Cobre Valley Youth Club asks Gila County supervisors for continued support to expand programs

Carmen Casillas, president of the Cobre Valley Youth Club and a former vice mayor of Globe, told the Gila County Board of Supervisors on March 25 that the club needs continued county backing to expand programs and meet urgent facility needs for children from Globe, Miami and San Carlos.

The club, Casillas said, has shifted from a drop-off childcare model to a broader youth-development organization that ‘‘empowers, inspires, and engages our next generation,’’ offering classes that range from Apache language and culinary training to IT and first-aid. Casillas said the club works with Arizona Workforce and local partners, and that staff provide one-on-one support for high-risk youth.

Casillas told supervisors the organization recently regained its 501(c)(3) status after prior administrations failed to file tax paperwork, a lapse the board heard left the club temporarily ineligible for some funding; the club’s treasurer Brian Romney volunteered to restore compliance. She said the club’s three most immediate facility needs are a replacement playground (she cited a previous repair estimate “close to $60,000”), upgraded sinks (three sinks), and other repairs to make the building safe and code-compliant for summer programs.

Supervisor Humphrey praised the club’s local focus and said donations that stay in the community matter; he offered to help with grant applications. Supervisor Klein asked about safety training for children and parents; Casillas said the club provides ‘‘self awareness’’ and self-defense-style instruction, coordinates with the Globe police department for training, and works with local homelessness and family services when children need housing or additional support.

County staff present encouraged Casillas to apply for county grant funding and said staff would assist with the application process. Casillas also highlighted a planned summer music program working with Councilman Mariano Gonzales and an upcoming swimming lessons initiative. She closed by recounting a recent case — an emergency response for a family living in a vehicle — to illustrate the club’s role in connecting children with shelter and services.

The presentation ended with supervisors and staff offering practical follow-up: Humphrey and other supervisors expressed willingness to help pursue grants and donations, and staff said the county’s grant office would assist with application forms and compliance requirements.

Casillas asked for continued county assistance so the club can sustain and broaden programming; supervisors did not take a formal vote but directed staff to help with the grant-application process and encouraged continued coordination.

The meeting moved on after the board thanked Casillas for the presentation and offered logistical help and a point of contact at the county for grant submission.