Programs Designed For Every Kid at the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach
In Orange County and beyond, big-scale fundraising has become commonplace and something locals look forward to. Being able to donate, while also enjoying a great party, is a win-win for all. However, while fancy galas, lavish parties, and high-brow soirées are all on hold for the time being, the Boys and Girls Club of Laguna Beach is approaching old ways of raising money with a method that is inherently simple yet so much more meaningful; bringing the people who help to the people who need it.
When one thinks of the Boys and Girls Club they may think of a place to go when kids want to shoot some hoops, toss a pigskin around, and/or sweat all that extra energy out, but the Boys and Girls Club offers so much more than an after school hang.
Chief Relationship Officer David I. Armendariz of the Laguna Beach branch states: “At the Boys and Girls Club, we believe every young person deserves a great future. We offer comprehensive programming at our Laguna Canyon and Bluebird Canyon Enrichment Centers and our five program pillars include classes or activities that support Academic Success, Leadership Development, Healthy Lifestyles, Arts & Creativity and Sports & Fitness.”
In addition to physical exercise and sports, the Boys and Girls Club of Laguna Beach is a full-circle resource aimed at helping kids and teens in the community gain the knowledge, skills, and experiences they need to become the next generation of leaders who will shape our community, our future, and our rapidly changing world.
In a world where technology reigns supreme, now more than ever before, the club has done a great job at evolving with the times.
Cyberbullying is at an all-time high with young folks trying to find their way through the isolated social norms of the modern world. “Today’s young people face challenges unique to their generation. In Laguna Beach and across the nations, we see increased levels of anxiety and depression in our youth,” explains Armendariz.
It has become common to hear about kids struggling to find their footing and discover who they are, and with the many pressures of social media, online harassment, and school years cut short, it’s even harder. Armendariz says that the Club’s programming has a strong focus on the social and emotional well-being of our young people. Programs help club members explore their own as well as societal attitudes and values as they build skills for eating right, staying physically fit, and developing positive relationships with peers and adults.
Programs are designed for kids of all ages, one of the most popular being the Date Smart program which assists those aged 13 to 18 with learning how to achieve mutually supportive relationships. Armendariz adds, “Youth are encouraged to become advocates for relationships that promote equality and respect while combating attitudes and behaviors that lead to sexual or domestic violence.” In a nutshell, mutual love, open minds, and open hearts are molded at a critical time during development.
Mentor-menteeship relationships also take place organically across various levels. “At our Bluebird Canyon Enrichment Center, staff recently remarked how often older kids are taking the initiative to become mentors to younger members,” explains Armendariz. “Not only do they help a new member to feel welcomed, they monitor group norms and make sure everyone is treated with respect.” It’s a mutually beneficial system where children get to learn from their peers, while those peers simultaneously discover the importance of their voice and influence.
“Knowing that someone believes in you and has confidence in your abilities is empowering and can be life changing for club members,” explains Armendariz.
But let’s be real; all of this goodness doesn’t run on laughter and sunshine alone -- the Boys and Girls Club of Laguna Beach is a nonprofit and community support is vital for its survival -- and in the age of COVID a lot has needed to change.
The Club has shifted their approach to developing relationships with potential sponsors. Board member Eric Bostwick helped launch Champions for Youth as a way of connecting with funders in a home setting. This intimate time gives community members the opportunity to meet and hear from young people who share their experiences of the club as well as giving staff and board members an opportunity to meet people, answer questions, and listen to supporters.
Additionally, the team in Laguna are putting a greater emphasis on the notion of “engaged philanthropy,” aka: moving forward with the idea that “the best way to help someone understand the Club and its members is by giving them the opportunity to volunteer their skills, wisdom, and time.” This first-hand experience showcases what it means to make a difference in the life of a youth.
So what’s next? While plans have changed due to the pandemic, the future is bright for the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach, whose goals are to provide more community services and get young people outside and amongst nature via their Action Packed Adventure Camps. The Club’s mission has always been to provide a safe, dynamic, and supportive environment that supports young people in developing their potential.
Indeed, the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach is stopping at nothing to find ways to help its members succeed and emphasize the need for community support; because when you invest in young people, you invest in the future.
Charlotte Farrell is a writer and editor who loves nothing more than a piping hot matcha latte and rambling on about topics to the tune of wellness, self-care, food, climate change, sustainability, clean beauty, fitness, mental health, and travel. She is based in NYC where she enjoys reading on the subway, writing nonsense, exploring every inch of the city, and hunting for gluten-free pastries.