BGCOP to focus on site upgrades, expanded technology resources, STEAM centers and building an endowment
OXNARD — Major improvements will soon be taking place at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme now that they have reached their $5 Million Comprehensive Campaign goal. The Believe in Our Next Generation Comprehensive Campaign began two years ago, when BGCOP set out to raise $5 Million to invest in their clubs and young members. With the help of the community and some very generous donors they surpassed their goal and were able to raise $5,079,684.
In celebration of this success, the Club is hosting a special reception with community members at 5-6:30 pm on August 31 at the Martin V. Smith Youth Center, 1900 West 5th Street, Oxnard. It is an incredible achievement that Club members will benefit from greatly.
“Community support for this endeavor has been overwhelming. We are so grateful to our community for believing in us and our members,” said Erin Antrim, chief executive officer, BGCOP. “Everything we do is for the kids. These funds will go towards new technology and new steam innovation centers that will prepare kids for the careers of tomorrow. We look forward to celebrating this success and future ones with the community.”
The money raised for the comprehensive campaign will go towards three major areas: new STEAM centers, facility and technology upgrades and the expansion of an endowment.
To help children discover a passion for science, technology, engineering, art & agriculture and math, the Club will create new STEAM centers at its four clubhouses. Members will participate in fun and engaging activities including 3D-printing, robotics, horticulture, engineering, and earn micro-credentials in STEAM areas. The hope is for these STEAM Centers to combat the digital divide caused by poverty in the community, and to prepare youth for careers of the future.
In order to provide the highest quality of programs for children and teens, four clubhouses will receive needed facility and technology upgrades. The Martin V. Smith Youth Center, the Harriet H. Samuelsson Teen Center, and Port Hueneme Branch—buildings owned by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard & Port Hueneme—will receive facility upgrades, as will the Squires Unit location, the Nyeland Acres Center and the Juvenile Justice Facility to ensure these children have the same opportunities as Club members in other neighborhoods.
Lastly, this initiative focuses on the long-term health of the Club. BGCOP will build an endowment focusing on planned gifts so the interest can sustain and expand programs for the future allowing it to be a pillar of support for the community and its youth for generations to come.
The community is invited to the Club’s special reception on August 31. If you have questions or would like to RSVP, please contact Andrew Peake, Director of Advancement by phone at 805.815.4959 ext. 204 or email apeake@bgcop.org.
About the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme — The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme (BGCOP) is a nonprofit 501(c) (3) youth service organization. BGCOP’s mission is “to inspire and enable all youth, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential, as productive, responsible and caring citizens.” Services are provided in three freestanding clubhouses in Oxnard and Port Hueneme which include a dedicated Teen Center, 11 public school program sites, one club site in Nyeland Acres, one site at a Squires Public Housing, and the first Boys & Girls Club in a juvenile hall in the State of California. The purpose of BGCOP is to provide social, educational and recreational programs to all youth ages 6-18 years old, with an emphasis on those in underserved areas. Annual member dues are $20.00 however, no one is turned away regardless of ability to pay. Over 10,400 youth and teens are served annually. For more information, to get involved or to donate, please visit www.BGCOP.org.