20th Anniversary Marketing Program Wins 2nd Place In National
Boys & Girls Club Competition
First National Award In Club’s History
|
|
 |
The Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley submitted their marketing plans, activities, and collateral materials supporting its year-long 20th Anniversary celebration to the National Boys & Girls Clubs of America Marketing and Communications (MAC) Awards competition, which was held at the BGCA National Conference in Orlando, Florida. The Club’s submission placed in the same category as the largest Boys & Girls Clubs in the nation. The Club received the prestigious National Marketing and Communication Awards’ Silver Award in the Comprehensive Marketing Strategy category from the national organization!
“This is a great honor for the Club,” said Gary Thomas, Chairman of the Board. “My congratulations go out to the Club’s marketing team, which under the leadership of Marty Cooper, has brought this distinguished award to the West Valley Club. I am not aware of any other Boys & Girls Club or nonprofit organization that has assembled such a talented group of marketing professionals.”
This is the Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley’s first national award in its 20-year history. |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Highlighting The Club’s Off-Site Locations
Topeka Drive Elementary School
|
|
|
 Topeka Drive Elementary School has been an off-site location of the Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley for four years and there are more than 35 children who attend the after-school program daily. This site holds programs in Kids In Control, Ultimate Journey, College Bound, drama, movie club, art history, arts and crafts, science, Healthy Habits, and Triple Play.
Kids In Control is a safety awareness program that teaches Club members what to do in dangerous situations, how to defend and protect themselves and others, and what to do if a stranger approaches them.
Ultimate Journey is an adventure program where new and exciting objects are discovered through nature and animals. This year, members received the opportunity to pet aquatic turtles and were taught about turtle’s growth, development, and how to care and be responsible for these and other creatures. Club members also participate in daily nature walks to rediscover their surroundings and learn about the many different creatures living in those surroundings.
College Bound is dedicated to college readiness for 3rd through 5th graders. Members receive the opportunity to go on field trips to nearby colleges, such as California State University of Northridge (CSUN) and University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and take tours of the campuses. This program is meant to provide children with a sense of responsibility for their program and school site along with receiving learning experiences.
The drama program is a creative program that allows Club members to use their imagination. There are 15 students who participate in this program and each individual receives the opportunity to create their own skits to present to the class. Currently, the drama program is working on the Little Mermaid play, which will be held on Saturday, June 1 at Canoga Park High School’s auditorium.
Club members in the movie club watch a variety of movies from different genres and take notes on the characters and storylines. At the end of each movie, members are given a quiz. Watching different genres of movies provides Club members with knowledge and allows them to formulate ideas for an end-of-the-year movie project. Members create their own movie for the movie project and direct and perform their script for the rest of the Club members.
Art history is a program that teaches students about the different styles and genres of painting and drawing. At the beginning of the school year, members were working on their drawing abilities. Now, they are painting on canvas, using the knowledge they have acquired regarding drawing techniques. The arts and crafts program is a free program where members can express their creativity. Materials are provided and some instructions; the rest is left to the children.
The science program provides members with weekly experiments involving chemical reactions between solids and liquids. Club members get to see the transformation of solid to liquid and liquid to solid, which is an enjoyable and interesting journey. The Healthy Habits and Triple Play programs help members make balanced nutritional choices while they participate in fitness and social recreation activities.
Staff members at the Topeka Drive Elementary School site include: Karla Moreira, Site Coordinator; Jose Paolo Barrientos, Youth Development and Art Instructor; and Ani Hagopian, Youth Development and Triple Play Instructor.
Topeka Drive Elementary is a unique site because it is much smaller than the other elementary school sites. This provides staff the opportunity to have one-on-one relationships with the students and their parents.
“We have great support from our parents. They volunteer time and donate what they can to ensure the success of the students and site,” said Karla Moreira, Site Coordinator. “I feel that what is unique to us compared to the other sites is that we are a family. Staff members know each child’s specific needs and are able to provide assistance when needed.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Special Thanks To
Our Sponsors And Supporters!
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Special thanks to Whole Foods Market in Woodland Hills for the $4318.70 donation from the Community Support Day held on March 20. The store donated five percent of all net sales from that day to the Club’s College Bound program. The College Bound program encourages Club kids to plan for their future and develop the necessary skills for their desired profession. Participants are introduced to the process of choosing and applying to universities, as well as financial aid and scholarships. Whole Foods Market stores, nationwide, hold Community Support Days twice a year and donate five percent of that day’s net sales to a local nonprofit or educational organization.
|
|
|
|
Thank you to Macy’s Department Stores for the $28,606 donation from the Thanks for Sharing Campaign held during the 2012 holiday season. The donation is used in helping meet the general expenses of the Club. Macy’s Thanks For Sharing Campaign is coordinated through the generosity of Macy’s customers and employees from the Northridge, Topanga, and Promenade locations. Macy’s cardholders sign up to participate in the campaign and accumulate 10 percent rewards on most Macy’s card purchases from the day of enrollment until December 31. |
|
|
|
The Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley thanks 3M for its $5,000 grant going towards the College Bound program. College Bound is a college preparatory program that provides middle- and high- school students with academic case management (guidance, encouragement, and resources to obtain their educational goals), tutoring, test prep, resources and support to ensure graduation and a post-secondary education. |
|
|
|
Special thanks to PizzaRev in Woodland Hills for the $156.02 donation from the Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley fundraiser held on April 16. The Club received 20 percent of all net sales for those who mentioned the Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley on the day of the fundraiser. |
|
|
|
Thank you to WellPoint Foundation for providing 46 volunteers to the Club during the foundation’s 6th Annual Community Service Day held on Saturday, April 27. The projects performed each year are focused on improving the health and wellness of individuals and the community. WellPoint associates and their guests volunteered in communities nationwide where the company operates. In the Los Angeles area, nearly 400 WellPoint associates and guests volunteered for projects at seven different nonprofit agencies, including the Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley. Volunteers assembled and painted game board tabletop picnic tables, painted a mural, built and planted raised garden beds, painted the Club’s game room, and provided some much-needed cleaning and organizing around the Club. |
|
|
|
|
Board Member Of The Month – May 2013
Eric Kentor
|
 Eric Kentor is an attorney/independent business advisor and private investor, working primarily with companies in health care technology and clean tech/green business segments. He grew up in the Valley and attended UCLA as both an undergraduate and law school student.
Eric has been a Board member since 2007 and is currently the Chair of the Governance Committee. Eric’s wife and two daughters have all volunteered at the Club, making volunteering a family affair.
“I support a number of charitable and community organizations, but love the work of the Boys & Girls Club because it is truly in our backyard and provides local kids with that little bit of support that can really change lives,” said Eric Kentor. “The mission of the Club appears to be pretty simple, provide local at risk kids with a place where they can learn, have fun, and develop the broad skills and character traits that give them a great chance in life. While the mission is pretty simple, we can profoundly change individual’s lives for the better. All of this is possible because of community support and a committed and talented staff.” |
|
Christopher Murray
|
 Christopher Murray is currently a partner and Vice President at Rosenheim & Associates, Inc. a land use consulting and advocacy firm, located in Warner Center. He has been with the firm for nearly nine years and has more than twenty years of experience in land-use planning and entitlements, real estate development, and environmental management services. He developed much of his early expertise through service with an international environmental engineering company, a California-based developer and operator of large-volume solid waste and recycling facilities, and a downtown Los Angeles law firm.
Chris has been on the Board of the Boys & Girls Club for more than ten years and currently is the Vice Chair of the Facilities Committee and a member of the Club’s Executive Committee and is also a member of the Human Resources and Governance Committees.
He has many reasons for being on the Club’s Board, such as believing the Club inspires and enables all young people to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens. Chris believes, “Through an amazing Board, the staff and volunteers, the Club is making a tangible and significant difference in our community.”
He enjoys working with and learning from his fellow Board Members; the range and breadth of their experiences is second to none. He also enjoys working with the Club’s staff because they truly care about the kids and it shows in everything they do. Ultimately, he wants to be sure we are providing the best service possible. The Club has continued to improve its services and to expand our membership.
“My parents instilled in me a sense of giving back to the community. As a result, I have participated in a number of non-profit organizations. The Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley has been the best organization, hands down, that I have had the privilege to work with. The level of care and concern of the Club’s staff and Board is unparalleled.”
|
|
|
Would you like to help the Club, but don’t know how?
|
We know that you would like to help our kids again this year, but may not know how. One idea you might consider is a charitable bequest.
A bequest is a gift you can make without using any of your current resources. It is simply a commitment made in your will to leave a future amount, asset or percentage of your estate to the Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley. Your gift is important to us, because it will help us continue ensuring great futures for our youth.
If you have already included us in your estate plan, please let us know so that we can recognize and thank you. To learn more, please call us today at (818) 610-1054.
|
|
|
|
Calling All Facebookers, Tweeple, & Youtubers!
"Like" , "Follow" & "Subscribe" To The WVBGC!
Support the Boys and Girls Club of the West Valley by joining our social media sites!
Keep up with Club news, updates, events, and volunteer opportunities. |
|
|
Facebook Fans: Check out our latest news & photos at
www.facebook.com/wvbgc
For all our Tweethearts: Follow & Tweet Us at
www.twitter.com/wvbgc
For our YouTubers: Check out our videos atwww.youtube.com/wvbgc
|
There's no better way to keep up with the exciting happenings at the West Valley's premier youth program!
 
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF THE WEST VALLEY
PREVENTS JUVENILE CRIME
|
