MEDIA CONTACT:

Francyne Nguyen

(714) 530-0430 ext. 968

Francyne@bgcgg.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 01, 2012 

BGCGG Joins United Way OC and LASOC to Host the 6^th Annual ‘Free Community Tax Days’

GARDEN GROVE, Calif. (Febrauary 01, 2012) — “Millions of workers who did not earn high incomes claimed the EITC last year,” said IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman. “The IRS encourages all eligible taxpayers to claim this valuable credit. Together with our partners, we can help taxpayers file their returns and get the EITC.”

Each year an estimated millions of Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)dollars go unclaimed in Orange County. To help tax filers claim the credits they deserve, Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove (BGCGG)is teaming up with Orange County United Wayand Legal Aid Society of Orange County (LASOC)to host its 6^th Annual Free Community Tax Days on February 4^th, March 3rd, and April 7th at Clinton Branch, located at 1365 Clinton St. in Garden Grove.

Free Community Tax Daysoffers certified Volunteer Income Tax Assistors (VITA)to assist individuals and families with filing their taxes and claiming credits up to $5,751 through the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)program, for those who make generally below $49,078 and meet IRS guidelines.

Individuals and families will find it easy to use and empowering to file their taxes utilizing the free and user-friendly I-CAN E-Fileprogram.  I-CAN E-Fileprogram offers benefits of a fast refund, reduced error rate, and quick acknowledgement. Filers can save their hard earned money on preparing taxes by completing it themselves and expect a refund in as few as 10 days, with direct deposit. If the filer owes taxes, they also can control their payments and set a date, such as April 15, for electronic payment. The error rate for an e-filed return is 1 percent, compared to 20 percent for a paper return. Unlike paper filers, e-filing taxpayers also will receive an acknowledgement that the IRS has received and accepted or rejected their returns.

For additional questions about Free Community Tax days or to schedule an appointment, please contact Candace at 714-532-7947 and cfacemyer@bgcgg.org. If you cannot make it, file online at www.icanefile.org/?caller=2337. For more information on the Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove, please visit at www.begreatgardengrove.orgor call 714-530-0430.

ABOUT BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF GARDEN GROVE

For more than 50 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove (BGCGG) has helped kids “BE GREAT” by changing and saving young lives, playing an integral role in its community. Striving to help children succeed in life, Boys & Girls Clubs provide hope and opportunity through afterschool, family support, and community outreach programs.Our 57 program sites serve over 8,500 families annually and 6,000 young people daily, from “Diapers to Diplomas,” ages 18 months-18 years old.

The Clubs are open daily with programs in character and leadership development, education and career enhancement, the arts, health and life skills, and sports, fitness and recreation. Our family outreach programs such as Family Campus Preschool, School Readiness, REACH For Literacy (Reading Education for Adults & CHildren), ARCHES (Access to Resources for Children's Health, Education and Support), FYOP (Family & Youth Outreach Program), and TRC (Truancy Reduction Center) expand our services to ensure that the needs of the whole child are met. Through our efforts we do our best to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Please visit www.begreatgardengrove.org for more information. Great Futures Start Here.

ABOUT ORANGE COUNTY UNITED WAY

Orange County United Way is committed to building self-sufficient lives and strengthening the overall health of our communities through our Community Impact work focused on three priority areas: basic needs, education and financial stability. By investing in programs that align with these key areas, Orange County United Way and its partners are providing a safety-net of care today and supporting long-term change to build self-sufficiency tomorrow. Orange County United Way is a local, private, 501 (c) (3).For more information and to learn how you can LIVE UNITED, visit www.unitedwayoc.org.

ABOUT LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF ORANGE COUNTY

Founded in 1958 by the Orange County Bar Association, LASOC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to provide civil legal services to low-income individuals and seniors and to promote equal access to the justice system through advocacy, legal counseling, innovative self-help services, in-depth legal representation, economic development and community education.  LASOC’s client community consists of individuals whose incomes fall below 200% of the federal poverty threshold ($42,400 annually for a family of four) and those over the age of 60.  LASOC’s practice areas and special programs in its Orange County and Southeast Los Angeles (where it is known as Community Legal Services/CLS) offices  include: family law, housing/landlord-tenant, government benefits, special education issues, consumer law, bankruptcy, Asian-American Services, Health Consumer Action Center, Low Income Taxpayers Clinic, Homeless Outreach Program, MedLaw Project and Foreclosure Mitigation Unit.  LASOC also returned more than $33.4 million to taxpayers nationwide through its Earned Income Tax Credit Initiative.  LASOC’s Toll-Free Hotline is (800) 834-5001.  To learn more LASOC, visit www.legal-aid.comor www.lasoc.com.  To donate, partner or volunteer, contact Anna Lisa Biason, Director of Development, at abiason@legal-aid.com.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Francyne Nguyen

(714) 530-0430 ext. 968

Francyne@bgcgg.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 30, 2012

The 2012 Fine Arts Exhibit

Garden Grove (January 4, 2012) - Peters MPR turned into an exhibit of beauty, wonder, amazement, creativity, success, dedication, and hard work. On January 4^th, the 2012 National Fine Arts exhibit took place displaying beautiful works of art from club members from over 31 participating sites. From clay art, to paintings, to color pencils sketches, to shading, the club members showcased their artistic side in over 200 art pieces.

The event offered complimentary chilled beverages of Gatorade and appetizers of cheese and crackers. A star-studded performance by our three talented club members kept the exhibit goers entertained. Ribbons and prizes went out to certain art pieces. Garden Grove channel 3 was there for the action pack night!

The National Fine Arts Exhibit was a success! The outpour of support was overwhelming.Special congratulations to all the talented artists who had their art displayed and everyone who participated! Way to BE GREAT! From everyone at BGCGG, we are proud of you.

For photos of the wonderful event, click here: Fine Art Exhibit Photos

Here's a look at the art winners:

Age 6-9 Winners:

1^st- Carissa Munoz                                 Evans Elementary

2^nd- Galilea Ponce                                  Peters Elementary

3^rd- Jesus Nathan Reyes                       Simmons Elementary

Honorable Mentions:

Ashley Toledo                                          Simmons Elementary

Adan Hernandez                                    Northcutt Elementary

Age 10-12 Winners: 

1^st- Brianna Sparks                                 Hill Elementary

2^nd- Efrain Guzman                                Simmons Elementary

3^rd- Tara Wisdom                                   Irvine Elementary

Honorable Mentions:

Adriana Montenegro                              Simmons Elementary

Isis Avila                                                   Newhope Elementary

Thalia Aguilar                                          Peters Elementary

Age 13- 15 Winners:

1^st- Laurensia Urip                                  Edgar Club

2^nd- Steeven Kang                                  Edgar Club

Age 16-18 Winners:

1^st- Isai Chavez                                        Santiago High School

2^nd- Ana Nava                                          Santiago High School

Group Project Winners:

Ralston Intermediate

Staff Winner:

Joey Moreida  - Simmons Elementary

MEDIA CONTACT:

Tricia Mathis

(714) 530-0430 ext. 966

Tricia@bgcgg.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 25, 2012

Pacific Life Foundation Partners with BGCGG for the Third Year

Garden Grove Youth & Families Receive Healthcare Opportunity

Garden Grove, CA (January 25, 2012) - The Pacific Life Foundation is teaming up with BGCGG for a third year in a row to help our community with health insurance enrollment for low-income children. The Pacific Life Foundation presents a $7,500 grant to help provide Certified Application Assistors to assist low-income and uninsured families.  This project directly aligns with their Foundation’s interest in funding programs that improve the quality of life and health of those in need.  In addition to providing health insurance enrollment services, we can assist children with specific unmet health needs by linking families to the Children’s Health and Dental Center (CHDC), where we partner with CHOC, Healthy Smiles for Kids and Southern California College of Optometry to access medical, dental, our provided counseling services, and optometry services.  Families with Children’s Health and Dental Center appointments can access our low-cost shuttle bus transportation that’s coordinated in key low-income neighborhoods throughout Central/North/West Orange County.

We are the main Certified Application Assistor referral site for both the Garden Grove Unified School District, serving 50,000 students and Anaheim City School District, serving 20,000 students.  Garden Grove Unified School District’s McKinney-Vento Project serves homeless families, from those living in motels and multiple families sharing single apartment units. The McKinney-Vento Project refers hundreds of families to us for screening and health insurance enrollment.

“The Pacific Life Foundation grant comes at a critical time when so many families are without health insurance due to loss of jobs, loss of benefits and under-employment.  We are grateful for this investment, which will help families access health insurance and the wide variety of services we offer at our 58 program locations,” said Christina Sepulveda, Senior Director of Family Services.    

MEDIA CONTACT:

Tricia Mathis

(714) 530-0430 ext. 966

Tricia@bgcgg.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 12, 2012

Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove Receives a $7500 Grant From JCPENNEY

Garden Grove Youth Provided Opportunity to Join Positive Afterschool Programs

MEDIA CONTACT:

Francyne Nguyen
(714) 530-0430 ext. 968
Francyne@bgcgg.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 7, 2011

 Rebuilding Together - CBRE volunteers remodel Patton Branch

“If I was in a situation growing up where I didn’t have parents to pick me up after school, I don’t know what I would I have done. It’s important to have places to go to like the Boys & Girls Clubs, which keeps you busy and you get to hang out kids that are you are your age. It keeps kids proactive with school, homework, and physical activity. This place is a good thing,” said Stephen Alden, a CBRE employee.

As the world’s largest commercial real estate services company, CBRE is committed to fulfilling its role as a responsible corporation by supporting and adding value to the communities in which they live and work. They partnered with Rebuilding Together, which is the nation’s leading nonprofit that works on preserving affordable homeownership and revitalizing communities. Together, the two selected Patton Branch as the focus for their collaborative project.

“I’m here to help out the kids club today and make it look beautiful! It’s important for me to come out here and help because this is where my kids are more than they are at home and it’s important for them to know that we care about this place as much as we do our home.  This facility, the people, and community are as important as our family. It is an extension of our family. It feels awesome and its great community effort,” said club parent Dana Traviglia.

Patton’s Boys & Girls Clubs serves over 150 students everyday and is one of the longest running and strongest afterschool programs offered in the area. Rebuilding Thinking Together and CBRE’s Project Managers  met with Charlotte, Patton Branch’s Director to determine the needs of the club.   One of the main goals and perhaps more difficult task of that morning was the resurfacing project to even out the quad area to prevent students from tripping. This required volunteers to break the sealing underneath each tile, up root the growth from the bottom, and cut the roots down to provide an even flat surface.  There were over one hundred tiles and each volunteer dove right into the job with focus and motivation.

Many volunteers spent their day painting the exterior of the entire building including the doors, ceilings, and ramps; in the end, nothing was left untouched. Inside, electricians dedicated hours to updating the light fixtures to energy efficient lighting system. Along the side of the first building, a beautiful garden was created not only to decorate the Club but also as an enrichment activity where Club members could learn how to garden and plant.

According to Steve, the estimated cost of labor and parts for this project is $30,000. It took just six weeks for the CBRE and Rebuilding Together to put the project together.  Amidst the construction and busy work around Patton, a mother and son arrived to join the volunteer efforts to members’ parents and CBRE and Rebuilding Together. Their presence was what gave the volunteers an extra push and further support the cause. Adam is Boys & Girls Club Patton alumnus and completed all his elementary schooling at Patton. Currently enrolled in high school, Adam along with his mother are here to give back to a Club that gave them so much.

“I wanted to pay back the Boys & Girls Club for they were a big help to our family. Adam was a Club kid since kindergarten that’s now at Pacifica. When I saw them do this, I thought it would be a nice way to say thank you. Without the Club, I wouldn’t have been able to gone to work. It helped a lot,” said Beverly, Adam’s mother.

“Our main focus is to have our kids to be responsible, respectful, and safe. We just wanted to make an area where the members can proud of. It’s going to make them excited and want to be here and take ownership of the site. We are all very excited,” said Charlotte, Patton’s Site Director. After 8 hours of work, patience, dedication, and technique, the project is complete and ready for the arrival of the children. Club members were elated when they saw the transformation that had taken place at Patton and we are so grateful to CBRE and Rebuilding Together for the time and resources they generously donated to make the project possible.

Click here to view photos.

ABOUT BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF GARDEN GROVE

For more than 50 years, 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.

BGCGG serves 6,000 young people daily at 58 sites, from “Diapers to Diplomas,” ages 18 months-18 years old, with programs in character & leadership, education & career, the arts, health & life skills, and sports, fitness & recreation. In addition, BGCGG expands its services to over 10,000 families annually through 5 family support programs to ensure that the needs of the whole child are met.

These programs include Family Campus Preschool, Early Learning Programs, Academy Programs, ARCHES (Access to Resources for Children's Health, Education and Support), and FYOP (Family & Youth Outreach Program).

For more information, please visit www.begreatgardengrove.org.Great Futures Start Here.

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