Talisha

Meet Talisha

“Dad, how come Mom does not want to be around for me and my brother?”

Growing up in a single parent household, this is a question that Talisha would ask her father often. Her father did the best he could, but the absence of her mother created a void she believed could not be filled.

This was until she discovered the Boys & Girls Clubs of Carson as a freshman at Alain Leroy Locke College Preparatory Academy.

At the Club, Talisha thrives with the mentorship of positive female role models, who she says “help me find my voice. Staff encourage me to express myself through music and writing. They give me the confidence to dream for my future.”

Now in her junior year, Talisha participates in many Club programs including Girl Code which prepares young women for STEM careers and Keystone, a leadership and community service program. She also is on the Varsity Volleyball team and is captain of the Cheerleading squad. Talisha plans to attend Howard University to pursue a career in public relations.

About Youth of the Year:
Youth of the Year is a national Boys & Girls Clubs of America initiative that fosters the next generation of leaders through a comprehensive leadership development program.

At the local Club level, our Club’s three high school sites (Carson High School, King/Drew Medical Magnet High School of Medicine and Science and Alain Leroy Locke College Preparatory Academy) participate in Youth of the Year through a formal application process including essays and letters of recommendation, Toastmasters public speaking training, community service projects and more.

The program culminates with a Youth of the Year evening of celebration, where Talisha was selected as our Club’s 2018 Youth of the Year! Volunteer to mentor young people like Talisha by becoming a Club volunteer.

Learn More About Us

Academic Success

Many Club members start with us severely deficient in core educational disciplines. We provide supportive staff, educational stability and access to vital Academic Success Programs that help youth face their educational challenges.

Character & Citizenship

Kids and teens develop leadership skills and gain opportunities for planning, decision-making and volunteer service through program activities that include art expression workshops, public speaking training, peer-to-peer council elections and leadership conferences.

Healthy Lifestyles

At the Club we develop young people’s capacity to engage in positive behaviors. In fact, 94% of Club teens report abstaining from tobacco use compared to 80% of teens nationwide.

Help Provide Essential Skills and Limitless Opportunities

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In-kind donations save Boys & Girls Clubs of Carson thousands of dollars each year. 

Right now, BGCC has a high demand for the following in-kind donations:

  • Gently used books – all ages
  • Business attire – male and female for high school students
  • Art supplies – new pencils, crayons, paint and markers
  • New or used laptops for Club members 

Please contact Deisi Gonzalez, Manager of Development & Marketing for assistance in making an in-kind contribution at 310.522.0500 ext 210 or by email at [email protected]

Make a greater impact with your stock investments! 

Fill out the Wells Fargo Stock Transfer Application and fill in our information below: 

  1. Brokerage Account Number 4843-4988
  2. Brokerage registration : Boys and Girls Club of Carson
  3. Our code for ACAT transfers : 0141

Jeremiah Milbank was a remarkable person and lifelong volunteer who gave generously to Boys & Girls Clubs programs. It is through his legacy that Boys & Girls Clubs of America created The Jeremiah Milbank Society as a way to pay tribute to local Club donors on a national level.

The society was created to inspire and recognize higher level unrestricted giving from individuals within local Clubs. Each member of the society has given a minimum of $10,000 to their local Boys & Girls Clubs organization. Through their leadership and generosity, Jeremiah Milbank Society members have helped to assure that every young person who attends Boys & Girls Clubs of Carson is provided with hope and opportunity, through a safe place to learn and grow, and have adult mentors who positively impact their life.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Carson are honored to have Jeremiah Milbank Society members, who support the work that goes on at our Clubs. We thank them for their generosity and their unwavering dedication to the youth in our community.

The benefits for joining the Jeremiah Milbank Society includes recognition throughout Boys & Girls Clubs of Carson materials and national recognition within the Jeremiah Milbank Society catalogue.

For more information about the Jeremiah Milbank Society contact:
Nina Patel, VP of Development & Marketing
310-522-0500 ext. 205 • [email protected]

Diana’s commitment to lifting up the voices of the community began in Wilmington as the youngest community organizer and Honorary Mayor of Wilmington. Diana continued organizing with the California State Assembly where worked with leaders in various cities and neighborhoods to advocate for the advancement of education equity, immigration justice, supportive services, and reentry programs. She most recently served as the Neighborhood Revitalization manager with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles leading the implementation of an innovative framework to improve the quality of life of residents in the city of Long Beach through sustainable partnerships and creating a model for collaboration across neighborhoods. Her efforts were commended by the Long Beach Rescue Mission awarding her partner of the year for creating lasting connections across all sectors.
Nina's passion for the non-profit sector began in 2011 with the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation. Over the course of five years, she led the Foundation's fundraising endeavors, initially focusing on district-level initiatives before stepping into the role of President. In 2015, she joined The Friendship Foundation as the Development Director and was promoted to Managing Director shortly thereafter. Nina joined the Boys & Girls Clubs of Caron in August of 2022 bringing with her extensive experience in fundraising, event planning, and operational and strategic insight. She was honored with the National Newcomer Excellence Award in Resource Development in 2024 by Boys & Girls Clubs of America for her outstanding contributions in fundraising. Nina is active in the Manhattan Beach Rotary Club and has served as the International Chair, Vocational Chair, and Social Chair. Together with her husband, Nina has raised three boys in Manhattan Beach.
Don Abbe has 35 years of experience working in the private and nonprofit sector. He joined the Club in 2010 and ensures that every dollar is spent in the most efficient manner. Don works closely with auditors to make sure that our organization complies with all federal, state and local statutory requirements. He also ensures that all stakeholders get a complete and accurate assessment of the financial health of the organization. Don’s past nonprofit work experience includes working with the YMCA of Greater Seattle and Habitat for Humanity Los Angeles. He received a BS in Accounting and Business Management from the University of Washington. Don’s favorite Club program is Youth of the Year.