Boys & Girls Club urges continued partnership as Arizona City attendance rebounds

Mat Park, executive director of the local Boys & Girls Club, told the Toltec School District board that the organization’s Arizona City branch has regained pre-pandemic participation and is now serving dozens of students daily.

Park, introduced by the board, outlined the club’s history locally and said the Arizona City branch opened Aug. 12, 2004. He said the club operates seven locations in the region and currently serves approximately 650 young people per day systemwide; the Arizona City program has 126 members who have logged a total of 7,268 individual day visits this year. "Our mission is to inspire and enable all young people to realize their full potential," Park said.

Park credited a collaboration with district staff for membership gains. He said the club stopped charging a monthly program fee after discussions with district leadership and the board agreed to waive the district facility usage fee; the change led to increased participation. The presentation highlighted academic- and safety-related goals the club tracks, and cited a prior testimonial from a state official noting reduced vandalism and improved test scores after a club opening in a community.

Park thanked Principal Tapia and Superintendent Rogers by name for their campus support and advocacy for the program. He also recognized the club’s school-based staff and local volunteers who manage daily operations.

The board acknowledged the report with applause. The presentation did not include a formal request for new funding or an action item; Park closed by expressing the club’s desire to continue and deepen the partnership with Toltec School District.