BGCMLA Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates & Resources
BGCMLA Food Distribution Time & Locations:
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources
Family Resources
- Teen Line is a confidential hotline that operates nightly, connecting youth who text and email to teens trained in crisis response.
- El programa de Ayuda a Inmigrantes para Alivio de Desastres (DRAI, por sus siglas en inglés) es un programa de ayuda para adultos indocumentados afectados por COVID-19, financiada por el estado y proveída por sólo una vez.
Education & Student Learning
- LA Count Library Offers Temporary Digital Library Card
- Free Curriculum & Resources from Common Threads
- Scholastic's Learn at Home - 20 days of articles, stories, videos, and learning
- List of Education Companies Offering Free Subscriptions Due to School Closings
- Comcast Opens Access to internet Essentials for Families
Healthy Lifestyles
- Fun daily trivia question about nutrition, health and sports
- Kid-friendly activities and recipes for a healthy-living
- Free resources for elementary school physical education that aligns with SHAPE America's National Standards & Grade-Level Outcomes for K-12 Physical Education.
- Parents Get FREE Unlimited Access to Fluency & Fitness
- Kids can select songs and dance to it by following the steps in the song
- Fun daily trivia question about nutrition, health and sports
- Kid-friendly activities and recipes for a healthy-living
- 6 active mobile apps that can help kids stay active without making it seem like they're doing P.E
- Free videos, activities, and even games all based on space exploration
- Space themed stories read by astronauts aboard the international space station.
- Videos and accompanying science activities - themed every week
- Amazon partnership to provide coding classes for students and educators
- Fun activities that provide opportunities for families to learn together, while encouraging love for nature and the environment.
- Online VR design lessons with weekly challenges for students
- Art lessons for kids and teenagers. Lessons are categorized by age, medium and grade.
- Kennedy Center's free digital resource for teaching and learning through the Arts. It provides Art lessons, videos, how-to guides and many more for free
- Explore and take virtual tours of art pieces and locations with do at home activities.
- Lesson plans for parents to help kids understand different art forms.
Food & Nutrition
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates
UPDATE (as of 4:00 PM 3/13/20): On Friday, March 13, 2020, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) announced School Closures to mitigate the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). After careful consideration and effective immediately, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles (BGCMLA) locations - Challengers, Watts Willowbrook, Bell Gardens, Nickerson Gardens and Jordan Downs will be closed beginning Monday, March 16, 2020.
Safety is the number one priority of Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles, and we are doing everything possible to keep children, our staff, and volunteers protected from the COVID-19 virus. Due to the recent cases in Los Angeles, we have decided to close Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles (BGCMLA) locations - Challengers, Watts Willowbrook, Bell Gardens, Nickerson Gardens and Jordan Downs
beginning Monday, March 16, 2020. BGCMLA Clubs will follow the duration of the school closures unless stated otherwise.
In the meantime, we are advising all our Club staff, families, and youth to continue to take precautions as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
LAUSD will have Family Resource Centers available to families starting Wednesday, March 18th from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Children will be able to have a warm meal, engage with peers and pursue different studies. For additional information, please call the following hotline: 213.443.1300.
As a reminder, we recommend these preventive actions every family should take to prevent exposure to COVID-19.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a face mask:
- CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a face-mask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
- Face masks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others.
• Wash your hands often:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- It takes an average of 11.8 seconds to sing the entire Happy Birthday song, so if you sing it twice, that will ensure you've scrubbed long enough. This is a great method to share with children in your family. While this measure is simple, it is effective.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
- For more information about hand-washing, see CDC’s Hand-washing website
• The CDC also provides specific guidance for travelers.
At this time, there is no evidence that children are more susceptible.
Children should engage in usual preventive actions to avoid infection, including cleaning hands often using soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer, avoiding people who are sick, and staying up to date on vaccinations, including influenza vaccine.
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network offers a Parent/Caregiver guide for COVID-19 with more helpful information for families.
Should you have any questions or concerns about this or any other matter, please do not hesitate to email us at info@bgcmla.org. Our commitment to you and your children is unwavering.
Sincerely,
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles Team
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SEPTEMBER 11, 2025 - LOS ANGELES - The first day of school is meant to be filled with excitement—new beginnings, fresh notebooks, and the promise of possibility! But for many families, the rising cost of supplies can turn that excitement into stress, worry, and for some, shame. This year, thanks to the incredible generosity of Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles partners and donors, more than 600 families across Metro Los Angeles received brand-new backpacks filled with everything from notebooks and pens to highlighters and more. This site-wide effort gave families a much-needed break as they prepared for the year ahead, helping them save money while ensuring kids had the tools they need to thrive in the classroom. A special thank you goes to KCAL Cares , who kicked off the season with a major donation drive at our Challengers Club, led by Sports Anchor and our upcoming DreamBuilders Gala emcee, Darren M. Haynes .
LOS ANGELES - AUGUST 18, 2025 - The short film “BE YOU” takes viewers inside the Watts-Willowbrook Boys & Girls Club, where music is opening doors for youth in Watts and Willowbrook. . Thanks to Sony Music Group’s Beyond the Instrument and Notes for Notes , the Club now features a professional recording studio—giving members hands-on access to instruments, production tools, and mentorship from industry professionals. For many, it’s the first step toward turning a passion into a future. More than a music program, “BE YOU” is about self-expression, resilience, and discovering the confidence to embrace who you are. At Watts-Willowbrook, youth aren’t just making songs—they’re finding their voice. 👉 Learn more and get involved: bgcmla.org/wattswillowbrook
This article was originally published on LinkedIn . Read the full version below. LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 7, 2025 - At Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles, we’re dedicated to creating safe, empowering spaces where young people can reach their full potential. For the past seven years, the Los Angeles Chargers and the Chargers Impact Fund have helped bring that vision to life through literacy, mental wellness, and culturally relevant programs that meet youth where they are. Less than a year after announcing a $400,000 capital investment in 2018, the Chargers and the Spanos family unveiled a revitalized athletic field and teen center at our Watts/Willowbrook Club. In partnership with Bob's Discount Furniture , they reimagined key Club facilities into vibrant, youth-centered environments built for connection and belonging. Today, these spaces remain active, welcoming hubs, whether kids are racing through obstacle courses on the field or teens are unwinding, studying, and fostering community in a space they can truly call their own.
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 28, 2025 - The 2025 DreamBuilders Gala , held on October 17th at the Skirball Cultural Center, was a record-breaking celebration of impact, made possible by the support of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles community. A major THANK YOU to SLAY Productions and Skirball Cultural Center for producing and hosting one of our best events yet! Thanks to your generosity and support, we raised over $740,000 — all to fund vital afterschool and summer programs that empower more than 2,500 Club members across Metro Los Angeles to discover their authentic selves and pursue their dreams. Whether you supported our gala fundraiser in person, remotely, or simply followed along, thank you for being a true DreamBuilder for our youth.
This article was originally published on LinkedIn . Read the full version below.
LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 12, 2025 - As many of you know, recent immigration activity in our city has caused fear and uncertainty for many of our Club members and their families. We feel it too. Our staff live here, our families live here, and our hearts are heavy. But our commitment has never been stronger. We will not be divided or discouraged. We will continue to stand by our youth and provide what they deserve: safety, dignity, and a place where they know they belong. Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles will always be a safe haven for every young person, no matter where they come from or what they’re going through. At all of our locations, they will find kindness, stability, and a community that cares. We are grateful to our community for trusting us with their children. We are proud to walk beside them, and we’ll keep doing everything we can to ensure their safety, support, and empowerment. If you have any questions or concerns, we encourage Club parents to contact their home Club directly. Community partners who want to support our youth can reach us at info@bgcmla.org . We’re here and ready to help.
VENICE, CA - OCTOBER 31, 2025 - We’re thrilled to share that the Venice Boys & Girls Club has been awarded 1st Place – Best Afterschool Enrichment Program in The Argonaut’s Best of the Westside 2024 issue! Announced in October 2024, this community-voted recognition celebrates outstanding organizations across the Westside—and the Venice Club is honored to be recognized for its dedication to empowering youth through safe, engaging, and transformative afterschool programming. From academic support and creative arts to sports, leadership, and STEM, the Venice Boys & Girls Club provides a welcoming environment where young people can learn, grow, and thrive. This win highlights the tireless efforts of our dedicated staff, volunteers, and community partners, who work every day to ensure our youth have the support and opportunities they deserve. It also reflects the trust and appreciation of the families and neighbors who voted in The Argonaut’s annual poll. “This award from The Argonaut is a huge honor and a reflection of the impact our team is making in the lives of young people ,” said Jeanette Beltran, Site Director of the Venice Club. Recognition from The Argonaut affirms what our Club members and families already know: the Venice Club is a place where kids feel safe, valued, and inspired. We’ll continue to build on this momentum and deliver high-quality programming that meets the needs of youth in our community—today and every day. 
Join us on April 24th, a night of thrilling poker supporting vital youth programs at BGCMLA. Your participation helps provide safe spaces and impactful afterschool and summer activities for local kids and teens.
BGCMLA youth rocked Coke Studio at L.A. LIVE in partnership with Coca-Cola! Our 10-week program gave them hands-on experience in music production, songwriting, performance & more, culminating in their original song "Everything Ghana Be OK."
The Lakers Youth Foundation renovated the gymnasium at the Venice Boys and Girls Club, celebrating with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a youth basketball clinic led by local coaches. This renovation, part of the foundation's initiative to provide safe and quality spaces for youth, offers a revitalized space for kids to play, learn, and develop skills. The project underscores the foundation's commitment to empowering young people through sports and creating positive community impact.
