As a new school year approaches, we invite you to join us.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme is a place where youths are welcome every day during the vulnerable after-school hours and summer days. At each site, a team of youth development professionals and volunteers works through a wide array of programs to guide and inspire youths to develop the attitudes and life skills they need to thrive.

Founded in 1954, the organization is now the largest youth development organization in Ventura County. Our clubhouses and schools are in strategic neighborhoods in Oxnard, Port Hueneme and El Rio, where, sadly, more than 25 percent of the students drop out of high school.

Youths at our clubs can participate in programs that focus on academics, science and technology, social and physical education, life skills, athletics and visual and performing arts. Many of these programs are offered in partnership with local schools and other community organizations.

The club's annual budget is $4.7 million and is made possible largely by individual contributions, corporate support and foundation grants.

Those of us affiliated with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme are passionate and committed about it because we believe that every child deserves a chance to achieve his or her full potential.

We provide our members with a safe place to come after school, help with their homework, tutoring, art classes, music instruction, computers, leadership training, sports leagues, job readiness skills and exposure to the world beyond their immediate community.

Most importantly, we provide them with meaningful relationships with compassionate and caring adults. All young people have promise and deserve to have hope and opportunity, and we provide it. We have an amazing cast of professional staff, volunteers and board members who are committed to inspiring and enabling our members to achieve their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.

Our clubs are open daily to any child or youth 6 to 18 years of age regardless of their home situation, economic status or character. This diversity in our youths and staff makes the Boys and Girls Clubs experience one that is very magical and special.

We operate at three full-service clubhouses, one public housing site, 20 school sites and at the first club located inside a juvenile justice center in the state of California. It costs $15 to become a member, and no youth is ever turned away because of economic hardship.

A new school year is fast approaching.

We encourage you to check us out and get your kids involved today. You never know — it just may be a life-changing experience for you and your children.

We invite you to come by for a tour of one of our sites, whether you are a parent, potential volunteer or donor. The positive place for kids welcomes you and your family.

For more information on our fall and winter programs and locations, go to http://www.positiveplace4kids.org or call 815-4959.

For information on other Ventura County Boys and Girls Clubs, contact:

- Boys & Girls Club of Simi Valley, 527-4437, http://www.bgcsimi.com.

- Boys & Girls Club of Camarillo, 482-8113, http://www.bgccam.org.

- Boys & Girls Clubs of Conejo/Las Virgenes, 818-706-0905, http://www.bgcconejo.org.

- Boys & Girls Club of Moorpark, 529-1140.

- Boys & Girls Club of the Santa Clara Valley, 525-7910.

- Boys & Girls Club of Ventura, 641-5585, http://www.bgclubventura.org.