THOUSAND OAKS — The Southeast Ventura County YMCA seeks sponsors for its 27th Annual National Day of Prayer Breakfast. The breakfast is on Thursday, May 7, at CLU’s Gilbert Sports Center in Thousand Oaks. The breakfast brings together all faiths to pray for friends, family, government leaders, the nation and the world. The theme this year is “Hope & Peace.”
WESTLAKE VILLAGE — Signups for summer camp at the Southeast Ventura County YMCA branches are underway with camp locations at the Yarrow Family YMCA in Westlake Village, Simi Valley Family YMCA day camp sites and at the Conejo Valley YMCA.
“We’re happy to bring summer camp back to the Conejo Valley YMCA site,” Katie Oberman, Yarrow Family YMCA child care senior program director. “It has a perfect outdoor space for games, water sports and nature hikes, and indoor spaces for STEM activities and arts and crafts.”
SIMI VALLEY — The Southeast Ventura County YMCA launched the Community Phase of its $7.5 million capital campaign Saturday with a groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion of the Simi Valley Family YMCA. Attended by over 150 supporters, the event signaled the start of a transformation slated for completion in 2027.
The project will turn the branch into a modern multi-generational community hub, featuring a new full-size gymnasium, an expanded fitness center, three multipurpose activity rooms, an enlarged Kids’ Zone, and seven individual family locker rooms.
“This expansion is about more than just square footage; it’s about increasing our capacity to serve,” said Ronnie Stone, CEO of the Southeast Ventura County YMCA. “The new facilities will enable us to expand health, fitness, and youth enrichment programs for all ages in Simi Valley.”
“Our financial assistance program ensures everyone has access to after-school care, swim lessons, youth programming and facility memberships regardless of income status,” says Ronnie Stone, Southeast Ventura County YMCA president and CEO. “From these foundational YMCA programs to our community outreach, we remain dedicated to changing lives and fostering growth in every generation we serve.”
WESTLAKE VILLAGE — The Southeast Ventura County YMCA announced it received a $20,000 contribution from U.S. Bank.
The funding will be used to fund the YMCA’s Find My Genius after-school and summer programs. Find My Genius is free for low- and moderate-income students who are not reading at grade level. It aids the young scholars’ academic and social-emotional learning through reading and math instruction, healthy meals, physical exercise and enrichment opportunities.
WESTLAKE VILLAGE — The Southeast Ventura County YMCA is collecting donations to provide Thanksgiving dinners to 300 families facing financial hardship, including families whose children participate in the YMCA’s Find My Genius program and those affected by recent wildfires.
Each family will receive a box filled with food items such as cranberry sauce, stuffing mix, chicken stock and turkey gravy, plus a $60 Ralph’s gift card for a turkey or ham. The YMCA has already identified 100 families to receive Thanksgiving boxes.
WESTLAKE VILLAGE — Kick-off meetings are scheduled for the first week in September for the Southeast Ventura County YMCA’s three Youth & Government Model Legislature & Court delegation programs.
Youth & Government is an opportunity for high school students to learn how government works and join over 60 Youth & Government delegations from around California in two statewide conferences culminating in the Model Legislative & Court Conference in the legislative chambers at the State Capitol in Sacramento.
WESTLAKE VILLAGE — The Southeast Ventura County YMCA is taking signups for its Adventure Guides programs in Simi and Conejo valleys and Moorpark for the 2025-26 school year.
Adventure Guides (for Kinder-6th graders) is set up into parent-child groups called Circles. Parent-child pairs join a Circle with families in their neighborhood or the school in which their children attend. They usually meet once a month for games and crafts and other activities. Also planned this year are a Pinewood Derby, a trip to Descanso Gardens, camping at Big Bear and Lake Casitas, and taking part in a plant restoration community service project.
WESTLAKE VILLAGE — Signups for summer camp at the Southeast Ventura County YMCA branches are underway. Camp runs from June 9 to August 7 through the Simi Valley Family YMCA and from June 16 to August 15 through the Yarrow Family YMCA.
Campers in TK to 5th grade can attend day camp full-time (four to five days a week) or part-time (two to three days a week) for the entire camp session or selected weeks.
Activities include sports, swimming (under the supervision of Red Cross-certified YMCA lifeguards), arts and crafts, dance, cooking and weekly themed activities based on the campers’ age group. The child-to-counselor ratio is 14 to 1.
THOUSAND OAKS — The Southeast Ventura County YMCA seeks sponsors for its 26th Annual National Day of Prayer Breakfast. The breakfast is on Thursday, May 1 at CLU’s Gilbert Sports Center in Thousand Oaks. The breakfast brings the spiritual communities of all faiths together to celebrate fellowship and prayer. The theme this year is “Hope.”
The prayer breakfast is from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and will include speakers, and spiritual and community leaders providing invocations and prayers. Former Rams All-Pro tackle Andrew Whitworth is the keynote speaker.
WESTLAKE VILLAGE — California Strong, Southeast Ventura County YMCA, in partnership with Proactive Sports Performance, will provide essential supplies to Los Angeles wildfire victims during an event on Saturday, Jan. 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Proactive Sports Performance (31425 Agoura Rd, Westlake Village).
Available items will include new clothing, toiletries, bedding, baby and toddler supplies, pet supplies, children’s toys and games, shoes and local business gift cards.
“The Southeast Ventura County YMCA has been providing support through its program California Strong to natural disaster victims since the Woolsey Fire in 2018,” says Ronnie Stone, the YMCA’spresident and CEO. “In December, we provided funds to those impacted by the Mountain Fire in Camarillo.”
WESTLAKE VILLAGE — California Strong, founded after the 2018 California wildfires and Borderline Shooting by the Southeast Ventura County YMCA, distributed $152,000 in immediate support to those who lost their homes in the recent Mountain Fire. Checks were handed out on December 11 at the Yarrow Family YMCA in Westlake Village.
Fire victims filled out a needs assessment form prepared by the Ventura County Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VC VOAD). The VC VOAD reviewed the applications and selected funding recipients. Those who couldn’t attend the December 11 distribution, can stop by the Yarrow Family YMCA (31105 E Thousand Oaks Blvd.) during business hours and pick up their checks.
WESTLAKE VILLAGE — California Strong, founded by the Southeast Ventura County YMCA and professional athletes after the 2018 California wildfires, and dedicated to providing immediate financial support to victims whenever a disaster strikes in the state, is accepting applications for assistance from those impacted by the Mountain Fire. The first round of funding is in early December.
WESTLAKE VILLAGE — The Southeast Ventura County YMCA’s 60th Anniversary Gala raised $402,055 to support YMCA youth programs. The event was held outdoors on September 21 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Westlake Village. It attracted over 300 guests and featured a reception, gourmet dinner, silent and live auctions and after-party. Actor Neal McDonough hosted the evening.
The gala looked back on the YMCA’s 60 years beginning when Western movie star Joel McCrea and his wife, Frances, donated part of their ranch between Thousand Oaks and Moorpark that would later become the Conejo Valley Family YMCA.
WESTLAKE VILLAGE — The Southeast Ventura County YMCA is one of nine YMCAs to share a portion of a $20 million donation from Ballmer Group to the California State Alliance of YMCAs. The funding will take place over three years and will be used to expand the YMCAs’ ability to provide programs to low-income youth. The Southeast Ventura County YMCA will receive $165,000.
THOUSAND OAKS — The Southeast Ventura County YMCA is taking signups for its Adventure Guides’ program for the 2024-25 school year. A free kick-off BBQ and information night will take place at the Conejo Valley YMCA in Thousand Oaks (4031 N. Moorpark Rd.) on Saturday, August 24 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Adventure Guides is for parents and their children (ages 5-11). It is designed to enhance the quality of family time and support and strengthen the communication between parent and child at an early age.
Delegations meet weekly to learn about the legislative process and the roles of elected state and local officials, judges, lawyers and advocates. They also acquire skills including public speaking, team building, critical analysis and leadership—skills that can be helpful throughout their school years and career.
The Conejo Valley/Simi Youth & Government YMCA delegation (serving Simi Valley and Moorpark) will host its kick-off meeting on Tuesday, September 3 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Simi Valley Y (3200 E. Cochran St.). For more information, email conejoyandg@sevymca.org
“Each year, we host a gala to support the YMCA’s ‘Find My Genius,’ Safety Around Water,’ ‘Youth & Government’ and scholarship programs,” says Ronnie Stone, YMCA president and CEO. “This year is extra special because we’re also celebrating the YMCA’s 60th year serving our community. The YMCA was founded in Thousand Oaks in 1964 by a group of dedicated local leaders who saw a need for a YMCA in the area.”
WESTLAKE VILLAGE — The Southeast Ventura County YMCA is holding a school supply donation drive through July 15. Donated items will help stock backpacks of young scholars who take part in the Y’s “Find My Genius” program. The program is offered during the summer and after school to low- and moderate-income students who are not reading at grade level in the Moorpark, Las Virgenes and Simi Valley school districts.
“A backpack filled with the school supplies they need is a great way for kids to start a new school year,” says Julie Birkett, summer program director for Find My Genius.
WESTLAKE VILLAGE — Southeast Ventura County YMCA is taking sign-ups for its annual summer resident camp at Camp Bear in Big Bear. Camp runs from July 28th through August 3rd.
The YMCA camp is for kids entering 3rd through 7th grades. Campers unplug and take part in such activities as kayaking, tubing, archery, rope climbing, hiking, and swimming, with campfires each night. Campers also learn about nature around them, wilderness survival and leadership skills. Throughout the camp experience, emphasis is placed on the YMCA’s core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.
WESTLAKE VILLAGE — The Southeast Ventura County YMCA is hosting its 10th Annual Golf Classic. The tournament is on Monday, May 13 at the Moorpark Country Club. The title sponsor for the tournament is Amoroso Companies. The tournament is sold out, but the Y needs donated items for the tournament’s raffle.
“The golf tournament is one of our biggest fundraisers of the year,” says Ronnie Stone, President and CEO of the Y. “The raffle typically generates a large portion of the amount raised.”
THOUSAND OAKS — The Southeast Ventura County YMCA seeks sponsors for its 25th Annual National Day of Prayer Breakfast. The breakfast is Thursday, May 2 at CLU’s Gilbert Sports Center in Thousand Oaks. The breakfast brings the spiritual communities of all faiths together to celebrate fellowship and prayer. The theme this year is “Pray For Peace.”
The prayer breakfast will be from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and will include speakers, spiritual and community leaders providing invocations and prayers, and live musical performances.
WESTLAKE VILLAGE — The Southeast Ventura County YMCA has launched its 2024 annual fundraising campaign. Now until March 15, the Y’s goal is to raise $200,000 so it can continue to offer its programs to all community members, regardless of an ability to pay. The Southeast Ventura County YMCA is also celebrating its 60thanniversary in 2024.
The YMCA‘s two no-cost signature programs are supported solely by donations. Find My Genius closes the learning gap that often occurs during summer, especially for children in low- to middle-income households. In 2023, Find My Genius enrolled 575 young scholars in its summer program and 287 took part in its year-round afterschool program.
WESTLAKE VILLAGE — Southeast Ventura County YMCA branches are taking early registrations for their summer camps. Camp is from June 17 to August 16 through the Yarrow Family YMCA and from June 10 to August 8 through the Simi Valley Family YMCA.
Campers in TK to 5th grade can attend day camp full-time (four to five days a week) or part-time (two to three days a week) for the entire camp session or selected weeks.
WESTLAKE VILLAGE — The two branches of the Southeast Ventura County YMCA are holding “Healthy Kids’ Day,” a free community event to inspire kids to keep their minds and bodies active during the summer. The Simi Valley Family YMCA Healthy Kids’ Day is Saturday, April 13 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and the Yarrow Family YMCA Healthy Kids’ Day in Westlake Village is Saturday, April 20 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
THOUSAND OAKS — The Southeast Ventura County YMCA is hosting its 25th Annual National Day of Prayer Breakfast, Thursday, May 2 at CLU’s Gilbert Sports Center in Thousand Oaks. The breakfast brings the spiritual communities of all faiths together to celebrate fellowship and prayer. The theme this year is “Pray For Peace.”
WESTLAKE VILLAGE — The Southeast Ventura County YMCA’s 5th Annual Gala raised $367,900 to support YMCA programs. The event, held November 4 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, drew 340 guests.
The event celebrated local YMCA programs.
–Find My Genius is a five-week, no-cost achievement gap program for low- and moderate-income students who are not reading at grade level. It is also offered year-round in the Moorpark and Simi Valley Unified School Districts.
–Safety Around Water, which teaches children water safety and basic swimming skills at no cost.
WESTLAKE VILLAGE — The Southeast Ventura County YMCA’s Find My Genius program, wrapped up its five-week summer session last week. The program is designed to reduce the achievement gap that often occurs over summer break.
Almost 600 elementary school scholars took part, the highest number ever enrolled in the program. Find My Genius was held at schools in the Las Virgenes, Moorpark and Simi Valley Unified School Districts.
For middle schoolers who love science, registration is open for the Southeast Ventura County YMCA’s summer STEM Club in Simi Valley and Westlake Village.
The one-week programs each have a specific theme. The robots workshop is July 10 through 14 at the Simi Valley YMCA (3200 Cochran Street, Simi Valley) and July 17 through 21 at the Yarrow Family YMCA (31105 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Westlake Village). The engineering session is from July 31 through August 4 at the Simi Y. There is a waitlist for the session at the Yarrow Y (August 7 through 11).
The Southeast Ventura County YMCA raised more than $200,000 to support YMCA programs during its annual fundraising campaign that ended March 22. The funds will be used to ensure local YMCA programs and memberships are available to those in financial need and to enhance YMCA youth and adult programs.
“We hold one major fundraiser a year. The Y is very grateful for those who donated,” says Ronnie Stone, president and CEO of the Y. “With rising costs on just about everything, people still were able to give.”
The Southeast Ventura County YMCA has launched its 2023 “Imagine” annual fundraising campaign. Its goal is to raise $200,000 by March 22 so the Y can continue to offer its programs to those in need.
In 2022, the Y hosted 400 young scholars in its Find My Genius summer program for low- to moderate-income students who could benefit from continued academic and social/emotional growth over the summer. The YMCA offered its “Safety Around Water” course to 526 children last year. Children took part in this no-cost program that teaches the basics of water safety and how to be safer near and around water. The Y also gave $217,000 in scholarships to support participants in childcare, summer camp and teen and membership programs who could not otherwise afford to participate.
Southeast Ventura County YMCA branches are taking early registrations for their summer day camps. Camp is from June 20 to August 18 through the Yarrow Family YMCA and from June 5 to August 4 through the Simi Valley Family YMCA.
Campers in TK to 5th grade can attend full-time (four to five days a week) or part-time (two to three days a week) for the entire camp session or selected weeks. Leadership-In-Training camp is for 6th to 8th graders (full-time only).
Onsite activities include sports, swimming, arts and crafts and in-person shows based on the campers’ age group. Camp hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Extended care hours are 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at no additional charge.
The Southeast Ventura County YMCA is holding “Healthy Kids’ Day,” a free community event to inspire kids to keep their minds and bodies active during the summer. The Yarrow Family YMCA Healthy Kids’ Day in Westlake Village is Saturday, April 29 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
hool break in the Conejo Valley, Simi Valley and in Moorpark.
Camps provided by the Simi Valley Family YMCA and the Yarrow Family YMCA will include STEAM learning, group games, sports and holiday arts and crafts. Overseeing the camps are qualified staff who are CPR and first aid trained.
Simi Valley camps are at Atherwood Elementary and White Oak Elementary YMCA daycare centers. Dates are December 27 to 30 and January 3 to 6.
The Southeast Ventura County YMCA’s 4th Annual Gala raised $617,876 to support YMCA programs while honoring Chuck and Melinda Carmichael as the 2022 Joel and Frances McCrea Memorial Award recipient. The event, held September 17 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Westlake Village, welcomed nearly 300 guests. This was the first in person Gala since 2019 due to the pandemic.
“Chuck and Melinda Carmichael are longtime supporters of the Simi Valley Family YMCA,” says Ronnie Stone, Southeast Ventura County YMCA CEO. “The Y is one of many causes and organizations that receive their backing throughout our community. They inspire us all every day.”
The Southeast Ventura County YMCA is taking signups for its Adventure Guides for the 2022-2023 school year.
YMCA Adventure Guides is for fathers and their children. It is designed to strengthen and build a lifelong relationship between parent and child through outdoor adventure activities, camping trips and monthly events. Parent-child pairs join a “Circle” with families in their neighborhood or school and participate in activities together. Campout locations include Leo Carrillo State Park, Catalina Island and El Capitan State Beach.
For the past four years, the Southeast Ventura County YMCA has been offering its “Find My Genius” enrichment summer program to kids not reading at grade level. It is now conducting a five-week after-school Find My Genius pilot program at five Conejo Valley schools with the goal to expand the free program year-round.
Two hundred Title One, English language learners and foster youth at Acacia, Ladera, Madrona, Maple and Walnut elementary schools began the program on May 2. Young scholars in first through fifth grades spend three hours every school day participating in a curriculum focusing on enrichment activities, physical fitness and social and emotional learning. The children also receive homework support.
“It’s been our dream to offer Find My Genius during the school year,” says Megan Glynn, YMCA’s Chief Development Officer. “This is the first step. Imagine if children had access to assistance for a full year in a fun, nurturing environment? The main roadblock was funding.”
The Southeast Ventura County YMCA is seeking sponsors for its annual National Day of Prayer Breakfast. The breakfast is Thursday, May 5 at CLU’s Gilbert Sports Center in Thousand Oaks.
The prayer breakfast, one of the largest in Ventura County, will be from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and will include speakers, spiritual and community leaders providing invocations and prayers and live musical performances.
