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THE SANTA CLARITA VALLEY BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB

The Club is a non-profit, non-sectarian organization that offers social development
and prevention programs which provide positive alternatives and reinforce values
and principles. These alternatives, such as co-ed sports, crafts, field trips, tutoring,
and professional guidance offset some community conditions such as low income,
single parent home situations, and latchkey children.
In 1968 a group of community-minded Santa Clarita Valley citizens convened to
discuss the growing problem of unsupervised youths and "latchkey" children in an
expanding population. Santa Clarita had one of the highest delinquency rates per
capita in Los Angeles County. Several organizations were considered as the need
for quality programs to promote the health and the social, educational, vocational,
and character development of youth in our area was apparent. The decision to
establish the Newhall-Saugus Boys Club in response to these needs signalled the
commencement of a dynamic partnership of committed youth-work professionals
and concerned volunteers which is now celebrating twenty-five years of service in
Santa Clarita.
With population spread over a wide area, it was decided that future program
expansion should occur in decentralized locations. In 1969, a second Club began
operation at an elementary school. During the 1970s, services were expanded to
youths in the communities of Saugus and Canyon Country. The name officially
became the Santa Clarita Valley Boys and Girls Clubs in 1978. Though girls had
already been a part of the membership, this gave the Club the distinction of
becoming the first in the nation to include 'Girls' in the Club's name. A satellite
Club was opened in 1981 at Val Verde, a high-crime, low-income neighborhood, to
better serve youths in that area.
The Santa Clarita Valley Boys and Girls Club network now proudly includes a
central facility with administrative offices located in Newhall Park between Hart
High School and Placerita Junior High, along with three satellite locations. ·
Membership includes over 1200 youths, aged 7 to 17. Daily attendance averages
nearly 225, valley-wide.
The Club is a full member of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, a national
organization composed of dedicated full-time youth professionals, part-time
assistants, and volunteers, supported by the contributions of private individuals,
corporations, and foundations. Boys and Girls Clubs are the nation's only major
network of youth development organizations with a primary focus on youth from
disadvantaged circumstances.
Lawrence Strauss, principal of Hart High School in Santa Clarita, has said that the
SCV Boys and Girls Clubs are virtually the only full-time, low-cost programs
accessible after school and full-time on weekends during vacations which provide
everyday involvement and "belonging" for youngsters who would otherwise not
have the opportunity to develop the skills and determination to become all they
can be.
Today the SCV Boys and Girls Clubs are being asked to do more than ever before. In the
wake of increased gang activity in our area, we are committed to enabling youths of all
backgrounds develop the qualities needed to become responsible citizens who contribute
to the community.