Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley announced its sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Child and Adult Care Food Program administered by the Arizona Department of Education, Community Nutrition Programs

(Phoenix, AZ) – September 17, 2021 – Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley announced its sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Child and Adult Care Food Program administered by the Arizona Department of Education, Community Nutrition Programs. Meals will be made available to enrolled participants at no separate charge without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; fax: (202) 690-7442; or email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Food program administered at the site(s) listed below:

Jerry Colangelo Branch,  1755 N. 34th Ave,  Phoenix, AZ 85009 (602) 424-0410

Warner & Shirley Gabel Branch, 1330 North 15th St.,  Phoenix, AZ 85006 (602) 252-7968

I.G. Homes Branch, 1601 W. Sherman St.,  Phoenix, AZ 85007 (602) 254-5814

MLB All-Start AZ Diamondbacks Branch – A Kieckhefer Legacy, 548 W. Southern Ave.,  Phoenix, AZ 85041 (602) 268-3486

Littleton Branch, 1600 South 107th Avenue, Avondale, AZ 85323 (623) 478-5600

Bob & Renee Parsons Branch, 4309 E. Belleview St., Building 14, Phoenix, AZ 85008 (602) 343-1270

Jerry & Helen Wisotsky Branch, 11820 N. 81st Ave,  Peoria, AZ 85345 (623) 979-3559

Ed Robson Family Branch, 15815 N. 29th St.,  Phoenix, AZ 85032 (602) 449-2850

Harry & Sandy Rosenzweig Branch, 2242 W. Missouri Ave,  Phoenix, AZ 85015 (602) 249-1338

Louis & Elizabeth Sands Branch, 4730 W. Grovers Ave.,  Glendale, AZ 85308 (602) 375-0400

Spencer D. & Mary Jane Stewart Branch, 6629 W. Clarendon Ave,  Phoenix, AZ 85033 (623) 848-1022

Swift Kids Branch, 6420 W. Maryland Ave,  Glendale, AZ 85301 (623) 828-6952

Bob Bové Branch, a Thornwood Legacy, 301 East Western Ave,   Avondale, AZ 85323 (623) 932-1154

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Amazon Donated $5,000 Towards Healthy Lifestyle Programs at Chandler Compadres Branch to Promote Healthy Lifestyle Choices Though Amazon’s WorkingWell program

(Chandler, AZ) June 2021 – Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley (BGCAZ) and Amazon hosted a special workout training to promote healthy lifestyle choices; a targeted program made up of interactive activities that develop a child’s ability, confidence, and motivation to stay healthy.

Retired NFL player, Alvin McKinley, alongside Amazon’s Workplace Health and Safety team directed by Carree McCarty, shared the importance of making healthy lifestyle choices and engaged with the Club members in multiple activities including stretching exercises, physical challenges, and the teaching of different body mechanic techniques that can be used for everyday tasks.

McKinley, who owns SS Legacy Logistics, an Amazon Delivery Service Partner, with his wife Ebony, explained his business philosophy, “Playing football, you’re on a team and right now we are all a team. We are teammates with Amazon, with our drivers, and everyone else we do business with. It’s all one big goal, and that’s delivering packages,” The couple runs two businesses and employs dozens of drivers who deliver on behalf of Amazon. Alvin uses his own experience to coach employees on the importance of staying healthy and safe on the job and at home.

“Amazon is proud to give back to the communities where our employees live and work,” said Carree McCarty, Regional Manager, Amazon Workplace Health & Safety. “We’re honored to partner with Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley to reinforce the importance of safety and wellness through Amazon’s WorkingWell program, and to help kids build healthy habits through continued funding of the Clubs’ Healthy Lifestyles programming.”

“Amazon’s training was unique and it gave our members some practical, easy moves to do to stay loose and take care of their posture. Starting at a young age, the stretches and motion activations that Amazon is training on will help our kids keep fit and protect them from injuries. We’re grateful that Amazon continues to invest in our Healthy Lifestyles programs by helping them learn moves they can use, and meet community and business leaders who can share their experiences with our members,” said Marcia Mintz, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley.

Amazon presented a donation of $5,000 to the BGCAZ in hopes to continue promoting healthy lifestyle habits for the Club members.

Amazon Interview Opportunity

Carree McCarty, Regional Manager, Amazon Workplace Health & Safety – Carree’s team is responsible for the health and safety of more than 1,000 employees at Amazon’s delivery stations across Arizona. Safety is in Carree’s blood: both her father and brother are also safety professionals. Carree spent more than half of her 9-year Amazon career ensuring that all new buildings – from fulfillment centers to delivery stations – were safety-ready for opening.

Alvin McKinley, Owner, SS Legacy Logistics, an Amazon Delivery Service Partner & retired NFL player – Alvin spent 8 years in the NFL as a defensive tackle, playing for the Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, and New Orleans Saints. In 2003, Alvin was rushed to the hospital after feeling ill – the result of dangerously high blood sugar. The health scare was a wake-up call for Alvin – he changed his diet and lifestyle and managed to avoid more severe treatments for his newly diagnosed diabetes. Alvin and his wife Ebony now run two businesses and employ dozens of drivers who deliver on behalf of Amazon. Alvin uses his own experience to coach employees on the importance of staying healthy and safe on the job and at home.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley (BGCAZ)

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley offers affordable after-school and summer programs for 16,000+ young people in grades K-12. At 20+ Clubs across most of the Valley, BGCAZ provides award-winning programs designed to change the lives of young people. For 75 years, we have been creating equity and opportunity for youth through programs that create pathways to academic, career, and workforce opportunities and achievement. We help young people make healthy decisions and focus on social and emotional development to build resilient young adults. Most importantly, we work to develop strong character and leadership skills by creating positive connections to caring adults. Boys & Girls Clubs employs a Formula for Impact for how the organization impacts the life of a child. For more information: visit www.bgcaz.org and @BGCArizona on social channels.

BGCAZ Amazon Smile Support Click Here!

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Thunderbirds Charities Helps to Bridge the Digital Divide

Thunderbirds Charities awarded $150,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley (BGCAZ) to fund their “Bridging the Digital Divide” project. BGCAZ will use the money to upgrade the technology at 24+ Clubs throughout the Valley. BGCAZ’s technology and infrastructure team will use these funds to upgrade campus-wide Wi-Fi, update routers and firewalls for increased speed and Internet security.

“Thunderbirds Charities has supported Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley in so many ways over the years, and they were one of the very first to step up to support our operations during the pandemic.  This crisis revealed the critical need for us to invest in our digital infrastructure to support our students,” said Marcia Mintz, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley. “Having 100+ students log in for distance learning every day, in every Club, revealed the gaps we had in our technology and security systems. This investment will help support our members’ secure connections to their classrooms and to our programs.”

Recently BGCAZ held a ribbon-cutting for their Cox Innovation Lab at the Thunderbirds Branch in Guadalupe. With the support of Cox Communications and the Arizona Cardinals, the lab features robotics, 3D printing, a music studio, virtual reality, gaming, computers, and more.

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley offers affordable after-school and summer programs for young people in grades K-12. BGCAZ provides award-winning programs designed to change the lives of young people. For 75 years, BGCAZ has been creating equity for youth through academic, social, and workforce opportunities. We help young people make healthy decisions and focus on social and emotional development to build resilient young adults. Most importantly, we work to develop strong character and leadership skills by creating positive connections to caring adults and their community

BGCAZ is an equal opportunity provider. Esta institución es un proveedor que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades.

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