By Dennis Oda, Star-Bulletin
Youths at the club cheer when told they can watch a videotape
on a Friday afternoon.

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Ewa Beach club
‘a positive place’
for kids

The Ewa Beach Boys and Girls
Club 'is like a sanctuary for them,
a safe place to play until
their parents get home'

By Stan Constantino
Star-Bulletin

Frances Rivero laughs when asked about her memories of growing up in Ewa Beach. What she remembers is, there wasn't much to do.

"There were no other activities, just parks and recreation," the Ewa Beach resident said. "There was no club, like we have now. We had a bowling alley but that's about it."

The club Rivero was speaking about is the Ewa Beach Boys and Girls Club, which she directs.

Located in a parking lot between Ilima Intermediate and Pohakea Elementary schools, it has been called a haven for the community's children -- a "home away from home" and a place for fun.

For club administrators, it's a place that "gives kids the opportunity to accomplish different things."

And accomplish they have.

By Dennis Oda, Star-Bulletin
Youths at the club buckle down to work on a project .
From left to right, Jamie Morrison, Jacob Garcia, Peter Jackson
(with cap), Jalen Garcia, Maka Doanes and Gabby Brice.

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Last month, the club received the Outstanding Community Service national award in the Colgate-Palmolive Youth for America Campaign.

It was given for the club's contributions to the annual Christmas party for handicapped children held by the Ewa Beach Lion's Club, and for decorating the children's wing and lobby in St. Francis West Hospital with different themes each month for the past nine years.

"Well, we think it's one of the greatest things that has happened to the children here in the community," said Dick Beamer, a club advisor.

About 75 students each day make their way to the club -- in a 40,000-square-foot tentlike structure -- for studying, games and other recreational activities.

"I know we make a difference for these kids," said Melissa Caito, the club's youth development specialist.

"The club is like a sanctuary for them, a safe place for them to play until their parents get home."

Caito, a single mother of three, also gets much personal satisfaction from her job. "I'm really proud of being part of this organization," she said. "I have learned a lot. It's educated me."

The club offers a wide range of activities, such as lessons in judo, hula, Tahitian and ukulele. In addition, it participates in athletic leagues for basketball.

"Our children are our future," Rivero said.

"We look to keep kids busy and make a positive place for them to come to -- anything we can do to get them on the right path."