Challengers Clubhouse Art Therapy Mural with Blue Shield of California & Wellnest
Los Angeles
(August 08, 2019) - Challengers Clubhouse celebrated the unveiling of an eight-week mural project. Members painted a 20-foot by 60-foot wall outside the Clubhouse with community muralist, Moses Ball. Through the support of
Blue Shield California and
WellNest, middle and high school aged members worked alongside Moses in developing a mural based on the hopes and dreams of our members and community. The program focused on helping our youth release tension and learn how to deal with everyday trauma through art therapy.
"Its an honor and blessing to be on a mural because it will be there for years" - Hasina, Challengers Club member.
To commemorate the completion of the mural, Challengers Clubhouse hosted an end of summer celebration unveiling the mural with leadership from BGCMLA, Blue Shield Promise Health Plan, and Wellnest. Members who participated in the mural received a certificate of participation signed by the CEO of each organization for their achievement. Art was used by our youth as a tool of expression allowing them to share their daily experiences in a safe place and project them into a mural. As part of Blue Shield of California's Community Art Therapy Program, each week social workers and
behavioral health specialists joined Mr. Ball in encouraging our youth to express themselves.
BGCMLA's Hip Hop and Step Team kicked off the reveal by showcasing a routines to Lil Naz's Old Town Road. The brightly colored wall behind them represented their faces and showcased their dreams as they performed. In the mural, a girl, inspired by Nipsey Hussle, stands with a microphone with her peer dressed as an aviator inspired by Bessie Coleman. The rest of the afternoon was celebrated with food, music, and great sense of accomplishment. Thank you to Blue Shield of California and Wellnest for providing our youth the opportunity to inspire #GreatFutures for many years to come.
About Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles
The mission of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles (BGCMLA) is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens. Committed to sustainable impact, BGCMLA consist of five sites and is the result of a partnership unifying Los Angeles’ Boys and Girls Clubs in the region’s most vulnerable neighborhoods since 1960 including Challengers, Watts/Willowbrook, Bell Gardens, Jordan Downs and Nickerson Gardens. BGCMLA offers nationally-recognized programs in three core areas to ensure the achievement and empowerment of youth and their families: Academic Success, Good Character and Citizenship and Healthy Lifestyles.
For more of news and events, please visit
www.bgcmla.org/news.
About Blue Shield of California and Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan
Blue Shield of California is a nonprofit, independent member of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association with 6,800 employees, more than $20 billion in annual revenue and 4.3 million members. Founded in 1939 and headquartered in San Francisco, Blue Shield of California and its affiliates provide health care service plans in California.
Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan is a managed care organization, wholly owned by Blue Shield of California, offering Medi-Cal, Cal MediConnect, Medicare Advantage HMO, and Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans. It is led by healthcare professionals with a “members-first” philosophy and committed to building a quality network of providers and partnering with community organizations for its nearly 500,000 members. For more information about Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan, please visit
www.blueshieldca.com/promise.
For more news about Blue Shield of California, please visit
www.news.blueshieldca.com.
About Wellnest (formerly Los Angeles Child Guidance Clinic)
Wellnest (formerly Los Angeles Child Guidance Clinic) is a nationally acclaimed provider of holistic, research-informed, innovative mental health services for children and young adults in Los Angeles. It has assisted high-need families in historically underserved communities for 94 years through its mission to provide a holistic approach to emotional well-being, offering hope, healing and opportunity to the children, young adults, families, and communities we serve. Wellnest’s commitment remains steadfast as we enter our second century of service.
With an operating budget of $23 million, its highly-trained staff provides clients with a comprehensive array of services, including nationally recognized, trauma-informed, evidence-based practices. Wellnest’s programs are provided at four community-based centers, 34 school-based sites (7 charter), four onsite offices, co-location at a Federally Qualified Health Center, and directly to clients through field-based programming. Wellnest supports over 4,000 children, youth, and families annually as they reach their goals in school, build healthy relationships, and enjoy newfound emotional well-being.
For more information, visit http://www.lacgc.org.
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.
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.
