YMCA Strong Kids Campaign

The Southeast Ventura County YMCA and its four branches have kicked off the annual fundraising campaign which continues through mid-March. The YMCA Strong Kids Campaign hopes to raise $280,000 from individuals and businesses in the community.

Each dollar contributed goes directly to making local Y programs and memberships available to those in financial need and to enhance the Y’s youth and adult programs.

The four branches are Triunfo YMCA (serving Agoura Hills, Westlake Village and Oak Park), Conejo Valley YMCA (serving Thousand Oaks, Moorpark and the Santa Rosa Valley), Simi Valley Family YMCA and Miller Family YMCA, serving Newbury Park including Dos Vientos Ranch.


Last year, the Ys provided more than $605,000 in financial assistance to more than 3,100 children and adults. Funds were raised through the Strong Kids Campaign, corporate and foundation grants, community organizations, and special events. This year the Ys hope to underwrite more than $600,000 in financial assistance and more than $583,000 to subsidize program costs for camps, preschool, youth sports, teens, families and health and well-being.

Gifts of any size are welcome. To make a donation, call Lori Kent, YMCA corporate office, at ( 805) 497- 3081 or e- mail lkent@sevymca.org or go to www.sevymca.org. Donations can be designated to a specific YMCA branch.

Youth and Government Sacramento 2011

The Model Legislature and Court (ML/C) convenes each February in Sacramento. Elected officers and appointed officials train on the Wednesday before Presidents’ Day Weekend, and the rest of the participants arrive on Thursday. Delegates, advisors, and staff are housed directly across the street from the Capitol Building at the Sacramento Hyatt Regency Hotel and the Sheraton Hotel.

Meetings are held at the Sacramento Hyatt Regency Hotel, Sheraton Hotel and Sacramento Convention Center in several meeting rooms and large ballrooms, but the State Capitol Building is the main site for ML/C activities. The use of its historic chambers is one of the highlights of the Youth & Government experience. The California YMCA Youth & Government program is the sole youth program with annual use of these prestigious chambers.

The Youth Assembly and Senate, as well as the Youth Legislative Committees are allowed the use of their respective legislative chambers and committee rooms, and the Youth Governor is allowed the use of the Governor’s Office. Members of the Appellate and Trial Courts use legislative committee rooms for their proceedings, and the Youth Supreme Court is housed in the California Supreme Court Chambers.

Perhaps one of the most important events at the ML/C is the election of the following year’s Youth Governor. Each of the remaining candidates (primary elections are held at T&E II to narrow the historically crowded field) is given the opportunity to address the delegates with a speech at the opening session of the ML/C. Then, in the middle of the week, the Broadcast Media program hosts a televised debate. Polls for a secret ballot remain open throughout the week and the next Youth Governor is announced at the closing Governor’s banquet.

Each year delegates who attend the Sacramento conference are in audience to various California political leaders.


Please view my personal slideshow. Also, if you visit youtube, you can view our KYNG TV segments. If you type in KYNG TV 2011 you will be supplied with a list of segment links:)

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Simi Valley Youth and Government in Review

The Youth and Government program year has come to a close. Blogging always seems to take me awhile, but better late than never, right?

We had a very successful program year and I am so proud of all our delegates. We traveled to three conferences throughout the year. Last November we traveled to Camp Roberts in Paso Robles for Training and Elections 1. This conference gave our delegates a glimpse of the program year and what it entails. In January, we traveled back to Camp Roberts for our Training and Elections 2. By this conference, all of the delegates were able work closely with others within their elected or chosen program area.

Please view the slideshow below to take a look at our two conferences and events! Also fee free to visit the Youth and Government website to get a better idea of what the program is all about: www.calymca.org
(Please see later post for our third conference held in Sacramento)

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Off To The California Int'l Pageant

Before I leave for Downey for the weekend, I just wanted to wish everyone the best of luck.

You all are amazing women making a difference in your community. Don't loose sight of the purpose in doing so. I am looking forward to the experience this weekend and I can't wait to meet all of you. Good Luck and Best Wishes!

Youth and Government 2010/2011 Kick-Off

Last night our Simi Valley YMCA held our 2010/2011 Y&G kick-off meeting. I am proud to announce we had 19 new delegates attend. The evening was lead by our five delegation officers. They had the opportunity to share with the new delegates and their parents the fun facts about Y&G. The evening concluded with a ice breaker which is always a good laugh. I want to thank our officers for leading a fantastic kick-off. I am very excited about all the new delegates and I am anxious to start out program year. Hold on, it's an experience you won't forget!

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Boys and Girls Great Train Robbery in Fillmore

I encourage anyone who is in town this weekend to attend. It will be a great event and all proceeds will be donated to the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley.
If I were not out of town that weekend, I would be attending!
Support our Boys and Girls Clubs!

Taste of Simi & Mega Mixer

This last Thursday our Simi Valley YMCA Youth and Government Delegation was invited to partake in the Taste of Simi Valley & Mega Mixer. Michele Bennett, who is the Community Development Director with the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce was so kind in thinking of our delegates. The event consisted of our YMCA delegates collecting tickets form the guests who visited each food or wine vendor. This gave our delegates the opportunity to get invovled with the community while sharing their expereince and role as a delegate in Youth and Government. Food and Wine Vendors from all over Simi Valley attended. This was Simi Valley's 5th annual event which was held at Lost Canyons Golf Course.

Local restaurants offering scrumptious food
Best Western Posada Royale Hotel, The Boot,
California Pizza Kitchen, Chuy’s West Restaurant
Famous Dave’s BBQ, Elephant Bar & Grill, Giovanni’s Villa,
Go Fish Sushi, Lost Canyons Golf Club,
Neda Persian Cuisine, Olivios Bistro,
Scheck & Shay’s Rockin Diner, Spark Woodfire Grill
TuTu’s Hawaiian Shave Ice, Yolanda’s Mexican Cafe

Wine tasting offered from our local wineries
Cantara Cellars, Four Brix Winery, Four Sisters Ranch Winery,
Magnavino Cellars and Rancho Ventano Cellars


Our YMCA delegates were grateful to not only attend in such a fun event, but to granted a monetary contribution towards our program.

Thank you Michele and the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce for supporting our YMCA Youth and Government Delegation