In their quest to raise more than $150,000 in one month, The Youth Center kicks-off their 19th annual Community Support Campaign with Randy Scott and his band performing live on Tuesday, April 30 at 6 p.m. at the Affliction headquarters at 1799 Apollo Court in Seal Beach. Campaigners will enjoy food and libations served by A Taste of Seal Beach and several other restaurants while supporting the mission of keeping kids safe in the community.
Chairman and Seal Beach Police Chief Joe Stilinovich is leading 16 teams of more than 100 campaigners during April as they drum up the bulk of funds for the entire year and beyond in support of the award-winning nonprofit’s on-going programs and activities.
Campaigners and donations are needed to help secure the future of the Youth Center’s programs including their After-School Program, Elementary School Music Program, a drunk-driving determent bi-annual event, Leadership Academy and their Summer Camps. Children and families from all local communities stand to benefit from this year’s campaign.
Recently nearly 50 children of various ages were surveyed on what they specifically liked about coming to the Youth Center’s After School Program. Many children said they really liked the staff who makes them feel like they matter and they loved having a quiet place to do homework, play sports and do activities and the freedom to choose what they would like to do. Children said they look forward to coming to the After School Program every day. They also shared that without the program they’d either sit at home by themselves or hang out at local shops or around the neighborhood. One 11-year-old girl said, “I would have a very long walk home to Seal Beach because both my parents work and cannot pick me up.”
Local kids being on the streets is something that is unacceptable especially for Chief Stilinovich, who said that keeping the Youth Center open is vital to public safety within the community.
“When many of us were young we had two rules: come home when the street lights come on and don’t talk to a guy in a van,” said Chief Joe. “Today we don’t live in that world and the gap time between when kids get out of school until the time many parents come home from work is particularly dangerous. The after school program ensures that children are in a safe environment and protects them from potential bad decisions.”
“The Youth Center has put together a spectacular team of community leaders who have banned together to support our children,” he said.
The rest of that team in keeping kids safe also involves the many campaign volunteers who selflessly give their time and talents to help raise funds to benefit the local children at the Youth Center.
“We are here for the kids,” said Youth Center Executive Director Lina Lumme. “We want them to thrive, not be lost, in our community, and our campaign helps us keep the doors open for them. Campaigners and donors are key in helping us to do that.”
Future campaign mixers will be held in Los Alamitos at the Brew Kitchen House on Tuesday, April 12 at 6 p.m. and at Griffins Grill on Tuesday, April 19 at 6 p.m., with the finale celebration Afterglow Party on Saturday, April 30 at 6:30 p.m. at the Youth Center just following A Night Among the Stars youth philanthropic awards ceremony.
If you are interested in campaigning or donating to the Youth Center, contact Lumme or Programs and Operations Manager Julie Rubin at 562-493-4043 or visit www.theyouthcenter.org.
