In addition to our main site, in 2008, we opened a satellite club at Pueblo del Sol, just two minutes away and within a public housing development administered by the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles. Each day we see different groups of kids, and over time we have learned that they come to the Club to participate in the activities that speak most to their individual desires and interests. Whether that be for education support, personal development, college tours, homework help, arts and culture education, or sports and fitness, there are classes to meet every need. Using evidence based programs from Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and responding to the local community by creating programs of our own, the VBGC Pueblo del Sol site provides responsible adult guidance in a safe and fun place for youth to help fill their needs that are frequently not met elsewhere. In an effort to help each young person meet their full potential, we group them in a way that they feel like a part of a team – big enough to be motivated by their peers and small enough to hold them accountable. Workshops, groups and classes provide alternative choices and encourage healthy, mindful and responsible actions during those most critical after school hours.
Some examples of programs include:
Our staff leads a group of members in different activities like necklace making, knitting, origami, painting, soap making, wood working, piñata making, drawing, and candle making. They often draw on cultures represented by participants, for inspiration. Beyond art practice, students take filed trips to museums, galleries, and installations throughout the Los Angeles area. We are constantly reminded of this critical aspect of arts education and exposure to the world outside Boyle Heights; just last month, on a trip to The Getty many of our youth learned for the first time that the art could not be touched – an idea that many might take for granted.
This program provides support to students grades K-12 with academic case management, tutoring, test-prep support, college trips, and multiple resources to help them succeed. Specifically, the College Bound program will expose Members enrolled in elementary school to an array of universities and careers during weekly College Club meetings, which utilizes hands-on activities such as College Bingo and College Monopoly to begin planting the seed of the importance of a college education. Older students in grades 6-12 will receive academic case management, tutoring, test-prep support, college trips, and assistance with the completion of college applications (including Personal Statement and Financial Aid workshops for both students and their parents).
Youth are creating a movie to participate in a local amateur film festival. This is a developing program that incorporates the academic and technical skills needed to produce a digital piece. Members working with still photography learn to take portraits of people, capture their community and depict culture through film. Street photography has taken off with this group, as they love going out into the community to document life.
This program (a leadership & character development program) continues the leadership development process and helps engage our youth ages 14-18 in the democratic process, provides opportunities for planning, decision making, and contributing to the club and the community. Members elect officers, choose their own activities and plan and implement community service projects.
This program is an educational enhancement program that has three “circuits”: educational enrichment activities in the form of “Power Pages” (skills reinforcement and practice); help with homework and finishing assignments; and tutoring to gain proficiency in specific areas such as math or language arts. The program is offered in small groups and individual sessions.
This program (Science Technology Engineering and Math – STEM) is a year-round academic enrichment opportunity provided to middle school students who want to get ahead in math and science. The stem courses combine lectures, projects and experiments to support learning. During the course, participants learn about the science behind making planes, cars, and fuel cells.
This program focuses on youth ages 11-13 to promote citizenship, character development, tolerance, diversity, education and career exploration. Our members explore these factors through community engagement, and service. Members of this club “graduate” to the Keystone Club when they turn 14.
Along with other non-profit organizations and Clubs in the region, we have put together a coed Sports League for elementary, middle and high school students. There are 13 different activities throughout the year including Flag football, soccer, volleyball, softball, baseball and basketball. For each division there are roughly 6 teams that compete against each other. This league has proven to be rewarding for participants and coaches alike. In addition to providing a great deal of physical activity for the youth, they have learned sportsmanship, had fun, bonded with other young people, and been held to a high standard of commitment to their team and sport.