Another Great Week at the YMCA

April 24th 2007
Volume 1, Issue4

YMCA Director named Arizona Big Brother of the Year

     Pablo Muñoz, Executive Director of Community Initiatives YMCA, was named the 2006 Arizona Big Brother of the Year and is now in the running to become Big Brother of the Year nationally.
     He has been serving as a big brother to his match, 15-year-old Jose Garcia for nine years, much longer than the average length of a match. As Jose’s big brother, Pablo provides friendship, mentoring, and advice that helps build personal responsibility.
     Although recognized for his work with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Pablo has mentored more than 35 kids over the past 25 years. His work mentoring youth has been recognized before. Pablo was awarded the Latino Advocacy Champion Award at the 2005 Valle del Sol’s Profiles of Success, which recognizes Latino leaders in the Valley.
    “Ever since my migration to the United States in 1976, I have felt a unique passion for providing effective mentoring to our youth,” said Munoz. “What motivates me to give back? The answer is not what, but who. I don’t see this volunteer effort measured by the commitment of time, but rather measured by a commitment of caring”.
     Pablo has been with the YMCA in the Phoenix area for almost 19 years, working at several branches throughout the Valley.
     His dedication and commitment to helping youth have made Pablo the obvious choice to lead the new YMCA in the Maryvale area. He will be the executive director of the new YMCA, expected to open in January 2008 near 67th Avenue and Indian School Road in West Phoenix.

YMCA coach named Jr. Suns Coach of the Year

     Mark Nelson, who coached one of the YMCA Jr. Suns teams that plays at the AZ Premiere Basketball Academy, has been named Arizona’s Coach of the Year by the NBA and the WNBA.
     “We are so lucky to have Mark coaching in our program,” said Mesa YMCA Executive Director Damon Olsen. “Coach Mark is dedicated and committed to teaching our kids the value of sportsmanship, teamwork, positive attitude, and respect.”
      Coach Mark, (pictured on the far left of the photo) has been coaching for 19 years, and attributes his success to his players and their parents. "This is a reflection of the great kids and parents we have," he said. "Basketball is a great sport, but these teams also show kids about character, team building, and other things I am proud to be able to pass on."
      The Jr. Suns/Jr. Mercury program offers kids a unique basketball team experience that emphasizes fun while encouraging fundamental skill development, teamwork, sportsmanship, positive adult participation and community involvement.
     Coach Mark was one of only 31 coaches honored out of nearly 75,000 who coach Jr. NBA/WNBA teams. He was recently honored during a Suns home game, along with a player selected to the JR NABA All-Star team, and a member of the Banner Wheelchair Suns.                    

Y Achievers Meet for Support, Advice

    Participants in the YMCA Achievers Program met at the Pointe South Mountain to explore career options and learn about resources for students. The Achievers program exposes students in grades 7-12 to diverse career and college opportunities, positive role models, and academic support. The objective is to prepare students for successful adulthood through activities that build academic, social, and leadership skills. Participants should have a desire to attend college. Students participate in career clusters, tutoring sessions, mentoring, college tours, cultural events, community projects and leadership activities. School clubs meet weekly either during lunch or after school. For more information, contact Dorothy Shorter at (602) 252-2963, ext. 102.

Register Now for Summer Sports Leagues

    YMCA branches are registering for Summer Sports Leagues. For more information about the sports available at your local branch, visit www.ValleyYMCA.org or call (602)404-YMCA. ABC 15 recently aired a segment on one of the Chandler YMCA's teams. Click here to view the segment.

The Valley of the Sun YMCA has launched this E-newsletter to keep you informed about 
YMCA news, programs accomplishments, and upcoming events.  For more information,  
please contact Norma Salas at njsalas@vosymca.org, or (602) 257-5135.