When we asked Charles H., one of our high school Club members for one word to describe Santa Monica Boys & Girls Clubs, he said family.
It’s a word countless members use to describe their Club—the place that accepts them unconditionally, encourages them to find new passions, and gives them the tools they need to set and reach big goals for their futures. It’s a word that includes every member of our incredible community—from Club members and their families to the donors who make our work possible.
Support students like Charles >>
For Charles, a member of our College Bound program who has been admitted to Cal Tech and USC through early action, Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica was instrumental in helping him decide what he wanted his future to look like.
“The College Bound program helped me better understand myself, my goals, and where I want to lead my life,” said Charles.
He’ll start pursuing those goals next fall as he studies material science. “I want to develop technologies that change the world and improve people’s lives,” he shared.
Charles’ favorite part of College Bound was the people, including his case manager and other mentors in the program. “Shoutout to Barbara, Hardeep, Nicole, and my friend Dylan,” he said.
The relationships make College Bound special. Each participant gets a case manager who helps them identify their passions and the schools they might be interested in, write their personal statements, and find and apply for scholarships. Additional program mentors also provide guidance and support throughout the process. Charles even plans to become a volunteer mentor for our next group of College Bound students.
“I believe anybody who has the opportunity to participate in this amazing free program should definitely do so,” Charles encouraged.
College Bound is free for high school students in our community, thanks to incredible donors who support Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica. Their generosity creates and sustains opportunities for youth of all ages to achieve great futures.
