Oceanside, CA (September 22, 2023) – Boys & Girls Clubs of Oceanside (BGCO) has been awarded a $250,000 Stop the Hate grant from the California Department of Social Services (CDSS). In a continued effort to curb hate crime violence, the CDSS awarded $91.4 million to 173 organizations to support victims of hate crimes by providing services to survivors and facilitating anti-hate prevention measures.
In the last ten years, reported hate crime events have increased by 89.6%, and the number of victims of reported hate crimes increased by 41.9% from 2020 to 2021 (oag.ca.gov). Closer to home, CBS News reports that hate crimes skyrocketed in San Diego, up 65% percent from 2021 to 2022.
Change is needed, and BGCO believes that change begins with the hearts and minds of our children. The Club will use grant funds to provide our Youth United program with 600 members at all Club locations. Youth United is a diversity and inclusion program that utilizes an age-appropriate curriculum reflective of the evolving racial justice discourse. The main program goal remains to create a Club environment that embraces inclusion and diversity, making prejudice, discrimination, and hate unwelcome and unacceptable.
Hate crimes targeting people with disabilities are also on the rise. To address this critical issue, the Club will use grant funds to implement Hate Crime education and training for our ROAD’s (Real Options for Adults with Disabilities) staff and members. The Club will also provide extensive outreach and education to the local community through impactful marketing materials and via the community Food Truck program.
“Our Club has a long history of providing DEI and anti-hate programming to our members, and this incredible grant will allow us to expand on that. It is imperative to the health of all of our members to create a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment, and this important partnership with CDSS will allow us to accomplish that. While there is much work to do, I remain hopeful that acceptance and inclusion will win over hate,” said Jodi Diamond, CEO.
For more information about the Boys & Girls Clubs of Oceanside, please contact Ashley Tousignant, call (760) 433-8920, and visit our website BGCOceanside.org.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Oceanside
Boys & Girls Clubs of Oceanside (BGCO), celebrating 70 years of building great futures in Oceanside, is a youth development organization dedicated to providing a safe, fun, and enriching environment for youth during non-school hours. BGCO remained open to serve youth during the entire pandemic. From May 2020 through August 2021, BGCO’s Emergency Food Program provided more than 55,000 free and nutritious meals to youth under 18, regardless of membership status.
BGCO is a local, nonprofit organization affiliated with Boys & Girls Clubs of America but raises 100% of the funds that support its life-changing programs through individual giving, events, and grants. For 70 years, BGCO has continued to uphold its mission to inspire, develop and enrich young people to reach their fullest potential as confident, responsible, caring members of society. To learn more, visit www.bgcoceanside.org.
