Youth Programs

The Youth Services Division is responsible for providing quality developmental and recreational programming for Whittier youth. Some of the programs sponsored by the City's Youth Services Division include: WYN Club, Club Dexter Teen Program and Friday Forum sponsored by the SKILLS Foundation. Please contact the Community Center at (562) 464-3430 or click here to e-mail the Community Services Department.

Community Services Department Holds Auditions for Beauty & The Beast

Auditions for people 5 through young adult have been scheduled for Whittier’s production of Disney’s fairy tale classic, “Beauty and the Beast.”

Pre-auditions will be held from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, March 19 at the Whittier Community Center gymnasium, 7630 Washington Avenue and auditions are scheduled for 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Whittier Center Theatre, 7630 Washington Avenue.

Directed by Janet Kraus of Stagelight Family Productions, “Beauty and the Beast” tells the “tale as old as time,” based on the award-winning Disney animated movie and Broadway musical.

Parents are invited to join in on stage or behind the scenes to make this a true family production. Auditioners should be prepared to learn a song from the show and read from the script. All cast members will be required to pay at the auditions. The fees are $120 for City of Whittier residents and $135 for non-residents, and additional costume fees may be required.

Roles will be assigned within two weeks of the auditions. All children who enroll will be cast in the show. If a child cannot make it to the auditions, he or she will be cast in the ensemble. “Beauty and the Beast” offers a great opportunity to bring the entire family together for family theatre at its best.

Performance dates will be May 14 through 23.

For more information, call the Whittier Community Services Department at 562-464-3430.

Whittier Wins Three "Teenies" Awards

The City of Whittier is the recipient of three “Teenies” awards for 2009, presented by the Southern California Teem Coalition, the region’s largest networking, training and programming collaborative for youth programming professionals.

The “Teenies” award program recognizes cities that provide outstanding service to young people of middle and high school age.

This year, the City of Whittier received the “Best Supporting City” award for hosting the 2009 Teenie Awards and the 2008 “Rockotober” event, as well as attending and participating in all Coalition activities and programs. Gerard Guerra, Recreation Specialist III, was named “Superstar! Outstanding Performance from a Staff Member in a Middle School Program.”

In addition, Angela Garner, Community Services Coordinator, received the DJ Hero, a disc jockey gaming system that is currently very popular among young people. The gaming system will be used to enliven a number of youth programs, including the Friday Forum, Teen Night Out and the programs at Dexter and Granada middle schools. As many young people are interested in becoming DJ’s, this game program is an alternative to introducing them to music appreciation, while also enjoying a fun activity.

For more information on the City of Whittier’s youth programs, call the Youth Services office at (562) 464-3430 or check the City’s website at www.cityofwhittier.org.

WYN Club

The WYN Club is a drop-in recreation program for young people 7 – 14 years of age. Members participate in a variety of recreational activities, special interest classes, personal development activities and field trips. Each program is staffed with trained recreation leaders and volunteers who have planned each day’s activities to keep your children active, involved and having plenty of fun! Monthly activity calendars are available at the sites and are mailed to each member. Hours for the programs are Monday through Friday, 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the summer and 2:30 p.m. through 5:00 p.m. during the school year. In the summer, Parnell and Palm Park are open until 6:00 p.m. Registration can be taken at any of the WYN Club sites. The cost for the program is $25 for the summer and $40 during the school year. For further information please contact the Whittier Community Center at (562) 464-3434. Click here to read more about the WYN Club.

SKILLS Foundation (Supporting Kids In Living & Learning Successfully)

The SKILLS Foundation is a non-profit social services agency dedicated to the youth in our community. Vision Statement: The SKILLS Foundation exists to create better lives for all young by promoting the development of character skills throughout the community resulting in clean, sober, and successful living. For more information on the SKILLS Foundations, including opportunities for development, please send e-mail to skills@cityofwhittier.org

Club Dexter

Club Dexter is a drop-in after-school recreational program for all teens during the school year. Club Dexter is a cooperative program between the City of Whittier and the Whittier City School District. The Club opens immediately after school in Dexter Middle School cafeteria. Activities include homework period, recreational games, arts & crafts, intramural sports, excursions and much, much more. Registration is $340 for the school year. Registration is taken on site or at the Community Center. For more information call (562) 464-3434.

Club Granada - "Matadors in Motion"

Club Granada is a drop-in after-shcool recreational program for all teens during the school year. Club Granada is a cooperative program between the City of Whittier and the East Whittier SChool District. The Club opens immediately after school. Activities include homework period, recreational games, arts and crafts, intramural sports and much, much more. Registration is $40 for the school year. For more information, call (562) 464-3434.

Friday Forum

Friday Forum is a dance program for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students who attend a Whittier school or reside in the City of Whittier. Friday Forum is funded by the SKILLS Foundation. Dances are held on the first Friday of each month (October through June) at the Whittier Community Center. The dance begins at 7 p.m. and concludes at 10 p.m. The charge for the Friday Forum dance is $5 per student. Refreshments are also available for an additional charge. Space is limited, so young people need to plan to arrive early. A valid school ID and signed parent permission slip are required. When the dance is over, parents/guardians need to walk into the Whittier Community Center to pick up their child. No child will be released without a parent or a guardian. For more information or to access a permission slip, please log on to www.skillsfoundation.org

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