John M. Argue is the Founder of VerityPoint and Chairman for The Friends of EXPO Center. In the article below, John M. Argue explains the background and objectives of this organization.
The Friends of EXPO Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports the mission and goals of the EXPO Center in Los Angeles, California. John M. Argue explains that The Friends of EXPO Center is committed to the enhancement of the EXPO Center and its programs through advocacy, education, and fundraising. Their projects directly benefit the community and go to supporting teenagers and youth throughout LA.
Today, John M. Argue takes a closer look at how the organization came to be, explores its mission, and discusses its many projects that go toward supporting the communities surrounding the Los Angeles EXPO Center. In doing so, the hope is to present a well-round overview of the organization and its purpose.
Who are The Friends of EXPO Center?
The Friends of EXPO Center was founded in 1998 as a nonprofit organization to advocate for and support the EXPO Center, the largest multipurpose arena and convention center in Los Angeles, California. John M. Argue explains that The Friends of EXPO Center works to promote continued access to cultural, educational, and recreational programs for at-risk youth and their families throughout LA.
The Friends of EXPO Center is currently staffed by 36 dedicated directors who oversee youth programs, summer camps, swimming lessons, and other community-based projects. The organization currently oversees a budget of roughly half a million dollars, acquired from various grants and philanthropic donations according to John M. Argue.
What is the Organization’s Mission?
John M. Argue reports that The EXPO Center is the largest recreational facility in Los Angeles, built on the site of the 1932 Olympic swimming pool. Yet, despite its glorious history, the families and communities who live around the EXPO center are overwhelmingly affected by poverty.
Of the total population, roughly 3 out of every 4 families living around the center are considered below the national poverty line. Out of that same population, only half have completed secondary school and roughly two-thirds are affected by obesity. With these statistics in mind, The Friends of EXPO Center was established to tackle economic and social inequality around the facility.
Their mission is to “effectively empower change” and to “assist at-risk” populations living around the center. John M. Argue says by supporting cultural, educational, and recreational programs at the EXPO center, the NGO hopes to revitalize the surrounding neighborhoods and provide the means to improve the community.
Programs Hosted by The Friends of EXPO Center
Currently, John M. Argue reports that The Friends of EXPO Center oversees six programs that support the cultural and recreational education of local youth. These include:
- The EXPO Center Youth Orchestra – The EXPO Center Youth Orchestra is a free initiative hosted by Gustavo Dudamel to provide over 300 at-risk youth with access to world-class classical musicianship. Students learn discipline and teamwork by practicing together at the EXPO Center and have even gone on to play in New York, London, and Tokyo.
- Teen Leadership Job Corps – The Friends of EXPO Center prepares local youth for the trials and tribulations of the job market. It helps train teens in the skills needed to write a resume, find jobs, fill out an application, and complete an interview. After finishing the program, the youth are then able to apply for jobs at the EXPO center or with partnered organizations, such as the LA Natural History Museum.
- Summer Camperships – The campership program is designed to financially support qualifying youth from the local community and pay their way through the EXPO Center’s summer camp program. During the program, local youth can play soccer, swim in the historic Olympic pool, learn arts and crafts, and go on trips to Venice Beach, the LA Science Center, and Disney.
- Afterschool Enrichment Program – John M. Argue says this program is specifically designed for elementary school students and provides them with daily supplemental academic and recreational lessons after school. Through the program, local youth can learn to play chess, swim, paint, act, or even just complete their homework. The EXPO Center directly picks up youth from school and takes them home at the end of the day.
- Learn to Swim – As the name suggests, the Friends of EXPO Center helps local youth learn to swim in the historic 1932 Olympic pool.
- The Clubhouse @ Expo – The Clubhouse is a larger organization spread across 20 countries but the Friends of EXPO Center has proudly contributed to its efforts for the last 18 years. The program is designed to pair local youth with a mentor to master multimedia skills.
Through these six programs, John M. Argue says the organization directly influences thousands of local youth to grow, develop, and learn the skills they need to escape the cycles of poverty.
Final Thoughts
Since its founding in 1998, John M. Argue explains that The Friends of EXPO Center has endeavored to fight the poverty that surrounds LA’s largest recreational center. Their efforts have paid off as thousands of youths have passed through their programs and onto success in adulthood. Nonetheless, they continue to work to improve their community.
