The Santa Clarita Valley Youth Project announced the election of a new Executive Committee. The Board of Directors of the SCV Youth Project elected the following officers: President, Gregg Goodman, of Gregg Goodman Farmers Insurance; Vice President, Jerry Citarella, of Infinity Wealth Management; Secretary, Renee’ Kaehny, owner of Rituals Colour Salon; Treasurer, Tom Hough, CPA; Nancy Starczyk, of Realty Executives as Member at Large and John Musella, of Newhall Land, as Immediate Past President.

“My vision for the Youth Project is to remain stable financially, so that we can continue to serve the thousands of students that we do, each year. Times are tough, but we need to stay focused on our kids. I have been here from the beginning and am committed to seeing the Youth Project succeed.” said Gregg Goodman, newly installed president of the board of directors.

The Santa Clarita Valley Youth Project is celebrating 10 years of providing services to teens. In the past decade, they have assisted more than 27,000 youth and 5,000 adults. Additionally, they have expanded their program from just a few campuses to now being active on all the high school and junior high schools in the William S. Hart District.

Just in the 2008/2009 school year, the Youth Project provided more than 5,000 sessions of support to over 1,000 youth in the Santa Clarita Valley with serious life challenges, including depression, suicide, grief/loss, peer pressure and drug/alcohol abuse, said Kim Goldman, executive director.

“We are seeing such courage on behalf of teens, who just want to get and stay on the right track. Kids are faced with such difficult choices to make on a daily basis, we just want to help them, make the right ones and be there for them, if they don’t,” said Goldman. “As hard as it is, to see teenagers struggle, we are so honored that they keep coming back, asking for support. We hope we are making a difference.”

“The economy is tough on everyone and we are all deeply affected, but this is not the time to stop taking care of our community, and our kids. They need us more than ever and I am so proud to be part of an organization that continues to focus on the health and well being of kids.” said Goodman.

The SCV Youth Project helps kids facing such serious issues as drug/alcohol abuse, anger, divorce, peer pressure, grief/loss, suicide, depression, etc. The Youth Project offers free, bilingual, one-to-one or group counseling, distribute FRY cards (which lists emergency numbers) and leads a variety of specialized youth programs.

For more information, about the SCV Youth Project, visit www.HelpNotHassle.com.

About The New Executive Committee

Gregg Goodman, President – Goodman is a local business owner, Gregg Goodman Farmers Insurance and has served on the board of directors for 8 years.

Jerry Citarella, Vice President – Citarella owns Infinity Wealth Management, has been an active member of numerous non-profit organizations in SCV and hasserved on the board for one year.

Renee Kaehny, Secretary – Kaehny, owner of Rituals Colour Salon in Westridge and has served on the board of directors for two years.

Tom Hough, Treasurer – Hough is a local CPA and has served on the board of directors for 10 years.