VENTURA : Reception to Honor Youths’ Benefactors
A public reception will be held tonight to recognize community leaders and organizations for their contributions to youth-related programs, officials said.
At the Ventura City Hall reception, council members and about 20 youths, including some who are active in gangs, will honor:
The Avenue Lions Club for establishing a $50,000 youth scholarship fund to offset the cost of participating in city recreation programs;
John Bookwalter, owner of Ventura County Athletic Clubs, for donating $20,000 in weightlifting equipment to Westpark Community Center to be used by disadvantaged teen-agers as an alternative to gangs;
Local artist Chris Martinez and youths who painted a mural on the Westside Market that was a popular target for gang graffiti.
The teen-agers invited to attend the reception are participating in the Youth Employability Enhancement Program, which employs disadvantaged youths for the summer so they can learn how to find a job and know what is expected of them once they begin to work, said Roberta Payan, who runs the program for the city’s Parks and Recreation Department.
The City Council will formally honor Bookwalter, Martinez and the Lions Club at the council meeting scheduled after the reception, Payan said.
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