Both Los Alamitos High School students’ fondest memories made over their last three years in the after-school program include making friends, hanging out with staff and helping each other with homework. They have especially enjoyed participating in the Youth Center’s Halloween maze and Christmas tree lot.
They say the events have helped them to meet new friends by working and helping each other with school work, along with all the fun activities the Youth Center offers. Without the after-school program, they say they would have to hang around the high school even after the media center would close, without close adult supervision.
This takes a lot of stress off the twins’ father, Charlie Godbee, who says the Youth Center has been great for his family.
“It’s really helped when we needed a safe place for them after school, a place where they could go and do their homework along with other activities,” he said. “It would make it much more difficult for me to be able to pick them up, and it does take a lot of stress off of me knowing that my girls are being watched.”
The girls are especially fond of the Youth Center after-school program staff who have helped them to grow through a willingness to give advice and help. This is especially true when it comes to getting their homework done.
“One time, I was frustrated by how much homework I had, and one of the staff members came to help me,” Madison said. “Staff told me to calm down and to start on it one piece at a time and to not look at it as a whole but to look at each part individually. This taught me not to become overwhelmed by my work but to concentrate on what needs to be done, and soon all the work will be completed.”
Cheryl went on to say that when she wasn’t concentrating on her homework, one staff member advised her to not listen to her iPod in order to help her focus better.
Both the girls are looking forward to participating in the newly created Leo Club at the Youth Center, volunteering during the school year and helping out during the summer.
The Leo Club is a youth community-service organization associated with the Seal Beach Lion’s Club.
“I hope to bring new ideas to the Leo Club and to have a positive attitude wherever I may go,” said Madison, who was just elected president. “I hope to serve the community with a smile on my face and to give help to all those who need it.”
Cheryl, who was elected vice president, said she hopes to gain leadership experience and strive to have more people active in serving their community while she attends the many events offered by the Leo Club in order to serve the community.
“The Leo Club has been great for them,” their father said. “It will help them to develop leadership skills and volunteering for community events. They really have grown in the years they have been at the Youth Center.”
The Youth Center is a 501(C)3 organiza- tion in Los Alamitos. Visit theyouthcenter. org .
