COMMUNITY OUTREACH AT LGRC

In 1995, Los Gatos Rowing Club decided to reach out to people who are unable to participate in the club’s regular programs due to physical, mental, or monetary limitations – as well as to kids who may have gotten into trouble with the law. For these groups, the club has provided assistance programs that give them training in the sport of rowing at no cost to them.

In 1997, we started a program called “U-Row-Girl,” which was the beginning of a fruitful and successful community outreach program that continues today. The objective of “U-Row-Girl” was two-fold: to get kids rowing who could otherwise not afford it, and to join kids from various economic and ethnic backgrounds into a team atmosphere. The program was run by two of our adult members, and coached by teenagers who were in the regular rowing program. It was a total success.

The Los Gatos Rowing Club is a California non-profit (501c3) corporation. With the exception of coaches and our program director, whom we pay, all work is done by volunteers.

LGRC’s first program was set up with the Luther Burbank Middle School in San Jose. This successful program started in 1998, and continued in 1999. Also in 1999, the club teamed up with the California School for the Blind, which sent down a crew of kids, ages 13-16. It, like all the programs, was a blast of all of the kids.

In 2001, LGRC began a relationship with the Foundry School, a special education program sponsored by Santa Clara County to assist kids who have gotten into trouble, but are making a sincere effort to get things straightened out. The club hosted the third year of this program in 2003.

2003 saw a whole new effort to get another group through a special school called the Downtown College Prep. By the end of the 2003 series of programs, more than 36 kids have become proficient enough to move onto the regular Junior rowing team if they wish. Read what the students from Downtown Prep have to say about their rowing experience at Los Gatos Rowing Club, by clicking here to download the PDF.

In 2005, the Rowed To Recovery Program was developed, offering a learn to row experience to those who have recently recovered from Cancer therapy. Four on-water rowing lessons with coaching from our well qualified rowers and coaches in the Masters’ program show enthusiastic participants the joys of being part of a crew. Click here for more information.

For information on Outreach Programs, please contact Rosemary Adamson at equal3@comcast.net.