We Are Venice Magazine: 4th Edition by BGCV BGCV Magazine

Sailing Program charts new waters his summer, Boys & Girls Clubs of Venice (BGCV) had an excit- ing opportunity to partner with Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas to expand our Sailing Program. For five weeks 180 members from across Los Angeles had this life-chang- ing experience with the program. For most this was is a first-time sailing ex- perience and provided a unique op- portunity to enjoy the beautiful waterways of Marina Del Rey and en- gage in team water activities. For the first time, youth members hailed from seven different Boys & Girls Clubs’ sites from all over Los Angeles County: Venice, South Bay, Watts/Willowbrook, Nickerson Gar- dens, Challengers, Burbank and West Valley. Through the Supervisor Rid- ley-Thomas’ grant, BGCV was able to provide transportation or stipends to all these sites to make it possible for them to participate. Marina Del Rey waterways and boats provided by the Los Angeles Sheriff ’s Department ensured that each youth gained in- T Boys & Girls Clubs of Venice sight and application to the: Intro- duction to Sailing; Water Safety; Nomenclature; Ocean Conservancy; and Stewardship. Based on their post-surveys, par- ticipants shared that the program has ignited and increased their interest in sailing. A majority of the youth now define themselves as advocates for sail- ing and mentors, and many who had peers who did not attend will encour- age them to participate in the future. Leadership, teamwork and unique ex- periences on the waterways of Marina Del Rey placed the BGCV Sailing Program as the highlight of summer fun for all of the youth attendees. This collaborative Sailing Program with Supervisor Ridley-Thomas was full of exciting moments and became the anchor for the at-risk youth to reach beyond their fears to embrace new experiences with new wind be- neath their wings. We encourage Clubs throughout the Los Angeles County area to encourage their youth attendees to sign-up early for the 2018 Sailing Program. 43

We Are Venice Magazine: 4th Edition by BGCV BGCV Magazine | Page 45