U.S. Helping to Fund New Youth Center

An effort to build a new home for the Capistrano Valley Boys and Girls Club moved a step closer to reality as Congress agreed this week to provide $500,000 in federal funds for the project.

The federal funds were promised because of efforts by Rep. Ron Packard (R-Oceanside) to aid in club construction, according to city officials.

The club, on El Camino Real, will make its new home on Camino Del Avion near the city’s new $6-million Community Center, which is set to open later this year.

The club building is expected to open around the middle of next year and will serve nearly 2,000 children ages 6 to 17, according to city officials.

The city pays the Boys and Girls Club to run after-school youth programs and teen activities.

In August, the club received approval from the city to begin building an 11,000-square-foot structure, including a 5,000-square-foot youth activities room.

Just before that approval, the organization received a $100,000 donation from the Junior League and $300,000 from an anonymous contributor. The two donations allowed the club to expand its plans by 5,000 square feet and hire an architect and fund-raising campaign coordinator.

The club aims to raise $2.2 million for the project and is now halfway there with the anticipated $500,000 in federal money, according to club Executive Director James L. Williams.

The $500,000 is included in an appropriations bill awaiting final approval by President Clinton.