(SUO – Los Angeles) Now that the Summer Camp season is over, the Club is moving forward on its fall programs. The majority of summer campers continue to attend, turning into an increased enrolment for the school year programs. The impact on the community from the overwhelming success of the camp programs is moving the Club in a positive growth model. In the spirit of Don Bosco, the staff and volunteers, through their daily actions and respect and support of the kids, have presented new opportunities for the Club.

East Los Angeles is the center of Don Bosco’s mission. Over 70% of the general population live in poverty. The graduation rate for the local high schools is less than 60%. The community is home to thousands of gang bangers. The average family includes 5 kids. The community deals with sex trafficking, incest, lack of health care programs, and addiction, all of which create an unstable family structure.

The Camp was able to step up and provide safety for the kids, at least one full meal a day, and educational programs. The Salesians don’t have to look very far to see that Don Bosco is needed in our own back yard. The Club understands the overwhelming need to help these kids achieve a level of success and spirituality is increasing its programs in East L.A.

The success of the Club, through its current works, is the success of Don Bosco’s vision to step up and help guide youth to their own personal successes through Christ. In this mission the Club is aggressively focusing on the foundation for educational and social success through the development of the child’s spiritual foundation. As the Club’s membership and programs surge forward, the meaning of Don Bosco’s spiritual mission becomes clear and direct: It is the responsibility of the Salesians Families, which include all staff and volunteers, to ensure that this mission is accomplished.

Published 22/08/2014