$5MM Grant Gives Hope to Homeless Arizonans.

UMOM New Day Centers Name New Campus in Honor of The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation

SCOTTSDALE, AZ (April 17, 2013) – Today, UMOM New Day Centers officially named their main location the “Van Buren Campus”  in honor of The Bob and Renee Parsons Foundation. A generous $5 million grant from the foundation has enabled the center – which provides homeless families and individuals with safe shelter, housing and supportive services – to pay off their mortgage on the 7.2 acre main campus and dramatically expand the programs and services available.

The Bob and Renee Parsons Foundation provides critical funds at critical times to communities striving to make a difference in the greater Phoenix area. “Homelessness is a critical issue,” said Parsons Foundation Co-Founder Renee Parsons. “The decision to support UMOM and help displaced individuals, veterans and families find their way ‘home’ was easy – it’s not just a good thing to do, it’s the right thing to do.”

“With an estimated homeless population of more than 17,000 people in our city, every dollar counts,” said UMOM CEO Darlene Newsom. “Donations are the difference between families living in areas not suitable for human habitation and finding stable housing. We are incredibly grateful to Bob and Renee for their generous gift, without which we would not be able to provide as many services to as many families.”

A sea of colorful pinwheels, each displaying a message of hope and thanks from the 155 families currently in residence, decorated the UMOM campus on East Van Buren in Phoenix today. Messages like “thank you for the new start” and “never let go of your dreams” set an inspirational tone for the naming celebration.

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton attended the event and spoke briefly about the Phoenix Homeless Initiative.  He acknowledged the great work UMOM does and personally thanked The Bob and Renee Parsons Foundation for their commitment to breaking the cycle of homelessness in Arizona.

Outside of the mortgage payment, 22 units of shelter have been added to UMOM’s campus and will house 82 families this year. The addition has been instrumental in cutting the organization’s waitlist in half – taking the waitlist from more than 100 families to less than 50 per week. The grant has also enabled UMOM to appoint a child behavioral psychologist and employ additional housing specialists.

“It’s amazing to see how the funds, in less than six months, have ‘opened doors’ and made an immediate difference,” said Parsons. “Bob and I are honored to be a part of the UMOM community … a community with so much heart and hope.”

The event concluded with the grand unveiling of new signage, the construction of which was donated by Kitchell, for the Van Buren campus.

To learn more about UMOM visit, www.UMOM.org.