The Newhall Club alone can service over 200 kids on a given day. Newhall has four full-time staff members. A recent partnership with California Institute of the Arts offers teen members opportunities for top-quality instruction in photography, public art, dance and music. Ventress sees the club as part of a triangle with home at the top and schools and the club at the base supporting the family. I asked my brother, who is now 33 years old, what made him walk in the doors of the club some 15 years ago.
Every kid has a choice.
I could go in the club and play some ping pong or hang out on the street and act stupid. The club was much more fun. Ventress would agree. And he would like to see all kids have more choices. Absolutely, says Ventress.