My name is Fred B. Block. I was elected to the position of president of the Yuma County Youth Boxing Association, Inc., taking office on March 22, 1999 and re-elected for 2nd & 3rd terms ending March 22, 2001. Our association is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization incorporated in the State of Arizona.
Our Board of Directors is made up of Yuma area residents. Yuma, Arizona is an area which borders California and the two Mexican states of Sonora and Baja California. In Greater Yuma there are more than 140,000 residents.
We are an all volunteer group, receiving major financial support from a CDBG Federal Grant, which addresses both the rental of our YCYBA Training & Event Center and the funds to have a sole, part-time gym monitor, Viola Padilla, our only employee. Our organization received the prestigious award as #1 sports volunteer organization for Year 2000. Hedi and I have been recognized as "Volunteer of the Year 2003" by the City of Yuma.
Our program provides instruction in America's martial art (since 1888), Olympic-Style Boxing to male and female youth, ages eight (8) through twenty (20). Our program addresses the need to provide a refuge from "the streets" to "at risk" youth. In the year 2000, YCYBA was named the #1 Volunteer Sports Organization of Greater Yuma. We have been the largest and most active Olympic-Style Boxing program in the State of Arizona.
Instruction in the "Art of Boxing" or "Sweet Science" is given by a group of volunteer mentors working under the direction of the Executive Board of Directors of YCYBA. Head Coach, William "Billy" Orta is assisted by volunteer trainers. All believe in the notion that "it is much easier to build a decent youth, rather than have to mend one". Volunteer Ringside Physicians include Yuma's No. 1 medical doctor (award by Yuma County Chamber of Commerce for Year 2002), Wayne Chiavacci, M.D. (Cardiologist and Pediatrician), Ismael I. Guerrero, M.D (Internal Medicine) and James K. Paquin, M.D. (Entomologist) (2006 Yuma Citizen of the Year). Dr. Chiavacci is also a YCYBA Board Member.
Prior to my involvement as a founding board member and its' president, my wife, Hedi and I were founding members and the first president and treasurer of the La Colonia Youth Boxing Association, Inc., which was the major force in saving the famed La Colonia Boxing Club of Oxnard, California (1990-1992). LCYBA was responsible for the intervention needed to save this club that produced the youngest ever National Champion, Fernando Vargas. The program produced two Olympians in 1996.
Fernando Vargas and Carlos Martinez, a native of Mexico, who was a member of Mexico's Olympic Team. In addition, three (3) professional World Champions came out of this program,
Roberto Garcia at IBF Jr. Lightweight, Fernando Vargas at Jr. Middleweight and Super-Welterweight and Rolando Reyes at World Contender of El Cajon, CA. Additionally, La Colonia has produced and is still producing many fine amateur and rising professional boxers, including Danny Perez.
The experience gained at La Colonia in Oxnard has given my wife, Hedi and I a vision to successfully establish an Olympic-Style Boxing Program in Yuma, Arizona - where we moved the major portion of our manufacturing business in April 1992.
Fortunately for all involved in Yuma County Youth Boxing Association, a former Yuma City Councilmember, Richard Ortega persisted in voicing an Olympic-Style Boxing program in Yuma to Hedi and I. Finally on February 22, 1999 a group of six (6) Greater Yuma area members, which included Steve Mueller, Joy Rupe, Richard Ortega, Hans Grimm, Hedi Block and I met and formed The Yuma County Youth Boxing Association. The organization was incorporated by Larry Suciu Law Firm. Barry Olsen was the liason attorney on a pro-bono basis.
Funding is provided by a 2007-2008 CDBG Grant of $5,000 (egym monitor wages and equipment) and donations of funds, materials, and services by private individuals, businesses, and fraternal organizations. YCYBA has tentatively approved for CDBG Grant Funding for fiscal year 2008-2009 for $7500.00. Our training facility has been donated for YCYBA use by Amavisca Cooling, our landlords.
Thanks to all who have supported us over the years. We appreciate all your help.