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.

“Cox Labs give thousands of kids daily access to leading-edge technology in their Club,” said Susan Anable, Cox Southwest Region Vice President of Public Affairs. “These students are digital natives who need time and space to explore virtual reality, digital programming, and other tech not available in their classrooms and homes, that will prepare them for careers of the future.”

Cox Communications enjoys a longtime partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley. Both entities are dedicated to serving youth in their communities and supporting their academic success. Together, the organizations are creating equity for students by bridging the divide between Valley youth and teens with no access to technology to a technologically advanced world with the resources and experiences they need to succeed in a digital world.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley offers affordable after-school and summer programs for more than 17,000 young people in grades K-12. At more than 30 Clubs across the Valley, BGCAZ provides award-winning programs designed to change the lives of young people. For nearly 75 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 with caring adults and their communities. For more information: visit bgcaz.org or on social channels at @BGCArizona.

 

   

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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.

PHOENIX (April 21, 2022) – Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley (BGCAZ) and Vista College Preparatory (“Vista College Prep”) are investing in youth in the reimaged community surrounding Metrocenter mall with a new grade school (K-8) campus and Club.

The organizations are completing an adaptive reuse of a 64,000-square-foot commercial building at 21st and Peoria Avenues in preparation for the opening in August 2022.

“The Metrocenter area’s renaissance created a unique opportunity to bring a high-quality charter school and Boys & Girls Club into this community. We look forward to bringing our signature after school and summer programs to kids and families who live and work in the Metro North neighborhood and those who will be moving to the area,” said Marcia Mintz, BGCAZ’s President and CEO.

Mintz and Julia Meyerson, Vista College Prep’s founder and executive director, chose the Metrocenter area for the new Club and campus to create equity for kids in under-resourced communities. At the core of Vista College Prep’s learning are best-in-class teachers who use data and analytics to identify strengths and areas of opportunity for each scholar. Literacy is also a top priority – Vista College Prep scholars spend nearly half of the school day on reading and writing.

“Every kid deserves access to exceptional learning opportunities, regardless of their ZIP code. Vista College Prep brings a long history of delivering high-quality academic programs into under-resourced communities, where families are looking for educational opportunities for their students,” Meyerson said.

“That’s critical,” Mintz added, “because today’s youth face unprecedented obstacles. And parents need support and after care for students. Opening this school and Club together will give parents an opportunity to enroll their student in a high-performing school and an after school program that will meet the needs of working parents.”

Studies show that a lack of access to technology, positive mentors and guidance, as well as food insecurity and other factors can cause long-term setbacks and trauma for millions of young people.

Vista College Prep will add to its community of tuition-free, public charter schools with Metro North Elementary and Middle School. Initially, the campus will serve students in Kindergarten through second grade, and fifth grade, but will add a grade level each year until reaching full-scale status – 820 students in grades K-8 – in 2025.

“Our scholars will work in a structured and supportive environment where they can experience rigor and joy, while working toward success in high school, college, and beyond,” Meyerson said.

This will be the first Boys & Girls Club in this community, with after school, summer, and sports and recreation programs. Initially, the Club will serve Vista College Prep students and will grow to serve the greater community over time.

“We expect that the Metro North Branch will be like our other Clubs – a second home where kids can get academic support and explore the arts, STEM, and sports in ways that advance their learning and build their social-emotional skills,” Mintz said. “The new Club will also give parents peace of mind by providing a healthy and safe after-school experience for their kids.” Members will also enjoy a snack and hot dinner at the Club.

The collaboration between the two organizations is an expansion of their work during the pandemic. During the height of the crisis in 2020, Vista College Prep shared its virtual learning modules with BGCAZ in return for programming for its students. The organizations are also piloting a new transportation model as part of a $1 million grant awarded to Vista College Prep by A for Arizona, with federal relief dollars provided by Gov. Doug Ducey.

Applications for the 2022-23 school year are open. To learn more about Vista College Prep Metro North, visit vistacollegeprep.org or call 209-782-0233. Information on the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley Metro North Branch is available at bgcaz.org.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley offers affordable after-school and summer programs for 13,000-plus 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 more than 75 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 with caring adults and their communities. For more information, visit bgcaz.org or on social media at @BGCArizona.

About Vista College Prep

Vista College Prep is a community of five tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 1,000 students. The award-winning organization puts the needs of students first, ensuring that every student has access to an exceptional teacher, spends nearly half of their day immersed in literacy, and has the tools to build a strong character alongside their academics. For more information, visit vistacollegeprep.org.

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onsemi leaders participated in a teambuilder activity locally that resulted in a hands-on volunteer project for Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley. As part of their tasks, over 100 managers assembled 60, mBot kits and 240, circuitry STEM kits, which will benefit two branches’ after school STEM programs. This project equates to an in-kind donation of $6,710 and 180 hours of volunteer time logged, which is equivalent to a $1,800 volunteer matching grant for Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley. “Off-site volunteer programs like this are a great opportunity for companies to do team-building and support STEAM programs for youth. These hands-on kits are so valuable to our members,” said Marcia Mintz, President and CEO of BGCAZ.

“At onsemi, we are building a better tomorrow for people and the planet through our ongoing commitment to create meaningful contributions in the communities where we live and work. We are proud to support the work of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley. This recent investment of new resources will help local Clubs accomplish their STEAM programming efforts as well as increase interest from participating youth in their computer and technology skills,” said Kim Luu, Senior Director, Head of Sustainability and Environmental Social Governance at onsemi.

Outstanding teens from seven Arizona Boys & Girls Clubs and military base youth programs competed for the highest state Club member honors

PHOENIX, Ariz. The Arizona Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs and presenting sponsor Fiesta Bowl Charities are proud to announce the selection of Bailey M. as the 2022 Arizona Youth of the Year. Bailey is a senior at Agua Fria High School and is a member of Avondale’s Bob Bové Branch of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley. Evie C., a sophomore from Catalina Foothills High School and a member of the Davis-Monthan AFB Youth Program was selected as the 2022 Arizona Military Youth of the Year.

The luncheon ceremony was held at the Arizona State Capitol with friends, Club staff, and many state legislators in attendance. Local legislators from the House and Senate met with the seven finalists to learn more about them and their plans for the future. All of the teens also had the opportunity to meet with Governor Doug Ducey for nearly one hour following the announcement.

Bailey, a 6-year member of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley’s Bob Bové Branch, a Thornwood Legacy, earned the top title after winning BGCAZ Youth of the Year in January 2022. He’s graduating this year and plans to attend Estrella Mountain Community College and study computer science.

Evie, the 2022 Arizona State Military Youth of the Year, joined the Club 3 years ago. She credits the Club with building her confidence and she’s an active member of Keystone, Girl Scouts, and many other community programs. She plans to attend the University of Florida in the future.

Selected from a field of 7 candidates from Boys & Girls Club organizations around the State, Bailey and Evie will receive $2,500 in scholarships and will go on to compete at the regional level in their respective categories. Regional winners move on to Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth of the Year competition.

In Bailey’s three-minute competition speech, he shared the difficult journey he and his siblings faced as young children. Ultimately, their grandparents were granted custody of the youth, and Bailey and his brother moved to Arizona with his grandmother. They found the Club when she was trying to find work and make ends meet. Bailey shared how the Club created a second family for him, and he’s looking forward to attending college in the Fall.

Evie also presented her speech to the large gathering. She reflected on the challenges and inspiring opportunities that come with being in a military family. Her family moved around to follow her father’s career and she found a home at her Club, and excelled in many community groups, including earning her Bronze and Silver Awards with Girl Scouts. “The Boys & Girls Club has helped me come out of my shell and has made me feel more comfortable with other people. I have learned more about my community and organizations from volunteering,” said Evie.

Cheyenne Walsh, partner of Compass Strategies Public Affairs and Board Chair for the Arizona Alliance and a member of the Board of Directors for Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley emceed the event alongside 2021 Arizona Youth of the Year Vakentae Cooks, a freshman at Prescott College. Walsh said, “Every one of these teens is a winner. These Club kids have grown into positive community volunteers, great students, and kind young adults. They represent the very best of the 110,000 Club members around the State of Arizona.”

Kristina Chumpol, Senior Director of Community Relations of Fiesta Bowl Charities and herself the 2006 Arizona State Youth of the Year winner, announced this year’s recipients.

“Fiesta Bowl Charities is proud to support the State Youth of the Year Program for the Arizona Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs. As a sponsor for the last 20 years, we know the impact this program has on these young people – it is incredible. The members are incredibly inspiring with their perseverance and accomplishments. Boys & Girls Clubs are experts in youth development and through their programmatic work and relationships, they are making a true difference in these young people’s lives.”

All of the candidates previously competed at local levels to represent their individual Boys & Girls Club organizations before moving on to the state competition. Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Youth of the Year Program is a premier youth development recognition experience celebrating academic success, examples of leadership, and overall Club involvement. Teens must write multiple essays, participate in the interview process and deliver a three-minute speech highlighting the impact of their Club experience.

Congratulations to all of the Arizona State Youth of the Year candidates:

• Zander G., Boys & Girls Clubs of the Colorado River
• Anna V., Boys & Girls Clubs of Gila River Indian Community
• Sydney F., Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale
• Davonte M., Boys & Girls Clubs of Sierra Vista
• Mariah A., Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson
• Bailey M., Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley

Arizona Military Youth of the Year candidates:

• Evie C., Davis-Monthan AFB Youth Program

Special thanks to the Arizona State Youth of the Year judges:

• Michelle Pabis, Vice President of Government and Community Affairs at Honor Health
• Kaitlin Harrier, Senior Education Policy Advisor for the State of Arizona
• Alex Nash, Communications and Social Media Manager for Fiesta Bowl
• Brittany Fuentes, National Manager of Customer Care at Toyota AND
• Tom Boyle, Partner at Thalma, LLC

About the Arizona Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs:

The Arizona Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs (www.azabgc.org) is made up of 17 organizations from across the state, serving more than 114,000 kids and teens each year. The Alliance was formed in 2000 to increase the Club’s visibility in communities and to advocate for Arizona’s most vulnerable youth. Clubs offer programs and services promoting and enhancing the development of youth by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging, and influence. @AZABGC

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PHOENIX (March 1, 2022) – It’s back and it’s better than ever. The Arizona Alliance for Boys & Girls Clubs is harnessing the power of Esports with the “NASCAR & Phoenix Raceway GamerThon™ for Good” tournament at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 11. This is the public tournament for anyone to sign up and play for free.

The e-sports tournament is an encore to the first-of-its-kind GamerThon hosted by BGCAZ last fall in partnership with Phoenix Raceway, NASCAR, Zelus Esports and the Arizona Lottery.

“Our NASCAR & Phoenix Raceway GamerThon™ for Good” is a great way for the public to learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs and participate in an e-sport they enjoy from home. We play Rocket League to celebrate NASCAR and ensure that our tournament can be enjoyed by all ages,” said Marcia Mintz, BGCAZ’s CEO.

Gamers will compete by playing in the hugely popular Rocket League, the high-powered esports version of soccer and it’s rated E for Everyone. Player will compete for a chance to win a variety of technology prizing; no purchase or donation necessary.

Along with the public tournament, youth from Clubs all around Arizona squared off in an internal GamerThon competition designed to ignite their interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) learning.

“STEM projects are a major area of focus in our Clubs,” Mintz said. “An Esports tournament tied to NASCAR is the ultimate STEM experience.”

Gamers can register for free at www.GamerThon.org.

WHAT: NASCAR & Phoenix Raceway GamerThon™ for Good featuring Rocket League, in partnership with Phoenix Raceway, NASCAR, Zelus Esports
WHEN: 7pm, March 11
WHERE: www.GamerThon.org
COST: FREE to play. Donations welcome, with proceeds/donations benefitting the Arizona Alliance for Boys & Girls Clubs
WHO: The tournament is open to all, no age restrictions.
PRIZES: Players can win a variety of technology prizes.

About Arizona Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs
The Arizona Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs was formed in 2000 to increase the Club’s visibility in communities and to advocate for Arizona’s most vulnerable youth. Boys & Girls Clubs serve over 112,000 Arizona youth every year. Boys & Girls Clubs have proudly served Arizona youth with quality programs and services for more than 75 years. With 60+ locations around the state, Boys & Girls Clubs can be found in urban, suburban, and rural communities across Arizona, and military bases throughout the state.
www.azabgc.org
@AZABGC

About Phoenix Raceway
Home to the 2022 NASCAR Championship Weekend, Phoenix Raceway has been the premier motorsports venue in the Southwest since 1964 and hosts two NASCAR race weekends each year. In 2022, the spring event weekend, March 11-13, kicks off the race season at Phoenix Raceway, featuring the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series and ARCA Menards Series. For the third consecutive season, Phoenix Raceway will host the NASCAR Championship Weekend, Nov. 4-6. Over the three-day event, champions will be crowned in the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and the ARCA Menards Series West. Phoenix Raceway also hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including corporate meetings and conferences, charity events, weddings, holiday events, sport and endurance competitions, driving schools and Segway tours. For more information, visit www.PhoenixRaceway.com and download the new NASCAR Tracks App at www.phoenixraceway.com/nascar-tracks-app/.

About Zelus Esports
Powered by Rival’s unparalleled gaming platform and technology, Zelus delivers custom-designed, turnkey esports platforms that non-profits, media companies and brands license to build and grow their own gaming communities.

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