Geovanny Ragsdale, President/CEO, shares a monthly message.

To watch Geovanny's presentation at the Los Angeles Business Journal Valley Women's Leadership Awards 2025, click below.

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BGCWV is deeply grateful for the incredible support of our community, which made this year’s Summer Program a success!

Thanks to the generosity of those who contributed to our Summer Camp Appeal, local youth enjoyed a safe, fun, and welcoming space all summer long. Members had the opportunity to build friendships, participate in enriching activities, and discover all that our community has to offer through exciting field trips.

A very special thank you goes to Cindy Murray, Executive Director of 5-Star Theatricals in Thousand Oaks, for giving our members a truly magical experience at the performance of Frozen, and to Allen Lawrence, who generously provided buses to make the trip possible for 80 Club kids.

Together, our community continues to create lasting memories and brighter futures for young people. We couldn’t do it without you!

On August 27th, the Club hosted a community event, bringing two Club supporters to share their knowledge with our member families, staff, donors, and friends. Our first speaker was Nupur Kumar, Managing Partner at Fact Professional Inc. for sharing information on how OBBBA will impact us and what choices we might want to make right now as tax credits are sunsetting in September for electric vehicles and by December for solar panels. The second speaker was Steve H. Hornstein, CPA, LL.M., CFP® Attorney at Law at Hornstein Law Offices. He shared the Basics about Trusts and how you can start the process for free at www.HornsteinTrust.com. Both speakers were extremely informative and answered the audiences questions to the very end. We hope you'll consider joining our next community speaker forum in October.

Go Shopping Support the Club!

When you shop at Carter’s during the month of September, you can make a difference by donating at the register to support the Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley. Millions of kids rely on the Club for academic support, early learning, and arts programs. Every donation helps create brighter futures for local youth, or you can also donate below.

We are grateful for our generous and caring community of donors.

Your support makes a meaningful difference for over 3,000 members, and we thank you!

Dollars Raised in July $622,431.00

• Individual & Affiliate Contributions: $912.00
• Foundation Grants:  $241,000.00
• Special Events: $2,500.00
• Government Grants: $378,019.00



Visit our Ways to Give webpage to view the many opportunities that support our programs, services, and operations.

We appreciate donors who donate online, as it supports our programs more seamlessly.

Consider becoming a volunteer and giving your time and talent to the next generation of leaders at one of our Club locations.

Contact: Kelly Ventimiglia, Chief Philanthropy Officer, k.ventimiglia@bgcwv.org

Volunteers are needed Monday through Friday to support our members!

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!

Our fall programs are running through December 12th. The Club has opportunities for volunteer support from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information, contact us via email at Volunteer@BGCWV.ORG or visit bgcwv.org/volunteer.

If you are interested in a volunteer group project, let us know so we can share special projects needed during other hours of the day.

Our opportunities right now are permanent, Part-time, and Full-time!

• Health & Wellness Elementary Coordinator
• STEM Elementary Coordinator
• SITE Coordinator for Canoga Park High School
• ART Lead at Cleveland High School
• Teen Center YDP & Driver
• Folklorico Dance YDP for Cleveland High School

All permanent part-time staff receive Paid Time Off (PTO) accrual, get paid for our nine approved holidays, and have access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) after 90 days with the organization.

Join our team and make a life-long difference in the lives of the youth we serve!

To view the job descriptions and qualifications, visit bgcwv.org/careers

Check out this past month's highlights:

-Blythe Elementary-

Paper Bridge Engineering Challenge

Our members had a blast becoming little engineers during the Paper Bridge Challenge! With just paper, tape, and their creativity, they designed and built bridges strong enough to hold small weights. After testing their creations, members collaborated to strengthen and redesign their structures. Club Bucks were awarded for the tallest bridge, the most structurally sound design, and the most creative idea. It was amazing to see teamwork, problem-solving, and plenty of big smiles as everyone rose to the challenge!

-Calabash Elementary-

A Starry Night

Our Calabash members tapped into their creativity with an art program inspired by Vincent van Gogh’s timeless masterpiece, The Starry Night. Together, they explored the movement, emotion, and meaning behind Van Gogh’s swirling skies before creating their own “perfect starry night” paintings. Each piece reflected their unique vision of the night sky, blending technique with imagination. This program not only strengthened artistic skills but also encouraged self-expression, creativity, and a deeper appreciation for the beauty of art.

-Gary M. Thomas Clubhouse-

Through theatre education and performance, members are gaining lifelong skills that go far beyond the stage. From building confidence and communication to fostering teamwork and creativity, this program empowers both children and adults. By bringing live productions to life, it not only enriches participants but also strengthens communities worldwide through the power of performance.

Missoula

Children’s Theatre

-Justice Elementary-

Fun Fridays

This month’s Fun Fridays were a hit with both members and coaches! The afternoon kicked off with ice cream to cool off, followed by club activities like Lego building, bracelet making, and gaming—where members even challenged the coaches in Switch battles. To end the day, the group enjoyed a movie together, with plenty of singing along. It was a wonderful way to see friendships grow, bonds strengthen, and lasting memories created.

-Serrania Elementary-

Be a Buddy, Not a Bully: A Clubwide Poster Initiative

At our Serrania site, members took part in a special program focused on building kindness and respect in their school community. Over the past few weeks, they designed vibrant “Be a Buddy, Not a Bully” posters to share positive messages with their peers. This project gave every member the chance to express creativity while learning about empathy, friendship, and inclusion. The posters are now proudly displayed across campus, turning the hallways into a gallery of encouragement and reminders to treat one another with care.

All About Being a Club Kid!

The first month of school has been full of excitement at our Reseda Club! Members jumped into the new year by making new friends and reconnecting with familiar faces. Through fun “All About Me” activities, they shared their stories and interests, building bonds that will last throughout the year.

\Engaging community builders and friendly challenges sparked conversations with questions like, “What was the highlight of your summer?” and “What are you most eager to learn this school year?”

These moments created a warm, inclusive atmosphere where every member feels acknowledged and valued. We’re excited to welcome both returning and new members as we dive into our five core programs—Character & Leadership, Education & Career, Health & Wellness, The Arts, and Sports & Recreation. Here’s to a year of growth, connection, and endless possibilities!

Arts and Crafts

This week, each pod worked together to design their very own Pod Poster! Members collaborated on team names and mascots, letting their creativity shine while setting the tone for the year ahead. More than just an art project, this activity gave members the chance to connect with one another, bond with their coach, and begin building a strong sense of belonging. By the end, every pod had a unique identity and a poster proudly representing their team a fun and welcoming way to kick off the school year!

The new school year at our Teen Center has brought both fresh faces and the return of familiar ones. Members have been reconnecting with old friends while also building new friendships, creating a warm and welcoming start to the year. We’re especially excited to share that new programs will be rolling out at the Teen Center—bringing even more opportunities for growth, connection, and fun!

New Members & New Programs 

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.

We would like to thank the Civic Organizations and Foundations who partner with us. Their support provides with manpower at special events and delivers unique programs to the members at no cost to BGCWV.

Stay Connected!

Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley| www.bgcwv.org |(818) 610-1054

Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley is a 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.