Barbecue to start programs at Boys & Girls Club

Amy M. Bolton, public information officer for Avondale, submitted this article.

Avondale and the Tri City West Thornwood Branch Boys & Girls Club will hold a free barbecue from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday to kick off special teen programming at the branch.

Tri City West Thornwood Branch is at 301 East Western Ave., Avondale.

Teenagers ages 13-17 years invited to tour the site's newly refurbished teen room, and to learn more about the programs that will be offered during the summer as part of Project REAL (Recreation, Education, Art & Leadership.)

Special teen programs and activities being offered at the Tri City West Boys & Girls Club will include field trips, open gym, basketball leagues and leadership clubs.

Teen activities will be offered Monday-Friday from 5 to 8 p.m.

Summer program membership fees vary depending on household income. Discount rates are available for youths that receive free and reduced school lunches.

The partnership and special programming are the result of grants awarded to Avondale by the Gila River Indian Community and a grant recently awarded to Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix by the Maricopa County Attorney's Office.

Both grants were awarded to provide outreach and youth development programming to teens in the Avondale area. Funds from the grant will be used to hire part time staff and purchase program equipment and supplies for teen programming.

For information, contact the Boys & Girls Club Thornwood Branch at 623-932-1154.