“You have the power to choose who you want to be” Part II

By: Paula LuengosSalesian Summer Camp Volunteer from Spain Last week we shared the experience of Paula when she first came to the Salesian community and the Salesian Family Youth Center.  This week Paula tells us about her experience at Camp Salesian, and how she won the weekly recognition award of the best head staff member, the Headmaster Award.  Paula writes: It was on July 1st, … Continue reading “You have the power to choose who you want to be” Part II

“You have the power to choose who you want to be”

By: Paula LuengosSalesian Summer Camp Volunteer from Spain Hello dear Salesian Family of the Western Province, as you know every year we have a group of volunteers who help at our Salesian summer camp experiences.  Part of our mission as a Salesian family is to give voice to the ideas, feelings, and dreams of our young people, as well as to inspire and motivate other … Continue reading “You have the power to choose who you want to be”

Leave behind your fears and begin to experience new situations you did not know before

By: Veronica LapetraSalesian Summer Camp Volunteer from Spain Veronica volunteered at the Salesian Family Youth Center in 2019, and she returned in 2022 to volunteer at Camp Savio in Bellflower. At the end of her experience, Veronica shares with us what this volunteer experience has meant to her, and what she has learned from it for life. Hello! My name is Veronica, and I am … Continue reading Leave behind your fears and begin to experience new situations you did not know before

Lets save a starfish – Part III

By: Luis ChaconProvince Coordinator for Volunteers The previous two weeks I shared the experience of these migrant children in the United States.  They express the risks that migrant children suffer here, and also  brainstorm solutions that in this Province we could consider for future ministry. It must be remembered that these children have grown up in Salesian environments and that despite not being more than … Continue reading Lets save a starfish – Part III

The Salesian Boys’ and Girls club gathering for the Gala

By Bridget VeltriDirector of Communications, Grants and Foundations, Salesian Boys’ & Girls’ Club San Francisco Attending a gala is a true privilege. It is an opportunity to get dressed up and celebrate, while supporting a worthy cause. Galas and formal fundraisers like them are a balance of giving back and having a good time. On September 24, 2022, on a warm autumn evening at the … Continue reading The Salesian Boys’ and Girls club gathering for the Gala

Lets save a starfish – Part II

By: Luis ChaconProvince Coordinator for Volunteers Last week we started the article “Let’s save a starfish” where I shared the experience of a migrant family arriving in this country. Here is the continuation of the experience of the children.   I also am offering ideas from their parents about how we might help these children and young people. “We traveled to Los Angeles without knowing where … Continue reading Lets save a starfish – Part II

“Someone else needs this sandwich more than I do”

By: Luis ChaconProvince Coordinator for Volunteers Month after month we have carried out our homeless outreach, sometimes it is a bit difficult to find time for this activity, however we did not want to let the summer go by without doing this experience that always helps us to be more empathic with our brothers and sisters. On this occasion, the volunteers who came from Spain … Continue reading “Someone else needs this sandwich more than I do”

Home is where The Club is

By Katie McDonaldSacramento State University, 2020 – BS Deaf Studies and Minor in Child Development It’s June 2000, and the Saint’s Peter and Paul church bells just rang. It is noon, early dismissal. Children flood the playground and rush into the Salesian Boys’ and Girls’ Club. The last day of school is exciting for many reasons, but the only one that was on my mind … Continue reading Home is where The Club is

“For you I study, for you I work…”

By: Luis ChaconProvince Coordinator for Volunteers As you may have heard, in January the Salesian Family Youth Center joined the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. We have had the opportunity to meet, learn, participate, and collaborate in different committees, meetings, and councils to make the difference in the world of formal and non-formal education. On July 25, a unique opportunity was presented to me … Continue reading “For you I study, for you I work…”

Salesian Family Youth Center Summer Experience

By J.C MontenegroExecutive Director Are you ready to experience the love? For the last two months, we have been MIA “Missing in Action.” Once our summer program started, we did not have time to share all the fantastic work at the Salesian Family Youth Center. Nonetheless, the work was done! We changed many lives. In this blog, we would like to pay tribute to all … Continue reading Salesian Family Youth Center Summer Experience

The Salesian Boys’ and Girls club at Sts. Peter and Paul, San Francisco Celebrates 100 Years

By Frank LavinSalesian Cooperator, former Club member and past board president On Saturday, June 18, the Salesian Boys’ and Girls’ Club of Sts. Peter and Paul Church in San Francisco, California, USA celebrated its 100th anniversary. Fr. Mel Trinidad, SDB provincial of the US West province (SUO) presided at Mass for the feast of Corpus Christi assisted by pastor Fr. Tho Bui, SDB before the … Continue reading The Salesian Boys’ and Girls club at Sts. Peter and Paul, San Francisco Celebrates 100 Years

Homeless Outreach on Skid Row: A different way of celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus

By: Luis ChaconProvince Coordinator for Volunteers On Sunday, April 17, some of the Salesian presences in the Los Angeles Area decided to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus in a different way: bringing not only food and clothing to our homeless brothers and sisters on Skid Row, but also moments of prayer and letters (with blessings and motivational messages) written by the young people of the … Continue reading Homeless Outreach on Skid Row: A different way of celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus

Salesian Family Youth Center at the Kindness Carnival

On April 30th (Kindness Day), West San Gabriel Valley Boys & Girls Clubs and East Side Clubs, led by JR Dzubak, invited the Salesian Family Youth Center to their first annual Kindness Carnival. The event took place from 11:00AM to 5:00PM near Boyle Heights City Hall. This Kindness Carnival came about as a response to many children and young people feeling alone and lost due … Continue reading Salesian Family Youth Center at the Kindness Carnival

Updates from the Salesian Family Youth Center!

Channel 62 visited our youth center and created this video shown on local TV. They compared our Clubhouse with an oasis! The news is only two minutes long and expresses who we are and what we do for the children of our community. I hope you enjoy this small video. Taking young people to visit the Universities in Northern California. The Salesian Family Youth Center … Continue reading Updates from the Salesian Family Youth Center!

Salesian Boys’ and Girls’ Club: “The Show Must Go On!”

By: Jerome PaoliniSBGC at Sts. Peter and Paul Board President and Salesian College Preparatory, Class of 1977 (San Francisco) – These famous words from P. T. Barnum in the 19th century extolled performers to continue on as planned even in the face of problems and adversity.  Similarly, “The Show Must Go On” also applies to the staff and leadership team of the Salesian Boys’ and … Continue reading Salesian Boys’ and Girls’ Club: “The Show Must Go On!”