Port Hueneme Boys & Girls Clubhouse Reopens Doors to Community Children

    OXNARD, CA, December 04, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- After being closed for 18 months, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme has reopened the Port Hueneme Clubhouse to the community's children. The Clubhouse reopened Nov. 17, welcoming more than 40 kids and their families into the newly renovated building. BGCOP will mark the re-opening at 590 E. Pleasant Valley Road, Port Hueneme, on Dec. 10 at 4 p.m. with a cornerstone dedication ceremony presented by the Grand Master of California Masons, guest speakers and tours.

"Thanks to the City of Port Hueneme and the generosity of the community, we are able to offer the Port Hueneme families a safe place for their children to go after school," said Erin Antrim, BGCOP chief executive officer. In September, the City of Port Hueneme transferred ownership of its facility to the Club. Previously, BGCOP leased the facility. By owning the building, the Club is better positioned to raise funds needed to deliver programming at the facility, and to raise funds for capital improvements.

"A lot of investment has gone into getting the Clubhouse ready for our members, with new lighting, flooring, computers, supplies and equipment. We want these children to see that their community cares about them by giving them a safe place, away from gangs, violence and drugs," Antrim added.

The Club's services and programs are free. Members are asked to pay only a $20 annual membership fee if their family can afford it, Antrim said. The Club must continue to seek community contributions to fund programming and for long-term maintenance and operational funds, Antrim said. The Port Hueneme clubhouse operations and maintenance budgets, like the Club's Oxnard sites, are nearly 100 percent privately funded by individuals in the community, corporations and foundations, she said.

"The City is rallying behind the Club to ensure our community has greater access to after-school programs and sustainable summer programs that enhance the lives of kids and provide well-being to the entire family," said Mayor Sylvia Muñoz Schnopp."Our goal was to ensure quality, community-based programs were provided in Port Hueneme, and the Club's commitment to raise funds to sustain and introduce core, national programs to our residents will foster goodwill, enable more options for parents, and influence more youth into becoming active, positive role models in our community."

When the location closed, BGCOP's Port Hueneme branch had 1,200 registered members and served 156 children daily. The facility has been in use by the Club since 1978.

About The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme exists to inspire and enable all young people to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. With three full-service clubs and 18 school program sites, the organization is one of the largest of its kind in California, serving more than 9,200 members annually. It's also the first Boys & Girls Club of its kind to open in the Juvenile Justice Center. Program areas offered to youth include character and leadership development, education and career development, health and life skills, the arts, technology and sports/fitness/recreation opportunities. For more information, visit http://www.positiveplace4kids.org.

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