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Apple teams up with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to bring new coding opportunities to young learners across the country

In celebration of Computer Science Education Week, Apple and Boys & Girls Clubs of America today launched a new program that will bring coding to Boys & Girls Clubs in more than a dozen US cities. This new collaboration will bring coding with Swift to tens of thousands of students across the country, building on Apple’s existing partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America through the company’s Community Education Initiative in support of its Racial Equity and Justice Initiative.

Using iPad and Apple’s free Everyone Can Code curriculum — and with ongoing professional support from Apple educators — kids and teens at local Boys & Girls Clubs will integrate coding into their programming, giving students the opportunity to create and collaborate on the basics of app design and development, with an emphasis on critical thinking and creative problem-solving.

 

Using iPad and Apple’s Everyone Can Code curriculum, kids and teens at Boys & Girls Clubs in more than a dozen US cities will have the chance to learn the basics of app design and development.

 

Using iPad and Apple’s Everyone Can Code curriculum, kids and teens at Boys & Girls Clubs in more than a dozen US cities will have the chance to learn the basics of app design and development.

 

Using iPad and Apple’s Everyone Can Code curriculum, kids and teens at Boys & Girls Clubs in more than a dozen US cities will have the chance to learn the basics of app design and development.

“At Apple, we believe education is a force for equity, and that all learners should have the opportunity to explore and develop coding skills for their future,” said Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives. “Together with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, we’ve already introduced thousands of students to innovative technology experiences, and we are thrilled to expand our partnership to bring coding with Swift to even more communities across the country.”

“Boys & Girls Clubs of America is committed to helping youth reach their full potential, which includes equipping young people with critical thinking and problem-solving skills that will serve them for years to come,” said Jim Clark, Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s president and CEO. “We are thrilled to partner with Apple to enhance Club programming with innovative and educational coding activities that will build kids’ and teens’ engagement and opportunity in technology.”

The program will initially launch in 10 new regions, including Atlanta; Austin, Texas; metro D.C.; Miami-Dade County, Florida; Wake County, North Carolina; and Silicon Valley, with the goal of expanding coding opportunities to clubs nationwide. Programming has already launched in Atlantic City, New Jersey; Chicago; Detroit; Nashville, Tennessee; and Newark, New Jersey, where engagement will continue to expand.

Governor Ducey Announces $375,000 To Support After-School Programs

PHOENIX — Governor Doug Ducey today announced $375,000 for after-school programs that help promote healthy choices and encourage social engagement among kids of rural areas and underserved communities.

“Organizations like First Tee help our state build new safety nets to support vulnerable kids and families,” said Governor Ducey. “Remaining active, fostering social relationships and learning new skills are great ways Arizona kids can prepare for their futures and lead healthy lives. In Arizona, we will continue to support kids in need — and I thank the team at First Tee for all they do.”

The Tee Up Healthy Students Program utilizes golf to provide educational programs that build character, instill values and promote healthy choices. The Governor’s investment of federal funding will help fund a virtual curriculum, sports equipment, potential transportation support and other program needs in Title 1 schools, benefiting students and families in need.

First Tee partners with organizations across Arizona to utilize golf to help more than 150,000 kids every year gain social, recreational and personal skills. While First Tee currently works with 15 school districts throughout Maricopa County, the program’s expansion will create significant program growth opportunities in areas like south Phoenix, other parts of the Valley and rural communities.

“We’re grateful to Governor Ducey for supporting First Tee and our efforts to help Arizona’s children remain active and teach them important values like honesty and sportsmanship,” said Board Chair of First Tee-Phoenix Herman Lewkowitz. “The Tee Up Healthy Students Program will ensure more kids in need have the opportunity to get fresh air, move around and connect with others so they become well-rounded and are prepared for their future educational and professional endeavors. We look forward to working with community and school leaders to expand this important program.”

First Tee will work with Journeyage, a personalized learning management system, as part of the expansion to reach more vulnerable students by crafting virtual courses to ensure teachers, coaches and nonprofit partners are well-equipped to deliver the golf curriculum.

BACKGROUND
On August 17, Governor Ducey announced $64.9 million in state and federal funding for programs that improve K-12 literacy, support adult education and expand teacher professional development.

On October 20, Governor Ducey attended the Pay It Forward Car Wash, a week-long televised event that raises money for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona.

On November 8, Governor Ducey announced $1 million to support the Arizona Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs in its efforts to help kids recover from the social and emotional implications of the COVID-19 pandemic.

On November 9, Governor Ducey announced an investment of $1.25 million for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona and Black Mothers Forum to support mentorship programs for at-risk youth and training programs for parents of underrepresented families.

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Governor Ducey Invests Dollars To Support Arizona Boys & Girls Clubs and Transportation Solutions

The Arizona Alliance for Boys & Girls Clubs is honored to receive a new $1 million investment in the social and emotional health programs that we offer to students around the State. Together, Arizona Clubs serve more than 110,000 youth in rural, urban and suburban communities; and, our members have struggled throughout the pandemic. Thanks to early investments from Governor Doug Ducey and the State of Arizona, tens of thousands of youth were able to access summer programs to help them stay on track with their academics and access SEL (Social Emotional Learning) modules under the care of trained Youth Development Professionals in Clubs.

Governor Ducey’s $1 million investment will support a one-year program that will provide up to 5,000 kids and teens with critical life and social-emotional skills training. The Arizona Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs will use the funding to support salaries of critical personnel, develop curricula, provide equipment such as computers and tablets, and more. We are grateful for the continued partnership and recognition of the effectiveness of these programs.

One of the key challenges facing schools and Boys & Girls Clubs around the State is transportation to Clubs. Today, A for Arizona awarded schools and districts around the State with grants from their Arizona Transportation Modernization Grant Program, a $20 million initiative to modernize K-12 transportation options and improve access to reliable and safe transportation for students.

Boys & Girls of Bisbee received a grant for $200,000 to purchase busses and vans to transport students; Vista College Prep was awarded $1 million to build a new collaborative and reliable transportation option with BGCAZ; and Avondale Elementary School District was awarded $150,000 to help connect their students to after school programs including Clubs. We are grateful to the team at A for Arizona for their recognition of these challenges and their investment in innovative solutions to help connect students to programs they need.

https://azgovernor.gov/governor/news/2021/11/governor-ducey-invests-1-million-support-arizona-boys-girls-clubs
https://aforarizona.org/2021/11/08/a-for-arizona-announces-arizona-transportation-modernization-grant-awardees

Win Exclusive NASCAR Experiences!

GAMERS! HERE’S YOUR CHANCE TO WIN EXCLUSIVE NASCAR EXPERIENCES WHILE RAISING MONEY FOR THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF THE VALLEY

The Race To Championship Week GamerThon™ Debuts Thursday, November 4, 2021

Phoenix, Arizona – Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley today announced a first-of-its kind GamerThon™ Fundraiser, in partnership with Phoenix Raceway, NASCAR and Zelus E-sports, to generate donations for the Club and excitement for the return of NASCAR’s Cup Series Championship Week this November.

“We’re huge fans of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley and this is an exciting opportunity to bring the new NASCAR and Boys & Girls Clubs of America partnership alive at the local level, said Julie Giese, President of Phoenix Raceway.” “Plus, we’re tapping directly into the passion of a large and growing market of recreational gamers.”

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BGCAZ Announces $300,000 Donation from Panda Cares® Foundation to Bring Academic Support Programming to Clubs

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley receives investment in academic and education programming for Clubs in Metro Phoenix through a historic partnership with Panda Cares® Foundation.

Phoenix AZ — Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley (BGCAZ) has received a donation of $300,000 from the Panda Cares® Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Panda Express®, which will support the nonprofit’s mission of enabling and enriching the lives of young people. Through this partnership, Panda Cares and Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley will empower thousands of youth at Boys & Girls Clubs around Metro Phoenix to excel in school, character and leadership.

“Panda’s partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America furthers our commitment to impact and inspire a brighter future through health and education, creating powerful learning pathways and focused care for the holistic well-being of youth nationwide,” said Dr. Peggy Cherng, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Panda Express. “This donation brings us one step closer to achieving our long-term vision of building strong communities and fostering the growth of our young leaders.”

“Throughout the pandemic, Panda Express and Panda Cares Foundation have been investing in our youth with delicious meals, books, masks and fun programming. Giving young people books to take home and enjoy with parents and siblings encourages reading and builds on our work helping youth build their literacy skills. We are beyond grateful for Panda’s continued support and active engagement with our Clubs,” said Marcia Mintz, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley.  

The national partnership will build on Panda Cares mission to support children and families in underserved communities under the pillars of health and education. With a mutual commitment to helping more youth reach their full academic potential through learning initiatives that are responsive to the unique needs of each young learner, Panda Cares monetary donation to local Boys & Girls Clubs will ensure more than 500 Boys & Girls Clubs will receive funding to provide high-quality in-person and virtual learning opportunities. The donation will also help pilot Panda Cares Centers of Hope, dedicated areas at BGCA that foster equity by delivering high-quality Club experiences that fuel the holistic needs of learning.

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About Panda Express 
On a mission to inspire better lives, Panda Express® is the largest Asian dining concept in the U.S. Family-owned and operated since 1983 by co-founders and co-CEOs Andrew and Peggy Cherng, Panda Express is best known as a trailblazer for creating a wide variety of industry-first recipes, including its best seller the Original Orange Chicken® and award-winning Honey Walnut Shrimp™, which have defined the category of authentic American Chinese cuisine. Each dish at Panda Express, including the Wok Smart® selections, is thoughtfully crafted with quality ingredients and inspired by bold Chinese flavors and culinary principles. The restaurant brand has more than 2,200 locations and has introduced American Chinese cuisine to twelve international countries. 

Powered by this global family of associates, Panda Cares®, the philanthropic arm of Panda Express, has raised more than $237 million and dedicated countless volunteer hours in bettering the health and education for over 12 million youths, as well as supporting communities in need since 1999. In 2020, the organization established the Panda Cares Scholars Program to provide the necessary funding, academic support and leadership development to help high school and college students learn, lead and thrive towards a bright future. For more information, visit pandaexpress.com or pandacares.org.

Vari® Partners with Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley to Create the Classroom of the Future

Mesa Arts Academy Will Receive $200,000 Update in Classroom Environment

Phoenix – Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley students at the Mesa Arts Academy will start the 2021-2022 school year in style with new standing school desks by Vari, a workspace innovation company. The Vari standing school desks are designed to encourage and allow students to move during class. The $200,000 product donation is intended to help improve classroom learning and strengthen the company’s commitment to the Phoenix community.

“As schools start to return to the new normal, the question remains: ‘what does the classroom of the future look like?’” says Miranda Koperno, principal of Mesa Arts Academy, a charter school of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley.”Vari’s donation of new standing desks for our classrooms will allow students who have been connecting from couches and kitchens for a year to start their school year in a space that allows them the flexibility to learn in a way they are most comfortable.” 

A Fresh Start and a Bright Future

Standing school desks are designed to encourage movement throughout the day. Research shows that learning in active classrooms can improve student cognition, health outcomes and behavior. Additional health and behavioral benefits include:

  • Students with the freedom of movement in the classroom experience benefits including a 15 percent increase in engagement in the classroom.
  • Moving more and sitting less in class can lead to a three to five percent improvement on test scores.
  • Standing desks can increase calorie burn by 17-35 percent and decrease BMI percentile by five percent.
  • Achieving and maintaining a healthier weight is linked to increased confidence and self-esteem, which are directly tied to attendance rates. 

“I’m proud that Vari is among local volunteer agencies that support the wonderful mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley and the Mesa Arts Academy,” says Craig Storey, chief financial officer at Vari. “It’s incredible to see firsthand the powerful impact that the organization has in the lives of the children that they serve.”

Classroom of the Future

The Mesa Arts Academy will host an open house on Tuesday, July 27 for faculty and parents to preview the new active classroom environment. Storey and Lisa Teman-Rosenburg, Phoenix regional sales director for Vari, will attend.

In addition to standing school desks, Vari donated its best-selling electric standing desks and conference tables for Mesa Arts Academy faculty to use. Vari has a regional showroom for people to experience its products located at 5080 N 40th St Suite 455, Phoenix, AZ 85018. 

Vari has donated more than $5 million worth of products to nonprofit organizations since 2018. The award-winning Vari Community Giving Program focuses on product donations to alleviate operational costs so nonprofits can put their resources back into the community. 

“The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley is an organization that is critical to supporting the young people in our local community,” says Teman-Rosenburg. “We are looking forward to displaying the students’ incredible art in our showroom and continuing to serve as partners.”

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About Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley  

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley offers affordable after-school and summer programs for 16,000+ young people in grades K-12. At Clubs across the Valley, BGCAZ provides award-winning programs designed to change the lives of young people. For over 70 years, BGCAZ has been creating equity and opportunity 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. For more information: visit bgcaz.org.

 

About Vari
A workspace innovation company, Vari helps growing organizations unlock the potential of their space and their people. From a collection of office furniture to workspaces offering space-as-a-service, the company makes it easy for high-growth businesses to scale and flex their office space. Organizations all over the world — including over 98% of the Fortune 500 — use Vari products, which are tested and certified to the highest industry standards. 

Thank you to the Valley of the Sun United Way for your support of quality after school programs at our BGCAZ Clubs. Learn More