One big, happy family

Suzie Harrison

Soon, Laguna children and their families won’t have to choose between

joining the Boys and Girls Club or the Laguna Club for Kids, known as

TLC.

The long-standing clubs are working toward a merger and expect it

to be solidified soon.

Officials with both clubs say the merger will be a win-win.

“Right now we’re in the process of finalizing our

asset-acquisition agreement,” said Kim Maxwell, Laguna Beach Boys and

Girls Club executive director. “Laguna Club for Kids will become a

part of the Boys and Girls Club of Laguna Beach. It will be referred

to as our TLC unit.”

Laguna Club for Kids is above Bluebird Park on Temple Terrace,

situated in a cabin-like setting, while the Boys and Girls Club is in

its $3 million, newly renovated, 18,000-square-foot facility in

Laguna Canyon.

“The TLC program will operate as is; we’re not planning to make

any changes,” Maxwell said.

Maxwell said fees would remain the same.

“There’s a waiting list for TLC unit because we’re limited in

space there,” Maxwell said. “There are about 100 members at TLC, and

the daily attendance ranges from 35 to 45.”

Laguna Club for Kids is for children 5 to 12 and has a higher

staff-to-child ratio.

“The difference between the two is that TLC offers a slower-paced

atmosphere in a small-group setting,” Maxwell said. “Some children do

better in a slower-paced environment.”

Maxwell said the Laguna Club for Kids board contacted them about

two months ago.

Shelley Jones, a third-generation Lagunan who attended TLC as a

child, will amicably leave her position as executive director after

seven years. Jones said she is relocating to another area to pursue

other goals.

“The idea was brought up several years ago,” Jones said. “A

merging has happened through the years; people think we are part of

the city or Boys and Girls Club. When we would do all our

fundraising, people would say they already gave to the Boys and Girls

Club.”

Jones said she thinks the merger is a good idea -- both entities

are well respected and have been serving the community for years.

“It’s a marriage of two old Laguna families,” Jones said. “Our

board discussed it a lot, and it’s in the best interest of our kids

and our community. That has always been our main concern. We’re

extremely community-oriented.”

Jones has been assisting Elena Mendoza, who was named new

executive director at TLC. Mendoza formerly served as the Boys and

Girls Club education director.

“I think it’s absolutely great -- the merger of two really good

nonprofits to become one great nonprofit,” Mendoza said. “I’m excited

to be here and for this opportunity. I feel I can do more in this

position to really help the kids and this movement in general.”