Press Release

BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY TO OPEN  THE JOE & LINDA ALIBERTI CLUBHOUSE IN SCOTTS VALLEY

SANTA CRUZ, CA — NOVEMBER 8, 2017 — In keeping with a long-term commitment to effectively serve youth throughout Santa Cruz County, Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Cruz County (BGCSCC) today announced it will acquire Boys & Girls Club of the Valleys to open and operate a new clubhouse in Scotts Valley. BGCSCC will embark on a comprehensive fundraising campaign with the goal of getting the new Joe & Linda Aliberti Clubhouse open to serve youth in early 2018.

The Joe & Linda Aliberti Clubhouse centrally located at 5060 Scotts Valley Drive, features an existing 3,000 sq. foot building, large outside play area, and is within walking distance of Vine Hill Elementary and Scotts Valley Middle School. Additional transportation options are being explored to serve students at Brook Knoll Elementary and schools in the San Lorenzo Valley. Clubhouse programs and activities will include homework help and tutoring, computer and technology programs, arts and crafts projects, sports games and activities. Special program opportunities are also planned for youth 13 years and over.

“At the end of the day, it is all about serving kids and we believe this is the best way to do this,” says Corky Roberson, president, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley. “We are one-hundred percent behind joining forces with Boys & Girls of Clubs of Santa Cruz County and trust that they will do a great job moving things forward.”

“We are thrilled that Boys and Girls Clubs of Santa Cruz County is partnering with us to make our dream of giving kids a safe and fun place to come when they are not in school a reality,” said Joe and Linda Aliberti, who conceived the project and donated funds to secure the property on Scotts Valley Drive. “The strong reputation and record of success they have in Santa Cruz and Live Oak gives us confidence they will be successful in raising necessary funds and developing and operating programming for our local youth.”

“The opportunity to open a clubhouse for youth in Scotts Valley and San Lorenzo Valley is exciting for us because we’ll be able to help more young people reach their potential as productive, caring and responsible community members. This is what we are all are committed to,” said BGCSCC Executive Director Bob Langseth. “We extend our thanks to Joe and Linda Aliberti for their vision and leadership and to everyone who has worked on and supported this project for far. Our sleeves are rolled up and we’re working hard to get the clubhouse open in early 2018.”

“Kids and teens in Scotts Valley and San Lorenzo Valley will really benefit from this important community resource,” said Bruce McPherson, Santa Cruz County 5^th District Supervisor. “The Joe & Linda Aliberti Clubhouse will be an attractive option for working parents and families who want to know their kids are safe, supported and engaged in fun and positive activities during out of school time.”

The Need

Opening and operating the Joe & Linda Aliberti Clubhouse is in response to the pressing need in Scotts Valley and San Lorenzo Valley for affordable after-school programs that provide a structured, safe and supervised place after school for learning, fun, and friendship with adults and peers alike.

There are 7,819 youth ages 5-19 who attend schools within the Scotts Valley School District (2,545 students) and San Lorenzo School Districts (4,644). (Data Source: California Department of Education- June 2016.) According to a new report from the Pew Research Center, more than 4,300 (61%) are from households where both parents or single mom or single dad work full time. The effort to balance work and family life, is, for many, a struggle. Moreover, the stress of balancing work and family life is felt acutely by middle-class, college-educated families who worry about what their kids are doing after school and during long summer days.

Currently, after-school and summer programs for youth in Scotts Valley and San Lorenzo Valley include school-based athletics, activities and programs, private fee-based classes/activities camps, private daycare, Little League, YMCA, and Scotts Valley Parks & Recreation summer programs. Many of these programs are impacted, can be costly, and have program schedules that are not advantageous to households where both parents work outside the home.

While poverty levels for children in both communities (Scotts Valley: 5.4%, San Lorenzo Valley 8.6%) are below the state average (22%), approximately 1,500 students are eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals at schools.

Project Overview

The Joe & Linda Aliberti Clubhouse will positively impact the lives of thousands of kids and teens in San Lorenzo Valley and Scotts Valley. Targeted to open in early 2018, this slimmed down version of a full-scale Clubhouse is the first step towards establishing a presence and highlighting the need for affordable and accessible youth programs in San Lorenzo Valley and Scotts Valley.

Managed and operated by Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Cruz County, the Joe & Linda Aliberti Clubhouse will offer affordable age-appropriate supervision and programming for youth, ages 6-18, after school and during the summer. The 4,087 square-foot Clubhouse, located on a 2-acre lot at the corner of El Pueblo and Scotts Valley Drive, includes a learning and education room, a small technology area, kitchen, a multi-use activity room, and a large outside play area. Plans for eventually building a new 15,000 square-foot building on the front portion of the property are on hold until a full community assessment is complete and permitting and funding are in place.

Local Boys Scouts and Girl Scouts Clean up the Aliberti Clubhouse property as part of a community service project