Fun times for Jakes Way youth
Neighborhood committee members host free summer camp for children ages 5 to 12 years old in Canyon Country
Jakes Way Neighborhood Committee members are opening their arms to the youth residents of Jakes Way in Canyon Country by hosting a free summer camp for ages 5 to 12 years old.
“All the parents get involved with the kids. It’s good to bring the kids and parents together in the community,” said Jakes Way volunteer Mary Soyal.
With plenty of fun activities, including playground fun, sports, crafts, water games and more, Jakes Way gives the neighborhood children a chance to grow together as a community at a young age, and get to know the Jakes Way Neighborhood Center.
“I had a phone problem. I was on it all the time,” says 11-year-old Lupita Castanad. “This place has helped me make new friends outside my phone. It’s been really fun.”
Hope Horner is a part of the Community Service Administration and has been working for the city of Santa Clarita for 20 years. “I enjoy making a difference in the Santa Clarita Valley,” said Horner, “being able to improve the quality of life, gathering everyone in the community to make a change.”
This committee has been around for about five years, and continues to work to impact the community. For example, the building in which the neighborhood center is located was a vacant space in an apartment complex that has been loaned to them by the property owner of Park Sierra Apartments. It’s truly a positive summer experience that teaches the youth to be a part of the community, she said.
Mother of two, Miriam Encizo, not only brings her kids to the Jakes Way Neighborhood Center but also brings two other neighborhood kids and her nephew. “I try to limit their TV time at home. This place helps them not to be bored and embrace summer activities,” she said, adding, “My nephew’s mother is battling chemotherapy; Jakes Way has helped distract him from that and enjoy being a kid.”
Throughout the years, the Jakes Way Neighborhood Committee has seen the children they’ve helped grow up to be responsible young teens and adults.
This is the first summer camp the committee has held for children. They usually focus on other after-school activities to help the kids in the neighborhood be the best they can be.
Yanet Lopez says she has seen improvement through her kids’ reading ability and continues to hear from her children how they love the staff and activities being held.
Jakes Way summer camp hours are 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday at the Park Sierra Apartments by the big orange playground.