by Craig H. McFarland, Mayor, City of Casa Grande
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sun Corridor’s focus is on our youth, on academic success, good character and citizenship and healthy lifestyles. Exactly what we want for all our young people!
In 2019, their five clubs served more than 625 youth every day. Also, that year the organization impacted the lives of over 4,200 youth with its after-school, school break, summer, outreach and soccer programs.
In 2020 it has had to be more creative and open up additional locations due to lower club capacities. This allows for more kids in smaller groups of not more than 10. The first Maricopa location was opened Aug. 10 at Santa Cruz Elementary School, prompting the name change from Casa Grande Boys and Girls Clubs. This location will continue to operate after on-campus learning resumes.
The club also opened an onsite learning location at Casa Grande’s Mesquite Elementary School on Aug. 17. This site will be open until the Boys and Girls Club resumes normal operations at its permanent locations.
In Arizona, 24% of young people fail to graduate from high school. Among our local Boys and Girls Clubs members, 94% expect to graduate, 82% expect to complete some kind of postsecondary education, and overall, club members outperform their counterparts on state standardized tests.
The City of Casa Grande, both local school districts and many other local organizations partner with the Boys and Girls Clubs to help build positive programs. These include our Teen Center at Vista Grande High School, Teen Center at the Casa Grande Community Recreation Center, SMART Moves (drug and alcohol prevention and education program), Summer Brain Gain (designed to limit summer learning loss) and Project Learn (knowledge through high-yield learning activities for reading, writing, homework, tutoring and educational games).
The citizens of Casa Grande, Arizona City and now Maricopa should continue to support Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sun Corridor with money and volunteerism. Your generous support helps create opportunities to help more kids and teens achieve great futures!
To donate or get more information visit www.bgcsuncorridor.org or call 520-876-5437.
