In 2012, HACLA was faced with closing the facility due to city budget cuts. As a strategy to keep it open, HACLA solicited bids from nonprofits to operate the facility for the benefit of the community and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica won the contract.
Soon after, in 2015, the Club broke ground, launching a major renovation of the center. “Nearly 500 youth have joined the Club since we opened the Mar Vista Gardens Branch,” said HACLA President and CEO Douglas Guthrie.
“A new education center, a dedicated teen space and a music studio are just a few of the upgrades to the new facility. This is where our children can dream and we are pleased to have a partner like the Boys & Girls Club that can work to help those dreams come true.”
On August 30th from 3:30 to 5:30pm the Club will open the doors to this brand new facility.
The Club’s operations in Mar Vista Gardens have been funded by a $1 million donation by John D. “Jack” and Cindy Jones and due to the efforts of the BGCSM staff to provide successful programs and to engage the Mar Vista community, HACLA was able to advocate and allocate an additional $1.7 for the renovations.
In addition, Mr. and Mrs. Jones called on the philanthropic community, raising over $356,000 and exceeding the proposed goal with their match. The additional $356,000 has provided the new center with needed furnishings and equipment for the sports, technology, arts, music and other programs offered at the Club. BGCSM is extremely grateful for the construction support we have received for our Mar Vista Gardens Branch and we continue to raise operating dollars.
"There is no better time than now to invest in our youth. For more than 70 years The Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica has made that a priority. We are stronger than ever and we are thrilled to open our Mar Vista Gardens Branch to continue to serve the community."
–Bettina Duval, BGCSM Board Chair
