Projects that we are involved with include: Kid Print We have fingerprinted several thousand children, providing parents with an important form of identification. Oratorical and Essay Contests Youth in the community speak or write on specified topics. Their work is judged by independent panelists Winners compete at higher levels for the first prize of a $2500.00 scholarship (Oratorical) or $6,000.00 (Essay). Campaign Against Childhood Cancer We are privileged to join with the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles (Celebrate Life With Hope), Light the Night Walk to fight childhood Leukemia & Lymphoma and a number of Santa Clarita based activities in the battle to eliminate the scourge of Childhood Cancer. Our support is ’hands on’ whenever possible and financial whenever and wherever we can. Junior Blind Olympics Each year hundreds of visually impaired youth come together at the facilities of Junior Blind of America and compete in various track & field events. Fun for the kids, happy (and wonderful) memories for us! Santa’s Magic Santa’s Magic is a program conducted jointly by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the SCV-Newhall Optimist Club. We provide Santa and the toys for children of inmates at the Peter J. Pitchess Detention Center. For some children, these toys may be their only Holiday gifts. Other Programs and Projects include: Food and Toy Drive Teacher and Youth Appreciation Kid’s Speak Out Contest & Kid’s Day William S Hart Boy Scouts & Cub Scouts Sponsor Youth Organizations Support throughout SCV Santa Clarita Valley Emergency Expo Lombardi Ranch SCV Sheriff’s Haunted House Junior Optimist Clubs (JOOI Clubs) Junior Optimist Clubs fall into three divisions, ranging from first level, grades 1-3, second level, grades 4-8 and final level grades 9-12. Through these clubs, students have the opportunity to perform community service, and are given the opportunity to become leaders among their peers. The club members elect their own Officers and Board of Directors and the club as a whole makes decisions under the guidance of local school officials and teachers. Members also have fun by going on different outings and socials. Parents and/or teachers help supervise the meetings and events. Each JOOI Club is sponsored by a Chartered Optimist club. Optimist Youth Home And Family Services Many Optimist Clubs are affiliated with Optimist Youth and Family Services (OYHFS), serving youth throughout southern California. Founded in 1906 in the Highland Park community of Los Angeles, it is one of the largest non-profit child welfare organizations in California. OYHFS provides the following programs and facilities for at-risk children. Residential and Behavioral Care, Independent Living, Community Group Homes, Non Public High Schools, Youth Learning Centers, Community & Mental Health Services, Foster Care & Adoption Services and After Care Services. The SCV-Newhall Optimist Club is proud to be involved with OYHFS, our goals are to help as many children as possible.