"Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can receive. The title recognizes outstanding contributions to a member's family, school, community and Boys & Girls Club, as well as personal challenges and obstacles overcome." more
"It is our sense of unity that enables our club to be a second home for many." more
Joan McCarthy and Andrea Gibson, representatives from The Walt Disney Company presented Kasey Earnest, Chief Professional Officer for the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu Teen Center, along with incoming Board member Teddy Seraphine a $5,000 check for program support as well as 50 tickets to the Disneyland Resort. In addition, Disney will continue to support the Boys and Girls Club of Los Angeles and Orange County through the Company's "VoluntEAR" initiative that will facilitate year-round club projects and events.
Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can receive. The title recognizes outstanding contributions to a member's family, school, community and Boys & Girls Club, as well as personal challenges and obstacles overcome.
Through her enthusiasm for helping others, Elva Alvarez epitomizes the mission of Boys & Girls Club of Malibu - 2010 Youth of The Year. Elva is currently in her senior year at Malibu High School and has been a member of the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu since the 8th grade. Elva's dedication and self-motivation to achieve whatever she puts her mind to combined with her compassion for helping others, made her an obvious candidate for this prestigious award.
Although it hasn't been easy, Alvarez has soared in the face of adversity. In addition to the support she receives from her family, she looks to the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu for positive guidance. Moving to Malibu from El Salvador in the 8th grade proved challenging for Alvarez. She drew on the strength of her family and the support of The Club to learn English, achieve academically and get involved and make a difference in her community.
As her second home, Alvarez has volunteered countless hours by cleaning The Club, helping mentor her younger peers about healthy lifestyles though SMART Girls, and serving as a chaperone on special field trips. She has also participated in JR Staff, Career Launch and is currently a High School Intern. Involvement in many community service opportunities, Key Club, Malibu Marathon, Club Fundraisers and volunteering at Malibu High School's English Language Development Department has helped Alvarez stay on this path to success. "My move to Malibu was challenging in the beginning; I was a shy and apprehensive 8th grader who could not speak English. I remember vividly when I became a member at The Club, little did I know it would soon become by guide, my path, my everything" said Alvarez.
If Alvarez wins at the state competition at the end of February, she will compete for the tile of Pacific Region Youth of the Year and an additional $10,000 scholarship. The five regional winners will advance to Washington D.C., in September 2010, to compete for the title of BGCA's National Youth of the Year. The National Youth of the Year receives an additional $15,000 college scholarship and is installed by the President in the Oval Office ceremony.
Elva has been the quintessential member, leader and role model; she creates a positive and safe environment that is recognized by teens, parents, and staff. We think very highly of her and her dedication to The Club and her success is inspiring.
Malibu Optimists Club recently presented $1000 to the Salvation Army for four summer camp scholarships to be given to members from the Boys & Girls Club Malibu Teen Center. Pictured, from left: Malibu Optimist Arlene Kaplan, Salvation Army Camp Director Don Mowery, Boys & Girls Club Malibu Chief Professional Officer Kasey Earnest, and Malibu Optimist Lou Drobnick.
Priority Issues: Saving Wildlife and Marine Life, Recycling at the CLUB, and staying Green! We will be selling our great reusable bags at a local grocery store and at The CLUB to help raise money to achieve our upcoming projects.
Our end of the program sleep over was held on Friday December 11th here at The CLUB!
Karian Agadjanova, Amanda Huffman, Diana Landin, Ava Ellis, Elba Alvarez, Emma Altobello, Maggie Thompson, Katie Church, Maggie Valdeam, and Elizabeth Gordon, Masha Chernitskaya, Jennifer Godoy, and Kimberly Cordova
Amanda Huffman, Maggie Thompson, Chloe Hoppenfeld, Diana Landin, Ava Ellis, JR Staff Kimberly Cordova, Mayra Herrera,
HS Intern Elba Alvarez, Maggie Valdeam, Katie Church, Elizabeth Gordon, Jennifer Godoy, Emma Altobello, Halli Norris, Masha Chernitskaya, and Karina Agadjanova
HS Intern Elba Alvarez, Maggie Valdeam, Katie Church, Elizabeth Gordon, Jennifer Godoy, Emma Altobello, Halli Norris, Masha Chernitskaya, and Karina Agadjanova
Ava Ellis, Elba Alvarez, Emma Altobello, Maggie Thompson, Katie Church, Maggie Valdeam, and Elizabeth Gordon