11460 layout redo.indd - Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix

Safe Place
My name is Chantel Dahlia Tafoya Sanchez, and I am proud to tell
you who I am.
When I was fi ve years old, I didn’t know the pain and suffering my
family would go through, I didn’t know that we could become a
statistic, our lives ruined by violence and addiction. But I did know
that I had found a safe place to go that would become my place of
refuge, where I could learn and grow. For the last thirteen years, my
Boys & Girls Club has helped me become who I am today.
I participated in all the Boys & Girls Club programs ... I honed my
athletic abilities, studied countless hours with the help of the education
staff and resources, and participated in numerous leadership
programs ... all of which made a tremendous impact on my life. But
there are so many other ways my Club has helped shape my life....
The Club is where we ate our meals. Every single night after school,
I knew I had a hot, nutritious meal waiting for me at the Club. Without
this meal, more than 50% of our kids would not eat dinner.
The Club is where I received clothes to wear to school. Hundreds
of children whose families can’t-or won’t-buy them clothes or school
supplies are sponsored every year.
The Club sponsored assistance for my vision needs and made sure
I had a toothbrush and proper dental care. The Club’s Dave Pratt
Dental Clinic provides more than 2,500 dental services each year
for youth in need.