LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. — The Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach recently welcomed U.S. Representative Dave Min and California State Senator Tony Strickland to its Canyon Branch, where they met with Club leadership, staff, and Club members, toured the facility, and saw firsthand the organization’s impact on youth and families throughout Laguna Beach and Saddleback Valley.
The visits were part of Representative Min’s and Senator Strickland’s continued efforts to maintain strong relationships with the communities they represent and gain firsthand insight into the organizations serving local children and families. During their visits, Club leadership highlighted how the Boys & Girls Club provides safe, supportive spaces where young people can build confidence, develop new skills, and reach their full potential through academic support, enrichment programs, sports, leadership development, and mentorship.
Representative Min toured the Canyon Branch, met with Club members, staff, and Board leadership, where discussions focused on the Club’s nearly 75-year commitment to providing young people with caring mentors and meaningful opportunities. During his visit, Club members had the opportunity to ask questions about public service and learn more about the role elected officials play in serving their communities.
Senator Strickland’s visit focused on the importance of State’s commitment to the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P) funding and legislative priorities that support high-quality mentoring programs for California’s youth. Club leadership also discussed opportunities to strengthen investments in programs that give youth the opportunity to develop healthy interpersonal connections with each other and caring adults in real-life as opposed to virtually on-screen.
Pamela Estes, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach, explained, “Whether it is learning more about our need to renovate our gym, the important role play has in a child’s wholistic development, or that programs like ours are the antidote to many of kid’s mental health issues (especially those resulting from the social media rabbit hole), it is up to all of us, together, to give kids the spaces, relationships, and experiences they need to flourish. Both Senator Strickland and Representative Min are awesome advocates for the health and well-being of young people. We are extremely grateful for their leadership and representation!”
For nearly 75 years, the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach has been dedicated to inspiring and enabling all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible members of society. Through quality programs and meaningful relationships, the Club continues to help young people thrive throughout Laguna Beach and Saddleback Valley.
The Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach extends its appreciation to Representative Dave Min and Senator Tony Strickland for visiting the Canyon Branch, engaging with Club members, and taking the time to learn about the organization’s mission, programs, and lasting impact on the local community.
For more information about the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach, including how to support our programs or schedule a tour, please visit www.bgclagunabeach.org or contact Monica McDade at (949) 715-7929 or MonicaM@bgclaguna.org
About the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach
Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach serves over 4,000 youth per day in the Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Lake Forest, and Mission Viejo areas. The Club’s mission is to empower all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential by promoting their healthy social, emotional, intellectual, and physical development. For more information about the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach, visit www.bgclagunabeach.org or call (949) 494-2535.