Pat Halberstadt, Chief Professional Officer for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove for more than 34 years, is a lifelong resident of the community served by the organization she leads, which currently has 5 Club sites, 49 ASES school sites, 2 High School ASSETS programs, a licensed preschool, Truancy Reduction Center, Juvenile Justice Center, 12 Family Literacy sites and a Family PLUS Center.  These various programs are supported by a staff of more than 450 dedicated and enthusiastic professionals.

After Pat earned her degree and teaching credential, she decided to “try something a little different” before devoting her life to public education.  Expecting to spend a brief year serving her hometown as director of her local Club, she soon discovered that she would never consider leaving this new avocation, and the Club has grown from serving 50 kids a day to more than 5,000 daily.

Most recently, she spearheaded the establishment of a health center which provides medical, dental, vision and counseling services to the children of the central Orange County.  In 2008, her staff and board completed an expansion of BGCGG  which literally doubled its service capacity, budget and staff within a one year period of time.

Currently, Pat is a member of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Advisory Committee for Family Support, founding board member for Healthy Smiles for Kids of Orange County, the Leadership Committee for “Success by Six,” and a Community Advisor for the Junior League of Orange County.  She is a very proud recipient of the Pacific Region 2008 “Horizon Award.”

Pat is an ardent advocate for children and youth of all ages, especially the great necessity for quality programs which support the needs of today’s kids and their families.

Her motto is: “Diapers to Diplomas!”  Her new favorite saying is:  “BE GREAT!”