With Covid-19 in full force, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley (BGCGCV) continues to pursue its mission by serving youth in Grades K-8 with academic success, healthy lifestyles and good character and citizenship.
BGCGCV opened its doors in 2003 and has grown to nine locations spanning from Calabasas to Newbury Park on school campuses in both Conejo Valley Unified and Las Virgenes School Districts. BGCGCV is designated one of the Top 100 Boys and Girls Clubs in the country based on the number of kids served each year, annual budget and the impact of its programs based on the BGC National Youth Outcomes Initiative. As of 2019, BGCGCV serves 12,526 youth and has 4,104 members.
“The greatest thing about the club is we help kids discover their talents, give them the support to explore those talents, while providing a safe space where they make some of their best friends for life,” says Dr. Crystal Nāone, President and CEO of BGCGCV.
BGCGCV was one of nine of the more than 500 Boys & Girls Clubs in California and one of 402 out of more than 4,000 clubs across the U.S. to remain open once the pandemic hit in March. Since then, the organization has worked with public school districts, called representatives and legislators about funding, and provided social-emotional coaching and supports for employees and Club kids.
“We were brave, bold and stood up right away,” says Nāone. “Despite the fear and uncertainty, we did and continue to do what’s right for our community which was to be available to the kids of essential workers and those who need us most.”
In March, BGCGCV operated four of its nine locations in person and virtually, serving 250 youth, while five clubs operated in person for the summer camp programs. Nāone says it wasn’t unusual for employees to work 11-hour days, five days a week during the first couple of months to ensure they were following all safety precautions and remaining available for the community. They continue to follow the Centers for Disease Control, state of California, Los Angeles and Ventura counties Covid-19 guidelines.
“Up until June, we were the only childcare available in the entire area (Conejo Valley),” says Nāone.“We are being proactive and innovative while keeping the staff and kids safe.”
Nāone says all nine BGCGCV locations will be fully operational for the fall season with limited numbers due to spacing requirements and plans to focus on social emotional well-being, strong connections and mitigating learning loss. Clubs will be open nine hours a day Monday through Friday. BGCGCV is comprised of 100 plus employees and 32 board members.
“We have 40 to 50 kids at each club and have them in groups of 10 with two adults engaging,” says Nāone. “Our incredible staff is highly dedicated and despite all of the fears and unknowns that came from Covid-19, they continue to be passionate about the work they do.”
BGCGCV also reworked some of its programs, such as the Healthy Lifestyles program, continuing to emphasize cooking, gardening, sewing and outdoor sports activities but not in a league setting. Academic Success programs, such as digital literacy, robotics, performing arts and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), will include morning and afternoon cohorts, where parents can drop off their child at a club for them to focus on their distance-learning schoolwork in a computer lab once schools start up with in-person learning again.
“With kids not being able to be in school and families working, learning loss is a real issue” says Nāone. “We are focused on the emotional well-being of the kids along with learning.”
The club also has Character and Leadership Development programs that include anti-bullying, career launch and junior staff to provide positive self-esteem and life skills.
“We want them to be their best citizen self so that they are able to contribute to their family and society today, tomorrow and far into the future,” says Nāone.
Some 400 adults and 100 youth volunteers typically help with afterschool programs, events, summer camp, basketball coaching and the Torch Club, a youth development program for future leaders that dedicate time to community-based service projects.
“It’s about taking care of others, having a better community and doing one’s part to help,” says Nāone.
In 2019, BGCGCV awarded $709,340 in financial assistance scholarships for youth unable to afford the membership fees.
“We never turn away a child who can’t afford the fees,” says Nāone.
Nāone says BGCGCV generates revenue mostly from club members and donors while a small portion comes from grants. In 2019, individual donations exceeded $1.9 million.
“We really depend on all of the individuals in our community that believe in our mission and vision,” says Nāone.
BGCGCV is also inviting the public free of charge to attend its 18th annual “Stand Up For Kids” Gala and Auction virtually on Saturday, Sept. 12 from 6 to 6:45 p.m. The event will include personal stories from youth about what BGCGCV means to them along with dance performances.
“We are going to highlight those in the community that have supported us through Covid-19,” says Nāone. “It’s a celebration for what we’ve done and how far we’ve come.”
For more information, to donate, volunteer or to register for the virtual gala, visit BGCConejo.org.