EGP News Service

"When kids who will benefit from the new Club talk about how they've lost family members to gang violence, it puts a very personal stamp on the need for a safe place to go in their neighborhood," notes Cookie Carosella, former Entertainment Industry Executive and founder of Tuff Cookie Productions.

Once $300,000 more is raised, the Club will be 70% funded and additional public and private funding will kick in, she explains. “If all goes well, we will break ground in January, 2008,” states Executive Director Robie Aguila.

Famous Alumni Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Councilman Jose Huizar and actor, Edward James Olmos, all went to the Variety Boys & Girls Club, which has served thousands of kids in the Boyle Heights area since 1949. But their building is nearly one hundred years old and in need of major repairs. “It still has the original plumbing and electrical,” explains former Executive Director Judy Zdravje. “It isn’t functioning to the level we need it to function. It’s beyond repair.”

The new building will have over 27,000 square feet of space with a new technology center, career and guidance counseling, gymnasium, media center, updated library and new pool where the kids can sit outside and do their homework.

“Kids need a place to stay after school and during the long, summer months,” said former Club member, Councilman Jose Huizar, who grew up in the Boyle Heights neighborhood. “This is what the Boys & Girls Club is providing them.”

The Club has 58 years of history, tradition and success with providing opportunities to kids. “We just want to keep doing it for another 58 years,” states Zdravje.