Boys & Girls Clubs will put in $520,000 for kids' program

By Marilyn Lewis Tortolano
Garden Grove Journal

The relationship between the Garden Grove Unified School District and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove has long been akin to a mutual admiration society.

That much was on display at Tuesday's meeting of the GGUSD Board of Education.

Dr. Debbie Youngblood gave a presentation to the board about the Community Partnership Program between the local clubs and the school district, a relationship going back 27 years.

Pat Halberstadt, chief professional officer of the clubs, also spoke. "I come bearing gifts and gratitude," she said. She praised the district for its cooperation and noted that the Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove was recently honored by the League of California After School Programs for its work with the GGUSD.

"It tells all in the state that we're the best at what we do," she said.

Superintendent Dr. Laura Schwalm revealed that the organization was giving the GGUSD more than credit for the plaque it had won.

"They applied to the state for summer grants for learning programs, but none were awarded this year," said Schwalm. "We thought we wouldn't have the programs this year, but the Boys & Girls Club board decided to pay the $520,000 so we could have it."

That will mean that the organization will likely have to slash 8 percent from its budget for 2009-2010. The club's fiscal year begins in July.

"That's an incredible sacrifice for the $500,000," said board president Linda Reed, "to have to cut 8 percent of their budget. It shows what the heart and soul of the Boys & Girls Club is."

Board member Bob Harden added, "Every dollar invested with the Boys & Girls Club has given back spectacular returns. Pat doesn't get enough credit for all that she does."