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Give Every Child a Chance marking 25 years of success
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Students in the GECAC Science, Technology, Engineering, and Arts & Mathematics (STEAM) program at Nile Garden School during a November session. - photo by HIME ROMERO/ Bulletin file photo

Give Every Child A Chance will be celebrating 25 years of serving youngsters in San Joaquin County on Oct. 28.

The special event will be held at Manteca Senior Center, 295 Cherry Lane, from 5 to 7 p.m.

Those in attendance can enjoy light refreshments and finger foods while reminiscing about the past 25 years and the future of GECAC.

The past dates back to 1997 when local philanthropist Antone E. Raymus had a vision to help struggling students while providing them with a safe and productive place.

That October, with the help of his good friend Bob Camden, the longtime Manteca home builder and developer – after several meetings with community leaders – formed what would later be known as Give Every Child A Chance.

Bill Jones, a retired Manteca High principal, was the first executive director.

In January 1998, the first office was at 602 E. Yosemite Ave. in a small area for tutoring. The program quickly flourished, with locations at St. Paul’s Church, Lincoln School, and the aforementioned GECAC office.

The program during those early days consisted of 13 students and three volunteer tutors, operating with an initial budget of $80,000.

By 2004, GECAC was granted $500,000 in appropriated dollars thanks to a visit to Washington D.C. with the San Joaquin Council of Government – the SJCOG group made possible another $300,000 during another trip to the Nation’s Capital that following year.

That same year – 2005 – the program partnered with the San Joaquin County Office of Education while expanding to Escalon and Banta. GECAC’s budget was $1.3 million with 25 locations, servicing 1,511 students with over 300 volunteer tutors.

In 2019-2020, GECAC was serving 2,212 students and opened a before and after school program at STEAM Academy at River Island.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced the close down of programs, with GECAC having to adjust by going to virtual tutoring.

GECAC continues to receive numerous kudos and awards with its mentoring / tutoring programs.

Added this year were after school programs at four elementary school sites and before and after school drop-in programs at three of the high schools.

GECAC, in addition, started a food pantry at the program office.