Proceeds to Benefit SCVYP’s Outreach, Ongoing Campus Programs

By Margie Anne Clark

 

With the ongoing goal of helping teens make good choices, while providing local youth with easily accessible outreach programs and expanded on-campus resources, the Santa Clarita Valley Youth Project will present its first annual  “Hold ‘Em Not Hassle ‘Em” Texas Hold Em Poker Tournament fundraiser at the Santa Clarita Activities Center on September 22, starting at 7 p.m.

 

“One of the most rewarding components of this program is to see firsthand the desire young people have to make healthy decisions,” says Kim Goldman, executive director of the SCV Youth Project. “They come back week after week, openly sharing their fears, dreams, questions, hopes, just wanting to be heard.  They are reaching out and we get to be there to help.” 

 

With outreach programs provided on seven campuses in the William S. Hart Union High School District, the SCV Youth Project provides free peer mentoring, crisis intervention, support groups and outreach to teenagers, 14 -18 years-old in the Santa Clarita Valley.

 

Goldman notes that all proceeds from this fun-filled event — which will feature great food, wine, and celebrity guests, will go to directly supporting the SCV Youth Project’s ongoing peer mentoring, crisis intervention and support group programs offered on all seven high schools in the SCV.

 

“Monies raised at this event will also help to support the expansion program to the junior highs as well. Our services are free of charge to any youth in our community,” explains Goldman, who assumed her duties as executive director of the SCV Youth Project in 2006. 

 

SCV Youth Project board president, Stacy Miller, also encourages the community to come out and attend this exciting new fundraiser.

 

“It’s a win-win occasion for the entire community in terms of helping to the valley’s youth make good choices,” says Miller, who also serves as the Vice President of the Child Care Resource Center.  “At the same time, guests will enjoy the chance to meet new friends while having a great night out while helping out with a very worthwhile cause.”

 

Founded in 2000, the Santa Clarita Valley Youth Project is designed to provide hassle free guidance in a safe, nurturing environment where teens and families are strengthened, empowered and equipped with the tools they need to live successful and fulfilling lives.

 

[view:node_ad=5]“We have more than 100 students a semester in one-one mentoring with a waiting list of at least 10 students at any given time and multiple support groups on each campus,” stresses Goldman of the importance of the services the SCV Youth Project provides to local youth in the community.  The program is able to operate through funding from the Hart District as well as through private donations from philanthropic organizations and individuals.

 

“We work with kids who are facing various issues such as teenage grief, anger management, communication, goal setting, life skills, job skills, divorce, addiction, pregnancy, STD’s, and more,” says Goldman, who as part of her duties serves as the teen grief counselor. “I want to stress again that our services are free of charge and are always confidential.”

 

Sponsorship opportunities for the event include “The River” title sponsorship for $7,500; “The turn” $3000; Big blind” $750; “small blind” $250 and the individual ticket “big fish” admission for $125.

 

For ticket and additional sponsorship information, email Kim Goldman at kim@helpnothassle.com, or call 661-257-9688, or visit the website at helpnothassle.com.