Message from our CEO, Geovanny Ragsdale | |
Register for Winter Camp! | |
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Registration for Winter Camp is now open!
From December 18th until January 5th, get ready to sleigh the holiday boredom and join us for frosty fun activities:
❄️ Gingerbread House Decorating
❄️ Winter Relay Race
❄️ Computer Building
❄️ Dance Party
❄️ Puppet Making
❄️ Songwriting
❄️ Field Trips
❄️ & More!
Learn more and sign up today at bgcwv.org/winter
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In cased you missed it, you can watch our 2023 Giving Tuesday video here!
Our CEO, Geovanny Ragsdale, speaks to the importance of ensuring youth have access to tools that make reading comprehension more accessible - and fun. That’s why we encourage you to donate to the Cooper Literacy Program.
You can make a direct impact on the lives of youth in the West Valley.
Learn more about the Cooper Literacy Program and donate now at bgcwv.org/cooper-literacy-program
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The 17th Annual Cooper Reading Challenge, which was created to help instill the love of reading in children of Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley, is under way.
Children at the Club have been reading age-appropriate books and wrote reports to qualify for a trip to Barnes & Noble. At the bookstore, each child will have $25 to spend on one or more books for themselves or family members. Members of the San Fernando Valley business and civic community donate $25 for each child they want to sponsor.
To make a tax-deductible donation, go to www.bgcwv.org/cooper-reading-challenge.
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Community Partner Event!
Walking In Our Light - A Community Gratitude Procession
A night to walk together, united as a community, to celebrate and honor the light in each person, family, community organization, and business that has created a safe and nurturing neighborhood for all to thrive.
The procession will begin at the Taxco Theatre, 7242 Owensmouth Avenue.
For more information, please click here.
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Sponsor a Thanksgiving Meal | |
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Many thanks to our generous donors and our community partners Grocery Outlet Bargain Maket in Canoga Park and Kinecta Federal Credit Union.
Because of you, our Sponsor a Thanksgiving Meal Campaign was a huge success! Our families are most appreciative to have received this meaningful support.
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Dia de los Muertos Festival in Canoga Park | |
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Early this month, Keystone members from our three high school sites had the opportunity to volunteer at the annual Dia de los Muertos festival in Canoga Park.
They started off the day by doing chalk art and getting others to participate. Members were able to connect with the community and share with them all the great things we offer at the Club! Additionally, our high school members were able to put their fundraising skills to use and assisted with the ticket sales for the ferris wheel. At the end of the day, members were able to take a ride on the ferris wheel to celebrate their volunteerism.
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Underwood Farms Field Trip | |
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The recent field trip to Underwood Family Farms proved to be an enriching and joyful experience for our elementary members. The day was filled with hands-on activities that brought us closer to nature and provided valuable insights into agriculture. The highlight of the trip was the opportunity for our members to pick their own vegetables and sunflowers. This hands-on experience not only connected them with the source of their food but also instilled a sense of responsibility and appreciation for the farming process.
Interacting with farm animals added an extra layer of excitement to the day. From petting friendly goats to feeding chickens, our members had the chance to connect with animals in a way that many had never experienced before. The joy on their faces as they interacted with these creatures reflected the magic of bridging the gap between urban life and the farm.
The educational aspect of the trip was seamlessly woven into the fun setting. Our members learned about the importance of sustainable farming practices, the lifecycle of crops, and the role of farmers in our communities. The farm staff did a fantastic job of making the information accessible and engaging, turning what could be perceived as a lecture into an interactive and memorable learning experience.
This trip will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on our members, fostering a deeper understanding and connection to the agricultural world.
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Panda Cares Foundation, the Philanthropic Arm of Panda Express | |
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Thank you to Panda Cares Foundation for their continued support in partnership with BGCA!
A grant in the amount of $40,000 was received for implementing Project Learn, an educational program initiative ensuring academic activities are integrated into all program areas and to provide national academic success programs.
To learn more about the Panda Cares Foundation: https://www.pandacares.org/
THANK YOU, PANDA CARES FOUNDATION!
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Volunteers and volunteer groups needed!
Are you interested in a meaningful experience where you can share your knowledge, time, and experience with our club members? Join our volunteer program today.
For more information, please contact Denise Zarate, Community Relations Manager: d.zarate@bgcwv.org or volunteer@bgcwv.org
Or visit bgcwv.org/volunteer
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We’re hiring! Full-time and part-time opportunities available!
🌟Part-Time Clubhouse Coordinator
🌟Part-Time Youth Development Professional - Driver
🌟Part-Time Lead Youth Development Professionals
🌟Part-Time Youth Development Professionals
This is a fantastic opportunity to work with a nonprofit organization and make a direct impact on the lives of youth in the West Valley!
For the full job descriptions and qualifications needed, please visit bgcwv.org/careers
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September Club Highlights | |
Check out this past month's happenings: | | |
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Reseda Elementary
Shown in the photo are two second graders working on their weekly homework packets. Power Hour is a core part of every day here at Reseda. This is a program meant for all ages and is run the entirety of the school year. Each pod spends their hour starting and often finishing their homework for the day. Power Hour because is a great opportunity to see our members’ minds in action. Our goal is to use this program to teach our members smart homework habits.
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Blythe Elementary
The Emotion Explorers program targets elementary students grades 1-5. The purpose of the program is to explore emotions and provide a safe space for our members. The goal is to teach members about regulating one's emotions in a healthy way and to allow for problem solving.
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Calabash Elementary
The Cooper Literacy Challenge at Calabash was a vibrant showcase of the members' passion for reading, paving the way for an eagerly anticipated field trip to Barnes and Noble. Engaging in a diverse array of book reports, ranging from adventure to heartwarming tales, members demonstrated remarkable creativity.
Notably, one member's presentation stood out, featuring a captivating Lego diorama inspired by the book they read, Bad Kitty Goes to the Vet. The intricate details and thoughtful design added a dynamic visual element to the event, highlighting the boundless ways literature can inspire creativity.
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Book Reports: The Cooper Reading Challenge | |
Justice St. Elementary
This Month the majority of our members from 1st-5th were excited to participate in the Cooper Reading Challenge. Instead of the typical written book report, they had the opportunity to get creative and made shoebox dioramas, posters, and booklets.
Every day during announcements they show an immense amount of interest in the Cooper Reading Challenge. Our members come to the club after school, excited to tell their coaches about what books they are reading. We received book reports from most of our members and many were eligible to go on the Barnes & Noble field trip.
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DEI: Native American Heritage Month | |
Woodland Hills Elementary
This Month we celebrated Native American Heritage Month. Coach Jordan and Coach Abby taught the members about dream catchers and helped them create their own.
DEI is a program that is run every Friday, and each week members learn something new about a culture that is celebrated that month. This program is run with 10-20 members each week, with the goal being to teach members about new cultures they may not have known about before.
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Gary M. Thomas Clubhouse
Our Healthy Habits program is all about empowering youth to create their own healthy snacks in a fun and engaging way. Using everyday ingredients like carrots, crackers, bananas, cucumbers, and oranges, our members not only learn about healthy eating, but also get to express their creativity.
This hands-on approach fosters independence and a positive attitude towards making nutritious food choices. We believe that by turning healthy eating into an enjoyable experience, we're helping our youth build habits that will stay with them for life.
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Teen Center
During Fall Camp, members in the Teen Center participated in their first e-sports tournament of the semester. Members created their own gaming clan, which included a name and clan logo. They played the game Roblox in duo matches. Members also wanted to do a boys vs girls game which resulted in the girl’s clan winning the tourney.
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Canoga Park High School
The Lexus Competition warmly invited us to engage in a chance to win a $25,000 grant. They have generously offered us a $1,000 incentive to motivate students to participate. To further encourage their involvement, we arranged for catering from Panda Express, In-N-Out, and other enticing incentives.
We had over 40 members participate. We express our sincere gratitude to Lexus for their generous opportunity. This donation has provided the students with a sense of belonging, as they all bonded over their designs and food to accompany.
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Aviation Field Trip to Van Nuys Airport | |
Cleveland High School
Our aviation program was conducted by one of our stellar volunteers, Owen Brown, who has his pilot's license and wanted to show the students what a career in this industry could look like.
Over the course of four weeks, Owen explained how airplanes function, what it takes to become a pilot, and the other careers within the aviation industry. We had about eight students participate in this program, and at the end, Owen was able to set up a field trip to the Van Nuys Airport.
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Dollars Raised in October | |
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As donors and members, we want to thank you for supporting Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley.
Your collective gifts of $52,030.00 generated the following breakdown to the organization.
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Join the Community Giving Program | |
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This is an opportunity for local businesses and business owners to become Corporate Champions and support the Club’s mission year-round. Sponsorship levels provide access and recognition at major events.
Visit: https://bgcwv.org/ways-to-give/
Contact : Kelly Ventimiglia, Chief Philanthropy Officer; Email: K.Ventimiglia@bgcwv.org
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Join the Monthly Giving Club | |
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As an individual who values the work of Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley, you can make an immediate difference when you become a monthly donor. Monthly givers help provide high-quality programs which serve the kids and youth across the West Valley during the most critical hours of the day, after-school.
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A monthly gift of $10 provides one afternoon of services for one kid every month.
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A monthly gift of $25 helps to subsidize one kid's transportation to the Clubhouse for one day every month.
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A monthly gift of $50 provides supplies for one class offered to 20 kids every month.
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A monthly gift of $100 provides a STEM kit for one class of 20 kids every month.
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A monthly gift of $250 provides two weeks of summer camp programs for one kid.
We serve the kids daily because you partner with us on our mission to inspire and enable every young person, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible adults.
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Info, Resources, & Community Events | |
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Curious about the latest updates from BGCWV?
Be sure to check our “Media & Stories” page on our website! Explore exciting news, inspiring articles, and learn about our community impact over the years.
Updated regularly at bgcwv.org/media
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The Child Care Resource Center (CCRC) is looking to enroll new families in the San Fernando Valley area
The CCRC can help you pay for childcare for all hours of the days, nights, weekends, or even just a few hours a week. Visit ccrcca.org/apply to view the requirements and to get your application started.
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GoPass Program
The GoPass Program is available to students at participating K-12 schools and community colleges, with a focus on helping students ride transit without the worry of paying fare. With a registered GoPass TAP card, students attending participating schools can ride Metro and other participating systems to and from school, and for trips after school and on weekends. Click here to see the participating schools, districts, and transit partners.
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Shop local and support the Canoga Park Famers Market on Saturdays. | |
Our Corporate Champion program recognizes businesses that support the Club with a year-long contribution that impacts the lives of more than 2,500 young people. Contact us to become a Corporate Champion today! To learn more, click here. | |
Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley| www.bgcwv.org |(818) 610-1054 | |
Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley is a registered 501 (c) (3) non-profit in the City of Los Angeles, the State of California, and the IRS. Our EIN is 95-4419365. To support the work we do in 2023 you can call 818.610.1054 ext. 2001 or give directly at www.bgcwv.org/donate every gift helps to ensure kids and youth have a safe place to reach their full potential. | | | | |
