Boys & Girls Club couldn’t have done it without supporters

Posted: Friday, April 8, 2011 12:00 am

I am now approaching nine months as being the executive director of Boys & Girls Clubs of Napa Valley. After going through much of our historical information, I would like to share a few things with the community.

April 7 marked the 10-year anniversary of the Napa Clubhouse located on Pueblo Avenue in Napa. Back when the building was being constructed, Boys & Girls Clubs of Napa Valley served about 100 kids every day. After 10 years, we now serve more than 1,200 kids at 12 locations in Napa and American Canyon.

Keeping our youth safe, teaching them right from wrong and being that positive place in a child’s life where great futures start is not an easy task. It takes commitment from our staff, board of directors and the silent supporters: Napa residents.

I would like to thank all of those people who have made it possible for us to be today what you had envisioned 10 years earlier. Having a Boys & Girls Club in the neighborhood is good for everyone; a study in 2008 found that for every $1 spent on clubs, $4 is saved by the communities they served. Your investment helps everyone.

This is an open invitation for anyone to come to our clubhouse and see firsthand the youth development programs we provide. We are very proud of our success, and want to share with you how you have made a positive, lasting impact on our youth. Please contact me at your leisure to set up a personal tour. I can be reached at mark@thepositiveplace.org.

Mark Kuhnhausen, Executive director, Boys & Girls Clubs of Napa Valley / Napa