The Boys & Girls Clubs movement received the "Giving Back Award" from Newsweek Magazine as the traditional charity that best changed the lives of America's youth, especially those in need.

To read the full article as it was printed in Newsweek, follow this link.

Find out how you can help support a positive change in the lives of our Valley's youth by calling (602) 954-8182 or visit www.bgcmp.org.

With dozens of kids chanting "Amaré! Amaré!", Amaré Stoudamire of the Phoenix Suns successfully finished his "board" cutting ceremony to officially open the Amaré Stoudamire Reading and Learning Center at the I. G. Homes Branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix (BGCMP). 

Present at the ceremony were Amaré; Robert Sarver, managing partner of the Phoenix Suns; Tony Hurst, area director of The Home Depot; Amy Gibbons, president of the BGCMP; Club members; and the media. When asked why he chose to support the I. G. Homes branch, Amaré replied "I wanted to go to the roughest and toughest neighborhood. I wanted to really give back to the kids that need it the most."

To complete this project, Amaré and the Phoenix Suns provided the Homes Branch with brand new computers, a large plasma TV screen, new desks with Amaré giant imprints, as well as a variety of books. The Home Depot also went all out and donated the construction supplies and manpower to completely renovate the indoor space, paint the room in an Amaré/Phoenix Suns theme, and provide hardwood flooring. In total, more than $64,000 in upgrades were donated to this project.

"Before, I didn't go to the learning center that often. Now, I spend at least an hour everyday there. The Amaré Stoudamire Reading and Learning Center looks nice and it is more fun!", said Jicara, age 15, a member of the I. G. Homes Branch. 

Visit this site to see some photos of the event. 

Check out a video of the Amaré Stoudamire Reading and Learning Center and see for yourself this great transformation, courtesy of foxsports.com. 

Thank you to Amaré Stoudamire, the Phoenix Suns, and The Home Depot for helping those who need it the most! 

The Branch Development Board of the BGCMP invites you to fun and dynamic workshops that will transform work into a whole new ballgame! Triple Play is an opportunity to master critical skills, support the BGCMP, and also enjoy a Diamondbacks game in a suite at Chase Field!

The day begins at 9:00 a.m. with a workshop on "Refilling When You're Running on Empty" to help you learn useful tools and techniques on how to quickly rejuvenate. Then enjoy the provided lunch while you network with other attendees. At 12:30 p.m., get ready to learn "How to Hold Difficult Conversations," which will help you resolve conflict in a cooperative and non-threatening manner. 

The workshops will be held in a comfortable suite at Chase Field. When the workshops are complete, relax and enjoy a baseball game (Diamondbacks vs. Padres) from inside a comfortable suite... courtesy of the Arizona Diamondbacks. 

You can sign up for the whole day and enjoy both workshops or sign up for just one, and still enjoy the game! For more information on Triple Play, click here or call (602) 954-8182.

With a little more than five months to go the BGCMP has reached another milestone. We are excited to have raised $18 million of our $26 million goal. However, your support is still needed. With your support, we can reach our goals to secure the future of our community's youth. 

How can you help? Complete your planned gift or Kids, Clubs Opportunities campaign pledge and send it to the BGCMP. If you want to make a gift and are unsure of what the best way to give is, please call (602) 954-8182 and we can help you better understand the different options available.

Click on any of the buttons below to request more information about a specific Club or about the Kids, Clubs, Opportunities growth initiative. 

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) staff recently hosted a mini Olympics event at the Harry & Sandy Rosenzweig Branch. Close to 50 volunteers from PWC helped organize and run the first PWC mini Olympics event at the Harry & Sandy Rosenzweig Branch of the BGCMP. Over 100 club members were able to participate in activities that included trivia, capture the football, basketball, soccer, feather races, and more while also providing positive meaningful time with responsible adults. 

For participating members, the best part of the event was being able to engage in positive competition while having lots of fun! In the end, it was the "Australia" team that won the mini Olympics. 

Thank you to PricewaterhouseCoopers and its staff for their continuing commitment to the BGCMP and our community's youth.

Imagine a brand new playground complete with an outdoor basketball court, a lush green baseball field, and a picnic area. Imagine a neighborhood that doesn't have any parks for youth to enjoy. Now imagine a safe place to go and play, a court that also serves to educate our community's youth, and a picnic area that provides a setting for meals for our Valley's most deserving youth. This is the project that leaders from Valley Partnership are envisioning as they prepare to renovate the Herbert Kieckhefer Branch on Saturday, November 4, 2006.

Last year, Valley Partnership donated the materials and labor to renovate the I. G. Homes Branch in South Central Phoenix. Valley Partnership members were so touched by the stories and the transformation of both the community and its youth, that they decided to renovate a second BGCMP Clubhouse. Valley Partnership will utilize the skills, efforts, and supplies provided by its members to renovate the Kieckhefer Branch.

You, too, can help Valley Partnership complete this project. Whether as a volunteer, by making an in-kind donation, or by making a gift, you can empower Valley Partnership to complete this project. For more information, please contact Monica Sanjines at (602) 266-7844 or send an email to msanjines@valleypartnership.org.  

It's summer time at the Clubs, which means special activites and field trips organized daily! The listed events are samples of activities at the Clubs: 

Monday, July 17-Friday, July 21
The I.G. Homes Branch will celebrate Sports week, which will emphasize all activities of the Sports, Fitness & Recreation core program. Members will participate in field trips as well as tennis, teeter ball, and  basketball tournaments. The Club will also take a few members on a field trip to Chase Field to see an Arizona Diamondbacks game.

Thursday, July 19
Members of the Tri-City West/Thornwood Branch will participate in the Club's annual Art Camp. This camp will transform all areas of the Club into a big art colony. Kids will learn and participate in activities that will include drawing, painting, crafts, and sculpture among others. Activities will begin at 2:00 p.m.

Thursday, July 20
A group of 40 members from various branches of the BGCMP will have an opportunity to escape the heat and visit Kohl's Ranch in Christopher Creek, Arizona. This fun-filled trip will transport members to the high mountain forests, pristine mountain streams, and a cooler climate. This is an all-day activity.

Tuesday, July 25
Members from all ten branches of the BGCMP will have an opportunity to go out and "beat the heat" as they participate in the 2006 Beat the Heat Fitness Challenge. The event is a fitness fair aimed at teaching children about the importance of health, nutrition, and life skills while also participating in fun activities. The event will take place at Brophy College Preparatory.

Call your local Club for more information and a complete schedule.

TRIPLE PLAY WORKSHOPS BENEFITING THE BGCMP 
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Chase Field

BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS DAY FOR KIDS
Saturday, September 16, 2006

VALLEY PARTNERSHIP RENOVATION OF THE HERBERT KIECKHEFER CLUBHOUSE
Saturday, November 4, 2006
Herbert Kieckhefer Branch

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FALL CLASSIC
Friday, December 1, 2006
Talking Stick Golf Club 

For more info on these events, call (602) 954-8182 or visit www.bgcmp.org 

Elmer Valterria can usually be found at the Warner A. Gabel Branch playing sports in the gym or talking with many of his friends in the Club’s Teen Center. Elmer participates in the Club’s baseball, basketball, and football teams and has quickly earned the respect and confidence of both his teammates and fellow Club members. His love and passion for sports also have him volunteering as an FSN Arizona basketball league scorer and time keeper. 

In addition to his love for sports and volunteering, Elmer is also passionate about photography. Elmer particularly enjoys photographing nature and hopes to pursue his enjoyment of photography in college. 

Elmer is a very kind individual with a great sense of humor who is recognized as a leader by his peers and the staff at the Club. He leads by example and is an excellent role model for other Club members. Elmer Valterria is proud to represent the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix as this month’s FSN Arizona's Character Counts Kid of the Month.

The BGCMP is proud to recognize community leader and volunteer Donna Dobrovich.

Donna has been a volunteer with the Branch Development Board (BDB) since 2001 and has served in several leadership positions. She is best known to the Club staff for her volunteer work in providing outstanding leadership and coaching workshops to branch managers and program directors at the Clubs. These workshops provide managers with the skills necessary to lead the staff and youth at the Clubs. 

"Donna is just fantastic," says Michele DeMichele, area director of the BGCMP. "Her resources and willingness to help are outstanding, and she has a genuine interest in helping out our staff, and they notice that."

Donna's efforts have not gone unnoticed and staff that have participated in her workshops rave about her professionalism and skills.

Donna currently serves as vice president of the BDB and is actively working on a upcoming workshop called Triple Play which will benefit the BGCMP and is open to the public.

Thanks, Donna, for your outstanding enthusiasm, dedication, and service!