The Leadership Burbank Class of 2015 will coordinate a revitalization of the Boys and Girls Club of Burbank and Greater East Valley, located on Buena Vista St., creating a safe and educational outdoor garden area as the project’s centerpiece. The Boys and Girls Club cannot currently make use of its front yard due to traffic and safety concerns. The Club also lacks clear signage, reducing the community’s awareness of its presence and the services it provides.
The new gardens will provide a safe and educational outdoor area for the Boys and Girls Club, and will represent a significant revitalization of their current property. They will enable the Club to teach children about health and sustainability, including hands-on experience planting and caring for vegetable and flower gardens. The renovations will include landscaping, a fence for child safety and a new sign highlighting the Club’s presence in the community.
“Having an outdoor space for the children to garden is going to be wonderful,” says Shanna Warren, the Club’s CEO. “During the summer, the majority of school sites are closed but the main club site remains open. By having access to the front yard area, staff will be able to create new outdoor programs as well as use the new space for other outdoor activities.”
“We’re thrilled the Leadership Burbank Class of 2015 has chosen to dedicate its time to the Boys & Girls Club,” says Joy Forbes, president of the Leadership Burbank Board. “The Club helps so many children, and we look forward to bringing the community together to help the Club.”
The Boys and Girls Club plays a vital support role in the Burbank community. It provides after-school and summer programs for over 2,000 youth, promoting academic success, good character, citizenship, and healthy lifestyles for local children. The Boys and Girls Club has served Burbank since 1985, when it opened at its current location, thanks to the help of community volunteers. Starting as an after-school program for 75 children, the Boys and Girls Club now includes a teen program, a program for the deaf and hard of hearing, and after-school programs at several locations around Burbank.
The Leadership Burbank Class of 2015 will coordinate a series of fundraising and community engagement events to build support for the project, which will be completed by May 2015.
Leadership Burbank is a community-based organization that offers a hands-on leadership training program for people who live or work in Burbank. Emerging community leaders have the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of community dynamics, and build a network of colleagues and associates throughout the city. Every Leadership Burbank class organizes a community service project that delivers lasting change in our community. Previous projects include renovating the Joslyn Center Oasis, donating 31 violins to Burbank schools and revitalizing the Kids’ Community Dental Clinic.
