Innovative Program Gives Kids a Chance to Learn Broadcasting Industry

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale is First Club in Nation On Kidstar Internet Radio Station

(SCOTTSDALE, AZ)  The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale Lehi Branch, located on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, is the first Boys & Girls Clubs in the nation to take part in the KidStar Internet radio program which gives members a chance to broadcast both live as well as pre-recorded segments over the Internet.  The Lehi Branch station is called EBGC – THE KLUB and can be found online at http://kidstar.org/.   KidStar (KDSTR Radio Corporation) is a 501 (3)(c) non-profit charity that was founded by Fountain Hills resident Perry Damone, son of entertainer Vic Damone and professional broadcaster for over 35 years. 

The KidStar program is offered to Club members who are trained to use the equipment, hone their interviewing skills and are responsible for coming up with show topics.  Once those members are proficient in their skills, they each train other members.  Because of the success of this program with the Boy & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale, KidStar is looking to offer this program to other interested Clubs across the country including newest station located at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica.

Damone got the idea to start KidStar because he wanted to use his expertise to develop a program that would lure kids away from destructive behavior and provide them with educational tools and promote a sense of self worth and self esteem that they can carry with them their entire lives.  KidStar was initially rolled out in schools with over 3,000 kids taking part in this program since its inception in 1994.  It is his goal is to have the KidStar program in over 5,000 various schools and youth organizations like Boys & Girls Clubs by 2014.

“We have had an outstanding response to this program, these kids have excelled in their ability to quickly learn to operate the equipment and have come up with some very creative topics for their shows,” said Damone.  “Because the kids are trained on professional equipment, many of them could go into just about any professional broadcast booth and operate the equipment. Since the programs’ inception, several of the kids have gone on to careers in broadcasting.” 

The program also generates income for each organization.  The kids will conduct interviews with local business owners, who then make a donation to have their interviews played on air or to have the kids record personalized endorsements.

“We are very happy to be able to offer this innovative program to kids on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community,” said Brian Yazzie, Director of Native American Services at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale.  “By continuing to offer programs that educate and encourage creativity while providing valuable skills, we hope to open up new opportunities and careers options they may not have previously considered.”

In 1999, the KidStar program was mentioned on the floor of the 106th Congress by Utah Senator Orrin G. Hatch.  He stated, “Programs like KidStar should receive our special attention and be encouraged to continue the good work that they do. As we continue to search for solutions to juvenile crime, let’s remember the best solutions come from individuals working on a local level to make a difference.  I am extremely enthusiastic about the programs…such as KidStar and hope the positive benefits of programs such as this can be extended to the entire nation.”

Submitted on behalf of The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale
Since 1954, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale has provided more than 100,000 Northeast Valley youth with a positive, supervised environment to explore the power of their potential. Today we serve 16,000 children and teen through the organization’s nine branches and 12 outreach sites located in Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, Hualapai Indian Community and other Northeast Valley neighborhoods. The Club offers more than 100 youth development programs emphasizing five core areas: the arts; character & leadership development; education & career development; health & life skills; and sports, fitness & recreation.

Angels for Kids is the annual giving campaign for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale in which all proceeds support youth development programs. This year’s theme Angels for Kids, Mentors for Life reflects the valuable mentoring Club members receive from staff and volunteers that enable them to become future mentors and community leaders. To help support mentoring opportunities at the Club please visit www.bgcs.org.

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