Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles Awarded California Arts Council Youth Arts Action Grant
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles Awarded California Arts Council Youth Arts Action Grant
State funds support the enhancement and expansion of the Arts Programming at two Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles Clubhouses: Bell Gardens & Watts Willowbrook.
LOS ANGELES, CA - Today the California Arts Council announced a grant award of $18,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles as part of its Youth Arts Action program.
With funding from the California Arts Council, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles will be able to expand Art Programming at its Bell Gardens & Watts Willowbrook Clubhouses. The Clubhouses will be able to host additional fine and performing arts classes, helping hundreds of youth discover their inner artist, poet, painter, printer, and more. Projects include: murals, photography, arts & crafts, silk-screen programs, field trips, poetry, lyricism, and more.
Presently, Watts/Willowbrook hosts a teen photography class and a hands-on arts and crafts course for all ages. A Michaels (craft stores) MAKE Space grant recipient, Bell Gardens has a newly renovated Arts and Crafts room where the Club hosts a variety of arts and crafts programming.
“We are immensely grateful for the California Arts Council’s generous support of arts education and programming at our Bell Gardens and Watts/Willowbrook Clubhouses,” said Karen Pointer, Chair of the Board of Directors of Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles. “Arts education should be a part of every child’s world of possibility. Art is fuel for imagination and a source of passion. It feeds the soul and awakens creativity and individuality. The California Arts Council’s grant will help ensure our youth have the space, materials and freedom to let their creativity blossom into its full potential.”
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles was featured as part of a larger announcement from the California Arts Council of more than 1,500 grants awarded to nonprofit organizations and units of government throughout the state for their work in support of the agency’s mission to strengthen arts, culture, and creative expression as the tools to cultivate a better California for all. The investment of nearly $30 million marks a more than $5 million increase over the previous fiscal year, and the largest in California Arts Council history.
Organizations were awarded grants across 15 different program areas addressing access, equity, and inclusion; community vibrancy; and arts learning and engagement; and directly benefiting our state's communities, with youth, veterans, returned citizens, and California's historically marginalized communities key among them. Successful projects aligned closely with the agency's vision of a California where all people flourish with universal access to and participation in the arts.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the California Arts Council recognizes that some grantees may need to postpone, modify, or cancel their planned activities supported by CAC funds, due to state and local public health guidelines. The state arts agency is prioritizing flexibility in addressing these changes and supporting appropriate solutions for grantees.
"Creativity sits at the very heart of our identity as Californians and as a people. In this unprecedented moment, the need to understand, endure, and transcend our lived experiences through arts and culture is all the more relevant for each of us,” said Nashormeh Lindo, Chair of the California Arts Council. “The California Arts Council is proud to be able to offer more support through our grant programs than ever before, at a time when our communities’ need is perhaps greater than ever before. These grants will support immediate and lasting community impact by investing in arts businesses and cultural workers across the state.”
The mission of 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 is the result of a partnership unifying Los Angeles’ Boys and Girls Clubs that have been serving youth 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.
The California Arts Council is a state agency with a mission of strengthening arts, culture, and creative expression as the tools to cultivate a better California for all. It supports local arts infrastructure and programming statewide through grants, initiatives, and services. The California Arts Council envisions a California where all people flourish with universal access to and participation in the arts.
Members of the California Arts Council include: Chair Nashormeh Lindo, Vice Chair Jaime Galli, Larry Baza, Lilia Gonzales Chavez, Jodie Evans, Kathleen Gallegos, Stanlee Gatti, Donn K. Harris, Alex Israel, Consuelo Montoya, and Jonathan Moscone. Learn more at www.arts.ca.gov.
The California Arts Council is committed to increasing the accessibility of its online content. For language and accessibility assistance, visit http://arts.ca.gov/aboutus/language.php.
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!
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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.
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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.
