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By Katy Doyle
“The Boys and Girls Club of Santa Clarita has a 40-year presence in the valley,” explains Ivan Price, the Club’s executive director/CEO of its fund-raising arm, the Foundation. “The Club was here before Henry Mayo Memorial Hospital, before College of the Canyons, and before the City was formed.” As one of the older, well-established community programs, the club’s three SCV clubhouse locations provide a stable and invaluable service for local kids by offering great programs and, most importantly, a safe place for them to go after school.
“We have just shy of 3,000 boys and girls, ages 7 to 17, who are members and another 3,800 who participate in our outreach programs,” Price says. Price himself attended programs at the YMCA in his younger years, eventually becoming the executive director of five YMCAs in as many states. In 1984, he formed a consulting company, Ivan Price Associates, which primarily raised funds for non-profits. Having lived and worked in the Coachella Valley for the last 12 years, he decided that he’d like to end his career as he began it, as an on-site executive director. By accepting the position at the Boys and Girls Club Foundation in January 2008, Price feels that his career “has come full circle.”
The Foundation that he leads and the Club itself also form a tight circle. The Club’s Chief Professional Director, Jim Ventress, says that the organizations are “joined at the hip.” The Foundation allocates most of its budget to the Club in addition to hosting events, promoting the Campaign for Kids, and writing grants for additional financial support. The Club is also sustained by funds allocated by the National Boys and Girls Club as well as the United Way. Despite a challenging economy, Price says, “We expect $300,000 in grants, and we’re on target to increase that.”
Price is hoping that the Club’s upcoming events will be well supported despite the downturn. He is confident that people will see what he saw when he applied for the job. “I was impressed by the three facilities,” he says. “Then I looked at the board roster with its 21 members on the governing board and 80 members on the Foundation board and I was encouraged by the sheer number of supportive people.” When asked why people should consider donating to the Boys and Girls Club, Price replies, “All funds raised extend to the families who utilize the Club. Everything we do is for the kids.”
For more information, visit www.scvboysandgirlsclub.org.
SUPPORT THE SCV
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB
Save the Dates!
Saturday, June 13
38th Annual Auction at Mann Biomedical Park
The “granddaddy” of special events in the SCV and the biggest “net income” fundraiser for the Club
Monday, August 3
7th Annual Keyes Lexus Golf Classic
Valencia Country Club
A premier event that raises great dollars for the Club
at a superior venue
November 20, 21and 22
6th Annual Festival of Trees – Location TBA
Participants take home stunning professionally decorated trees, donating funds so that specific “Club Families” can enjoy festive holidays
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