Message from the Executive Director

We are passionate about guiding our Club's youth, ages 7-18, towards positive values and moving them away from unsafe behavior. Our staff, board members and volunteers genuinely believe in our mission of enabling young people to reach their full potential as productive citizens. The Club provides a safe and positive environment with clear boundaries that provides structure for activities and is a "second-home" for many of our kids. We consistently communicate the expectation that every Club member has the potential to succeed at the Club and in life. If we don't want our kids to make all the wrong decisions, we have to provide them with positive opportunities. That's what the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Cruz does 6 days per week, 12 months per year for only $15 a year.

Appointed Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Cruz November 1, 2007. He brings over 20 years experience managing non-profit youth guidance agencies including fifteen years overseeing the growth and development of Boys & Girls Club in variety of communitities, including Palm Springs, Santa Ana, East Los Angeles, and Burbank. His general duties include the overall day-to day operations, resource developmetn, marketing, board development, community collaborations, program and staff development, special events, and developing strategic partnerships to leverage new resources. Alex was born in Tecate, Mexico; later becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen. As a child growing up in East Los Angeles, Alex knows, first hand, what a positive role model can do for a child. Alex met these role models as a member of the Variety Boys Club. The Club is where he learned to swim, play sports, attend summer camp, and simply had "fun". Alex is a graduate of California State University, Long Beach. He relocated to Santa Cruz from Orange, California with his wife Linda, daughter Sarah, and son Alexander.

Julie Penniman
Development Director

“I was born and raised in Santa Cruz and have worked at the Boys & Girls Club since December 1999. My father was on the construction crew that helped build this facility in the 1960’s, so I have a special attachment to this place. As the Director of Marketing, I love planning special events that benefit both the Club and its members.”

Greyson Davis
Athletics Director

Greyson moved to Santa Cruz from Wilmington North Carolina, where he attended college at UNC. He graduated with a degree in Public Relations and Professional Speaking. As a local radio DJ he spent a lot of time working with his community's youth and lending his assistance to various organizations. Greyson served as a health and fitness trainer and has been involved in athletics for most of his life. "I enjoy working with the kids and fully understand what it means for them to have a positive influence. Being able to play dodgeball with them is just an added bonus!

Katee Freeman
Social Development Director

“I have been working at the Boys & Girls Club for four years. When I was given the opportunity to work here, I had no idea that it would make such a difference in my life. My purpose here is to be someone the kids can depend on whether it’s helping them make the right decisions or helping them feel more comfortable with who they are. I know that everyone has their own special something to give to this world and I encourage the youth to let their special something shine. I think it’s great that kids have somewhere to go outside of their household where they feel appreciated and are remembered always. This gives them a sense of belonging which every kid needs no matter how young or old.”

Laura Greenwood
Creative Arts Director

Laura was raised in southern California and moved up north in 2001 in pursuit of a creative writing/literature degree from UC Santa Cruz. Since a young age, she's enjoyed everything artistic, from performing arts to poetry, photography, interior/costume design, and loves being able to share her enthusiasm with the Club kids. "I know how important it was for me to be supported and guided along the lines of the creative world, so now really relish the opportunity to be that kind of mentor to kids I care about who I know have budding talent." Over the years, Laura has performed in and acted as director of several dance pieces, performed in plays, produced three independent feature films and acted in numerous short films.

Brandon Caruso
Music Director

Brandon graduated from UCSC in June of 2008. In the past he has had the opportunity to teach music while studying composition and theory and loves the idea of being able to pass on any experience he has to children interested in the arts of recording, composition, or performing. Brandon has played in bands both inside and outside of school for most of his life and has seen the positive results music has created for people. At a time when arts and music is seen as expendable in the school districts, Brandon is very proud to have the chance to re-establish the creative arts as something he truly believes is an absolute necessity in the live of our youth.