Club Director Is Center of Attention

As executive director of the Boys & Girls Club of Simi Valley, Linda White moves through the sea of children like a trained professional, which, after all, she is.

“It’ll be hard to hear in here,” said White, entering the club’s recreation room filled with children playing pool, pingpong and Foosball.

Even without shouting, she is easy to hear over the din of activity, the “controlled chaos” that defines the club.

After less than four years, she has the job down pat.

“I have a tough time picturing myself in any other position,” said White, 48, who was an aide to then-County Supervisor Vicky Howard before working at the club.

For the former gymnastics coach, that foray into the adult version of controlled chaos was a temporary but fulfilling detour from years of working with children.

“My heart has always been with the kids,” she said. “It’s hard for me to even think of not being involved with them.”

With a budget topping $1 million, the club requires White devote much of her time to fund-raising and writing grant proposals.

She watches over a staff that includes nine full-time employees and 30 to 50 part-time youth counselors who manage the club’s daily activities, whether it be a volleyball tournament, chess club meeting or art class.

Every day after school about 350 children, ages 7 to 16, fill the club. During the summer, nearly 500 children spend their days there.

The secret to engaging those children is to approach them openly and not confront them, she added.

“We try to provide the opportunity for the kids to have fun, but by the time their parents pick them up, they’ve finished their homework,” White said.