Event to Emphasize Activities for Youths

Residents, corporate executives, community leaders and concerned parents will participate Saturday in Stand for Children in Sylmar in an effort to improve the quality of life for youngsters in the Northeast Valley.

Part of a larger celebration being sponsored Saturday by the Children’s Defense Fund on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., the local event will also allow San Fernando Valley residents to know “what we are doing to emphasize our children,” according to Barbara Perkins, an organizer for the local event.

Perkins said the local program evolved out of concern by a number of community organizations about teen pregnancy and the lack of physical and culturally enriching programs in the area.

“Black and brown children are becoming couch potatoes, which places them at a greater risk of a whole host of medical problems,” Perkins said. “Our schools can’t provide enough physical activities. And we are also losing our children to gangs.”

A variety of organizations will participate in Stand for Children, including the Boys & Girls Club of San Fernando Valley, the Pacoima Youth and Culture Center, Sonny Barnes Karate School, Vons Family Center, New Directions for Youth, the Pacoima Senior Citizen Multipurpose Center and the Valley Interfaith Council.

All activities, including dancing and singing performances, are free. Perkins said the formal part of the program will be “short with the rest of the day dedicated to just having fun.” The event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Sylmar Square shopping center, 13730 Foothill Blvd.

For information, call (818) 364-6770.