Teens are an important part of our Club, and we offer programs that are specifically tailored to teens.  Our Teen Room is a teens-only space where members can get help with homework, use computers, watch TV and movies, have leadership meetings, and hang out with their friends.  We also offer teens-only field trips and volunteer opportunities.

Youth of the Year

Ages 14-18

Youth of the Year is Boys & Girls Clubs of America's signature effort to foster a new generation of leaders, fully prepared to live and lead in a diverse, global, and integrated world economy.

In the 21st-century world and workplace, leadership skills such as communication, goal-setting, and teamwork are essential for everyone - especially young people preparing to meet the challenges of adolescence and adulthood.

2019: Yanitzi Banuelos

Yanitzi is a 16 year old sophomore who has attended the Club since she was 9 years old. She has been an active member of the Club since she joined, and has participated in a variety of programs, including art, soccer, Power Hour, Keystone, Junior Staff, and volunteering. Yanitzi is a leader among the youth and teens at our Club, and her excitement in programs and activities empowers and inspires others to get involved and be great!

2018: Nayelie "Jelly" Gutierrez

A member since 6 years of age, Nayelie personifies Club values, good citizenship, and takes advantage of opportunities through the Club to live out her ethos, to carpe diem. "Jelly's" contagious energy, initiative to explore life, and focus on her long term goal to be a pediatric nurse inspire her fellow members to be vivacious, try new things, and to keep their eyes focused on the paths ahead of them.

2017: Destiny Cable

Destiny joined the Boys & Girls Club of San Fernando Valley when she was 7 years old. During her time at the Club, she participated in many of the Club’s programs, and served as the president of Teens Take Action, a Club teen leadership program, in 2017. She graduated from high school in 2018 and now attends college. 

2016: Byron Menjivar

Byron was our Club's 2016 Youth of the Year. He is currently a junior at UC Riverside where he  studies physics and engineering. He moved from El Salvador when he was only 13 to escape threats of gang violence. He found an instant home at the Club, where he demonstrated maturity and an eagerness to help.