Geovanny Ragsdale
President & CEO

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

Your support makes a meaningful difference for almost 3,000 participants, and we thank you!

April Dollars Received: $326,602.00

• Individual & Affiliate Contributions: $9,817.00
• Foundation Grants:  $45,549.00
• Corporate Giving:   $7,601.00
• Government Grants: $263,094.00
• Special Events:  $541.00



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

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Table Talk Tea in support of our SMART Girls program! 💕☕✨

We are incredibly grateful to our amazing attendees, staff, volunteers, and SMART Girls for helping make this event such a meaningful and empowering afternoon. We would also like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our event sponsors: BBSI, UCLA Health, Kinecta, Amgen, Vivian Ikupolati-Adeniyi, Rotary Club of Woodland Hills, Jane Skeeter, Kelly Ventimiglia, Bonnie & Donald Weissman, and Geovanny Ragsdale. Your generosity and commitment to our mission helped make this event possible and ensured a memorable experience for everyone in attendance. Thank you for investing in our youth and supporting the continued success of our SMART Girls program. 💛 


A very special thank you to our Event Chair, Vivian Ikupolati-Adeniyi, for her leadership and dedication in bringing this event to life. We are also so thankful to our inspiring keynote speaker, author Diana Weynand, for sharing her powerful story and words of encouragement.

Thank you as well to our wonderful panel host, Ginger Brown, and our incredible panelists:

✨ Jaclyn Schoof

✨ Wende Schoof

✨ Kathleen Sterling

✨ Yesenia Flores

Your honesty, wisdom, and encouragement created such impactful conversations for our youth and community.

We also want to recognize and thank our SMART Girls and Club staff, whose hard work, creativity, and confidence were truly the heart of this event. 💛

A special thank you to Kathleen Sterling for featuring our SMART Girls program in Valley News Group. Read the story here:

https://valleynewsgroup.com/word-on-the-street-boys-girls-club-girls-restore-confidence-in-youth/ 

Finally, thank you to all of our sponsors and community supporters for investing in the future of our youth. Because of you, we can continue empowering the next generation of strong, confident leaders.

Keynote: “Dare More – Keep Rising."

It was an honor to be the Keynote Speaker at Boys & Girls Club Smart Girls’ Table Talk Tea. I enjoyed sharing my “Lipstick Football” life principles, based on my book and the time I spent playing women’s professional tackle football. These principles can support every girl's journey of getting onto the field, finding where she shines, and kicking her dream into the end zone. No matter what sport we like to watch or play, these are principles we can all use throughout our lives.

-Diana Weynand

Panda Cares Foundation has been a great partner to Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley. In May, we were able to celebrate their success as they opened a new location in Reseda. We were proud to be selected as the organization to receive a $1,000 grant to support our programs across Reseda. Please remember to support those who support us. The new store is located on the NW corner of Victory Boulevard & Tampa Avenue: 19339 Victory Boulevard, Reseda, CA 91335

Are you interested in a meaningful opportunity to share your knowledge and time with our club members? Join our volunteer program today!

Volunteers are needed in the afternoon, Monday through Friday, during the school year to support our members!

As we gear up for the summer season, the Club has opportunities for volunteer support throughout the summer. 

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!

• Elementary Youth Development Professionals PT
• Teen Center Youth Development Professionals PT

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.

-TK & KINDER-

Graduation Rehearsals

The countdown to Graduation Day has officially begun! Our TK/Kindergarten students are busy preparing for their big celebration, and every rehearsal is filled with music, movement, laughter, and excitement as they practice their songs, stage routines, speaking parts, and presentations. Each practice session is helping students build confidence, strengthen teamwork, and get ready to shine in front of their families and school community.

It has been truly rewarding to watch our students grow more confident each day. From proudly singing their graduation songs to practicing their walk across the stage, they continue to show focus, enthusiasm, and wonderful school spirit throughout every rehearsal. Staff members have loved seeing their excitement as they prepare for this meaningful milestone.



Graduation Day will be a special celebration of not only academic growth, but also the friendships, leadership, creativity, and confidence our students have developed throughout the year. We can’t wait to share this unforgettable moment with all of our families soon!

-Blythe Elementary-

Blythe Soccer Team Finishes 2nd at Regionals!

After months of hard work, practices, and competitive games, the Blythe Soccer Team earned an impressive 2nd Place finish at the Regional Championship! Throughout the season, the team showed outstanding growth, teamwork, and dedication.

Every player gave their best effort on the field and proudly represented Boys & Girls Club of Blythe. From early morning practices to challenging matchups, their commitment and perseverance made this achievement possible.

A heartfelt thank you to the coaches, families, and supporters who stood behind the team every step of the way. Your encouragement played a key role in their success.



Congratulations to the Blythe Soccer Team on an incredible season and a well-earned accomplishment! ⚽

Clay Club

On May 14th, our Clay Club students had the exciting opportunity to host the Clay Museum, where they proudly showcased their creativity and artistic expression through a variety of unique designs and artwork.

Special recognition goes to Coach Amaurii for leading the coordination and supporting this meaningful experience, alongside the collaboration and encouragement of fellow team members. A heartfelt thank you also goes to our Arts Program Coordinator, Jordan, for collaborating on this event and ensuring everything ran smoothly through their guidance and support.



This event provided students with a meaningful space to express themselves, build confidence in their creativity, and celebrate their hard work as young artists.

Building Confidence Through Triple Play

At Justice Street Elementary, our TK and Kindergarten students marked an exciting milestone this month as they took their cap and gown photos in preparation for their upcoming graduation. It has been truly inspiring to witness how much they have grown throughout the year.

Many students began the year feeling shy or reserved, and now they have blossomed into confident, independent learners who are eager to share their thoughts and ideas. Watching them develop new skills, build friendships, and become more comfortable in the program has been incredibly rewarding.

Their growth, curiosity, and enthusiasm for learning have made this year a memorable one for both students and staff. While it is bittersweet to see how quickly time has passed, we are immensely proud of all they have accomplished.



We look forward to celebrating this important milestone with them and remain committed to continuing our positive impact on the next generation of learners.

Multicutural Event

Boys & Girls Club Reseda is truly grateful to collaborate with the school on such a vibrant celebration of diversity, culture, and community. From the music and performances to the food and traditions shared, every moment was a meaningful reminder of how much we can learn from one another.



Events like this bring people together, break down barriers, and create lasting memories that stay with us long after the celebration ends. We’re already looking forward to the next opportunity to come together and create something just as special.

Serrania Cheer Divas at Memorial Day Parade

The Serrania Cheer Divas proudly took part in this year’s Memorial Day Parade, representing both their school community and Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley. Throughout the event, the team showcased outstanding teamwork, school spirit, and dedication as they marched along the parade route and performed for the community.

In preparation for the parade, students committed themselves to consistent practice, building confidence, and encouraging one another as a unified team. Their energy, positivity, and enthusiasm were evident from start to finish, making a strong and memorable impression on everyone in attendance.

A special shoutout goes to Coach Kori for her dedication, leadership, and support in guiding the team through this experience. We are incredibly proud of the Serrania Cheer Divas for representing Serrania with pride, spirit, and excellence.

Music Program

Our music program, led by Steve from The Get Together Foundation, brought incredible energy and excitement as members learned the importance of teamwork through music. Through sing-alongs and musical activities, youth are able to build confidence, strengthen memory skills, encourage creativity, and develop a strong sense of connection and belonging.

This season, members have been working hard to perfect the song “Believer” by Imagine Dragons. With its powerful rhythm and catchy melody, students are not only learning to hear the music, but truly feel it as they perform together. With the guidance and encouragement of Steve and The Get Together Foundation, our members continue to grow both musically and personally through this engaging program.

Keystone Leadership Program

Every Wednesday, approximately 20 students take part in Keystone’s Leadership Program, where they collaborate on engaging activities and projects designed to strengthen their leadership skills and create a positive impact in both their school and community.

Recently, students have been working on writing and developing scripts to promote anti-bullying awareness through creative presentations and interviews. They have also begun planning upcoming community service initiatives focused on giving back and increasing community involvement.

The program continues to foster leadership, teamwork, communication, and student voice, empowering participants to become active changemakers within their school and beyond.

College Signing Day

Coach Pari proudly led our College Signing Day celebration, creating a memorable and meaningful experience for our seniors as they shared their exciting plans after graduation. Students arrived full of excitement and school spirit as they proudly announced the colleges they will be attending next year. The event provided an opportunity for seniors to celebrate their hard work, dedication, and accomplishments alongside their peers and staff members.

As part of the celebration, seniors participated in a fun and creative activity where they drew their future school’s logo or mascot, giving everyone a chance to showcase their college pride in an interactive way. The room was filled with energy, laughter, and encouragement as students reflected on their journeys and looked forward to the next chapter of their lives.

Food and drinks were provided for all participating seniors, helping create a welcoming and festive atmosphere. Overall, College Signing Day was a wonderful celebration of our seniors’ achievements and the bright futures ahead of them.

Celebrating Culture Through Dance & Dedication

On Saturday, May 15, members from Cleveland High School proudly performed at a local festival after spending the past two months preparing for the special event. Throughout rehearsals, members dedicated their time to learning choreography, practicing as a team, and building confidence ahead of their performance.

In addition to rehearsing their dances, members also participated in selecting dress designs for the performance, giving them the opportunity to express their creativity and take ownership of the experience.

The Folklórico program provides members with a meaningful opportunity to celebrate culture, strengthen teamwork, and develop performance skills in a supportive and encouraging environment. The festival performance marked the culmination of weeks of hard work, dedication, and commitment from every member involved.


What made this experience especially meaningful was watching members grow more confident with each rehearsal and seeing all of their effort and passion come together on stage during the final performance.

We have transitioned to MyClubHub for our member management system. Are you a parent looking to enroll your child at the Gary M. Thomas Clubhouse or Canoga Park Teen Center for the summer? Click below to register them now. For LAUSD site, please see the site coordinator on site.

Clay Club Students Showcase Their Creativity Through Clay Museum Events

Students at both Reseda Elementary and Haynes Charter for Enriched Studies recently celebrated the completion of their Clay Club programs with special Clay Museum showcase events, highlighting weeks of creativity, artistic growth, and hands-on learning.

Using the same clay sculpting curriculum, students spent several weeks exploring a variety of clay-building techniques while creating unique projects and sculptures. Each week introduced a new skill and creative challenge, allowing students to develop their artistic abilities and confidence. During the final week of the program, students painted and completed their pieces in preparation for their museum exhibitions.

At each Clay Museum event, students proudly displayed their artwork for their peers and school communities to enjoy. Non-participating students had the opportunity to visit the museum and admire the sculptures, while participating artists were recognized for their hard work and dedication. Students received special creator access passes and celebrated their accomplishments with an art party featuring snacks and drinks.

A special thank you goes to Coach Amaurii, who facilitated the Clay Club programs each week and guided students throughout the creative process, helping them prepare for their final showcases. The curriculum used at both sites provided students with a meaningful opportunity to explore self-expression, develop new artistic skills, and take pride in sharing their work with others.

These Clay Museum events served as a wonderful celebration of creativity, learning, and the impressive achievements of our young artists.

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 us 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.