First the wonderful news...

In honor of the remarkable leadership, compassion and support demonstrated time and again for the youth of America, Kids at Hope is deeply privileged to recognize community leaders Linda and Bill Pope as Honorary Deans of this years Master's Institute co- sponsored by Arizona State University's Colleges of Human Services and Teacher Education and Leadership scheduled April 29-May 4 in Phoenix.

Over 36 of America's leading youth development practitioners, educators and academics will be challenged by a faculty of notable thinkers and researchers focused on the success of all children, No Exceptions.

Founding board member Ron Willingham was elected Kids at Hope's fourth Chairman this past January.  Ron is founder and chairman of Integrity Systems, an international corporate training organization, and is the author of ten books. Ron succeeds Bob Hartman, retired Chairman of Universal Technical Institute who lead the organization during one of its greatest growth periods.

Former Governor Booth Gardner and Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound President Gary Yazwa, also a member of the Kids at Hope national board, lead a delegation of foundation executives and community leaders on a one day visit to three schools in Phoenix  that have adopted Kids at Hope.  The leaders are exploring the possibility of opening up Kids at Hope's first regional center to further encourage and support the adoption of the Kids at Hope belief system and strategies throughout the northwest region of our country.  Thank you to Amberlea & Sonoran Sky in the Pendergast School District and Kids at Hope Academy for being shining examples of Kids at Hope in action!

A second delegation from Washington State is due in Phoenix for a similar fact finding visit in early April.

And then there were 10. Kids at Hope is pleased to announce that Vallejo, CA and Hortonville, WI have joined the communities of Houston, TX; Tacoma (Lakeview), WA; Chicago, IL; Albion, MI; San Jose, CA; Pittsburg, KS; Herndon, VA; and Springfield, IL in modeling the principals and practices required to ensure the success of all children.  Funding for the Hope Square initiative comes from a five-year grant awarded to Kids at Hope by the National Recreation Foundation. Ultimately, 15 communities will be chosen to develop the Hope Square Model.

Applications are now available for the next cycle. Award announcement will be made on June 29th. Applications are due on June 1st.

Since launching its professional development trainings series in 1999, Kids at Hope has now reached over 15,000 caring adults who represent 400 youth serving organizations, schools, agencies and departments reaching over 320,000 children with a message and strategy which promotes and ensures their achievement.

Joining Rick Miller for a visit with YMCA of the USA national President Neil Nicoll was Dr. Ron Richards, Superintendent of the Pendergast Elementary School District in Arizona; Chasidy Gray, Executive Director of Childcare for Valley of the Sun YMCA and Dr. Terry Rosch, Executive Director of the Chicago Education Alliance. The two organizations discussed early childhood education and childcare needs in America.

While in Illinois the delegation also visited with officials of the Consolidated Community School District representing 27 schools in Schaumburg, IL.

One of the Nation's largest Teacher's Unions is partnering with Kids at Hope to provide a new strategy focused on its Fresh Start Schools. Union officials and school representatives attended a two-day training at Roosevelt University in Chicago in late February.

Congratulations to the Valley of the Sun YMCA on its recent groundbreaking on a soon to be developed 18 acre campus which will include youth services, social programs, educational program and health and medical support. Joining the "Y" in this very special collaboration is the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix.

Kudos also to the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound as it gets ready to open the first of a series of Hope Centers in Washington State. Wow!

Welcome Steve Fox, partner with Buchalter Nemer, as Kids at Hope's newest board member and Treasure Hunter. Steve brings needed legal and accounting experience to Kids at Hope.