Tim Murphy is on his second tour of duty with the Burbank City Council. He was first elected in 1989 and served for a few, let’s just say, unsatisfying years.

“I never wanted to be on the council again,” says Murphy. “It was not what I had thought.”

And yet 23 years later, he returned, and one of his main projects now is one he helped launch all those years ago: The Boys and Girls Club of Greater East Valley.

“It’s one of the most popular charities in Burbank,” he says proudly. “I mean, everybody recognizes that we’re saving kids every day.”

He helped establish the chapter as a way to keep kids off the streets – and out of gangs. He sees the staff members as a lifeline for kids who otherwise may not have one.

“That one person can save that child by directing him or her in a positive way.”

It began with a few dozen kids in the early 90s. Now the organizations services 3,600 young people a day at 25 different sites, including their main clubhouse  -- a former firehouse that they have long outgrown.

“This is actually programming space that we had to take over for administrative space because we just don’t have enough room,” CEO Shanna Warren explains.

She says even when he was out of the council, Murphy stayed involved with the club.

“He’s always been a huge advocate for us, watches out for us, has supported us,” Warren says. “I mean, he’s a legend.”

He’s now working with them on plans to build a brand new facility in this parking lot next to Providencia Elementary. They need to raise $6 million dollars and Warren says they’re already halfway there. She hopes to be in their new home in three years.

“I see them playing basketball. I see cooking classes,” Murphy says. “It’s wide open. It’s your imagination.”

And with 16 thousand square feet instead of 7500, Councilman Murphy can only imagine the difference they’ll be able to make.