Tennis proceeds aimed at youth shelter

Andrew Wainer

HUNTINGTON BEACH -- When tennis players aim for the $3,000 in prize money

at the upcoming Top Gun tournament, they will be shooting not only for a

trophy, but they will also be raising money for the Huntington Youth

Shelter.

The shelter for homeless and runaway kids 11 to 17 years old has been the

sole beneficiary of the tournament’s proceeds for the past seven years

and tournament founder Jim Haley said he hopes to raise $15,000 for the

Huntington Beach refuge in this year’s tournament, which starts Nov. 13.

The Top Gun tournament, which began as a vehicle to attract new players

to the Seacliff Tennis Club, became a charity benefit seven years ago

when club members suggested that proceeds be given to a local cause.

“As the tournament grew and participation increased, we decided we wanted

to turn it back to the community,” Haley said. “Several members of the

club suggested the youth shelter as a worthwhile recipient and I thought

it was a great idea.”

In fact, almost half of the shelter’s budget comes from fund-raising

events such as Top Gun, said Mary-Ellen Cianciabella, program manager for

the shelter. The remainder of funding comes from state and federal

grants.

The shelter is located in the historic Brooks House inside Huntington

Beach Central Park. The house has a capacity for 12 residents and usually

averages five to six, according to Cianciabella.

The shelter is geared toward short-term stays and aims to reunify runaway

kids with their families. It is run by 13 paid staff members and eight

volunteers who are on call 365 days a year.

Case managers meet with shelter residents daily to work through the

children’s problems and help with academic or social concerns.

“Kids feel safe opening up to our staff because they know that everything

here is confidential,” Cianciabella said. “We create a caring, structured

environment for our clients to resolve their issues.”

Guests’ days are structured from early morning to late evening and

include chores around the house, academic work so they don’t fall behind

in school, and outings led by staff members. There are also programs for

alcohol and drug counseling. Clients are kept occupied with activities

throughout the day, and lights go out at 10 p.m.

Guests are asked to pay up to $100 per week for a stay at the house, but

no client is turned away due to lack of funds.

Cianciabella personifies the cheerful, upbeat aura around the warm house

and its grassy yard. Her positive outlook reflects on the success of the

shelter’s program.

“We have seen many remarkable turnarounds in once-troubled kids who have

succeeded, due to the shelter’s program,” she said. “There are few

problems here.”

Signs shout out house rules in large, easy-to-read lettering.

“They understand the rules and know clearly what they need to do,”

Cianciabella said. “The kids can understand and feel that we care about

them and want them to succeed.”

Indeed, the program has been so successful that many shelter graduates

keep in touch with staff after their departure and return to visit to

share their new lives with those who helped them when they were needy.

“This is a great place,” Cianciabella said. “I love what we do here.”