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.
MARCH 16, 2026 - LOS ANGELES, CA - As Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles (BGCMLA) celebrates 10 Years United, we honor a decade of empowering young people across Metro LA, South LA, Inglewood, Venice, and Southeast LA. At the heart of this work is Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Youth of the Year program, a national initiative that recognizes outstanding teens for their leadership, service, academic achievement, and commitment to making a difference. This year, we are proud to spotlight Vivian, our 2026 BGCMLA Youth of the Year and co-winner of Los Angeles County Youth of the Year . After months of preparation and sharing her story alongside seventeen inspiring teens from across the county, Vivian was selected as the LA County co-winner with Fernanda and will now advance to the California Youth of the Year competition in Sacramento. Vivian’s journey highlights the power of connection and a deep commitment to using her voice to uplift her community!
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 2, 2026 - This year marks an important milestone for Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles: 10 years united . It’s a decade shaped by purpose, partnership, and a shared belief that every young person deserves a safe place to discover who they are, what they love, and all they can become. While this anniversary celebrates a moment in time, our story spans generations. It’s rooted in legacy, strengthened through unity, and driven forward by the youth, families, and communities we serve every day. Then: A Legacy Built by Community Long before we became Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles, our legacy Clubs—Challengers, Bell Gardens, Watts, and Venice—were already doing transformative work in their neighborhoods. For more than 50 years , these Clubs have served as trusted community anchors, offering young people mentorship, stability, and a place where they belong. They fostered strong relationships with families, educators, and local leaders, creating environments where youth felt supported and empowered to grow. Their commitment to youth advocacy and community connection continues to guide our work. Now: Stronger Together Across Metro Los Angeles Since coming together as Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles, our collective impact has grown in meaningful and measurable ways. Each year, more than 3,000 youth walk through our Club doors, gaining confidence, skills, and a sense of possibility. Across all our Clubs, every high school senior graduates on time with a post-graduate plan , prepared for college, career, or the next step in their journey. Equally important is the trust we’ve built with families. Thanks to our community’s confidence in our programs, 100% of surveyed parents say they would recommend our Clubs to others . That trust reflects not only strong outcomes, but the care, consistency, and dedication of our staff and partners. These results represent youth voices being heard, families feeling supported, and programs designed to meet young people where they are, all while helping them imagine what’s possible! United for What’s Next The next chapter of Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles is rooted in the same values that have carried us this far: community, equity, and opportunity. Together with our supporters, partners, and advocates, we remain committed to expanding access, strengthening outcomes, and ensuring that every young person across Metro LA has the opportunity to thrive. Because when we are united, possibility grows, and the future is brighter for the youth we serve!
Key Year-End Tax Considerations for Charitable Donations
This article was originally published on LinkedIn . Read the full version below.
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.
