15th Annual Charity Poker Tournament: All In for the Kids
LOS ANGELES – APRIL 24, 2025 – The 15th Annual Charity Poker Tournament: All In for the Kids was a night to remember! Hosted at Hollywood Park Casino, this exciting event brought together community leaders, poker players, and changemakers—united in their commitment to supporting youth across Los Angeles.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our donors, sponsors, and supporters, over $50,000 was raised in support of Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles.
These vital funds will help provide safe, enriching, and engaging afterschool and summer programs—especially important as we prepare to welcome hundreds of youth to our Clubs this summer.
💙 There’s Still Time to Give
Every dollar raised helps ensure that working families in Metro Los Angeles have access to transformative youth programming. Because of the support received, more children will experience a summer filled with learning, creativity, and joy at their local Club.
🏆 Congratulations to this year's winners!
1st Place: Steve Raymond // 2nd Place: Eric Cohen // 3rd Place: Falguni Adams
📣 Sponsor Shout-Outs
We extend our deepest thanks to the sponsors who made this event possible through their generosity and commitment to our mission.
Silver Sponsors
Full Table Sponsors
Mark & Victoria Silverman
Rick Barragan
Bronze Sponsors
Cathy & Ed Hession
Purple Rein Racing
Olivia & Will Forte
Carol Kim
Colin & Cynthia Leonard
Josie Padilla & Jon Andersen
Karen E. Pointer
The Ramesh and Kalpana Bhatia Family Foundation
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.
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.
Leylah Fernandez hosted a youth tennis clinic at the Challengers Club, offering training and inspiration to local kids.
11th Annual In-store fundraiser to provide support to Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES - FEBRUARY 7, 2025 - At the Watts/Willowbrook Club, we celebrated five exceptional Club members! Hear their inspiring stories of overcoming challenges and finding their place at with us at Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles (BGCMLA). This year we are proud to announce Kaydence as our 2025 BGCMLA Youth of the Year ! All participants receive a stipend for their hard work and commitment to this premier teen recognition program. A special congratulations to this year's remarkable speakers:
Our Clubs are open! We're accepting all youth ages 6 -18, regardless of current membership.
September 16, 2024 (Los Angeles, CA) - On Saturday, October 26th, we hosted the DreamBuilders Gala at the stunning Audrey Irmas Pavilion. This special event was dedicated to honoring the incredible achievements of our youth and the generous supporters who made it all possible. What Happened: Inspiring Performances: We enjoyed captivating performances by our talented youth, showcasing their skills and passions. Star-Studded Emcee: Darren M. Haynes, a renowned sports anchor/reporter from KCBS/KCAL, served as our dynamic emcee for the evening. Generous Giving: We joined together to raise funds to support our programs and provide life-changing opportunities for the youth of Metro Los Angeles. Exclusive Experiences: We enjoyed a cocktail reception, silent auction, and a vibrant afterparty. Honoring Our Partners: We're thrilled to recognize the Ralph M Parsons Foundation and Sony Music Publishing for their invaluable contributions to our mission.
September 24, 2024 (Los Angeles, CA) - In a heartwarming display of community engagement, USC Football players recently hosted a special tour of their state-of-the-art facilities for young members of the Challengers Club from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles. The event, organized through the NIL initiative House of Victory , provided a unique opportunity for these aspiring athletes to experience the world of collegiate sports firsthand. "Seeing the practice field and fully equipped fitness gym was eye-opening," said Karen Quiroz, Director of Athletics and Health at the Challengers Clubhouse. "These resources are not available at every school, and it's inspiring for our kids to see what's possible." The Challengers Clubhouse, a part of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro LA, has been serving underprivileged youth in the community since 1968. By providing access to educational programs, sports activities, and mentorship opportunities, the club aims to empower young people to reach their full potential. "For kids who haven't seen what college can be like, it's good for them to get this experience at one of the best universities," said Eric Gentry, a senior linebacker and House of Victory student-athlete. "It's about more than just football; it's about inspiring the next generation." The USC football players were more than happy to share their experiences and answer questions from the young visitors. From discussing their training routines to offering advice on balancing academics and athletics, the players served as positive role models. "This tour was a dream come true for our kids," said Quiroz. "Interacting with the USC football players was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will inspire them to strive for greatness." As Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro LA continues to provide essential services to the youth of Los Angeles, partnerships with organizations like House of Victory are crucial in helping young people reach their full potential. By providing opportunities for mentorship, inspiration, and exposure to new experiences, these collaborations are laying the foundation for a brighter future. For more information about events like this one, follow BGCMLA on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn and X . If you’d like to make a charitable contribution to support youth programs and initiatives like this, you can make a tax-deductible contribution here .
