(top) Santa Monica Commission on Status of Women (COSW) Commissioner Trish Moon honors Santa Monica Police Officer Natalie Dewberry, 49, with the Outstanding Woman Leaders Award on Tuesday, October 14, 2008, at Santa Monica City Hall. (above)  Santa Monica Police Activities (PAL) kids give a group hug to Santa Monica Police Officer  Dewberry, after receiving her award on Tuesday. The Outstanding Women Leaders Awards are presented annually to women who have demonstrated exceptional personal and/or professional dedication to improving the lives of women and girls in Santa Monica.  Officer Natalie Dewberry, a pioneering veteran of the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD), is an exemplary role model for female officers, and girls and boys at the Police Activities League.  For 20 years, she has demonstrated an unwavering commitment in her numerous roles with the SMPD, always helping women and children who are victims of poverty and violence.  Known affectionately as “the Bank of Dewberry” at the Police Activities League, Officer Dewberry has bought clothes, shoes and school supplies for children in need.  The Santa Monica Commission on the Status of Women works to enhance the status of women in the community. The Commission promotes these goals through investigation of, advocacy for and policy development regarding issues relevant to women and girls, and by creating leadership and career advancement opportunities for women and girls in the community.

1) Pico Youth and Family Center 's Founder and  Executive Director, Oscar de la Torre, welcomes guests during the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday, October 4, 2008. "Peace, Community and Social Justice will be the theme to the new center," de la Torre said during the ceremony. 2) Oscar de la Torre, and Santa Monica Police Chief Tomothy J. Jackman, with his cammand staff,  cut the ribbon during the grand opening ceremony. The center is open to the local youth between the ages of 16 - 24 and amies at addressing youth gangs and violence prevention.

(1) Allan Young, President and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica welcomes guests during the groundbreaking ceremony  in honor of the new Clubhouse at John Adams Middle School on September 11, 2008.  "This is a historic day for Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica, as we begin work on the second largest facility on the Westside," said Allan Young,  "As someone who grew up in Boys & Girls Clubs, I know the value this Clubhouse will have on its members and their families -- providing a safe environment for kids to learn in, have fun in and grow in." (2) Shoveling left to right: Tim Cuneo, Intern Superintendent of Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District; Timothy J. Jackman, Chief of the Santa Monica Police Department; Allan Young, President and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica; Craig Mordoh, Chairman of the Board of Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica and Dr. William Crookston, Past President, Rotary Club, shovel dirt during the groundbreaking ceremony at John Adams Middle School. With an anticipated completion date of June 2009, the Clubhouse continues Boys & Girls Clubs 64-year tradition of enabling all young people, especially those who need help the most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens. Currently Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica operates a satellite afterschool program at John Adams Middle School; however the new Clubhouse will enable the program to expand from one small classroom serving approximately 300 children annually to a 5,563 square foot facility equipped to support all of the school's 1,100 students. The Clubhouse will provide services to students six days a week, 12 months a year -- before and after school, during lunch and during vacation and summer holidays. Members will flourish academically and socially as they participate in nationally-renowned programs in the following areas: the arts, athletics, drug/alcohol and pregnancy prevention, education, the environment, leadership development, career preparation, social recreation and technology. The Club was founded in 1946 and since that time approximately 150,000 local youth have benefited. Today there are approximately 7,000 young people involved in Club programs. They come from all over Los Angeles County, largely from Santa Monica, Venice, West Los Angeles and Inglewood. Members pay a $10 annual fee for access to all Club amenities and programs that span across education, leadership, recreation and more.  Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica operates with the objective to serve children from all backgrounds, regardless of economic circumstances -- ensuring that youth ages 7-18 have a safe and nurturing environment to develop socially, succeed in school, stay physically active and prepare for positive futures. To learn more, please visit http://www.smbgc.org.