Rep. Mike Garcia (R-25) has presented a personal donation to the Youth Activities League (YAL), a Santa Clarita Sheriff’s station after-school program based in Val Verde that provides food, shelter, tutoring, counseling and mentorship for local students.
Garcia has committed to supporting local charitable organizations with monthly contributions equivalent to 10 percent of his salary, his office said.
“YAL has been helping to mentor local students in the Val Verde community for years, and the program has become even more critical since the pandemic began,” Garcia said in a press release. “…This program is an outstanding example of the community policing we should strive to emulate across the district and the country, and I am proud to personally support their efforts.”
In October, the congressman made donations to the SCV Food Pantry and Circle of Hope, a Newhall non-profit that provides financial, educational and emotional assistance to residents battling cancer.
“Charitable giving is how we stay afloat, so donations like Congressman Garcia’s go a long way for providing services for the kids,” said Deputy Brian Rooney, who runs the YAL program. “Mike’s donation will most likely be used to keep our internet running for the next six to eight months—we have kids who come sit at the park to do their homework because they don’t have Wi-Fi access in our area—and to cover PPE to prepare for the COVID restrictions if we are allowed to reopen.”
The 25th Congressional District stretches from the Antelope Valley into Ventura County
