Boys & Girls Club of Santa Barbara receives $20,000 from the Walter and Holly Thomson Foundation

These programs align closely with the Walter J. and Holly O. Thomson Foundation’s mission to make life better for residents of Santa Barbara County by focusing on arts, education, and human services.

The Pat Van Every Teen Center programs at the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Barbara include a Career Speaker Series, Career Launch, Keystone leadership and service club, Rotary ‘Interact’ service club, healthy relationship building program through Domestic Violence Solutions, Smart Leaders, Money Matters, Passport to Manhood, Junior Staff, Big Buddies, Counselor in Training, Goals for Graduation, and Teen Late Night. They are led by the Teen Center Coordinator, Tyler Forshey, and are additionally supported by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Rotary Club of Montecito, Bank of America and Domestic Violence Solutions.

When children are left without adult supervision or access to an after-school or summer program, they are in danger. Studies show that from 3pm to 7pm, young people are more likely to be involved in substance abuse, sexual activities, and crime. The Club gives them a safe place during these critical hours to keep them off the streets.

About the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Barbara

The Boys & Girls Club of Santa Barbara, Inc. founded in 1938 with the mission to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. The Club’s programs include Character & Leadership Development, Education & Career Development, Health & Life Skills, Fine Arts Program, and Sports, Fitness & Recreation. The club serves 1,010 youth, ages 6 to 18 as members, with close to half of whom are teenagers. Club membership is only $20 per year, but it costs $1,050 per child to support the programs.

For further information, please visit our website or contact Monique Littlejohn at 805-962-2382 ext. 21 or by email at monique@boysgirls.org.