Boys and Girls Club unveil new center to help teens for the future

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - The Yuma Rotary and Boys and Girls clubs unveiled their new AZ-Youth-Force center on Tuesday. 

“You are on the road to success.” That is the motto of the new center. The center is possible thanks to a $4000 grant the Rotary Club received. They also matched it with contributions and volunteer hours totaling it at $20,000.

“There was just a half railing up here and so they weren't using it fully. We worked with the staff here at the Boys and Girls Club to really identify the needs of the project. So you can kind of look around and see the improvements, but we turned it into a space that's actually usable with a full enclosed wall," Jennifer Reichelt, president of the Rotary Club said.

AZ-Youth-Force is originally from Phoenix but the program will allow Yuma teens to try new internships that can help build their future career. 

"What we found is that it really helps our teams develop those essential skills they need to be successful in any career, and it helps them actually connect the dots between education and the workforce. And they're all paid internships. So more importantly it's helping them take care of themselves and their family," Josh Stine vice-president of external affairs of the Boys and Girls Club said.

When the Boys and Girls reopened in 2022, there were only about 30 kids. Now there are over 200.

"The teen program that we're trying to grow right now will make it possible for us to really give the teens space for them to do resumes, mock interviews, as they prepare to join the workforce industry," Rowena Regelado, Yuma Boys and Girls Club branch director said.

Rotary members and volunteers spent five Saturdays renovating the space.