I’d like to introduce you to an energetic and brilliant new friend, Monica Mohn, with a powerful message.

Monica is as passionate about the welfare and comfort of the children of our community as we are about seniors. I expect that you’ll be as fascinated by Monica’s story as I am.

“To understand my enthusiasm for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Napa Valley, you first have to know something about my background. After being a weekender in Napa for years, my husband and I decided to move here full time from San Francisco. Our intention was to retire.

“Then I met Jason Weiss, executive director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Napa Valley, who asked me to join the club as director of marketing.

“My first inclination was to say I was too busy, however, I agreed to think about it. I reviewed their budget, visited some club sites, talked to some people in the community. If I was going to tie my name to an organization, I wanted to make sure it could deliver on its promises.

“Throughout my career in the public and private sectors spanning beltway politics in Washington, D.C., to running my own marketing agency in San Francisco, I developed an aversion to inefficiency and wasteful spending. Results and outcomes are what mattered — will this program generate more Coke buyers? Does this effort result in more voters? Will this donation end homelessness or get kids off the street? How many times do we donate to a cause or a campaign and wonder if it will really make a difference?

“A week later, I agreed to take the job for two reasons; One, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Napa Valley were doing an excellent job delivering services at an affordable price to families; and two, I wanted to raise awareness of the club’s contribution to the community. In my opinion, every family, every business, every school administrator, police officer, public official — you name it — should thank the Boys & Girls Clubs of Napa Valley for what they do.

“California comprises one of the 15 states that produce high school drop-out rates as high as 40 percent. The truth is, school budget cuts have limited the opportunities for youth to succeed in school. The Napa school district is anticipating a $5 million funding reduction. In Napa, only 20 percent of students graduating from local high schools are college ready. Dropout rates are 20-30 percent depending on whom you talk to and what numbers you look at.

“In a recent Register article, administrators were pleased to see local junior high test scores in algebra increase to 45 percent — that means 55 percent are still testing below the state average. As Napans, how did we allow that to happen and why are we “pleased”?

“Furthermore, the rise of gang activity in our community has created a destructive path that too many of our young people are choosing to follow. Many small communities, such as ours, find infiltration of gangs is inevitable when services and infrastructure are not commensurate with growth. Last year, a report, released by the Napa County District Attorney’s office identified more than 625 gang members in our community with increases in membership exceeding the state average.

“Youth gang activity has a profoundly negative impact on families and communities by damaging relationships, instilling fear in residents and using community resources. Involvement in gangs robs youth of their full potential.

“Quietly and efficiently, Boys & Girls Clubs of Napa Valley is doing their part to address the issues facing Napa youth.

“Through partnerships between Napa County Office of Education, Napa Valley Unified School District and support from the Napa County District Attorney’s Office, Boys & Girls Clubs of Napa Valley expanded from two sites; one in Napa and one in American Canyon to 10 Clubs; eight clubs operating on school campuses. This year, our club will increase the number of kids served from 300 to over 1,300 young people a day ranging from 5-year-olds to high school students.

“Unburdened by bureaucracy, government administrators realize Boys & Girls Clubs of Napa Valley can deliver services after school more efficiently and cost effectively. Cost to parents; $50 per year/$1.62 per day!

Furthermore, Boys & Girls Clubs of Napa Valley is launching a strategic program initiative called Impact 2012 — focusing on Academic Success and Good Character. The program is designed to keep kids, in school, off the street and out of gangs. Our goals are to align our academic programs with the school curriculum, reinforcing what students learn in school. Club programs will also reinforce good character and core values such as respect, responsibility, caring and citizenship

“Independent research has proven that kids with regular attendance at Boys & Girls Clubs are more likely to graduate and attend college. The same research also shows that club involvement helps youth resist negative behaviors such as substance abuse and gangs.

“We are well positioned to meet the challenges of Napa Valley youth. Boys & Girls Clubs of Napa Valley can make a dramatic difference in the lives of our young people. We can give them the tools and support they need to graduate from high school and become good citizens.

“If you want to play a part, we are eager to hear from you.”

Wow! Very powerful stuff. Please note the statistics. Alarming to say the least. Do we need to support a program like this? You bet.

Senior Corner appears every other Monday, alternating in this space with Jim Ford’s Napa As It Was. Betty can be reached at Bettyrrhodes@sbcglobal.net.