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Pomona Unified highlights after‑school partners; clubs, camps and sports served thousands this year
Summary
District presentations from Youth & Family Club of Pomona Valley and Woodcraft Rangers outlined expanded‑learning partnerships, enrollment and outcomes from after‑school sports, morning recess, and summer programs.
Two community partners described expanded‑learning programs and student outcomes at the Pomona Unified board meeting on May 7, emphasizing large participation numbers, family engagement and summer program plans.
Victor Casares, chief executive of the Youth and Family Club of Pomona Valley (formerly Boys & Girls Club of Pomona), and Julie Brooks, CEO of Woodcraft Rangers, each presented brief summaries of their partnerships with the district and the services they provide at elementary and middle schools.
Why it matters: Both partners deliver after‑school and summer programming at Pomona Unified sites, providing supervised activities, sports, tutoring and enrichment that district staff and parents say help increase attendance and reduce behavior referrals.
Victor Casares described a partnership that expanded after the COVID period and now serves hundreds daily: "We've never ever served on a daily basis over 2 or 300 kids during the school year. In the summer, yes, we hit about 400, but never 3,000 kids," he said, later noting the organization touches thousands of children and families annually through on‑campus programs. Casares said the club trains staff to engage students and build belonging: "We will not let you fail. We will not let you fail." He invited trustees and community members to visit a June 12 event to learn about the partnership.
Julie Brooks of Woodcraft Rangers said the nonprofit has a 103‑year history in Los Angeles County and that the group is now operating site‑based sports and enrichment at multiple Pomona campuses, serving TK–6 with offerings such as basketball, soccer and a Junior Rangers program for TK/K. Woodcraft reported having launched summer and camp programs and said it is projecting to serve roughly 1,200 students in summer 2025 through a nine‑hour day program with rotations of enrichment clubs, competitions and showcases.
Both presenters highlighted program outcomes district leaders track. Casares said school‑level attendance increases and behavior referrals decrease when partners operate on campus; Woodcraft shared photos and a recap of outdoor education and regional competitions and noted a recent purchase of a camp used for inaugural student experiences.
Ending note: The board received presentations and gratitude from the district for community partnerships that provide enrichment, sports and summer options. No formal action was required; partners encouraged community visits and described summer program registration and site information.
