The Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley installed a new slate of officers on June 28 to guide the now 20-year-old organization, which will be led by local banker Mike Chambers.
Chambers has served on the board for the past four years, most recently as the resource development chair.
Prior to his involvement of the board, he volunteered at the club as a basketball coach.
Chambers will serve as the board president for the next two years and is excited about the organizations future.
"I just want to say thank you to the business leaders, council people and residents that continuously support our current sites in San Juan Capistrano, Aliso Viejo and Rancho Santa Margarita. Whether you've been doing it in the form of a donor, board member or volunteer, I look upon you as a genuine leader ... and I am thankful for the opportunity to follow your lead."
Chambers will be taking over for Bill Cole, who recruited Chambers to the board several years ago.
Club Executive Director James Littlejohn is excited about the transition, stating: “Bill ... has done a wonderful job directing the club through some difficult economic times. We know that Mike will provide the strong leadership necessary for our organization to continue to provide our valuable services to the many communities that we serve.”
Chambers began volunteering at Boys and Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley during his 10-year career as an executive at MBNA America Bank, the credit card company bought by Bank of America in 2005.
He currently serves as a senior vice president at Partners Bank of California, a local business bank and consistent supporter of our kids. He is happily married to his wife Paula, who works as a federal contracts administrator for CH2M Hill. They reside in Aliso Viejo and spend most of their free time playing sports, enjoying nature and gathering with friends.
About the Club:
Founded in 1991, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Capiostrano Valley serves youth from twenty-eight schools in twelve cities in south Orange County, providing core academic support through homework help and tutoring and career and social development through many other programs. The Club is dedicated to serving elementary, middle school, and high school-aged students from the surrounding community at its two branches one in San Juan Capistrano and the other in Aliso Viejo. The Club strives every day to provide the highest quality services to our members in a cost effective manner. Our organization has kept membership fees low ($50 annually) and continues to offer need-based scholarships. Keeping our services affordable for every family is challenging especially in difficult economic times, but it is also the main reason the Club is successfully reaching so many youth in our community. The Club offers over fifty on-going programs throughout the year (all descriptions on Web site www.bgccapo.com) in five key areas: Character & Leadership, Education & Career Development, Health & Fitness, and Fine Arts.
The Club’s mission is "To inspire and enable all youth to reach their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens by providing stimulating and challenging programs through interaction with dedicated, caring people."
From a Boys & Girls Club press release.
