Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme Recruit Mentors for Ramp Program

OXNARD, Calif. - June 7, 2013 - PRLog -- Oxnard, Calif.—The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme is currently looking for volunteers for its RAMP program. The Reentry Aftercare Mentoring Program (RAMP) pairs up community mentors with youth housed in the juvenile justice facility, with hopes of building a solid relationship after the youth is released.  

Volunteers can sign up now for the Club’s upcoming volunteer training sessions. The 20-hour training session takes place during two consecutive weekends. Desirable candidates would have an interest in working with young offenders and a desire to make a positive difference in the lives of local youth. Volunteers must be 21 years of age or older, able to make a one year commitment of at least two hours per week and complete a criminal background check. Mentors will work with youth inside the facility as well as in the community.

The program is made possible in partnership with Ventura County Probation Agency. “We are calling on all those in the community that have a strong commitment to youth to step up and help our most at risk teens from the most challenging backgrounds and circumstances become successful, productive and responsible adults,” said Tim Blaylock, chief professional officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme. “These are young people who have lost their way but have great hope for the future; they just need a caring adult to help guide them down a new path to a better and brighter future.”

Service clubs like the Lions, Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs are encouraged to help identify additional mentors for this important program.

For information on how you can make a huge difference in this community and on training for the mentorship program, please contact Anya Tobin at 483-1118 ext 302 or atobin@bgcop.org.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme exists to inspire and enable all young people to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. With three full-service clubs, 13 school program sites and one housing site, the organization is one of the largest of its kind in California, serving 9,000 members annually. The group is also the first Boys & Girls Club of its kind to open a site inside a Juvenile Justice Center in the state of California. Program areas offered to youth include character and leadership development, education and career development, health and life skills, the arts, technology and sports, fitness and recreation.