Information Detail
2/16/13
On Saturday February 16, 2013, East Los Angeles Sheriff's Station personnel hosted a dedication ceremony for the new Sheriff's Youth Activities League Center (YAL) in East Los Angeles. Sheriff Baca, Congressman Xavier Becerra, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisor Gloria Molina, Los Angeles City Council member Jos Huizar, Consul General of Mexico David Figueroa Ortega and Actor Hector Jimenez were all in attendance for the dedication.
The East Los Angeles Youth Activities Center was originally located at Esteban Torres High School for the past 3 years but needed more room to expand with the needs of the community. This new 4,500 square foot building is located at the East Los Angeles Sheriff's Sub Station and will be open Monday through Thursday from 2-6 p.m. The YAL will serve as an after school youth program for children in the community between 7 and 17 years of age. It will provide free homework assistance, classes in leadership, Zumba, Yoga, Computers, Folkorico dance lessons, and an opportunity to interact in a safe and secure environment. "Local residents advocated strongly for the East L.A. Sheriff's Substation to help with community policing efforts, and this activity center will provide East L.A. youth with a safe place to learn and play right in the heart of their neighborhood," said Supervisor Molina. The completion of the YAL Center was a collaborative effort between East Los Angeles Sheriff's Station, the City Terrace Coordinating Council, the Federation de Clubes Zacatecanos and local businesses. "What an opportunity for our youth on the Eastside and in City Terrace. The Youth Activities League Center will be a safe space during after school hours to help keep our kids learning, engaged, off the streets and making good choices. We need partners like the Sheriff's Department in our neighborhoods that recognize that it is up to all of us to look after the future of our communities," said Congressman Becerra.
The concept and goal of the YAL Center is to be proactive in dealing with the youth of the community. "Growing up on the City's eastside, I benefited greatly from programs like those that will be offered at the Sheriff's Youth Activities League Center," said Los Angeles City Councilmember Jos Huizar. "I have no doubt, that the YAL will have a profound and lasting positive effect on the young people of this community and I want to thank all those involved."
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department provides leadership and life-enhancing decisions free of drugs and gangs. The program recognizes the importance of early intervention and the need to provide alternative activities to prevent negative behavior. "As leaders in the community, it has become imperative that we reach out to our youth with new and innovative intervention and prevention programs. This new center will provide the youth in the community with a safe, supportive haven for counseling, educational tutoring and after-school recreational programs," said Sheriff Baca.
For more information please contact East Los Angeles Sheriff's Station Youth Program Coordinator Connie Cervantes at (323) 267-3560.
Nicole Nishida
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
Headquarters Bureau
Public Information Officer
Contact Information: Connie Cervantes - 323-267-3560, cccervan@lasd.org
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