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WHEN: Monday, April 6 Remarks: 11:30am – 12:15pm
Sod-turning ceremony: 12:20pm
WHERE: Mar Vista Gardens
4901 Marionwood Drive
Culver City, CA 90230
WHO: Brief remarks by:
• Million-dollar donors John D. “Jack” and Cindy Jones, Jack is a real estate businessman and board member of the Santa Monica Boys & Girls Clubs
• Douglas Guthrie, CEO, Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA)
• Mike Bonin, Los Angeles Councilmember, 11th District
• Paul Gaulke, board president, The Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica
• Club parent and member
• Marco Galindo, member of the Housing Authority Resident Advisory Council (HARAC)
WHAT: The Santa Monica Boys & Girls Clubs, in partnership with the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA), will conduct a groundbreaking ceremony to launch a major renovation project of the Club’s Jack and Cindy Jones Youth Center, located in the Mar Vista Gardens public housing development. The event also kicks off a fundraising campaign that will benefit more than 600 children living in the Mar Vista Gardens community and the surrounding areas who utilize the center.
Renovation plans for the site include a complete building retrofit to the existing 7,265-square- foot structure and a 1,310-square-foot addition to accommodate a new art room and education center, along with a music center, practice room and sound booth in the existing teen center. The building’s full gym, technology center, recreation center, kitchen, restrooms and offices will also be updated during the renovation. The renovations are expected to be completed in Oct. 2015.
The Club’s operations in Mar Vista Gardens are being funded by John D. “Jack” and Cindy Jones, and the renovations are funded by $1.7 million secured by HACLA. In addition, Mr. and Mrs. Jones will contribute another $100,000 in matching funds, calling on the philanthropic community to raise $100,000. The additional $200,000 will provide the new Boys & Girls Club with needed furnishings and equipment for the sports, technology, arts, music and other programs offered at the club.
CONTACT: Tim Blaylock, CEO Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica
(310) 361-8500, ex. 207
tblaylock@smbgc.org
MORE INFO: Founded in 1944, The Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica works to inspire and enable all young people to reach their full potential as caring, responsible and productive citizens. Through membership and outreach, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica currently serves approximately 8,000 youth across its 10 sites throughout Los Angeles County. Members come from 131 different zip codes, with the majority of members coming from Santa Monica, Culver City, Venice, West Los Angeles and Inglewood. For more information, visit www.smbgc.org or follow them on Facebook (facebook.com/smbgcfan) and Twitter (twitter.com/SMBGC).
The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) is a state-chartered public agency. It provides the largest stock of affordable housing in Los Angeles and is one of the nation’s leading public housing authorities. It is also one of the oldest, providing quality housing options and supportive services to the citizens of Los Angeles since 1938.