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Dear Friends,
At the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme, we are grounded in the belief that every young person has potential; no matter where they come from or what they’ve been through.
Today, I want to take a moment to share the story of someone who lives that truth every single day: our very own Vice President of Operations, Mariana Cazares Morataya.
Mariana’s story begins in Nyeland Acres, where she arrived as a young girl, undocumented and full of dreams. Her parents worked long days in the strawberry fields and lemon orchards; work that demanded everything and gave little in return. But what they gave their daughter was something even more valuable - an unshakable work ethic and a belief in the power of education.
Mariana carried those lessons from the orchards to the classroom, and eventually to San Diego State University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. She knew early on that her purpose was to work for youth who, like her, grew up navigating hardship and uncertainty, but with a great sense of hope.
Today, with nearly two decades of service at our organization and a master’s degree in public administration, Mariana leads with compassion, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to the young people of our community. She is a role model to our members, our team, and to me.
In light of recent events, we’re reminded just how deeply strength and resilience run through our community. It reflects the very values we aim to instill in our members every day: perseverance, courage, and the drive to build a better future.
We are proud of Mariana. Her journey shows exactly why the Boys & Girls Clubs matter so much - because we know not every young person has those same supports at home.
That is why we are here.
So that every child and teen in Oxnard, Port Hueneme, and our surrounding communities has a safe place to go, caring mentors they can trust, and opportunities to stay on track — even when life at home is hard.
For more than seventy years, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme have been that trusted place for local youth and families. And with your support, we’ll continue to be for every child, every family, every story.
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