.Boys and Girls Club Keeps Kids in the Swim

John and Ruth Mallery had a dream—to create a safe and nurturing environment where unsupervised and at-risk young people can thrive and become productive, caring citizens.

In 1965 they founded the Boys’ Club of Santa Cruz, and in 1969, the dream came true: a clubhouse on Center Street—with a swimming pool, game room, wood shop, art studio, library and a state-of-the-art gym.

In 1990, the club became the Boys and Girls Club, expanding the inclusiveness that is a guiding principle to embrace all kids.

Generations have grown from kids to parents, relying on the Boys and Girls Club as a safe and educational space between home and school.

The Boys and Girls Club is participating in Santa Cruz Gives, the holiday fundraising program started by Good Times in 2015. Donations raised through Santa Cruz Gives will go toward a major revitalization of the club’s five-lane, 22-yard indoor swimming pool, the jewel of the Center Street location, where youth safely enjoy aquatics programs that promote physical fitness and camaraderie.

“This space is a beloved space,” says Lis DuBois, executive director. “Donors tell us their kids learned to swim in this pool 30 years ago.”

Community partners have funded the beginning of the project, but more support is needed. DuBois wants all to know that gifts of any amount will make a difference.

To witness what the original Boys and Girls Club has become is Illuminating and heartwarming. There are so many rooms devoted to so many different activities, it’s a mystery how it all fits within one modest and welcoming location.

Central to it all is a truly expansive, inviting playroom, connecting to a well-used study and homework room, an arts and crafts space, a music studio (filled with guitars, keyboards and drums), indoor basketball courts, and a game room.

Many of the kids walk to the center after school with adult accompaniment for safety, but the club provides rides from schools that are beyond walking distance or separated by highways.

“Transportation continues to be a big challenge for us,” says Andy Cunningham, development director.

Upon arrival, the kids have free play time and then a snack. Work on class assignments follows, and then time for sports and creative activities. A full kitchen serves hot meals, and the club welcomes food donations to keep it well-stocked.

“Things that we can always put to use are pre-packaged and safe snacks and food, because we always feed kids every single day,” DuBois says.

All of the clubs have Amazon Wish lists. The club also welcomes new art supplies. “We go through markers like nobody’s business,” says DuBois. “Also sports equipment, like jump ropes and dodgeballs that get beaten up very quickly. Puzzles are really popular. Legos, board games. Books for the club’s library spaces.”

DuBois and Cunningham want to remind well-intentioned givers that unusable items are a strain on resources to pay for removal and disposal. A useful donation is always appreciated. But as DuBois explains, “Our greatest needs, honestly, are financial donations to support high-quality staff who interact with our kids.”

The vast majority of the 51 full and part-time employees are paid professional staff, having been thoroughly screened and vetted. Partnerships with UCSC and Cabrillo College provide volunteer interns, and a cohort of parents coaches the club’s basketball league.

The time that kids have with school teachers is measured in semesters, but the connections formed with mentors at the club can last for years.

“The single greatest gift that we give kids is human connection,” DuBois says.

Much has happened and much has changed since the 1960s. UC Santa Cruz grew from a fledgling university with 600 students to more than 17,000. Silicon Valley was born and led a tech revolution. 

The club would like to emulate Watsonville’s successful Digital Nest curriculum and adapt it to a middle-school level. The kids are already being taught computer coding, digital citizenship and digital literacy.

“There are years of deferred maintenance that we need to tackle now,” says Andy Cunningham, “and we’re getting ready to serve the new Santa Cruz for the next 50 years.”

Giving Time

Founded by Good Times in 2015, Santa Cruz Gives has raised more than $5 million to help local nonprofits. These are some of the 63 participating groups, and the programs that will be funded by readers’ donations. From now through Dec. 31, find out more at SantaCruzGives.org.

Amah Mutsun Land Trust—Creating its first-ever climate change program.

Arts Council Santa Cruz County—Expanding Summer Arts Education Institute.

BirchBark Foundation—Helping families faced with fixable but unaffordable veterinary care.

Equine Healing Collaborative—Raising funds to cover 200 therapy sessions.

Free Guitars 4 Kids—Distributing 240 guitars to four school

KSQD 90.7FM—Offering workshops for community members and radio hosts to learn and improve broadcast skills.

Live Like Coco Foundation—Stocking a new bookmobile.

Pajaro Valley Arts—Building a thriving arts hub for Watsonville.

Santa Cruz Shakespeare—Adding to a transportation fund for students.

Senderos—Funding cultural arts pathways for Latino youth.

Tannery World Dance and Cultural Center—Funding dance scholarships.

Theatre 831—Serving as stewards of the Colligan Theater.

Unchained—Providing support to Canines Teaching Compassion program.

Village Santa Cruz County—Building co-generational connection.

Santa Cruz Gives is funded by the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County, Community Foundation Santa Cruz County, Applewood Foundation, Joe Collins, Driscoll’s, Inc., Monterey Peninsula Foundation, 1440 Foundation, Santa Cruz County Bank, and Wynn Capital Management, as well as readers of Good Times, Pajaronian and Press Banner.