Each month Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove highlights Faces of the Future.  Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove (BGCGG) has changed and saved lives, enabling young people to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Striving to help children “BE GREAT”, Boys & Girls Clubs plays an integral role in its community by providing children hope and opportunity through school age, family support, and community outreach programs. 

	FEBRUARY 2012 Miguel Z. - Santiago Unit, 11th Grade, Member Since 2010 Favorite Program Area: Sports, Fitness & Recreation Favorite Activity: Playing basketball and getting homework done. I like helping each other out with homework.   Future Career: Something in education, teacher or principal. But, definitely something in education. Fun Fact: When the moment asks for it or it’s slow, I can pump people up! I’m a good motivator and conversation starter! Aka “Professional Motivator & Conversationalist." Superbowl Pick: New England Patriots “Because they have a good offense.” _______________________________________
	FEBRUARY 2012 Stephanie V. - Family Campus Preschool, KinderBear, Member Since 2010 Favorite Program Area: Health & Life Skills, “Cause I like cooking.” Favorite Activity: “Gluing paper to make fishys.”  Future Career: Firefighter Fun Fact: Loves pink, Cinderella, & Hello Kitty, “Like a whole lot.” Superbowl Pick: Patriots _______________________________________
	FEBRUARY 2012 Elan D. - Clinton Branch, 4th Grade, Member Since 2009 Favorite Program Area: Sports, Fitness & Recreation Favorite Activity: Playing Soccer! “I like being the kicker.”   Future Career: “Builder like construction. I want to build big buildings and houses." Fun Fact: Loves camping near rivers! Superbowl Pick: New York Giants “But to let you know, I am a Broncos fan.”  _______________________________________
	FEBRUARY 2012 Stacey J. - Doig Unit, 7th Grade, Member Since 2011 Favorite Program Area: Sports, Fitness & Recreation, “You really get to practice and better your skills to prepare you to be a better athlete in the future.” Favorite Activity: Playing Soccer. “I love having fun out there. It doesn’t matter if you when or lose as long as you have fun and try hard.” Future Career: Professional Soccer Player Fun Fact: "People think I’m shy but I’m out going! I'm not shy and I am into expressing myself!” Superbowl Pick: New York Giants “Cause they beat the packers.”  _______________________________________
	JANUARY 2012 Isabella D. - Sunnyside Unit, 5th Grade, Member Since 2011 Favorite Program Area: Health & Life Skills Favorite Activity: Cooking Chicken Enchiladas   Future Career: 3rd Grade Teacher Fun Fact: Loves Hello Kitty What is you New Year's Resolution: I want to be successful in school by studying more.  _______________________________________
	JANUARY 2012 Michael G. - Faylane Unit, 5th Grade, Member Since 2009 Favorite Program Area: The Arts Favorite Activity: Painting with Q-tips Future Career: Math Teacher, a BGC Staff Member, or a Police Officer like my dad Fun Fact: Loves the Titantic and Titantic Trivia! What is you New Year's Resolution: Try to keep my room clean.  _______________________________________
	JANUARY 2012 Georgette S. - Alamitos Unit, 8th Grade, Member Since 2011 Favorite Program Area: Sports, Fitness & Recreation Favorite Activity: Volleyball & Basketball, Chilling with friends at the Club Future Career: A singer or a doctor Fun Fact: Favorite colors are green, orange, red, & black Who do you think is going to win the Superbowl? Pittsburgh Steelers  _______________________________________
	JANUARY 2012 Jesse L. - Lawrence Unit, 4th Grade, Member Since 2010 Favorite Program Area: Sports, Fitness & Recreation Favorite Activity: Dodgeball Practice Future Career: A Smoothie Man Fun Fact: His brother deleted the Angry Birds App! What is you New Year's Resolution: Practicing hard during dodgeball practice so I don't let my team down.  _______________________________________
	DECEMBER 2011 Quinn B. - Evans Unit, 5th Grade, Member Since 2006 Favorite Program Area: Character & Leadership Favorite Activity: Tennis Baseball Future Career: Police Officer Fun Fact: Expert cell phone locator! What do you want for Christmas: "A present!" or an ice cream party for the Club once it's warmer.  _______________________________________
	DECEMBER 2011 Breana N. - Walton Unit, 8th Grade, Member Since 2007 Favorite Program Area: Sports, Fitness & Recreation Favorite Activity: Halloween Maze Future Career: A lot of things - actress, singer, athlete, dancer... or a teacher, to help kids and teach in history.  I’d like to help homeless people too. Fun Fact: Has an A in Math What do you want for Christmas: I want my whole family from the different countries to come meet up at one place and have Christmas together like a feast. _______________________________________
	DECEMBER 2011 Nathan H. - Stanley Unit, 4th Grade, Member Since 2009 Favorite Program Area: Sports, Fitness & Recreation Favorite Activity: I like dodge ball a lot, because I play it a lot. I love playing and my friends love playing it. I’m on the team and we are in the championships! Future Career: Baseball player, shortstop for the Yankees like Derek Jeter. Fun Fact: Loves the New York Yankees What do you want for Christmas: iPad _______________________________________
	DECEMBER 2011 Soraya B. - Crosby Unit, 6th Grade, Member Since 2008 Favorite Program Area: Sports, Fitness & Recreation Favorite Activity: Football. I'm a fullback.  Future Career: Chef. I love making lasagna with my mom. Fun Fact: Serves as the 6th Grade Class President for Crosby Elementary What do you want for Christmas: My number one thing always on my wish list is for my family to be safe. That’s always very important to me.  For the Club, and Xbox. _______________________________________

My name is Charles ‘Clark’ Kent.  Over 50 years ago, when I was a young boy in Garden Grove, I attended the Boys Club with my younger brother, Gary.

I remember well how we would walk several miles to the Club just to play baseball for the fun of it.  My brother Gary never complained. During my time there, the baseball coach taught me how to pitch so well, that he would often ask me to let the batter hit the ball so that my teammates could field it.

My brother, Gary, wasn’t as talented and sat the bench all season. But he learned to always have a great attitude and support the rest of the team. One memorable day at the awards program, my mother, Gary, and I were sitting in the stands. When Gary heard his name, he could not believe it.  Gary was awarded the Good Sportsmanship Award for his positive spirit and won a new bike. 

It just goes to show the interest the Boys Club had in all of its members. We still talk about Gary’s new bike today. In fact, the Boys Club taught us both a great deal about teamwork.

Now as an adult, I have the pleasure of working as a member of a team and continue to learn from a number of “coaches” in my professional employment.

Many aren’t as lucky as me to experience being a part of a Boys & Girls Clubs for more than half their lives. Being a member of Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove for eleven years has shown me its importance in my life.    

I began at Boys & Girls Clubs when I was in kindergarten. The reason I started going to the Club was because my parents needed a safe place for me to stay after school. Both of my parents worked late and weren’t able to take care of me and my older brother.

When I began attending the Club, I thought that I would never fit in, was very timid, and never made friends quickly. I was never the outgoing type. My first few days weren’t as bad as I thought it might be. In fact, the Club made a huge impact in my life. I thanked my parents each day for giving me the opportunity of being a part of Boys & Girls Clubs. I’m thankful that I was able to having a lovely Club to attend to, as well as have great memories that I will never forget.  

Boys & Girls Clubs will always be important to me because it has been a part of me for so long. I feel that Boys & Girls Clubs is a part of my life I can never forget and leave behind. Until this day, I have grown so much from being a shy, timid girl to a confident, hardworking young adult.

Since the Club has positively impacted my life, I dedicated most of my time at Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove and educating others on how special this Club is. In recent years I joined Keystone, which is also a part of Boys & Girls Clubs. Being part of Keystone, I influenced others teens to be part of Boys & Girls Clubs and how it will never be regretful. I shared with teens my many positive experiences with the Club, and that if they join they would also gain great experiences.  

I also became president of Keystone just to share my thoughts about this Club and also give back to this community for everything this Club has done for me. It has also given me the chance to express who I am. I don’t know what my life would be without being a part of this Club. 

Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove offered me a second family I can always go to, helped me mature to an adult, and a chance to influence others to see what this Club can do for them.

Readiness on the Road is a helping hand which helps parents as they prepare their children for preschool, in a fun way.  It’s great!

My name is Gabriela Velasco and I have two wonderful children, Chantal (16 years old) and Jair (4 years old). I always heard wonderful things about Readiness on the Road and I have referred people to the program.

Last summer, Readiness on the Road changed my child’s life. When Jair was 20 months old, we were told he had speech delay and problems with fine and gross motor skills. But my husband and I never gave up. We used every resource we found. Even when we felt nervous, we still tried. Thank God for the help we found in Readiness on the Road.

In 2010, my little one joined the program and it was a great fit because his doctor recommended for us strengthen Jair’s socialization skills and Readiness on the Road was able to help us. Although Jair participated in small group therapy and individual therapy in the past, he was now moving to preschool. We were concerned about his behavior around other children due to lack of social skills and his need for help in developing his motor skills.   

On the first day of class, I was nervous about his reaction due to past experiences with other programs but it was magical - he had no tantrums or anxiety.  The classroom was full of other children and parents and we were warned that Jair could have a meltdown if he had more than eight people around him. But that did not happen. Jair loved the first day and requested to come back to the “apples and bananas school”, which is how he referred to Readiness on the Road, due to the song we sang during circle time. He also learned different shapes, numbers, and colors in a very fun way.  We learned different songs about the days of the weeks, the months of the year, letter sounds, and of course, not forgetting the apples and bananas.  During each class, two letters were introduced and they created a story. We also had homework. He created great art work in each class that we treasure.  My husband and I learned together how to guide Jair to complete his work and not do it for him.

Every week, Jair was happier about going to Readiness on the Road or “apples and bananas” and we noticed his progress. He was happy to pack for snack time and share. We also learned more with the Program Manager, Angelica Molina, about healthy eating through the LEAN Start program and we started applying what we learned at home. We were even offered free parenting classes while Jair was in the program.

At the completion of the twelve week sessions, Jair was shining like a star!  He was able to use scissors on his own, color, recognize some letters, shapes and numbers, etc. On the day he finished his program, he made crowns with shapes that he was able to cut out.  It was very special and the letter of the day was K for King.  

When Jair underwent his evaluation to start preschool, he no longer needed to attend special classes but was allowed to be in the full inclusion class. He had a 180 degree change! My husband and I know that it was due to the great start at Readiness on the Road. My referrals to Readiness program have increased because I want moms and dads to share the opportunity with their child to have great start to preschool. As a mom, I know every mother wants the best for their child. I think this was the best program that prepared my child for preschool and gave him the confidence he needed. As a mother, I learned a lot from the time shared with my child and the other moms.  It was great to be a part of my child’s early education.  It was very fun. 

Thank you to all the hard working teachers at Readiness on the Road for their love, care and patience for the little ones.  Thank you to the Children & Families Commission of Orange County for supporting these programs which make a great difference in our children’s lives.

Sincerely,

The Velasco Family

Written by Tanya S.

Hello, my name is Tanya and I am a Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove member at Santiago High School.  I was introduced to Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove at Doig Intermediate by Mrs. Scherry. I joined my 7th grade year and have been in this program since then. To me, Boys & Girls Clubs has always been my home away from home. I enjoyed all the activities we performed at Doig and always had a great time with my friends.

My older sister, Jazmin, was also a Boys & Girls Club member. Therefore, my parents always encouraged me to join because they knew I was in a safe environment. My older sister was also a former Keystone member and she encouraged me to join Keystone, which was one of the best decisions I made. Keystone is one of the branches of Boys & Girls Clubs. It is a leadership group for teens where we perform community service projects and different activities to help those around us. Joining Keystone through Boys & Girls Clubs introduced me to so many life skills that I had no idea existed.

Inclusively, I was given the luck to meet my advisor, Alex Gallegos, who has impacted my life in many ways and made me a better person. He believed in me when no one else did and he gave me the strength to keep going. Although in Keystone we had many events and activities that was a lot of tough work, Alex always had faith in me to get things done and taught me the meaning of responsibility. Keystone has given me so many once-in-a-lifetime opportunities and many memories for me to carry. For example, I have been blessed to be able to travel to Anaheim, San Diego, and Atlanta, Georgia for Keystone conferences. These conferences have also taught me so much about myself and I had a blast in each and every one of them. Boys & Girls Clubs of America gave me so many opportunities and experiences for me to carry and cherish.

Thanks to Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove, I have the privilege to say I have visited Disneyland, Six Flags, been on a airplane, performed on a stage in front of hundreds of people, been part of many project that have helped others, and so much more. I have gratitude toward Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove that has made my life journey an excellent one.