Boys & Girls Clubs of Mid Central Coast’s annual Back-a-Youth Night will return at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 24 at the Railroad Club in Santa Maria. For 32 years, the event has brought together club members and local community leaders and business professionals for a night of fun, food and bonding.
Club members are paired with adult advocates for the evening, during which they will enjoy dinner and a variety of activities (the same programs kids experience as part of the club’s after-school programming), and spend time getting to know each other.
“Mentorship, career exploration, and community service are major pillars in Boys & Girls Clubs programming and philosophy for building great futures for kids,” said Anna Libbon, vice president of Club Success and the former coordinator of the first Back A Youth nights.
“Pairing kids with local adults who care about them and the success of our programs helps make meaningful connections for the kids and the adults,” she said.
The mentor/youth pairs can participate in a physical fitness activity; STEM programming; a literacy activity; and arts and crafts; and have dinner provided by club alumni.
Thanks to a donation from Main Street Cycles, a bike for a girl and one for a boy will be raffled off for club members, and donations from Thrivent Financial and Vince Lopez & Sons will help support other prizes.
Groups like the Santa Maria Breakfast Rotary, Orcutt Lions Club, and Red Dog Management have already registered as mentors.
“Our club has been part of Backa-Youth night for years; our members look forward to it and are so excited we can do in person events again,” said Mike Gibson, past president of Breakfast Rotary.
To participate as a mentor for the night, visit www.centralcoastkids.org/event-calendar or call Kelly White O’Neill, 805-922-7163. Tickets at $50 include dinner, a Back-a-Youth t-shirt and door prizes.
Events may change due to changes in public health orders. All events will be held following the highest safety protocols available.
Founded in 1966, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Mid Central Coast provides kids ages 6-8 with after-school tutoring, mentoring, and access to healthy activities. Located in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, the club has 14 sites in Santa Maria, Guadalupe, and northern SLO County.
For more, call O’Neill, 805-354-7433, email at Kelly.whiteoneill@centralcoastkids.org or visit www.Centralcoastkids.org.