Tag archives: youth programs

There are a number of reading programs for students in Santa Barbara, including several administered by nonprofits. Tina Hansen McEnroe is absolutely clear about what makes the McEnroe Reading and Language Arts Clinic at the Gevirtz School at the University of California, Santa Barbara, stand out from all the rest.  “How are we different? It’s […]

Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley (FBSMV) does some very important and impactful work. Since its founding in 2003 as a response to the methamphetamine epidemic in the Valley, the nonprofit has taken a proactive approach to the issues, creating programs that focus on protecting kids not only from drugs and other substance abuse but also […]

It was just about a month into the pandemic when the United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara (UBGC) fully united, as the downtown club agreed to merge and fully centralize the 83-year-old organization. That might seem like a strange time to be making structural changes, as the merger was completed in April 2020, […]

Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara has had plenty on its plate since the pandemic altered almost everything back in March 2020. Like everyone else, the nonprofit — whose mission is to inspire all girls to be strong, smart, and bold with a vision serving empowered girls in an equitable society — had to make […]

Kim Cantin remembers a time when her hard-working husband, Dave, would jet back from an international trip to make sure he didn’t miss a Troop 33 meeting — not only to join his son, Jack, but also because he understood that showing up was a needed lesson for impressionable youngsters. “He refused to miss it, […]

No, it’s not something you eat. We actually have a Santa Barbara School of Squash (SBSOS) helping our youth here in town and in various places around the world. Their mission is “To Help in Life Through Squash and Education.” Squash was founded in England in the 1880s and is a racquet sport played by […]

Youth and Family Services YMCA gave a thank you party to generous donors that support this branch of the Channel Islands YMCA. Hosting at their beautiful Hope Ranch abode were Al and Marsha Roberson. No one went away hungry with bountiful platters of hors d’oeuvres and plenty of wine. When I think of the YMCA, […]

The amazons ruled when Girls Rock, which helps youngsters through music and arts appreciation, threw a third annual beach bash at the rustic Carpinteria home of music entrepreneur Marla McNally Phillips and her husband Lee. Our Eden by the Beach is home to the largest Girls Rock program in the world, says president Kerri Murray, […]

Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara raised almost $300,000 when 150 guests attended the organization’s 34th annual scholarship event at the Goleta Valley & Teen Center, with Emmy-winning KEYT-TV anchor Beth Farnsworth as guest host, leading a lively panel discussion with current and former members about the lasting impact of their experience. The Biltmore-catered bash […]

Every year, Girls Inc. of Carpinteria honors “Women of Inspiration” at an annual luncheon. The co-chairs Dawn Howard and Jacquelyn Pawela–Crew and their committee worked their magic – turning the gymnasium into a springtime luncheon garden of yellow and white. I wanted to win one of the centerpieces, they were such beautiful bouquets, but it […]

The Montecito Family YMCA is gearing up for another summer filled with adventure, laughter, and enriching the lives of the Y campers, parents, and staff.  Y Camp is accredited by the American Camp Association, which recognizes that the YMCA facilitates summer camp programs that are committed to building a safe, nurturing environment for their children. […]

It was a clean sweep for Dos Pueblos High School at the 31st annual High School Mathematics Contest at Westmont on February 9. Charger Paul Grosen won the Chalk Talk competition, successfully describing this year’s topic, cryptology. With students from a record 12 California high schools attending, the College Bowl competition, complete with buzzers, was […]

AHA!, a Santa Barbara-based non-profit that is celebrating its 20th year in operation, has announced a February 21 benefit event that will bring together three special speakers for an evening of connection and resilience. “It is incredible that this caliber of people are coming here, to help support AHA!” said AHA! co-founder and director Jennifer […]

It couldn’t have been a more perfect day when the popular charity, CALM – Child Abuse Listening Mediation – hosted its 7th annual CALM at Heart lunch “Building Community” at the Coral Casino. More than 210 guests helped raise around $100,000 for the nonprofit, founded in 1969, with the ubiquitous Geoff Green emceeing the fun […]

Youth Interactive has a new home at 1219 State Street – a shiny, contemporary, welcoming place. Mayor Cathy Murrillo was there to cut the ribbon along with a couple hundred spectators who wined and snacked (courtesy of the El Encanto). The Hutton Parker Foundation acquired the building (formerly the Unity Shoppe) in partnership with Youth […]

Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara gave their 17th annual celebration luncheon with the theme “Girls Have the Right!” at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort. The ballroom was packed with folks anxious to hear from speaker Brenda Feigen. Brenda is a feminist activist, attorney, constitutional scholar, and film and television producer. She was an […]

What is the most effective way to break the cycle of poverty for kids and motivate them to enter college or trade school to make something of themselves? Answer: Capture their imagination and interest. then direct them down a new life-path.  I am talking about a program with the unlikely name of Santa Barbara School […]

Ensemble Theatre Company has clearly found the recipe for success with the fifth and final show of its season at the New Vic. Cookin’ at the Cookery: The Music and Times of Alberta Hunter, a production about the extraordinary life of an extraordinary woman infused with jazz and blues, is written, directed, and choreographed by […]

Women of Inspiration was the perfect title for the Carpinteria Girls Inc. annual luncheon where women of inspiration are honored. This one was honoring the memory of global activist Nancy Koppelman. Nancy’s daughter, Renee, accepted the Women of Inspiration award on behalf of her mother and told what it was like to have her for […]

Who doesn’t like birthday parties? Girls Inc. had 220 guests at their 60th one held in their Goleta facility. The decorations reminded me of the “olden days” when getting a new box of shiny colored Crayons was a big deal – never mind cell phones, since there weren’t any. There were balloons and brightly wrapped […]