Update on College Bound and Arts Academy Programs
Since becoming Executive Director in 1995, Mike Lansing’s vision and creativity coupled with his understanding of the needs of youth have made the Club what it is today. Mike uses his 18 years of teaching experience and over 20 years of youth advocacy to ensure programs provide our youth with the resources, support, and experiences they need to succeed in life. In 1999, Mike was elected to serve on the LAUSD Board of Education, representing District 7. He was reelected in 2003 and served until 2007. As the Facilities Committee Chairman, he oversaw the construction of over 80 new schools and initiated many new programs during his tenure. He began a Library Initiative in coordination with the Wonder of Reading Foundation and 55 of his schools received new library facilities valued at $1.9 million and over $300,000 of new library books. Mike’s leadership continues to be a driving force for the Club, enabling us to develop key partners and support. In 2008, the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce honored him with The Vision Award.
Mike is an alumnus of the Club and served on its Board for three years. Under his tenure, the Club grew from 1 to 17 sites.
Mike’s vision combined with his background in education was the impetus in the creation of the Club’s Education 1st! programming in 1996.
He led the creation of the San Pedro Teen Center in 1999 when he saw that teens were the most underserved population in the community. In 2002, Mike realized that just providing teens with a safe place and positive options was not enough and he brought together his leadership staff to develop our successful College Bound Program.
Recognizing the importance of arts in the development of a child, and seeing the lack of arts programming in the area, Mike’s vision, creativity, and understanding of the needs of teens lead to our award-winning teen programming and the naming of the San Pedro Teen Center a National Teen Center of Excellence in 2006.
In 2007, Mike introduced the concept that College Bound was not just a program for teens but a philosophy and a goal for all Club Members regardless of age. This began a strategy that emphasizes not only educational programming, but motivation and preparing for college that starts at 6 years of age. Realizing the gap in services for middle school youth, Mike worked with his leadership team to develop create the Middle School Center at the San Pedro Club and middle school program in Wilmington in 2009. The program targets an age group that is often overlooked, as most Boys & Girls Clubs do not have the capacity to serve teens, let alone middle school youth.