Boys and Girls Club of West San Gabriel Valley
Boys and Girls Club of San Gabriel Valley delivers fun and educational programs, especially to low income and at risk youth, providing a safe place where kids can play, have fun, experience joy, laugh, learn about themselves and reach their full potential. They serve youth ages 6-18, living in the public housing developments of Ramona Gardens and Estrada Courts and five sites in San Gabriel Valley and East LA. Our grant of $27, 100.00 will provide 2 Hobie Cats, 10 kayaks, 6 paddle boards, transport trailer, and beach dollies so they can expand upon the pilot STEM Sailing program they’ve been running with expensive rental equipment. Approximately 300 youth will participate weekly throughout the summer in Marina Del Rey; a core group of 20 will continue on Saturdays during the school year, in order to get certified to take a boat out by themselves. Many of these inner city kids have never seen the ocean or gone beyond the boundaries of their neighborhood. By taking them out of their comfort zones with a fun activity, they are growing socially, emotionally and academically. Through hands-on integrated learning, kids will learn to set goals, listen to each other, communicate effectively, chart a course, gather and analyze data, study the wind and velocity, hone math and science skills, study environmental conservation, and develop interests that could lead to work in marine and environmental sciences and physics and technology. With certification, they can gain employment and apply to college water sports programs.