Avondale employee honored by Arizona Center for Afterschool Excellence
From City of Avondale
Ingrid Melle, Avondale AZ PIO
Chris Lopez, City of Avondale Youth and Community Engagement Supervisor
Chris Lopez, Youth and Community Engagement Supervisor for the City of Avondale, received the Melanie McClintock Leadership Award this past weekend at the annual conference for the Arizona Center for Afterschool Excellence.
The Arizona Center for Afterschool Excellence (AzCASE) annually recognizes innovative out-of-school time programs and staff members for their exemplary work in providing and promoting quality youth development programs for Arizona’s children. AzCASE held its 15th Annual Conference at the Phoenix Convention Center in downtown Phoenix, where Chris Lopez was awarded the Excellence in Leadership award on Saturday, October 22.
Lopez, hired in 2007 to establish youth development programs for the city, has worked tirelessly to provide Avondale youth with a variety of enriching programs and opportunities. He has also served on the Arizona Quality Standards for Out of School Time Programs Statewide Quality Assessment committee, and on multiple youth development committees including the United Way. Chris introduced the ‘Kids at Hope’ philosophy to the city and paved the way for Avondale to become the first official ‘Kids at Hope’ city in the nation. As a result, staff from various school districts, local government and community leaders have been trained in and have adopted the Kids at Hope belief and support system that all children are capable of success, no exceptions. Chris Lopez was also instrumental in fostering relationships with AmeriCorps VISTA, as well as expanding youth workforce development and teen leadership opportunities in Avondale.
The Arizona Center for Afterschool Excellence (AzCASE) is Arizona’s leading statewide advocate and information resource for promoting high quality, affordable and accessible out-of-school time programs as an essential component in the positive development of Arizona’s youth.