William Joseph composed his first song at age 5, however, his parents could not afford the music lessons William needed to explore his full potential.

Then, thanks to his involvement with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix, he received a scholarship that helped pay for his lessons. "I would say the scholarship from the Boys & Girls Clubs not only changed my life, but saved my life."

William Joseph just released his second major label album with Grammy Award winning producer David Foster. He has performed for stars such as Oprah, Christina Aguilera, Beyonce, Faith Hill, Barbara Streisand, Natalie Cole, and the list goes on and on. William Joseph was featured on a special edition of the Dr. Phil show titled "Against All Odds" in which he talked about the impact the Boys & Girls Clubs had in his life.

Dr. Phil also announced a new $52,000 donation made to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America so that kids throughout the country can receive similar opportunities. William Joseph is an example of how kids can succeed when they receive the hope and opportunity that the Boys & Girls Clubs provide.

To Watch a video of William Joseph's performance on the Dr. Phil show Click here.

Regardless of the age at which kids join the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix all kids benefit from the life-changing programs at the Club. But don't just take our word for it, the proof of the impact the Club makes are our kids. Recently two of our Club members earned some pretty distinguished awards.

Adriana Delgado, a Club member of the Spencer D. & Mary Jane Stewart branch earned the City of Phoenix Outstanding Young Woman of the Year award. She recently joined the Club and began volunteering to help others as well as receiving assistance in applying for scholarships. To date Adriana has earned more than 10 scholarships including the coveted Gates Foundation Millennium Scholarship.

Andrew Johnson received a unique opportunity to chase his ultimate dream - to become a viola symphony musician. Andrew, a member of the Warner A. Gabel branch since age 6, was recently awarded the Hank Aaron Chasing the Dream Scholarship from Boys & Girls Clubs of America. This scholarship will help pay for his music instruction until the age of 18.

Recently Andrew had the opportunity to attend a Phoenix Symphony performance which was a unique experience for Andrew who was taken backstage to meet the symphony's viola players. Indeed Andrew will chase his dreams and hopes to the best of his abilities, and thanks to this scholarship will have a greater opportunity of achieving them.

These are just a few of examples of how the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix makes a difference in the lives of thousands of kids Valleywide. Of course, when making such a difference, others are bound to notice. On April 30th, the organization was awarded the Non-Profit Golden Rule Award by the Arizona Interfaith Movement. Amy Gibbons, President and Executive Director for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix was one of ten Arizona citizens to be recognized at the banquet.

Valley of the Sun United Way also recognized the work of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix at a campaign luncheon. Our organization received the Outstanding Agency Award for its efforts in creating a measurable and lasting changes in our community. More than 900 community members attended VSUW's annual campaign recognition luncheon. Attendees included volunteers, companies, and private donors who contributed to their campaign were also recognized.

Find out how you can support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix to make a difference in our community's kids. Click here.

If you think you have what it takes to take home the $1,500 prize then join us for the Branch Development Board's 2nd Annual Texas Hold'em Lunch and Tournament.

The event will take place at Graham Central Station in Tempe on Sunday, July 13th, 2008. Registration will begin at 12:30 p.m. and the event will be kicked off with a Bar-B-Que lunch at 1:00 p.m. Then get your game face on as the tournament begins at 2:00 p.m.

Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information on sponsorship or registration please call (602) 954-8182 or email rpierson@bgcmp.org

Thanks to a grant from Boys & Girls Clubs of America in collaboration with the International Music Products Association, a new program titled MusicMakers has taken off at the Warner A. Gabel Branch. This program teaches kids the skills to play guitar, drums, bass, and keyboard.

Using the latest in video game technology, teens have particularly taken to learning music. Now instead of just standing in front of a T.V. while pretending to play music, kids can actually play a variety of instruments as well as develop their motor skills and music talents.

“I had never played the drums before,” said MusicMakers member, Angel. “At school we have band practice but that is not a lot of fun. Here at the Club we get to play the music we like and we also get more direct training. This is like the Cordon Bleu for us.”

This program is provided at no additional cost for teens and kids at the Warner A. Gabel branch in Phoenix.

We wish to thank Boys & Girls Clubs of America, NAMM, and Guitar Center for their support of this program.

The Clubs are starting their summer camp activities! There are still a few spots available at the Clubs listed below. The following is a sample list of activites happening at the Clubs during the summer. For a complete list please contact your nearest Club.

I. G. Homes Branch
Summer program schedule: June 2 - July 30
Summer session hours: 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Herbert Kieckhefer Branch
Summer program schedule: May 27- July 30
Summer session hours: 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. (ages 6- 12)
                                   12 - 8 pm (ages 13-18)

June 8 - 15
A small group of children will have an opportunity to participate in the Wild West Fest 2008 in Telluride, Colorado. Kids will enjoy activities such as golfing, fly fishing, horsing, ranching, and trick roping for a whole week. For many of them, this will be their first time having contact with a horse and playing in snow, or even leaving town.

June 16 - 20
Kids at all Clubs will learn about the dangers of Meth as they participate in MethSMART Week. This program has been created to involve children in a weeklong program about meth, how to avoid it, its dangers, and how it can destroy families.

June 26
Remember your first experience going to the circus? Well, on June 26th, over 50 kids from the Boys & Girls Club will have a chance to experience their first circus by attending "the Greatest Show on Earth Ringling Brothers and Barnum Bailey Circus." This will be a first for many of the kids attending the trip.

July 25
Cannes has a film festival, Maui has a film festival, now Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix will have their own Film Festival! On Friday July 25 Harkins Theatre in Metrocenter Mall will provide Club kids the opportunity to play their short films on the big screen.

There are a variety of other activities going on throughout the month. Call your local Club for more information and a complete schedule.

BRANCH DEVELOPMENT BOARD POKER TOURNAMENT
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Graham Central Station

BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS DAY FOR KIDS
September 20, 2008
All Clubs will be hosting activities

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

Kid of the Month Dakota with FSN's Brad Steinke

Dakota Staren is 12 years old and is a member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix Louis & Elizabeth Sands. At the Clubs she is a valued volleyball team member. Dakota is a smart and outgoing girl who enjoys being around other kids and her enthusiasm really shows!

Dakota's positive attitude is infectious with the other team members and she is always looking for ways to help the team improve and is not afraid to make suggestions to the coach and other members if she feels they can help.

Described by her coach as a leader who is always encouraging the other members of the team, Dakota has great sportsmanship. Win, lose or draw, Dakota remains positive and encouraging. She competes with all of her ability but keeps the game in perspective, treating all with respect.

An active member of the community service group, Torch Club, Dakota is a tireless worker. She loves to help around the club and is always available to take on any task, whether it be serving food at the holiday party or helping kids in the homework room. Dakota is a valued member of the Louis & Elizabeth Sands Branch who helps anybody that she can.

Due to her outstanding character and leadership, we are proud to name Dakota Staren as the FSN Arizona Character Counts Kid of the Month. Congratulations, Dakota!

This month we would like to recognize two volunteers who helped lead the Branch Development Board to the success they achieved at their Global Gala 2008: Giving is an Art.

Jill Skeen and Cindy Baczewski are both members of the Branch Development Board (BDB), a fundraising arm of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix. Leading a group of 30 enthusiastic volunteers, they were able to organize a successful event which raised $75,000 for the organization.

In addition to their duties as leaders of the Branch Development Board, Jill is the director of sales and marketing for the Hilton Suites Phoenix. She has been a volunteer with the BDB since 2004.

Cindy, who serves as the secretary/treasurer of the Branch Development Board, has been volunteering since 2003 and is also a full-time manager at Lodi Garage Doors and More.

Their enthusiasm and commitment to the kids and the clubs is to be commended. We are proud to recognize Jill and Cindy as this month’s Volunteers of the Month.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix has three different fundraising boards and Clubhouse groups that offer a variety of opportunities to match your talents. If you are interested in learning more about volunteering, please visit our website at www.bgcmp.org or call Teresa at (602) 343-1210.