Dear Boys & Girls Clubs of San Dieguito Family,
Despite the recent tragic events and deep unrest occurring across the nation, I write this letter with hope. Each year at this time I write a letter to our members, supporters and community to express my gratitude for being able to serve this incredible organization as CEO since 2015. The challenges of this year have been unlike any other, and if anything, I am even more proud and grateful because of all we have been able to accomplish and overcome as an organization and as a community. Together, we have kept the doors to Boys & Girls Clubs of San Dieguito open, and together, we have created a community of support for our youth.
It has been almost 30 years since I began my career with Boys & Girls Clubs of San Dieguito as a lifeguard and swim instructor. Starting here as a teenager has shown me the value of growing up inside an organization like ours. I have experienced firsthand the incredibly positive impact our programs have on our members and their families. This is true now more than ever. My daughters, now 15 and 18 years old, are in the midst of coping with challenges affecting our youth: isolation, negative social media influence, virtual learning, and much more. Many of our Club members are feeling the effects of heightened racial and economic inequalities that this past year has brought. What keeps me motivated are my daughters, along with our 6,700 members who remain committed to equity for the youth that we serve, and to creating a safe and inclusive space for young people to express themselves and find equal opportunity for a great future.
While we cannot fully anticipate what 2021 will bring, we do know that our commitment to providing the very best for our youth will remain unchanged. We will continue to prioritize the health and safety of our members, provide a positive place where kids can grow and learn through distance learning, expand our use of national Boys & Girls Club programming and activities, and support our incredibly dedicated staff.
We have received countless emails from parents sharing their appreciation for the tremendous efforts we are putting into safely remaining open. Our organization is meeting every challenge, and rising above every obstacle, and the outpouring of support we have received from all of you tells me that it hasn’t gone unnoticed. Thank you for your support and acknowledgment.
All of us have made this new year of programming possible. All of our members, staff, volunteers, Board of Directors, Junior Board, Foundation Board, and our donors are doing whatever it takes. We are in this together, and it wouldn’t be possible without all of you.
While I recognize the gravity of the continuing pandemic, I am truly hopeful for a better year, and it is my promise to you that we will continue to do whatever it takes to serve our community.
Marineke Vandervort
CEO
Boys & Girls Clubs of San Dieguito