I am writing in response to the “Malibu Kids Deep into Drugs” letter published on January 1. Having raised two children who have attended MHS, I am all too familiar with the issues that plague our community. Like many of you, my wife and I were not sure what we could do to make a difference.
Having grown up in Santa Monica, I was an active member of the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Monica for six years. The Santa Monica Club had a profound impact on my teenage years and the decisions I made. When I was asked to serve on the board of directors for Malibu Foundation for Youth and Families, which founded and funds the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu Teen Center, I knew I had found a way to get involved and be a part of the solution.
The Club is more than a fun place for middle school and high school students to hang out with their friends. It is this community’s greatest resource for keeping our kids safe. With vital character-based programs like SMART Moves, SMART Girls and Man UP!, The Club’s professional staff mentors to teens every day, providing support and encouragement during hours when many teens do not have access to their parents or positive adult role models. Teens are given the tools to deal with the pressures of drugs and alcohol, they engage in activities that build confidence and create leaders. High school students who participate in the JR Staff program mentor their younger peers and learn job skills. Middle school students who participate in Torch Club learn about civic engagement and the importance of helping others. Most importantly, they are safe.
MFYF provides additional support to MHS and Malibu Families. We co-fund Angels at Risk as well as providing 100% of the funding for a bilingual family counselor at MHS. There is so much more work to be done to keep our kids safe. In order to maintain operations and other support services we need the community’s support.
Please come by The Club, located in Malibu Foundation’s buildings at the top of the student parking lot, to see our great programs in action. Keep your eyes out for the announcement of MFYF’s second communitywide summit. Let’s keep talking to our children and talking to each other about effective ways to combat drug and alcohol abuse.
Jack McShane,
Vice President, Malibu Foundation for Youth and Families