Read Better Be Better® Receives $250,000 Grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation.

Funds Will Help Expand Afterschool Reading Program to 22 New Elementary Schools at a Time When Students Need Extra Support More than Ever

A Phoenix-based nonprofit, Read Better Be Better (RBBB) was awarded a $250,000 grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation for its afterschool reading comprehension program. The funds will allow RBBB to expand to four new elementary school districts: Roosevelt, Liberty, Peoria, and Tempe; reaching 22 additional schools, 1,408 new readers and leaders for a total of 4,190 students.

“Strong literacy skills can set students on a path of lifelong learning and success,” said Renee Parsons, Co-founder, The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. “RBBB’s program not only improves reading for 3^rd grade students, but it also creates a community of future leaders and changemakers among middle schoolers. It’s a win-win for everyone involved!”

RBBB connects young Readers and youth Leaders to inspire a love of literacy and learning. Through twice-weekly afterschool sessions, middle school “Leaders” develop stronger leadership skills while assisting their elementary-aged “Readers” in developing stronger literacy skills. On average, RBBB Readers improve 20% more than nonparticipating students on standardized reading comprehension tests.

“As these middle schoolers emerge from several years of social isolation and trauma, I am filled with hope and joy to see them commit to helping rebuild and strengthen their communities,” said Sophie Allen-Etchart, CEO, RBBB. “These students are excited to be a part of Read Better Be Better’s literacy and leadership program. They are truly heroes, and I am so grateful to The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation for recognizing in them the power to create positive change for and in all of us.”

According to 2021 AzM2 English Language Arts (ELA) statewide assessments, among students who are economically disadvantaged only 21% scored proficient. Affecting communities of color as well, only 26% of Latino students passed compared to 52% of White students. For these reasons, Read Better Be Better was founded to supplement classroom literacy instruction at Title I schools serving families experiencing poverty. Literacy is a crucial skill for success and students are four times less likely to graduate high school when not reading at grade level by the end of 3rd grade.

“Knowing how to read is essential,” said Bob Parsons, Co-founder, The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. “Read Better Be Better is ensuring kids don’t fall through the cracks, preparing them with a life skill that will enrich lives and open future opportunities.

RBBB serves a 91% minority population and 80% of our students are eligible for the Free and Reduced Lunch (FRL) program. Combating higher levels of poverty and lower levels of proficiency in education, these students are statistically more likely to drop out of high school, engage in criminal behavior, struggle with unemployment, and accrue more costly medical bills during their lifetimes. With proper reading intervention, however, there is an 89% chance that students who can read at grade level by the end of 3^rd grade will graduate from high school, irrespective of socioeconomic status.

Hushabye Nursery Kicks Off $1 Million Match Campaign to Support Infants through Detox and Recovery.

The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation to Match Donations Dollar-for-Dollar Now through April 15, 2023

The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation is offering a $1 million match to support Hushabye Nursery’s inpatient detox nursery and recovery center for infants experiencing Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS). The match campaign has kicked off and provides a dollar-for-dollar match for donations received through April 15, 2023.

“We’re so grateful for The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation’s on-going support,” said Tara Sundem, Hushabye Nursery Executive Director and Co-Founder. “A baby is born every 15 minutes with NAS resulting from prenatal opioid exposure. Our approach is distinctly different from a typical hospital neonatal intensive care unit. We provide a private, quiet room with dim lighting for the babies to be cared for as they go through withdrawal. We also include mom in the baby’s care and connect her with resources to support her recovery.”

Hushabye Nursery provides a therapeutic environment, short-term medical care and social services for infants suffering from NAS, along with outpatient services and resources for families experiencing opioid use disorder (OUD). NAS affects newborn babies who were exposed to opioids in the womb and requires a complex and painful detoxification process in the days following birth.

“The struggles faced by babies born exposed to opioids are heartbreaking, as are the many challenges faced by their moms,” said Renee Parsons, Co-Founder of The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. “Hushabye Nursery is providing the kindest of care. Their model is not only compassionate but proving to be more effective than current hospital standards.”

Hushabye Nursery’s innovative approach is treating substance-exposed infants in only 6-7 days, compared to an average 21 day stay in a traditional hospital.

Created by neonatal nurse practitioners, Hushabye Nursery is the only NAS nursery nationwide to integrate health care and social services based on keeping infants safe and families involved in their care and recovery. They were just named one of 10 organizations around the country for the First-Ever Behavioral Health Recovery Innovation Challenge by the Department of Health and Human Services though the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

“The thought of a baby withdrawing from opioids is unimaginable, yet it is a reality that many families are facing,” said Bob Parsons, Co-Founder of The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. “Hushabye Nursery is providing hope and compassionate care, not only to newborns but to their entire family.”

The Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated opioid use disorder. It is estimated that in the past year one in eight children ages 17 or younger resided in a household with at least one parent who had a substance use disorder (SUD). Since starting in 2020, Hushabye Nursey has cared for over 350 babies and will be celebrating its 2^nd Birthday on Nov. 16, 2022, at 7:30 a.m. Media is invited to attend the party at their offices, located at 3003 E. McDowell Road in Phoenix, and speak with executives from Hushabye Nursery. For more information, please visit: www.hushabyenursery.org.

“One Fund, One Family” — Eleven Years of Support Together.

Semper Fi & America’s Fund Kicks Off the Double Down for Veterans Campaign with
The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation and PXG

Today, Semper Fi & America’s Fund (The Fund) and The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation announced that, for the eleventh consecutive year, they have launched the Double Down for Veterans Match Campaign. From November 1^st through the end of the year, donations to The Fund will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $10 million, by The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation.

Since 2012, Semper Fi & America’s Fund has partnered with The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation to support The Fund’s core mission of assisting combat wounded, critically ill, and injured service members, veterans, and military families across all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. These heroes become part of The Fund family—and The Fund becomes part of theirs—for life.

“Recovery from the wounds of war is often the longest battle. Even when physical wounds have healed and the body has adapted, emotional and mental trauma persists,” said Bob Parsons, Marine Corps Vietnam War Veteran and Co-founder of The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. “Semper Fi & America’s Fund is always there, providing not only financial assistance but connection when service members, veterans and their families need it most.”

Parsons issued the Double Down for Veterans challenge via a moving video address during his annual Marine Corps birthday tribute.

The Fund was started in 2003 by military spouses who immediately jumped in at the beginning of the war to provide bedside support to combat-wounded service members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Since then, The Fund has provided $290 million in assistance to 29,000 service members, veterans, and military families. The Fund delivers individualized holistic support by highly trained and experienced case managers who establish enduring lifelong relationships with service members and their families.

“Those we serve are such an important part of our family,” said Karen Guenther, President, CEO, and Founder of Semper Fi & America’s Fund. “We want our service members, veterans, and military families to achieve the highest possible quality of life and independence. This mission would not be possible without the generosity of Bob and Renee Parsons, who continually invest in the lives of our military heroes.”

“Family is an essential part of the recovery process, no matter the injury or illness,” said Renee Parsons, Co-founder of The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. “The Fund’s connection and commitment to a lifetime of support creates the extended family so many of our nation’s ill and injured need and deserve. Whether suffering from a devastating physical injury or invisible wounds like PTSD, to many The Fund is nothing short of a lifeline.”

Through the generosity of The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation, with support from PXG, the Double Down for Veterans Campaign has raised $169 million to date. Last year alone, The Fund raised $23.6 million during the Match campaign.

Donations to the Double Down for Veterans Match Campaign can be made online from November 1^st until December 31^st, 2022, by visiting www.TheFund.org/Match, or via check, equities, donor-advised funds, or other donation methods. Keep up to date on the campaign’s progress and learn more about those benefiting from the work of The Fund by visiting their website and social media channels.

Girl Scouts—Arizona Cactus-Pine Council Awarded $2.25 Million Grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation.

Investment to Support the Expansion of Outdoor Programming Throughout the Year

Girl Scouts—Arizona Cactus-Pine Council (GSACPC) has been awarded a $2.25 million grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation to support GSACPC’s initiative to expand outdoor programming throughout the year. While GSACPC has consistently provided outdoor summer programming at its multiple camp properties across northern and central Arizona, the organization’s three-year expansion plan will put an emphasis on leveraging these campsites and providing enhanced outdoor adventure opportunities for Girl Scouts throughout the year. This generous investment marks more than $10 million in total support that The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation has invested in local girls in the past 10 years alone.

“Girl Scouts—Arizona Cactus-Pine Council continues to think outside the box and create innovative programs that young women need,” said Renee Parsons, co-founder of The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. “We believe in supporting the outdoor programming because we know it will help young women build self-confidence, improve overall well-being and become better leaders.”

“As girls and families continue to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, this investment from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation will allow us to grow and serve more girls in the outdoors. We are grateful for their continued belief in our mission and how we help to build girls of courage, confidence and character,” says Christina Spicer, co-CEO of GSACPC. “From swimming to hiking to horse-riding, year-round outdoor programming provides Girl Scouts with limitless possibilities to explore and build the Girl Scout sisterhood.”

With five camp properties across northern and central Arizona totaling about 330 acres, these properties offer unique facilities and endless opportunities for outdoor adventures and fun, no matter the season or environment. Located in some of the most beautiful forests, mountains, and deserts Arizona has to offer, Girl Scouts are encouraged to explore nature through canoeing, paddle boarding, mountain biking, creek walking, zip lining and more.

These camp properties and facilities include:

Camp Maripai, an 80-acre camp just outside of Prescott, offers specialized equine programs, an archery field and nature trails in addition to rustic cabins, fire-pits and covered program ramadas.
Shadow Rim Ranch in Payson is in the shadow of the Mogollon Rim in the Tonto National Forest and boasts a climbing tower, zip line and even a “pake” (too big to be a pond and too little to be a lake!) for canoeing. Shadow Rim Ranch facilities include multi-use buildings, a ramada and four cabin units.
Willow Springs Program Center located in Prescott’s National Forest contains hiking trails and ropes courses with facilities that include multi-use buildings, dormitories, tent units and a sports field.
Camp Stephens near Kingman provides opportunities for primitive outdoor experiences through its mountainous terrain full of boulder fields, pine, walnut and oak trees and a wide variety of wildlife with facilities such as a program deck campfire area complete with bench seating.
The Bob & Renee Parsons Leadership Center for Girls and Women at Camp South Mountain is a desert oasis in the heart of Phoenix featuring two pools, an archery and slingshot range, a field for sports and games and the recent additions of a climbing tower, bouldering wall and zip line.

“Our desire to improve girls’ access to the outdoors goes far beyond a Girl Scout tradition and brand promise—it is a social justice issue. GSACPC serves girls from every economic, racial, ethnic, and religious background, and girls of all abilities. Half of our current members come from households with incomes below $68,000 for a family of four, falling below the self-sufficiency line,” says Mary Mitchell, co-CEO of GSACPC. “As an organization founded on inclusivity, we want to use our programs to help girls have outdoor experiences, especially those who might not otherwise have the opportunity to spend time in nature.

“Nature has a way of centering and easing the mind. For me, this happens on the golf course; for others, it happens on the hiking trail,” said Bob Parsons, co-founder of The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. “By making campsites available year-round, Girl Scouts—Arizona Cactus-Pine is ensuring girls from all backgrounds have greater access to Arizona’s beautiful outdoors, along with its many benefits.”

This donation comes as The Bob & Renee Parsons Leadership Center for Girls and Women at Camp South Mountain celebrates its five-year anniversary. Opened in 2017, The Bob & Renee Parsons Leadership Center for Girls and Women is an $18 million year-round urban program center with camp appeal, and fully ADA accessible. The decision to transform the then-70-year-old camp, which is located on 14.5 acres in the South Mountain community at 1611 E. Dobbins Road in Phoenix, into a leadership center emerged from GSACPC’s decision to expand its capacity to serve more girls, especially underserved populations, and better serve its existing members, of whom 85% live in the metro-Phoenix area. The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation made a donation of $5 million – the largest in the history of Girl Scouts of the USA at the time – during GSACPC’s Campaign for Girls in Arizona to help make the center a reality.

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley, Terros Health Team Up With Public and Private Partners to Provide Free Behavioral Health Services to Valley Youth.

Whole Child Approach Program To Alleviate Pandemic-Induced Social and Emotional Stress

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley and Terros Health will provide free behavioral health services to youth at a time when they need it most, thanks to a collaboration between the Arizona Department of Education and three Arizona-based private foundations – The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation, the Diane & Bruce Halle Foundation, and Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust.

The “Whole Child Approach” Program will help alleviate social and emotional stress among children and teens between the ages of 5-18 in Boys & Girls Clubs in Maricopa and Pinal counties who have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.

“Our Club members face so many barriers to accessing much-needed behavioral health services including transportation, financial and cultural stigma challenges. Bringing these services right into the Clubs, where we can use proven prevention and intervention services, will help thousands of youth who need it most,” said Marcia Mintz, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley.

Mintz said the three-year pilot program will serve youth in primarily under-represented communities, as well as students at risk for involvement in the juvenile justice system or with an incarcerated parent. Additional emphasis will be placed on those under the supervision of the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) and families experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness.

The Whole Child Approach program is made possible through a visionary public-private partnership led by the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley. The $9 million total program cost is being partially funded by a $3 million grant from the Arizona Department of Education as part of the American Rescue Plan. The additional $6 million will come from investments from the three philanthropic foundations.

“The Arizona Department of Education is proud to partner with Boys & Girls Club of the Valley on this innovative public-private behavioral health partnership,” said Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman. “We know helping our state’s students recover from the pandemic will take a whole-community effort, one that Boys & Girls Clubs are well-prepared to support. Organizations like Boys & Girls Club and their philanthropic partners are deeply embedded and trusted in the communities they serve, making them excellent partners in our state’s recovery efforts,” Kathy Hoffman, Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction, Arizona Department of Education.

“Bringing together funders from the State and local foundations at this scale is nearly unprecedented,” said Mintz of the partnership, “and a testament to our partners’ enduring commitment to youth in our community.” This program builds on the success of another pilot partnership with Bayless Health, funded by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona and Chandler Compadres. The effect of having Wellness Coaches in the Clubs improved Club climate, staff morale and safety, and had a positive impact on youth and teens. This expanded program will bring true behavioral health into Clubs daily.

Beginning this fall, Terros Health will embed behavioral health coaches into 10 of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley’s clubs. Each year, the program will expand until it’s running in all 30 Clubs. Terros staff members will work to assess the mental and physical health of children and youth. This will be accomplished through interaction with their peers, age-appropriate games, and other activities that promote recovery and teach youth developmental skills that reinforce their success in school, work and life using evidence-based Social Emotional Learning (SEL) curricula.

“This is a way to identify the challenges our kids are experiencing without judgment or stigma,” said Dr. Karen Tepper, president and CEO of Terros Health. The behavioral health specialists will use a variety of therapeutic interventions, including mindfulness activities to help kids manage their emotions, along with art therapy and life skills training. The team will recommend additional treatment for youth, as needed. “The idea is to fill in the gaps for mental health services and improve access to treatment.”

“Renee and I believe that breaking down barriers and helping change the conversation around mental health is absolutely essential,” said Bob Parsons, co-founder of The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. “Today, kids need hope and an easier way to access help. That’s why this Boys & Girls Club program, which brings care directly to kids through everyday activities, is a game-changer.”

The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation stepped up first as a partner for this large-scale mental health program. Reaching youth and teens in a familiar setting, without taking them from school or putting them in a clinical setting, is one unique aspect of the Whole Child Approach.

“Mental illness is unrelenting, deceptive, and convincing. Our youth are fraught and it is absolutely imperative that we come together as a community to support and strengthen their mental health and well-being,” said Mary Jane Rynd, president and CEO of Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust. “The lasting effects of childhood trauma and adverse childhood experiences not only impact mental and physical health, but also educational outcomes, economic stability, and generational health and welfare. This comprehensive partnership between Boys and Girls Clubs of the Valley and Terros Health is exactly the type of ‘meet them where they are’ approach that must be implemented with urgency.”

Tom Egan, Executive Director of the Diane & Bruce Halle Foundation explained their investment, “The Diane & Bruce Halle Foundation focuses on addressing the imperatives around education and health services. We are proud to invest in this important public-private partnership, especially at a time when we know that so many young people are struggling with mental health challenges. Providing easier access to services on a regular basis will improve the climate of Clubs and the outcomes for youth who, in the past, would not have had access to these needed services.”

Nationally and locally, there has been a surge in depression, anxiety, substance use, and thoughts of suicide among youth. The problem became so acute that the U.S. Surgeon General issued a rare public health advisory last December.

In its 2021 State of Mental Health in America report, Mental Health America noted that youth between the ages of 11 and 17 were more likely than any other age group to experience moderate to severe symptoms of anxiety and depression. The report also found that nationwide, 60% of youth with depression do not receive mental health treatment, even in states with the greatest access to care.

Arizona ranks nearly last (49^th) in the nation for high prevalence of mental illness and a severe lack of access to behavioral health care for youth.

In addition:

Arizona ranks fourth in the nation in the school dropout rate, based on data from the U.S. Department of Education.

Based on the Arizona Department of Health Services’ 2021 Adverse Childhood Experiences in Arizona report, Arizona had a higher prevalence of ACEs in all nine ACEs assessed in the National Survey on Children’s Health (NSCH) compared to the national prevalence. Arizona children on average have higher ACE scores than the national average with 21.9% of Arizona children having experienced two or more ACEs. The national average is 18.6%.

One in three Arizona households has experienced food insecurity since the pandemic began, according to an Arizona State University study in 2020.

Arizona lags the rest of the nation in affordable housing. A 2020 point-in-time homeless count in Maricopa County revealed that 16% of the affected population were children between the ages of 0-17.

Child abuse calls in Arizona are up 10% compared to this time last year, according to the Arizona Department of Child Safety. The agency reported 22,265 cases of child abuse and neglect from January to June 2021, resulting in 14,461 placements into out-of-home care.

In tracking the nearly 13,000 youth between the ages of 5 and 18 served in 2020, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley found that 54% lived in a single-parent home, 56% participated in the National School Lunch Program to receive free or a reduced-cost meal, and 9% were either homeless or living in unsecure housing situations. Just over 10% of these families and youth reported experiencing mental health challenges but did not have private or other insurance to cover the cost of care.

“COVID-19 took a grave toll on our youth and their families,” Mintz said. “Our Whole Child Approach Program is designed with these individuals in mind – to help them on a path to total well-being.”

Rosie’s House Receives $300,000 from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation.

Grant to Support Organizational Growth and Create Three New Programs

Rosie’s House, the nation’s largest free music education program, has received a $300,000 grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. The gift will largely be used to create three new classes- Music Explorations, Digital Creativity and Percussion Ensemble. Through its music education and mentorship, Rosie’s House students gain valuable life skills such as public performance and speaking, time management, leadership and teamwork.

“Much of what children learn about themselves and the world around them happens outside the academic classroom,” said PXG Founder and CEO Bob Parsons. “Through music, Rosie’s House is teaching children discipline and persistence, skills that they will carry throughout their lives.”

With 90% of a child’s brain developing by age 5, early childhood music programs have been proven to increase critical learning skills, language acquisition, pattern recognition, physical coordination, and memory. This early development results in greater success in kindergarten and beyond. The Rosie’s House new, bilingual Music Explorations Program will grow to serve approximately 40 children, ages 4-6, along with their parents/caregivers.

The Digital Creativity Center will open in fall 2022 with eighteen state-of-the-art computer workstations and a robust schedule of classes that utilize leading-edge technology in digital music. Classes will include music composition, audio engineering and recording for students in 4^th grade through high school. Through this digital music curriculum, students develop critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, pro-social behavior, and technical expertise. Technical skills in this industry represent a pathway to high-wage jobs and inspire the curiosity and imagination of participants.

With a full roster of classes in a variety of instruments, Rosie’s House is now adding two Percussion Ensembles to its curriculum. Able to serve 40 students at a time, the Rosie’s House Percussion program is designed for youth development, emphasizing collaboration, teamwork, and the importance of rhythm in traditional and multicultural drumming. Drumming is an interactive and dynamic process that teaches students how to pay attention, control their impulses and gain decision-making skills.

“In response to a community need, we knew we wanted to expand our curriculum to include these key areas, and we began experimenting with pilot classes and testing different teaching methods,” says Becky Bell Ballard, CEO, Rosie’s House. “Now, because of this generous gift from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation, these essential learning areas will be a permanent part of our annual programs at Rosie’s House.”

Rosie’s House uses music to give low-income students a sense of purpose, accomplishment, and the ability to make college a reality. Extensive mentoring is also offered to first generation college students and their parents, who are often unfamiliar with confusing application and scholarship processes. Rosie’s House programs offer realistic hope for a better future to students and their families. Ninety-seven percent of Rosie’s House graduates break the cycle of multigenerational poverty by achieving their college and career goals.

“Music has the power to teach us so much about life and ourselves. It can move us, motivate us and spark creativity,” said President and Executive Creative Director of PXG Apparel Renee Parsons. “Rosie’s House is offering all of this and more to students who otherwise would not have access to the opportunities music education affords.”

To learn more, visit RosiesHouse.org or follow @rosieshousemusic on Instagram.

$250,000 Donation to Armed Services YMCA Camp Pendleton Providing Support Services to Active-duty Military Families.

The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation provided a $250,000 general operating grant to the Armed Services YMCA Camp Pendleton to support programs and services provided to active-duty service members and their families. The Armed Services YMCA Camp Pendleton has been serving the unique needs of Marines, Sailors and their families stationed at Camp Pendleton and surrounding areas since 1943. Over the past 79 years, the goal has always been to provide innovative, interactive programs and services that support the educational, emotional and financial needs of service members, their spouses and their children – all who sacrifice so much for us and our country.

Military life is unique, and for service members and their families, it can also be challenging. Many factors, such as high out-of-pocket expenses (housing, gas, and recent inflation on other goods and services) and high rates of spousal underemployment/unemployment are some of the reasons why many military families are struggling to make ends meet. Armed Services YMCA programs are uniquely tailored to address the challenges of military life. Programs and services including childcare, scholarships, emergency food and gas assistance are designed to support educational, emotional, and financial needs of military families and are provided at little to no cost.

“The incredible sacrifice made by military families every day deserves our attention and unwavering support,” said Renee Parsons, co-founder of The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. “From basic needs to emotional support, Armed Services YMCA Camp Pendleton is there for military families.”

The recent pandemic and economic hardships have exacerbated the struggles military families already face. Armed Services YMCA Camp Pendleton offered much-needed stress relief to our Marines & Sailors through recreation and respite programs at our School of Infantry Recreation Center. Short-term emergency financial support was available to families through our Temporary Emergency Assistance Program (TEAP), as well as food, diapers and other essential goods through our monthly Neighborhood Exchange Program. Programs such as Fisher Children’s Center, Operation Hero and Camp Hero offered childcare during the school year and over the summer and Operation Little Learners engaged in early learning readiness. Operation Kid Comfort continues to provide quilts to children with parents who are deployed.

“Military families carry many stressors. Finding quality childcare or having enough food to feed their families should not be one of them,” said Laura Mitchell, Executive Director of The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. “Armed Services YMCA Camp Pendleton is removing barriers to make sure military families are resilient and mission ready.”

The Armed Services YMCA Camp Pendleton also offers a variety of events each year to help support military families and single service members. Most programs and events are supported with the help of volunteers. Events include: the annual Father Daughter Dance, Mother Son Dance, Ball Gown Giveaway, Secret Santa/Santa’s Workshop and Concrete Beach.

“Receiving support from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation has been instrumental in meeting our mission of strengthening military families. Thanks to this incredible gift, we can continue to provide resources that foster resiliency among our service members, military spouses, and their children, allowing them to weather whatever storm may come,” said Samantha Holt, Executive Director.

Armed Services YMCA Camp Pendleton programs and services allow service members to be mission ready. Strong military families. Strong community. Strong nation. Learn more at http://www.asymca.org/camp-pendleton-home.

Make Way for Books is awarded $500,000 grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation to create critical early literacy and learning opportunities for children.

The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation awarded a generous $500,000 grant to Make Way for Books to expand their proven early literacy programming in Maricopa County and impact up to 3,000 young children and families over the next three years.

Only 33% percent of 3- and 4-year-olds in Maricopa County are enrolled in preschool. Missed early literacy and learning opportunities are connected to literacy struggles at kindergarten entry, and many children do not catch up. Last year, only 35% of third-graders in Arizona scored proficient or highly-proficient on standardized English Language Arts Assessments.

Support from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation will expand Make Way for Books’ Story School program to bring early literacy and learning opportunities, as well as high-quality books and literacy resources to thousands of children and families without access to these tools in the past.

“Growing up in inner city Baltimore, my family had very little. Books were a way for me to both escape and explore,” said Founder and CEO of PXG Bob Parsons. “By starting early and providing age-appropriate resources, Make Way for Books allows kids to master reading, opening up a world of opportunity.”

Make Way for Books’ Story School program is a two-generation model, meaning young children (ages birth to 5) and parents learn together and build skills. Through this bilingual (English/Spanish) program, children and families gather with highly-experienced Family Literacy Specialists each week. Children will experience shared reading and literacy activities that build essential skills while parents gain skills and confidence to support their children’s early development. Each family enrolled in the program receives a home library filled with 20 books to be used throughout the program. This library is tied to innovative literacy resources, including the Make Way for Books App where participants can access e-books and activities anytime, anywhere. The Story School program meets families where there are in the community by partnering with neighborhood schools, food banks, community farms, resource centers, and even providing online programming to meet the diverse needs of participating families.

According to Jenny Volpe, CEO at Make Way for Books, “Through Story School, we ensure thousands of young children have necessary early experiences with books and literacy from an early age, setting the stage for school readiness and success in reading in the future. Thanks to this generous grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation, we are thrilled to be able to further expand this innovative and collaborative program and bring our Story School program to more children and families at a larger scale.”

Make Way for Books’ programming encourages children and families to learn together each week through an ongoing early literacy series that builds children’s early literacy and language skills, including vocabulary and comprehension, which are correlated with successful reading in later years. With guidance from Family Literacy Specialists, parents and families support this learning by reading effectively with their children, including asking open-ended questions, prompting children to make predictions and observations, and using descriptive vocabulary. As a result of the program, last year 98% of children gained emergent literacy and language skills that are the building blocks for future reading.

“Parents and caregivers are a child’s first teacher,” said President & Executive Creative Director of PXG Apparel Renee Parsons. “Make Way for Books provides the right tools to families now, ensuring that children can succeed in school tomorrow.”

The COVID-19 Pandemic exacerbated learning loss over the past two years. In fact, the percentage of students on track to read at grade-level dropped by more than half compared to the previous year. This funding comes at a critical time and strengthens Make Way for Books’ ability to ensure underserved young children have the early literacy and learning opportunities they deserve. Support from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation will make those opportunities possible for thousands of Arizona’s youngest learners. Learn more about Make Way for Books at makewayforbooks.org.

Mount Sinai’s Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research Announces their Inaugural Postgraduate Research Fellows.

Funding from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation enables training a diverse group of therapists to hone their expertise in treating trauma and PTSD with psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy

The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research at Mount Sinai today announced Lauren Lepow, MD, and Tamar Glatman Zaretsky, PsyD, as their inaugural Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation fellows. This postgraduate fellowship program, the first of its kind to specifically focus on how psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy may assist trauma survivors, including those with PTSD, was made possible as part of a $5M charitable contribution from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation.

PTSD is highly prevalent in our society, affecting 10-15 percent of trauma survivors. Among combat veterans, rates are even higher, with estimates ranging from 20-40 percent. Although treatments for PTSD exist, it is a notoriously intractable condition; many patients remain symptomatic even after completing several courses of therapy. A recent phase 3 clinical trial sponsored by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelics Studies (MAPS) demonstrated significant benefits from MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for treatment-resistant PTSD, showing that it promotes symptom reduction, and in some cases, so much so that patients no longer meet the criteria for PTSD diagnosis.

“Psychedelic-assisted therapy as a potential cure for PTSD is, hands down, one of the most promising mental healthcare advancements of our time,” said Bob Parsons, United States Marine Corps Vietnam War veteran, Purple Heart recipient and Founder and CEO of PXG. “With millions of people suffering the effects of trauma and post-traumatic stress, advancing the science of psychedelic-assisted therapy is critical.”

Through this new fellowship program, Dr. Lepow will use natural language processing to better understand how the trauma narrative changes in response to psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, with MDMA or psilocybin. Dr. Glatman Zaretsky will study psychological and biological predictors of treatment outcomes with psychedelics. Together, Drs. Lepow and Glatman Zaretsky will also be the lead therapists for a Phase 2 psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy trial for PTSD. Their work will contribute to expanded understanding of how these treatments work in trauma survivors.

“Our aim at the Center for Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy and Trauma Research is to generate the knowledge and train the next generation of therapists and scientists that will allow us to safely use psychedelic therapy in the treatment of trauma-related conditions like PTSD,” said Rachel Yehuda, PhD, Director of the Center. “The gift from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation enables us to foster the growth of dedicated scientists and clinical researchers into content specialists in psychedelic therapy. This is critically needed in the field of psychiatry.”

Dr. Lepow is entering her sixth year of the NIH-sponsored Psychiatry Residency Research Track, which is a residency plus PhD program at Mount Sinai. She received her BA in Neuroscience and Behavior from Columbia University and her MD from the University of Texas Health Science Center. Her previous experience both in conducting biological research and as a clinician makes her ideally suited for translational work in psychedelic psychotherapy. Dr. Lepow’s neuroscience PhD work at the Mount Sinai Clinical Intelligence Center is in natural language processing and trauma. She has additionally completed several training programs in psychoanalysis. As part of her fellowship program, Dr. Lepow plans to use cutting-edge tools of data science to investigate the intersection of the psychotherapeutic and neurobiological mechanisms of psychedelic psychotherapy.

Tamar Glatman Zaretsky received her PsyD. from Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology at Yeshiva University, and is currently completing her postdoctoral fellowship at the Division of Traumatic Stress Studies at Mount Sinai and the James J Peters VA Medical Center. Her doctoral research explored trauma, resilience, and emotion regulation with a specific focus on the connection between gonadal hormones and PTSD symptom development. She completed her predoctoral internship at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center, conducting individual and group psychotherapy with veterans and gaining specialized training in trauma-focused treatments through her years-long rotation in the PTSD clinic. Dr. Glatman Zaretsky initially learned about psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy in this clinic, which inspired her to pursue postdoctoral training that would allow her to engage in research related to such treatments. Dr. Glatman Zaretsky plans to perform and research these therapies in the VA system while performing the critical studies needed to understand biological mechanisms of action.

Mount Sinai Health System researchers are at the forefront of uncovering the biological causes of many psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. In developing its training and supervision program, the Center is working closely with MAPS, which is providing clinical supervision and certification of therapists who complete all aspects of the training.

“Mount Sinai is an outstanding leader and innovator in trauma research and psychedelic-assisted therapy,” said Renee Parsons, President and Executive Creative Director of PXG Apparel. “Offering fellowship opportunities within the Center is an opportune way to attract the best minds to the promising field of psychedelics. I’m delighted that two exceptional women have risen to the top as the inaugural Parsons fellows.”

Homeless Youth Connection Receives $250,000 Grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation.

Homeless Youth Connection (HYC) has received a $250,000 grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. The funding will directly support the organization’s Empowering Youth For The Future (EYFTF) Program, a comprehensive social services initiative that provides homeless youth, ages 13 to 21, with the basic resources to stay in school, complete their education and plan for post-secondary success.

“School is hard enough, and without a roof over your head or food on the table, it’s nearly impossible to focus on your education,” said PXG Founder and CEO Bob Parsons. “Homeless Youth Connection is ensuring no student is left carrying this weight alone.”

Statistically, more than 87 percent of homeless youth drop out of high school. These students are at a significantly higher risk of experiencing poverty, unemployment, chronic homelessness and poor health. One of HYC’s top preventative measures, the EYFTF Program, works to intervene before homeless youth drop out by providing assistance with academics, health, housing, hygiene, employment and independent living to enable success.

“We are incredibly grateful to The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation for their generosity and support of HYC youth. This funding will provide youth experiencing homelessness with the resources and the support to stay in school, graduate and create lasting solutions for a sustainable future,” said HYC Chief Executive Officer Dawn Bogart.

Through the EYFTF program, each student is paired with a Youth Coach to identify their strengths and goals and establish a personalized action plan to attain those goals. The highly interactive program allows Youth Coaches to connect with students weekly, both virtually and in-person to discuss their progress. This approach helps students identify and achieve a series of short-term goals that ultimately lead to high school graduation and self-sufficiency. Through this authentic engagement, youth develop a sense of safety, structure, belonging, self-worth and social contribution.

Integral to the EYFTF program, HYC has cultivated relationships with host families to provide stable housing, food, transportation and all-around, at-home care and support through the student’s academic journey. This initiative allows each HYC youth to build stronger relationships and interpersonal skills, experience stability in their home life and learn positive life skills that lead to full independence.

“Homeless Youth Connection intervenes in the lives of students experiencing homelessness before they drop out of school, before they give up on their dreams for the future,” said President & Executive Creative Director of PXG Apparel Renee Parsons. “Working with local school districts and community partners, the organization provides students with renewed hope and the tools they need to graduate.”

Along with academic support and housing, HYC offers employment, career development and financial literacy services. The nonprofit currently serves more than 600 students in Maricopa County annually and has experienced tremendous growth in the past year: expanding to serve 13 school districts, including one in the City of Flagstaff, and partnering with 130 high schools to deliver case management resources, school supplies, clothing, hygiene products and more.

The recent grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation will support the organization’s rapid growth and ensure HYC has resources to help youth experiencing homelessness complete their education and have a chance at a healthy, successful future. To learn more about HYC, and its mission, visit https://hycaz.org/.