This press release was originally published by WeSERV.

CHANDLER, AZ (March 3, 2023) — The 2023 WeSERV Leadership Class has launched a month-long campaign to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley (BGCAZ). The “WeSERV with Sole” initiative focuses on helping people “get on solid footing” by soliciting footwear donations for kids while providing housing-related education for all.

From now through March 31, WeSERV (West & SouthEast REALTORS® of the Valley, Inc.) will be accepting new children’s-size shoes and socks or gift cards from 8 am-5 pm Monday-Friday at the following WeSERV locations:

• 1733 E Northrop Blvd, Chandler, AZ 85286, (480)477-5882
• 9001 W Union Hills Dr, #8, Peoria, AZ 85382, (623)931-9294

Contributions can also be made online by visiting https://linktr.ee/weservleadership and purchasing a “wish list” item on Amazon.com.

As part of the campaign, WeSERV will host a FREE event open to the community. The event will span food, games, activities, and giveaways. In addition, experts will be available with resources for renters and homeowners, including healthy home ideas, maintenance tip sheets, budgeting assistance, and more. The event will occur on March 23 from 3-6 pm at Varney Park, 11820 N 81st Ave, Peoria, AZ 85345. All ages are welcome, but an adult should accompany children under 10.

The 2023 Leadership Class of WeSERV graciously thanks donors for their support. Please contact Jamie O’Driscoll at (630)945-5311 with questions or for additional information.

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About WeSERV
West & SouthEast REALTORS® of the Valley, Inc. (WeSERV), established in 1946, is a member-driven, not-for-profit REALTOR® trade association that serves over 25,500 REALTORS® and affiliates throughout Cochise, Maricopa, Pinal, and Santa Cruz Counties. Association volunteers and the Member Services Team work together to deliver resources, services, and education with a vision to be One Premier Association and the mission to provide services that lead to member prosperity. WeSERV also advocates for members and works to protect the real estate industry. Find more information at https://weserv.realtor/.

REALTOR® is a registered collective membership mark that may be used only by real estate professionals who are members of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and subscribe to its strict Code of Ethics. All REALTOR® members of WeSERV belong to Arizona REALTORS® and the National Association of REALTORS®.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley
With 30 Clubs in the Valley, a Dental Clinic, Charter School, and youth outreach services, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley (BGCAZ) positively impacts more than 21,000 youth and teens every year through four key areas: Academic Success, Good Character & Leadership, Healthy Lifestyles, and Career Pathways & Workforce Readiness. Learn more about the organization’s programs at https://www.bgcaz.org.

Read Full Press Release (PDF)

This article was originally posted on Arizona PBS. Be sure to visit their website for the full article.

A new report shows the many benefits of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley.

The economic and social impact report just compiled by the L. William Seidman Research Institute at Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business also found that for every dollar the Clubs invested in operational and capital expenses from 2020-2021, the Clubs delivered $15.60 in benefits to youth and families in Maricopa County.

Marcia Mintz, Pres. & CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley, explains the report and the many benefits of the clubs.

What is the Boys & Girls Club of the Valley?
“The Boys and Girls Club of the Valley is an organization that is in 30 locations throughout Maricopa County, and now in Yuma, that provides not only after school programming but academic support, food insecurity support, sport leagues, character and leadership development for kids from kindergarten through high school,” said Mintz.

What programs are offered?
“Besides having a safe place for kids to go after school, it’s an opportunity to engage in lots of different programs. As I mentioned, academic success, every club has a power hour,” said Mintz. She further explained that students get their homework done and engage in something academically in order to make sure they are not losing out on educational opportunities post-COVID.

Read Full Story on AZPBS.org

Whole Child Approach Program to Alleviate Pandemic-Induced Social and Emotional Stress

PHOENIX (October 19, 2022) – Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley and Terros Health will provide free behavioral health services to youth at a time when they need it most, thanks to a collaboration between the Arizona Department of Education and three Arizona-based private foundations – The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation, the Diane & Bruce Halle Foundation, and Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust.

The “Whole Child Approach” Program will help alleviate social and emotional stress among children and teens between the ages of 5-18 in Boys & Girls Clubs in Maricopa and Pinal counties who have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.

“Our Club members face so many barriers to accessing much-needed behavioral health services including transportation, financial and cultural stigma challenges. Bringing these services right into the Clubs, where we can use proven prevention and intervention services, will help thousands of youth who need it most,” said Marcia Mintz, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley.

Mintz said the three-year pilot program will serve youth in primarily under-represented communities, as well as students at risk for involvement in the juvenile justice system or with an incarcerated parent. Additional emphasis will be placed on those under the supervision of the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) and families experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness.

The Whole Child Approach program is made possible through a visionary public-private partnership led by the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley. The $9 million total program cost is being partially funded by a $3 million grant from the Arizona Department of Education as part of the American Rescue Plan. The additional $6 million will come from investments from the three philanthropic foundations.

Read the Full Press Release (PDF)

Learn More about our Behavioral Health at Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley.

This article was originally posted on City of Yuma be sure to visit their website for the full article. 

 

IT’S BACK: BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF THE VALLEY – YUMA BRANCH TO OPEN IN AUGUST

New Club to offer positive, affordable after-school programs for youth and families

(YUMA, Ariz. – July 6, 2022) – There’s good news for local families: Yuma will re-open its Boys & Girls Club in August 2022.

The City of Yuma will partner with Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley to lease the John B. Smith and Edna P. Smith Campus, located at 1100 S 13^th Avenue, to offer a fun, safe, and high-quality youth development after school program.

All members (5-18) pay just $30 a year for an annual membership to the Club. Youth (5-12) will pay a monthly fee of $80 per month for programs during the school year.  Scholarship funding is available for participants. Teens (13-18) may attend the Club for free, with paid annual membership.  Parents will have the option of paying monthly, by semester or for the whole year. 

The reimagined Club will be open from 2:30-7 p.m. on weekdays and members will enjoy a snack. The Club will also offer programming during school breaks and summer.

To assist with start-up and operational costs, the Yuma City Council allocated $100,000 in ARPA funding and the Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe donated $14,252 in gaming revenues.

“Bringing back the Boys and Girls Club programming is a big win for our community,” said Mayor Douglas J. Nicholls. “It will ensure our youth have a safe and positive place to learn and grow, and parents have affordable after school and summer program options.” 

For 75 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley has been creating equity and opportunity for youth through academic, social and workforce opportunities. 

Read the Full Article

PHOENIX – Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley (BGCAZ) has added a Cox Innovation Lab for the youth at the Peoria Jerry & Helen Wisotksy Branch. Leadership from BGCAZ and Cox Communications recently helped Club kids cut the ribbon on the new computer lab.

The lab, accelerated during the pandemic to ensure that youth in distance learning would have access to the technology they need, includes 20 new computers, two media production computers, virtual reality technology, a 3D printer, a laser printer and cutter, and STEAM tables and stools. There is also specialty lighting, paint and artwork to make the lab an engaging destination for youth between the ages of
5 and 12.

“This new Cox Innovation Lab really speaks to kids,” said Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley CEO Marcia Mintz. “It’s filled with the technology they need to do schoolwork, and the laser cutters, 3D printers and media production computers to explore their creative interests. Our Peoria members will have hours of fun in this lab.”

Cox has an ambitious 34-by-34 goal that gives the company an opportunity to take action in the communities where its employees live and work. In partnership with national and local nonprofits like the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley, Cox will deliver help and support where it’s needed most. The Cox Innovation Labs are part of Cox’s plan to help 34 million people live more prosperous lives and provide opportunities for children who have little to no access to the Internet by 2034.

   

Read the Full Press Release (PDF)

This past spring AZYouthforce, a program of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley, piloted a six-week learn-to-earn entrepreneurship program using the Lean Canvas model created by Eric Rise. Interns implemented their business ideas into the lean canvas model, attended tours of small businesses such as AZ Fair Trade, and were mentored by small business owners, volunteers, and community members. After six weeks, interns pitched their business ideas to a panel of judges to win $2,500 in seed money to invest their business. The decision was tough, and the judges selected Brooklyn A., a junior at Highland High School, as the winner. Brooklyn’s business idea, Kano, means “I am doing,” is to start an e-commerce and social media site for youth to sell their products to earn money. In addition, the judges also awarded Nadia V. and Manasvi J. $1,250 each to go towards their business ideas.

 

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