Juvenile Justice SiteCelebrates One YearOur Targeted Re-entry Program at the VenturaCounty Juvenile Justice facilities served48 youth this year. These kids face dauntingchallenges: More than 60Recidivism ratesfor Juvenile Justicemembers• Club members: 9%• National youth: 60%percent are from IntensiveSupervision Servicesfor Juveniles—ours is theonly service they receiveafter being released.Thirty-one are fromsingle parent homes, <strong>and</strong>14 were 18 years or older.With perseverance <strong>and</strong> the support <strong>of</strong> BG-COP men<strong>to</strong>rs, these youth kept their eyes onthe goal <strong>and</strong> achieved impressive results: 16secured jobs, 27 returned <strong>to</strong> school, six earnedhigh school diplomas, one a GED, five attendedcollege <strong>and</strong> two are currently college students.CommunityBuilds PlaygroundVolunteers mixed more than nine <strong>and</strong> a half<strong>to</strong>ns <strong>of</strong> concrete by h<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> assembled morethan 4,675 pounds <strong>of</strong> equipment <strong>to</strong> build a playgroundin one day at the Martin V. Smith Branchon June 7. Volunteers from the Amgen Foundation<strong>and</strong> the <strong>Boys</strong> & <strong>Girls</strong> Club, organizers fromKaBOOM! <strong>and</strong> residents <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Oxnard</strong> communityjoined forces <strong>to</strong> build the new playgroundthat will provide more than 3,000 children in thecommunity with a safe place <strong>to</strong> play each year.
Club MembersHonor César ChávezNearly two dozen members <strong>and</strong> Rio School District studentshonored the life <strong>of</strong> César Chávez by joining the CésarE. Chávez After-School Service Learning Club. The kids metthree days a week at Rio del Valle Middle School <strong>to</strong> hearabout the life <strong>and</strong> values <strong>of</strong> Chávez, examine the needs <strong>of</strong>their local community <strong>and</strong> create projects <strong>to</strong> address thoseneeds. They focused on feeding the homeless <strong>and</strong> h<strong>and</strong>ingout bottled water <strong>to</strong> local farm workers, <strong>and</strong> they participatedin local events <strong>and</strong> rallies.Families Enjoy Day for KidsMore than 2,000 children <strong>and</strong> their families celebrated thethird annual Day for Kids on September 20, a national event<strong>to</strong> build stronger relationships between adults <strong>and</strong> kids. Thelocal celebration, hosted by the City <strong>of</strong> <strong>Oxnard</strong> <strong>and</strong> KaiserPermanente, included Sprinkles the Clown, a PartiAnimalzpetting zoo, reptile <strong>and</strong> bird shows, arts <strong>and</strong> crafts, games,face painting <strong>and</strong> a rock wall. Peace Thru Music <strong>and</strong> Q104.7FM presented the “Teens Unite for Peace Concert” <strong>and</strong> theEstrada Brothers performed.Angelica Avalos: Hard-WorkingCollege Student & Scholarship WinnerAngelica Avalos, 19, is a shining example <strong>of</strong> how youcan overcome challenging odds with focus <strong>and</strong> a positiveattitude. One <strong>of</strong> five children <strong>of</strong> a single mom, ina neighborhood where gangs <strong>and</strong> drugs prevail, shemade the choice <strong>to</strong> continue her education <strong>and</strong> work<strong>to</strong> contribute <strong>to</strong> the family finances.Angelica joined the Youth Empowerment Program(YEP), where she displayed exceptional computerskills. The Club helped her get a job at alocal small business <strong>and</strong> she now works as anadministrative assistant for the YEP program.Angelica obtained her GED, <strong>and</strong> is studyingat <strong>Oxnard</strong> College for her associate’s degreewith her long-term sights set on a law degree.She recently received a $1,000 Dwight BrydieScholarship <strong>and</strong>, in her spare time, this tirelessachiever gives back <strong>to</strong> the community as atu<strong>to</strong>r at the La Colonia Housing Authority.New Music ProgramStrikes Chord with StudentsThe Club teamed up with Rio School District <strong>to</strong> form theVoices <strong>of</strong> Hope choir <strong>and</strong> Children’s Philharmonic Orchestra.The choir is comprised <strong>of</strong> around 130 members <strong>and</strong> theorchestra has nearly 40 members. Under the leadership <strong>of</strong>Maestro Edin Dino Zonic <strong>and</strong> his colleague, choir performer/direc<strong>to</strong>r Julia Zonic, the group has continued <strong>to</strong> grow sinceits founding in fall 2007. The choir held its first performanceat the 2007 Black & White Gala <strong>and</strong> reprised its role for the2008 event. The direc<strong>to</strong>r, along with Club assistants, visitsthe Rio schools semiweekly for 45-60 minute lessons, <strong>and</strong>everyone meets <strong>to</strong>gether every other Friday <strong>to</strong> rehearse.Marta Avalos:Music Student ExtraordinaireMarta Avalos, a fourth-grader at Rio Plaza School,comes from a low-income, Spanish-speaking familythat sacrifices everything <strong>to</strong> keep her involved inmusic. She emulates perfect attendance, leadership<strong>and</strong> dedication <strong>to</strong> honing her craft—all virtuesthat earned her commendations in December, alongwith a gold music necklace <strong>and</strong> framed certificate <strong>of</strong>achievement worth four free private vocal lessons.Her sister, who is in the fifth grade, also is involved inthe music program, <strong>and</strong> <strong>to</strong>gether they <strong>of</strong>fer help whereverthey can, sharing the joys <strong>and</strong> experiences in theirlives. By overcoming environmental limitations, Marta<strong>and</strong> her family excel at being influential <strong>and</strong> heartwarmingrole models <strong>to</strong> children <strong>and</strong> adults alike.Club Kids Set SailThe Fairwind Yacht Club’s Sailing Program kicked <strong>of</strong>f onJune 24, launching an opportunity for hundreds <strong>of</strong> members<strong>to</strong> learn how <strong>to</strong> sail safely, many <strong>of</strong> whom have never been <strong>to</strong>the beach. The Club partnered with the yacht club, as wellas DR Hor<strong>to</strong>n <strong>and</strong> Clearwater Port, <strong>to</strong> bring members ages10 <strong>to</strong> 18 <strong>to</strong> the Seabridge Marina in <strong>Oxnard</strong>.
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