VCRC members

  Jeremy McGinty is the founder and President of Village Community and Recreation Center (VCRC). He grew in what is known now as historic town Buckeye Arizona. He the eldest of 3 children. Both of his maternal and paternal families are from Buckeye making him a 4th generation Buckeye resident. Growing up in Buckeye there was a small town feel, but not with a lot of resources. There were no activities for him and his peers as youth other than pop warner and little league. Since there were not activities to for him and his peers, they found themselves getting into trouble, missing/failing school, and falling into habits that would turn out to be detrimental to the community. 

As an adult with a family, he often wondered what he could do to help the youth in Buckeye to not follow the same route that some of his peers went down, and that’s when he came up with starting a community and recreation center! Knowing that he has the vision and the drive, he connected with some people that grew up in the same community that he did, and that’s where VCRC became reality. 

His vision is that VCRC can change the lives of the youth in the Buckeye community, give them opportunities that they might not otherwise have and watch them grow and flourish. They will then come back to the community, start businesses, raise their kids, volunteer, and keep the community thriving. They will then pass on any of the skills that was learned at VCRC to the future generations ! 

Rachel Wilburn-Lee is the third of four generations that lived in the Buckeye Community. Rachel is the mother of three adults children and “Nana” to five beautiful grandchildren . All of whom live in Buckeye.  Rachel has vacationed and travailed in and out of the country but has never visited a place that makes her want to move out of the Buckeye community.   The first 17 years of her she lived in a community south of Buckeye called Allenville. There was a sense community in Allenville that is almost extinct. She truly believes that “ it takes a village to raise a child “ As a youth she remembers having hoping of having more to do or something being built or brought to the south side of Buckeye to give the children and youth something fun to do. Unfortunately not much has changed.. …. which is why she joined a group of like minded individuals to form this nonprofit organization.  Rachel has worked with children and youth for over 45 years. She’s always believed that you if you want things to change you must become a change agent.  She believes you are part of the problem or part of the solution. She decided to become part of the solution  by giving back to her community.

Sheila McGinty grew up in Buckeye and attended Buckeye elementary and Buckeye Union High school. She is the 4th of 5 children.   Her parents moved here and work locally while raising 5 children. She did not have much to do here in Buckeye, while growing up she would go to the local swimming pool which is now known as the Buckeye Aquatic Center located on the city park. She would participate in summer bible school and local baseball or softball leagues. She later married and raised 3 children here in Buckeye keeping them involved, little league, pop warner football and cheerleading and any of our local sports leagues that she could, also volunteering to help coach and support the leagues. Along with staying active in local churches. She has always loved working with children, and is currently employed for 25+ years for Buckeye Elementary School, were she does everything in her  power to impact the life of as many kids as possible. When she  was approached with the vision to start VCRC she was all in and ready to jump on board and make the vision  come to life in and through the lives of others. If she could give back and help change the life of a child, family and city she is all in! 

Ebonee Strecker is a life time resident of Buckeye. She's a Para Educator in the Buckeye Union High School District, who works diligently in her profession. She has over 10 years experience and a real heart and compassion for children and young adults with disabilities. Ebonee is an active member in her church and community; she lives with her 10 yr old son and Shih Tzu Dutchess. She enjoys hiking, traveling and spending time family.

Jaura is a Buckeye native who is now raising her children in the same area she grew up in. In early years she was a youth leader and often helped create events to occupy the time of her and her fellow youth... Knowing all too well the trouble that could occur, she signed on with the hopes of making a difference for all youth.

Kimberly grew up in a small town in the mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania and knows firsthand what it is like to grow up in a town where there is not a lot to offer the adolescents. She has always had a servant heart working in surgery for 13 yrs while and being one of its active volunteers with March of Dimes. She and her husband Wayne decided to move their family across the country 8 yrs ago and found their desert oasis in the small community here in Buckeye. Ever since, she has been involved with advocacy for several communities across the Valley. Kimberly has volunteered and worked closely with a teen trafficking rescue organization as well as teaching in the children’s ministry and baptism teams of her church. With Wayne’s 25 yrs as a mechanic to his new career in IT, he has always been by Kimberly’s side to help the community any way he can. When Covid hit and the schools had to go virtual, Wayne stepped up and was able to supply 2 school districts with over 30 refurbished computers for students. He also donated 10 to the Zonka Miles organization that assists those released from prison to find jobs across the Valley. 

They have both heard and seen the need for life skills teaching as they watch their own children grow up. As God would have it that is how they found and joined forces with VCRC to make this addition and resource a reality for our booming community.