Boys & Girls Clubs of the L.A. Harbor Celebrates 80 years of serving the youth of the Harbor community
From balloons to the big top, the community is uniting to celebrate BGCLAH’s mission to serve the youth of our community
SAN PEDRO, California, November 16, 2017 – For 80 years, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Los Angeles Harbor (BGCLAH) has made a difference in the lives of the Harbor community giving the youth of the area a better path. Today, BGCLAH kicks off its “80 Years of Serving the Community” campaign with celebrations across the community from Valero Wilmington Refinery’s volunteers and financial support, balloon launches and our own BGCLAH ringmaster of tonight’s opening night of Circus Vargas at the Battleship USS Iowa in San Pedro. Bringing that mission to life and uniting the community for the next 80 years!
BGCLAH’s programs across the Los Angeles Harbor area serve 2200 youth a day in 13 sites from San Pedro to Wilmington and has truly changed the landscape for youth with much needed academic, arts and athletics programs. Since 2002, BGCLAH’s College Bound program has changed the ending for thousands of youth in the Harbor-area providing high school graduation and college pathway support – with an average of 99% of College Bound participants graduating from high school on-time and with the needed classes to continue to college. BGCLAH serves all youth, but particularly youth from the underserved areas in the Harbor community, including the Rancho San Pedro housing project.
“Our Club has seen tremendous growth in recent years and we’re serving more youth thanks in part to this community’s continuing and generous support,” said BGCLAH Executive Director Mike Lansing. “In our 80th year, we are asking the community to help us grow again, improving facilities, expanding programs and serving more youth. Show your support of BGCLAH by signing our balloons and posting to social media, tagging your friends and showing your support for our mission to improve the lives of youth and their families in our community.”
“80 Years of Serving the Community” campaign kicks-off today with balloon celebrations at our Wilmington Club site in recognition of Valero’s decade-long support of BGCLAH mission to Bryan Jebo, director of programs and operations, serving as guest ringmaster for the start of Circus Vargas performances at the Battleship USS Iowa at 7:30 pm tonight. Members of the media and the community can show their support by emailing development(at)bgclaharbor.org to receive their balloon! Hashtag #yaybgclah