Christmas Concert to Benefit At-Risk Youth

Encino Community Church will present a charity Christmas concert Sunday to help at-risk youth in the community.

The annual holiday music program will feature the Choraliers, a volunteer choir composed of professional and amateur singers who will perform classical and contemporary selections with the church choir.

“I think this is going to be the best Christmas concert we’ve ever had because professional musicians have joined,” said the Rev. Margie Ann Taylor-Black, who has been with Encino Community Church in Tarzana since 1991. “I’ve heard the music and it’s going to be great.”

Black said the concert will exemplify the church’s all-inclusive philosophy in that it will include Jewish as well as Christian music.

A donation of $10 is requested for adults and proceeds will benefit the Los Angeles Police Department’s Jeopardy Program, a gang prevention and intervention project designed for youths aged 8 to 17 and their parents, Taylor-Black said.

The program works with at-risk youths to develop self-esteem, respect, discipline and goal-setting skills, she said.

“Our youth are a primary concern and I hope the proceeds will help,” Taylor-Black said. “This is the first year that we’re going to give a check for the Jeopardy Program.”

The holiday program will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the church, 5955 Lindley Ave. in Tarzana.

For more information, contact the church at (818) 345-8085.