June 7, 2010
SAFYMCA Youth Alliance Graduation Banquet to Honor 24 Monrovia and Duarte Teens, June 19 Community Leader Betty Sandford to Receive Legacy Award
Family, friends, mentors and tutors will applaud the successes of 24 teens from Monrovia and Duarte when they are honored at a special graduation banquet by the Santa Anita Family YMCA Youth Alliance program, June 19 at the Mary Wilcox Youth Center.
Among the graduates to be feted will be 6 members of the SAFYMCA’s Youth Alliance, a comprehensive personal development program that provides middle school and high students with educational guidance, homework help, counseling, leadership training, and spiritual support. Also honored will be 6 teens who participated in the 2010 YMCA Youth and Government Model Legislature and Model Court in Sacramento, and 12 members of the City of Duarte’s Duarte Area Resource Team (D.A.R.T.), a public service career mentoring program.
“All youths are at risk without the proper guidance and support of caring adults, an effective education, marketable skills and opportunities to give back to their communities and feel valued,” said Ulises Gutierrez, SAFYMCA Youth Alliance Coordinator. Programs like Youth Alliance, Youth and Government, and D.A.R.T. meet teens where they are, open doors to new opportunities and help them expand their horizons.”
Some very special adults will also be honored at the celebration.
Community leader and former Monrovia school board president, Betty Sandford will be presented with the Y’s third annual Legacy Award for her long commitment and support of the Youth Alliance program, particularly in the area of school drop out prevention and intervention. Two SAFYMCA staff members will receive “Hero of the Year” awards for their passion and commitment to helping youth.
The event will also honor the graduation of 16 parents from the SAFYMCA’s La Academia Para Padres. The program launched last December is designed to help develop confidence and communication skills between parents and their children. La Academia meets every other Thursday at the SAFYMCA.
For more information about the Youth Alliance program, Youth and Government, or La Academia Para Padres call the SAFYMCA at (626) 359-9244. To learn more about D.A.R.T., contact: Aida Torres at Duarte Public Safety, (626) 357-7931.
