SAN FERNANDO : Salud Celebrates, but Fears Funds Shortage

Salud, an anti-alcohol and anti-drug group that had no funding until this year, celebrated its first full session of youth activities with a cookout Wednesday night, but it was delayed by a few minutes as two teen-agers settled a small score.

“We’re going to do it with boxing gloves,” said Rudy Campa, who runs the physical fitness/boxing program sponsored by Salud. “That way no one gets arrested.”

Campa did not know what started the disagreement between the teen-agers, but what was important was that it ended with the boxing match. That’s the way he handles disagreements.

“Otherwise, they come back with guns, and knives,” Campa said. The boys shook hands when it was over.

Campa started the boxing program at Las Palmas Park 18 months ago, getting funding at first through community donations. Salud, which is Spanish for health, was started in Pacoima in 1986 by anti-alcohol activist Augie Maldonado. But Maldonado had no funding until May, when he was awarded $72,000 in earthquake relief funds through the San Fernando Valley Partnership.

He used part of the money to support Campa’s boxing program and also formed a “Starting At Home Youth Club,” in which youths planned and organized activities such as pizza parties and trips to Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm.

Wednesday’s cookout on the tennis courts of Las Palmas Park marked the end of the first 10-week session for Salud. But Maldonado said he is worried that Salud will not be able to keep running without other donations. The funding is scheduled to run out in January. Ed Moreno, who oversees the grant distribution for the partnership, said they were trying to find ways to stretch the funding further.

Maldonado and Campa, both ex-convicts, are trying to create more activities for youths as alternatives to drugs and crime. This week also marks a new step for the fitness program because Campa has organized the first baseball game for his young people.

“We have no gloves,” said Campa. In an upcoming game, they plan to share equipment with the team visiting from Blythe Street in Van Nuys.

“We’re fighters here,” Campa said. “They’re good at that. They’re also good at basketball. We’re going to set up some basketball games too.”

Campa said he plans to hold carwashes and other fund-raisers to get the money for more athletic equipment.

Maldonado said those who want to help support Salud can call him at (818) 361-0669 or reach him through the San Fernando Valley Partnership.