SAN PEDRO, Calif. – Boys & Girls Clubs of the Los Angeles Harbor (BGCLAH) recently hosted its Fall 2017 Arts Academy Showcase, featuring music and dance performances, art and photo galleries and a screening of a documentary created by members of the Club’s Arts Academy.
More than 125 young artists displayed their talents to an audience full of family members, friends, donors and community members at Los Angeles Harbor College. For photos of the event, click here.
“Central to our mission is enabling young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens,” said Mike Lansing, executive director of BGCLAH. “Participation in the Arts Academy helps Club members reach that potential and allows them to freely express themselves creatively and develop necessary skills in critical thinking that will serve them for many years to come.”
Through its Arts Academy, BGCLAH provides fine arts programming, including instruction, mentoring, exposure and performance opportunities, to 1400 middle and high school youth throughout the Los Angeles Harbor annually. The academy provides low-income, at-risk and disadvantaged youth with free introductory through advanced arts instruction, performance opportunities and art exposure in a variety of art disciplines, such as fine arts, music, dance, photography, 3D modeling and game design.
SoCalGas Funds Transportation Costs for Club Members
This season, Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) provided funding for BGCLAH’s Transportation Program in part, which enabled BGCLAH to provide more than 500 youth per day with free and safe transportation to Clubhouses across San Pedro, Lomita, Harbor City and Wilmington.
Without this transportation, many Club members would not be able to access BGCLAH’s Arts Academy and other programs focused on building academic, leadership and athletic skills.
“The Transportation Program is a key component is providing our youth the hand up they need to succeed,” said Lansing. “SoCalGas’ support of this program has been essential to making our kids’ dreams come true.”
“BGCLAH offers premiere youth development programs that help young people succeed in and outside the classroom,” said Faviola Ochoa, a SoCalGas public affairs manager. “SoCalGas is proud to support the Transportation Program and help provide a critical element in the Boys and Girls Clubs experience.”
The SoCalGas Solar Water Heating campaign funded the Transportation Program through a special advertising program with CBS EcoMedia. SoCalGas offers incentives for homeowners and businesses who install qualified solar water heating systems, which help reduce energy and save money. For more information on solar water heating, click here.