It's something most local Ventura County residents are unaware of, but it is well known by every nonprofit and most corporations and small business.

A sluggish economy hurts us all.

It doesn't help when everything costs more — and reports persist that most everything will cost more next month. Rising costs means reducing expenses, whether in your household or in business.

Businesses cutting expenses often means reducing donations to nonprofit organizations that serve large-scale or specified needs in our communities.

At the Boys & Girls Club of Simi Valley, we have seen this before. At least our previous experiences allow us to plan and try to get through the current economic doldrums.

As an organization, we probably can do that. But we worry about are the children we serve.

As donations and revenues decrease, eventually we are forced to cut back on services.

It might be a single special afternoon club for teenagers, or letting a staff position or two go unfilled due to attrition.

Some reductions might go unnoticed, but the truth remains: Every cutback affects children, even if just a few.

And it breaks our hearts to even think about that.

It brings me back to some powerful words and statistics by Roxanne Spillett, president and chief executive officer of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, at the BGCA's 2008 Annual National Conference:

n America's high school graduation rate today is 70 percent.

n There are a million dropouts a year — one every 29 seconds.

n Sixty-two percent of those who drop out are gone by the end of 10th grade.

n Seventy percent of people in prison do not have a high school diploma.

In these areas and many others, the Boys & Girls Club can do so much — many things that may be difficult to measure in terms of numbers. But those who deliver and receive are fully cognizant.

Most clubs provide special after-school homework periods, with assistance from counselors. We also provide youth clubs to offer experience in leadership, social skills and more.

Our schools cannot do it all by themselves. That's where we are so valuable.

Boys & Girls Clubs provide positive, safe homes away from home for children. Joining a club is not expensive — thanks to our wonderful donors and supporters — and we always work to establish funds for scholarships for those who cannot afford to participate.

We live to serve every child possible. This is the big message right now, when donations are dwindling.

We offer opportunities for children to socialize with peers with similar likes, or to meet friends in similar circumstances. And, budget allowing, trained staff is nearby to help.

Often our club devises programs to address developing needs in the community. This is a big reason to continue giving to local clubs.

Our Boys & Girls Club has grown to serve more than 10,000 local children each year, age 6 to 18. We spend every day surrounded by hundreds of children and young adults, and we believe strongly that we cannot let them fail.

Think about it: Our club serves almost as many children as there are people who live in the entire city of Port Hueneme.

There is timeliness to this message. It is nearing the end of the year, so if you want a tax write-off for 2008, start thinking about giving a check to your local Boys & Girls Club.

The club will gladly provide a federal nonprofit identification number. And you will be very glad you did it. Please call soon.

To contact Boys & Girls Clubs in the county:

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

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

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

n Boys & Girls Club of Greater Oxnard/Port Hueneme, 815-4959, http://www.positiveplace4kids.org.

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

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

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