Woodcraft Rangers (WR), the leader in after-school programs for Los Angeles at-risk youth, proudly celebrates their 90th Anniversary with a dinner, silent auction and entertainment on Wednesday, May 8, 2013, at La Plaza de Cultura y Artes in downtown Los Angeles. Kyra Sedgwick and Kevin Bacon serve as Honorary Co-Chairs.
Actor, producer and director Dennis Haysbert will be an award presenter. One of the awards will be presented to Academy Award nominee for Best Actress for her role in the 2009 movie Precious, Gabourey Sidibe, for being an inspiration to today’s teens. Musical guests included a special performance by Scott Shriner from the hit band Weezer.
“I’m really proud to be honored by Woodcraft Rangers,” said Sidibe. “Being able to inspire teens is really important to me. I’m excited to be a part of this great evening. Kids are my jam!”
“Woodcraft Rangers gives youth the amazing chance to express themselves through music -- this is a priceless gift,” said Shriner. “I'm thrilled to be performing with one of the talented kids who has benefitted from this great program. The 90th Anniversary celebration is a great way for people to get involved and have a blast.”
“Woodcraft Rangers is literally shaping the lives of over 6,000 students every day,” said Sedgwick. “This organization provides an outlet for otherwise at-risk youth to follow their passions, everything from technology to music and from dance to the arts.”
“We are very excited about our fundraising event this year,” said Woodcraft Rangers CEO Chris Johnson. “We have so much enthusiasm, passion and commitment this year from a lot of people who believe in our mission. All the funds raised at the dinner and auction will go to our Nvision program, which is one the most successful after-school programs in Los Angeles.”
Since 1922, Woodcraft Rangers has provided innovative after-school programs to underserved youth in the greater Los Angeles area. These programs operate on 60 public school campuses and reach over 15,000 students annually by helping children, across all grade levels, mature into healthy, productive adults through positive experiences and age-appropriate challenges. Woodcraft Rangers serves at-risk youth in neighborhoods where access to positive, structured activities is limited and kids are left with little or no adult supervision during non-school hours. Woodcraft Rangers offers a positive alternative to the boredom and negative peer pressures that can lead to juvenile delinquency.
The organization promotes self-discovery and supports academic achievement by involving youth in experiences that engage the imagination, stimulate thinking, uncover talents and reveal potential. WR’s signature after-school program is Nvision. Nvision consists of school-based afterschool club for youth designed to promote academic, social, and physical development with activities that include cooking, etiquette, jewelry making, drawing and painting, and computer skills.
Within Nvision program is the youth in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education component that was singled out by Senator Barbara Boxer, the Afterschool Caucus Chair, in a speech on the Senate Floor recently stating, “Woodcraft Rangers exposes middle school students to cutting-edge STEM activities, including robotics. This highly engaging program allows students to configure high-tech robotics, enhancing their STEM skills, unlocking their imaginations, and exposing them to real-world problem- solving situations.”
Recognition events, to which parents, faculty, and other youth are invited to celebrate participants’ accomplishments, are held at regularly. These events may include an exhibit, team competition, performance, or awards ceremony. WR also provides field trips to educational, cultural, and recreational venues. For more information on Woodcraft Rangers, please visit http://www.woodcraftrangers.org.
The event starts at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, May 8, 2013, La Plaza de Cultura y Artes at 501 N. Main Street, Downtown Los Angeles.
