Why Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles is Honoring JPMorgan Chase


LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 3, 2026 - At Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles, we recognize organizations whose leadership extends beyond philanthropy, partners who invest their time, talent, expertise, and resources to create measurable, lasting change in the lives of young people and the communities we serve.


For these reasons, we are proud to recognize JPMorgan Chase as our 2026 DreamBuilders Gala Honoree.



For many years, JPMorgan Chase has exemplified what it means to be a true community partner. Their investment has never been limited to financial support. Instead, they have built a comprehensive partnership that strengthens our organization from the inside out while creating meaningful opportunities for the youth and families we serve throughout Metro Los Angeles.


Through the leadership of their executives, regional leadership team, local branch managers, and dedicated employees, JPMorgan Chase has embedded itself within our Club community, providing strategic guidance, volunteer leadership, mentorship, and hands-on engagement that have elevated our organizational capacity and expanded opportunities for thousands of young people.


Their commitment to Board leadership and governance has helped strengthen Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles as an organization, ensuring we remain sustainable, innovative, and positioned for long-term impact.



" At JPMorganChase, we believe investing in the next generation strengthens communities. Our partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles reflects our shared commitment to expanding opportunity through education, financial health, workforce development, and community engagement. We are honored to receive this recognition and look forward to continuing our work together to empower the next generation of leaders."
– Rick Barragan
Los Angeles Market Manager at J.P. Morgan Private Bank
and Co-Chair of the Los Angeles Market Leadership Team at JPMorganChase,
and a member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles board.




Across our Clubhouses, JPMorgan Chase has invested in programs and experiences that provide young people with safe spaces to learn, explore, achieve, and dream. Their partnership has enhanced opportunities that inspire confidence, prepare youth for future success, and remove barriers to achievement.


Perhaps most transformative has been JPMorgan Chase's unwavering commitment to financial capability and economic empowerment. Recognizing that financial literacy is a life skill, they have invested in every level of our organization by equipping youth, families, and staff with practical knowledge and tools that create pathways to financial security and generational opportunity.


Through engaging workshops, mentorship, and direct employee involvement:
  • Staff have gained greater confidence in managing personal finances, planning for the future, and building long-term financial stability.
  • Parents and caregivers have received valuable education and resources that strengthen household financial wellness, improve economic resilience, and expand access to financial systems and services.
  • Teens and youth have developed essential financial literacy skills, learning how to budget, save, invest, build credit, and make informed financial decisions that prepare them for adulthood and economic independence.



This holistic investment has created a culture of financial confidence throughout Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles, empowering not only individual participants but entire families and the communities they call home.

Beyond programming, JPMorgan Chase has consistently demonstrated what authentic corporate citizenship looks like. Team members across Southern California have volunteered countless hours, shared professional expertise, served as mentors, participated in service projects, supported fundraising initiatives, and championed our mission throughout the region.


Their partnership reflects a shared belief that every young person deserves access to opportunity, every family deserves the tools to build financial stability, and every community deserves champions willing to invest in its future.

JPMorgan Chase has not simply supported Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles; they have helped strengthen our organization, empower our people, and transform lives through leadership, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to community.


It is with tremendous gratitude that Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles proudly recognizes JPMorgan Chase as our 2026 DreamBuilders Gala Honoree for their extraordinary leadership, enduring partnership, and profound investment in building brighter futures for the next generation.



Join us for an unforgettable evening at the DreamBuilders Gala on September 19, 2026, as we recognize JPMorganChase for their exceptional partnership and commitment to our mission.


Together, we will celebrate JPMorganChase's unwavering dedication to empowering young people and the vital role they play in helping youth reach their full potential through accessible, year-round programming that inspires academic success, leadership development, confidence, well-being, and opportunity.


RSVP Today



For sponsorship opportunities, contact Victoria Reaves, Director of Philanthropy, at victoria.reaves@bgcmla.org


For auction donations, contact Citlali Avalos, Philanthropy & Marketing Specialist, at citlali.avalos@bgcmla.org


About Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles (BGCMLA): Celebrating 10 years as a united organization, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles (BGCMLA) builds on the legacy of Clubs that have served Los Angeles communities since the 1960s. Today, BGCMLA provides safe, inclusive spaces where more than 15,000 youth annually can learn, grow, and achieve their full potential through high-quality academic, leadership, wellness, workforce, sports, and enrichment programs. Serving youth and families across Watts, Willowbrook, South Los Angeles, Bell Gardens, Venice, and Inglewood, BGCMLA is committed to ensuring every young person has the opportunity to build a successful future. For more information, please visit our website at bgcmla.org and follow BGCMLA on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.


About JPMorganChase (JPMC): JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) is a leading financial services firm based in the United States of America (“U.S.”), with operations worldwide. JPMorganChase had $5.0 trillion in assets and $375 billion in stockholders’ equity as of June 30, 2026. The Firm is a leader in investment banking, financial services for consumers and small businesses, commercial banking, financial transaction processing, and asset management. Under the J.P. Morgan and Chase brands, the Firm serves millions of customers in the U.S., and many of the world’s most prominent corporate, institutional and government clients globally. Information about JPMorgan Chase & Co. is available at www.jpmorganchase.com.

BGCMLA's Vivian Advances to CA Youth of the Year

March 16, 2026
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!

10 Years United & Building What's Next

February 2, 2026
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!

Why Year-End Giving Matters—for Youth and for You

December 17, 2025
 Key Year-End Tax Considerations for Charitable Donations

From Club Kids to DreamBuilders: BGCMLA Alumni Shaping Their Communities

November 7, 2025
This article was originally published on LinkedIn . Read the full version below.

Back 2 School with KCAL Cares, Adidas & More

September 11, 2025
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 .

Be You Doc: Where Creativity Meets Community at the Watts-Willowbrook Boys & Girls Club

August 15, 2025
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

Honoring DreamBuilders: The Los Angeles Chargers

August 7, 2025
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.

DreamBuilders Gala 2025

July 15, 2025
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.

Class of 2025: College Bound & Beyond

June 24, 2025
This article was originally published on LinkedIn . Read the full version below. 

Open Letter: We Are Here.

June 12, 2025
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.
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