Give the Boys and Girls Clubs a chance

There are a few people who continue to voice the opinion that Boys and Girls Clubs are a good thing but should not be allowed on school property, even though the schools’ principals and the school site councils have recommended approval after extensive evaluations.

Why has approval been recommended?

Because of the benefit to the children primarily, but also because the school will have the free use during school hours of a new million-dollar state of the art facility with a technology center and multiple classrooms.

Why are the drug dealers probably smiling over this controversy? They know that the Boys and Girls Clubs could not afford to buy land in our community, and if it could find affordable land, NIMBYs (Not In My Back Yard) would make it very difficult if not impossible to proceed.

The result would be that hundreds of our children would continue to have no supervised after-school programs to keep them out of harms way.

Drug dealers across the country know the reputation of the Boys and Girls Clubs and how effective their anti-drug and gang intervention programs are.

The Justice Department and Congress certainly know as they have increased funding to over $60 million this year to continue and expand these programs at 3,300 Boys and Girls Clubs.

Drug dealers, according to the sheriff’s department, are increasing their activities in upper income areas like Conejo Valley/Las Virgenes.

The last thing the dealers want is for Boys and Girls Clubs to move into the area and educate and build the self-esteem of their potential customers.

Let us not become unwitting pawns of the dealers. Our kids and the Boys and Girls Clubs need your support.

Cal Johnston

Thousand Oaks

Chairman, Board of Governors

Boys and Girls Clubs

of Conejo and Las Virgenes