GARDEN GROVE, Calif.--Between the months of October and December, ARCHES (Access to Resources for Children's Health, Education and Support) a program of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove (BGCGG) provided Back to School Vision screenings for 7 Club sites. Each site was designated several days in which ARCHES conducted the screenings and provided information for follow-up care.

The turnout was overwhelmingly successful due to the amount of effort, coordination, support, and commitment that BGCGG staff invested into the project. A total of 416 children from the 7 Club sites had their vision screened. Of those children screened, 25% were referred for further treatment.

The mission to provide vision screenings does not rest here. The goal is to continue to expand the service to the entire Garden Grove School District. ARCHES is currently arranging screenings at Russell Elementary on January 14th and 15th. If anyone in the community is aware of a child that needs assistance securing an eye exam please contact ARCHES. Be observant to notice if a child is squinting while doing homework or watching a movie which could be an indicator of a more serious vision problem. ARCHES can help secure eye exams, insurance, or other medical needs. When in doubt, call. For program flyers or any information regarding community resources that the ARCHES Program offers, please call Luz Blasingame at 714-532-7940.

SEE you in the New Year!

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Acknowledgements:
Good Behavior: Main Branch
Thank you Club members for showing good behavior and for making this event so easy on ARCHES staff!
Teamwork: Stanford
Thank you Stanford staff for being prepared for our arrival and for the assistance of your staff!
Enthusiasm and Overall Success: Clinton Kids Club
Thank you for showing great excitement and willingness participate in a vision examination! The idea of raffling off a pizza party for all the children that brought in consent forms was marketing genius! In addition for being such a huge success, Clinton has been donated a BRAND NEW AIR HOCKEY TABLE! ARCHES hopes other Club sites will follow your lead for future family and community events.

Special Thanks and Recognition to Amie Lynch and Paul Ramirez they did an amazing job keeping our Club members and staff connected, we could not have done it without them!

About Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove
For more than 50 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove (www.bgcgg.org) have been a positive influence in young lives while playing an integral role in the Garden Grove community. Striving to help children and teens succeed, the Boys & Girls Clubs provide hope and opportunity through after-school programs and community outreach. Known as The Positive Place for Kids, today 57 Clubs and programs serve over 5,000 young people from Diapers to Diplomas, ages 18 months-18 years old on a daily basis. The Clubs offer programs in character and leadership development, education and career enhancement, the arts, health and life skills, and sports, fitness and recreation. Our family programs such as REACH For Literacy, Family & Youth Outreach Program (FYOP), ARCHES (Access to Resources for Children's Health, Education and Support), and the Truancy Reduction Program (TRC) expand our services to ensure that the needs of the whole child are met. Our Mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.