AMADO, Ariz. (KGUN) — This July, the KGUN 9 Giving Project heads south of Tucson down I-19 to a new youth center aimed at serving young people in the rural area in and around Amado.
Opened just two years ago, the Amado Youth Center has already become a key resource for youth in this part of Southern Arizona. During the summer, the center provides free breakfast, activities and life skills lessons.
"It's just really fun to be hanging out with friends and learning new stuff every single day," 12-year-old Giselle Alvarez said.
Alvarez and her friend, 11-year-old Valentina Angelic, are regulars at the Amado Youth Center, taking advantage of the many programs.
Included at Amado Youth Center are programs that teach kids and teens about the dangers of drugs.
"Not being peer pressured and to just be you most of the time," Angelic said.
Amado Youth Center Executive Director Amy Bass says teaching kids about the dangers of drug use is a key component in the center's programmatic offerings.
"We teach a lot of drug prevention, resilience skills for the kids, anti-bullying, decision making," Bass said. "Just positive life skills that are going to help them achieve later on."
Bass says rural nonprofits like the Amado Youth Center struggle for funding.
She wants to bring on more staff to expand programs and fund more field trips during the summer program.
"These kids really need to be kept busy and learning during the summer so that when they go back to school...they're ready to learn," Bass said.
If you'd like to help support rural youth programs at the Amado Youth Center, you can donate directly through their website, amadochilicookoff.org/donate.
Our partners in the Giving Project, the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona will again match the first $500 in donations.
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Pat Parris is an anchor and reporter for KGUN 9. He is a graduate of Sabino High School where he was the 1982 high school state track champion in the 800 meters. While in high school and college, he worked part-time in the KGUN 9 newsroom. Share your story ideas and important issues with Pat by emailing pat.parris@kgun9.com or by connecting on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
