Santa Barbara’s Eastside Boys & Girls Club reopens under new management

“This club has been the heart of this city for decades,” said board member David Bolton, recognizing the 84 years the facility has been serving local youth since it opened in 1938.

About 100 attendees – some Eastside residents, some club alumni, some both – filled the air with easy camaraderie. Between the tri-tip sandwiches, the kids playing shuffleboard with their parents, and the cheesy speeches from Santa Barbara officials, a feel-good scene unfolded.

“We are all here for our children. When we put our children first, we are doing the right thing for everyone,” said Santa Barbara County Supervisor Laura Capps. “This is a place of heart, a place of magic, a place of care and compassion. The club gives these children the opportunity they deserve.”

City Council members – including Eastside Representative Alejandra Gutierrez – and Santa Barbara Unified School District board members emphasized the club’s role in serving the community’s children.

“How many and varied opportunities we have here,” said school board vice president Gabe Escobedo. When Escobedo visited the club a few years ago, he said, “These adults told me I could contribute. Other kids will get that because of Mark.”

Escobedo was referring to newly appointed general manager Mark Alvarado, who concluded the afternoon with a story from his time in junior high school. He was teased by the other kids and his friends advised him, “You have to go to the club or you won’t make it.”

Alvarado, who at the time had neither a club card nor the money for one, was given an empty paint bucket and had to collect garbage to get his club card.

“I want this to be a center for the cultural arts that children are currently missing,” Alvarado said. “I can’t do this alone. I need all of you as strong advocates… At the end of the day, it’s about the children.”

The downtown club is now officially reopened after splitting from the United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County last month, with programming set to begin in July.

Margaux Lovely contributed to this story.