Rhino ReCreation Center working with youth with AJ Kids Idol, chess club and more

The Rhino ReCreation Center was founded in 2001 and has been serving the youth of Apache Junction/Gold Canyon since 2015. We work with the youth through several activities and events.

Our purpose is to “Honor God by providing opportunities and resources so the young people can change the culture of the world.” Our slogan is “Where kids are in charge.”

You can find more information at rhinorecreation.com. We are a 501(c)(3) designated organization. All donations are eligible for itemized tax deductions. You can call Jeff Struble at 480-694-5100 for more information also.

Activities and events include:

• AJ Kids Idol — This is our flagship event. This year’s performance will be held Jan. 23, pre-show at 4:30 p.m. and competition at 5 p.m. at the AJ High School PAC. If you have a child K-12 who lives in or goes to school in AJ/GC and would like to perform on stage, please contact me to set up an audition. Previous years showcased singing, dancing, flagging, magicians, instrumentals and comedians. We charge $5 at the door and solicit donations from local businesses. The proceeds of the show go to assisting other local youth organizations. In the past 10 years we have raised and donated over $25,000.
• Building America Club — We now have clubs at Peralta Trail, Four Peaks and Cactus Canyon. This is our ninth year. We work with kids to develop communication, relationship, leadership and entrepreneurial skills. The kids read and talk about books, poems and articles on various subjects. We get the kids thinking out of the box to make decisions on real life situations. We use the 4Ds — determination, discipline, desire and delight — to help the kids understand what it will take to be a productive member of society. We also have the kids prepare and implement service projects for the community. The kids are in charge of the service project by determining, developing, arranging resources and implementing the project. They then decide, if they are raising money, they will decide what organization will be funded. In the eight previous years the kids have raised $4,000 and have given the money to organizations like the local women’s shelter, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, animal shelter, a family whose child was battling leukemia, Sunshine Acres Children’s Home, Genesis Project and others. It is not about the money raised; it is about showing the kids they can make a difference in other people’s lives. When the kids present the check, they are able to meet the leaders of that organization and tell their story.
• Chess Club — We meet 9-11 a.m. every Saturday at Fatman’s Pizza. It is open to kids of all ages, 6-96. We teach new players and hone the skills of more advanced players. Chess is a game that teaches life lessons such as focus, integrity, discipline, sportsmanship and mentoring. These traits will be very useful as they move through life. We have tournaments in late April and November. Our next tournament is Nov. 7, starting at 9 a.m. It is not a sanctioned event; we invite people of all ages and abilities. We split the participants into beginner, medium and advanced. There are prizes and lunch is provided. It will be held at the AJ Library. You can register by going to the library or its website. You can also call Jeff Struble at 480-694-5100. There is no cost to participate.
• Buddy Benches — We have provided over 150 Buddy Benches to our local schools in the last 10 years. These are used for kids to have a safe place. If children are feeling lonely, depressed or need to talk, they can sit on the bench and an adult or child can sit with them. The purpose is to lower the number of child suicides. The local Superstition Mountain Rotary Club and AJ Mounted Rangers assist with this program. We have local high school kids assist with the building of the benches.
• Rhino Rising Homes — This is our newest project. We are currently raising funds to get it started. It will be a home for youth aging out of foster care or coming out of unstable homes. We will serve young people between the ages of 18-24. We will provide subsidized rent, job locating and education placement assistance and assist with transportation. There will be mental health and mentoring services provided. The young people will be required to sign and maintain a behavior statement. Our intent is to provide the young people with the knowledge and experience that they may not have received while growing up. There will be no drugs or alcohol in the facility. They will have a structured experience and will be encouraged to serve in the community. We are currently soliciting grants and donations for the project. If someone or an organization would like to donate a four-plex or money toward the project, it would be greatly appreciated. If you are interested in donating, you can call Jeff Struble at 480-694-5100.

We are always accepting donations and volunteers for all our programs. We do not take government funds. We believe that it is a fundamental principle that we as a community and society need to take care of each other. In all our activities we talk to the kids about paying it forward. Understanding that the person they touch today will pass it on and make another person’s life better tomorrow.

You can find more information at rhinorecreation.com or call Jeff Stuble at 480-694-5100

Jeff Struble founded the nonprofit Rhino ReCreation Center. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org.