Hushabye Nursery Receives $800,000 Grant From The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation To Provide Care to Opioid-Exposed Newborns And Their Families.

The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation awarded an $800,000 grant to Hushabye Nursery – a nonprofit providing specialized care to opioid-exposed newborns and their families – to help establish a permanent facility to treat infants suffering from withdrawal symptoms. Hushabye Nursery will be the first medical center of this type in Arizona, and the third in the entire country. The facility, located at 3003 E. McDowell Road, Phoenix, is scheduled to open in September 2020. The newly renovated space will include a dozen private rooms for babies and their caregivers, a nursing station, consultation space, and outpatient therapy areas. Once complete, the nursery will serve more than 100 babies and their families each year.

“Opioid use disorder is a chronic illness – a brain disease. We intend to disrupt a system that often separates families due to a lack of appropriate and effective treatments. These families need a collaborative recovery process to be successful and the babies have a much better outlook if we can keep them in their biological home,” said Tara Sundem, Hushabye Nursery executive director and founder. “Because of people like Bob and Renee Parsons, we can continue to care for these innocent children and provide vital support for their families as well.”

The number of children diagnosed with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) has grown by more than 200 percent since 2008. Hushabye Nursery was founded by two neonatal nurse practitioners in response to the alarming increase in the number of babies they saw in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) who were suffering drug-related withdrawal symptoms. They also witnessed the intense family trauma caused when NAS babies were taken from their parents, often without explanation or notice, and by newly sober mothers facing difficult DCS situations and court battles.

“It is heartbreaking that so many babies are born into the world experiencing pain and suffering because of the opioid epidemic sweeping our country,” said businesswoman Renee Parsons. “Hushabye Nursery is filling a critical need by treating opioid use disorder in both infants and their mothers.”

Conventional healthcare facilities and training are not ideal for the complexity of caring for patients with opioid use disorder. Hushabye Nursery works to provide NAS infants with a quiet, therapeutic environment as they withdraw and offer ongoing behavioral health, recovery, and financial aid services to their families. Part of Hushabye Nursery’s outreach is connecting with pregnant women at methadone clinics, where they are starting the first phase of recovery. The goal is to empower these mothers through education and invite them to join the Hushabye Opioid Pregnancy Preparation and Empowerment (HOPPE) Program.

“Hushabye Nursery is providing two very important services – specialized care for opioid-exposed newborns and compassionate support for mothers in need,” said businessman Bob Parsons. “Both services work to build healthy families and improve the lives of some of the most vulnerable individuals in our community.”

Provider partners like Dignity Health, Southwest Human Development, Community Medical Services, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, and Maricopa Integrated Health Services will allow the organization to incorporate new practices into their care and improve health. To learn more about the organization or how to get involved, please visit the Hushabye Nursery website at www.hushabyenursery.org.

Psychedelic Research Fundraising Campaign Attracts $30 Million in Donations in 6 Months, Prepares MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy for FDA Approval.

Tim Ferriss, Mental Health Contributors Bring Psychedelic Research into the Mainstream; Fund Final Research Toward FDA Approval of MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy as Treatment for PTSD

Having raised $30 million in non-profit donations in less than six months, the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) and the Psychedelic Science Funders Collaborative (PSFC) today announced the completion of the Capstone Campaign, a non-profit fundraising effort to fund the final research required to seek U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If successful, this would be the first-ever psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy to earn approval from the FDA.

Bolstered by multiple $1M+ donations from contributors focused on innovative approaches to mental health, and a challenge grant spearheaded by influential author and podcaster Tim Ferriss, the remarkable success of the Capstone Campaign illustrates the rapid mainstreaming of psychedelic research and fundraising.

The Capstone Campaign provides the funds needed for MAPS to complete Phase 3 clinical trials in the U.S., Canada, and Israel, and seek FDA approval for MDMA-assisted psychotherapy as a treatment for PTSD. Interim analysis of the MAPS-sponsored Phase 3 trials indicates a very high likelihood that MDMA-assisted psychotherapy will prove effective in treating PTSD for many sufferers.

“Winning FDA approval of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD could ultimately help millions of people, and that alone is a world-changing impact,” said Joe Green, social entrepreneur and co-founder of PSFC, which has partnered with MAPS on the Capstone Campaign and helped recruit donors. “We also believe this could be a tipping point for psychedelic medicine overall, leading to a mainstream understanding that psychedelic therapy has the potential to help treat many of the defining mental health crises of our time.”

MAPS has a decades-long history of research and education around the beneficial potential of psychedelic medicine. MAPS Public Benefit Corporation (MAPS PBC), a wholly owned subsidiary of MAPS, has been conducting MAPS-sponsored clinical trials of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy since 2014.

PSFC is the leading community of philanthropists funding psychedelic research. As an organization, PSFC identifies and assesses funding opportunities for its members, provides ongoing support for its funding partners, and facilitates relationships and education about psychedelic research within the philanthropic community. Following a significant diligence process, PSFC chose MAPS’ MDMA research as its top funding priority for 2020, inspiring a sense of confidence and urgency in potential donors.

Healing Trauma Brings Mainstream Donors to Psychedelics

The Capstone Campaign has drawn more than 2,500 individual contributions, ranging from one dollar up to $5 million. Donors came from a wide variety of backgrounds, industries, and motivations, but several of the leading contributors were driven by a personal connection to the challenges of overcoming traumatic experiences.

Bob Parsons, founder of GoDaddy and PXG, and his wife Renee Parsons, President and Creative Director of PXG Apparel, gave the final $2 million that closed the campaign. Parsons is a Marine Corps Vietnam War veteran who personally has and continues to battle PTSD. The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation has focused a large portion of its giving on support of veterans and their families.

“Psychedelic research has been thought of as ‘fringe’ for a long time. But there’s nothing ‘fringe’ about PTSD,” said Parsons. “There are millions of people with PTSD in the U.S. alone, and that includes veterans like me, first-responders like those on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, and survivors of sexual assault and domestic abuse. All of them deserve better, significantly more effective treatment options than we give them today. That’s what this research is about.”

Alan Fournier, founder of Pennant Investors, contributed $1 million from The Fournier Family Foundation in honor of his father, who served as an infantryman during World War II, including brutal front-line combat during the Battle of the Bulge. Fournier’s father struggled with undiagnosed PTSD for much of his life thereafter, including periods of institutionalization and a misdiagnosis of schizophrenia.

The Steven and Alexandra Cohen Foundation contributed a $5 million grant, in line with the Foundation’s ongoing support for health and mental health initiatives, including those targeted for veterans and for underserved communities.

Cody Swift and Miriam Volat, co-directors of the RiverStyx Foundation, gave $1.67 million in support for MAPS over the last year, including $700,000 for the Capstone Campaign, as part of the foundation’s mission to explore and support innovative health and mental health treatments.

John Griffin, founder of Blue Ridge Capital, was inspired to give $1 million in part because of the experiences of his father as a tailgunner with the British Royal Air Force in World War II, and the impact that had on his life after the war.

George Sarlo, founder of Walden Venture Capital, gave $1 million in his latest contribution to psychedelic research. Sarlo is a Holocaust survivor who credits guided psychedelic experiences with helping him resolve that trauma from his childhood and has made substantial donations toward expanded research.

Tim Ferriss Throws Down a Gauntlet

The Capstone Campaign kicked off in March 2020 with $10 million raised via an “inside round” with a small group of PSFC members, several of whom also serve on the MAPS Board of Directors. The campaign shifted into high gear in May, when PSFC, MAPS, and high-profile entrepreneur, author, and podcaster Tim Ferriss collaborated to launch the $10 million Capstone Challenge.

Ferriss and PSFC co-founder Joe Green recruited $10 million from philanthropic donors for a challenge grant that would only be unlocked if a matching $10 million could be raised by the Capstone team in 90 days. Ferriss himself committed the first $1 million of the challenge grant, and within a week was joined by the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Foundation ($5 million), James Bailey of Bail Capital ($1 million), John Griffin of Blue Ridge Capital ($1 million), Blake Mycoskie of TOMS Shoes ($1million), and Peter Rahal of RxBar ($1 million).

Ferriss announced the challenge while interviewing MAPS Founder Rick Doblin, Ph.D., on his influential podcast The Tim Ferriss Show, and he called on his listeners to help make the effort a success. The idea was a success, as small-dollar donations flooded in online and larger donors such as Parsons and Fournier were inspired by what they heard.

Other $1M+ donors included John Gilmore (Electronic Frontier Foundation), Antonio Gracias (Valor Equity Partners), Steve and Genevieve Jurvetson (Future Ventures and Fetcher), and Joby Pritzker (Tao Capital Management).

Making MDMA a Medicine

The fully funded Capstone Campaign will enable the completion of the Phase 3 clinical trials required to seek FDA approval of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD. The funds will also go towards commercialization costs, corresponding regulatory approvals from the Israeli Ministry of Health and Health Canada, and therapist training. 

Earlier this year, PSFC commissioned a third-party expert analysis of MAPS’ research, which concluded the likelihood of success for the trials was high. In May, MAPS announced an interim analysis of the first Phase 3 trial, which showed greater than 90% probability that the therapy will show a statistically significant effect in treating PTSD. This is the highest validation an interim analysis can provide, and it puts MAPS’ clinical trials on track to submit MDMA-assisted psychotherapy to the FDA for approval as soon as 2022.

“For decades, MDMA-assisted psychotherapy has only been available in research settings to a few of the millions of people around the globe who are suffering with PTSD,” said MAPS founder Doblin.“Completion of the Phase 3 trials, made possible by generous donors to the $30 million Capstone Campaign, is a crucial moment in the potential approval of what may soon be the first broadly legal psychedelic-assisted therapy — one that shows tremendous promise for an otherwise difficult-to-treat, devastating condition.”

Looking Ahead

With the promise of psychedelic medicine moving into the mainstream, the end of the Capstone Campaign is also a eginning for a blossoming field of research and funding opportunities. PSFC will continue to partner with MAPS on the next priorities in its MDMA-assisted psychotherapy program, including scaling up therapist training, helping fund access for patients, and expanding the program globally.

Other upcoming priorities for PSFC include:

development of psychedelic training and research centers at universities and medical institutions
drug and therapy development for other psychedelic products
funding research trials focused on specific communities of need
ensuring patients have access to treatments, regardless of their ability to pay

“As the Capstone Campaign shows, interest in supporting psychedelic research is quickly crossing over into mainstream philanthropy,” said PSFC’s Green. “We’ve watched our community of donors expand as more and more people understand the potential for this medicine to reshape the way we treat mental health. It’s the kind of societal impact philanthropists dream about, and we’re standing right here on the brink of it.”

The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation continues support of Circle the City.

Circle the City was awarded a $250,000 grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation to fund general operating expenses for its multiple medical facilities and mobile clinics. The community health organization is dedicated to providing high quality, holistic healthcare to people experiencing homelessness in Maricopa County. This year, Circle the City will care for roughly 7,000 homeless patients who are either living with acute conditions or need ongoing medical care to recover after being discharged from the hospital.

“People facing homelessness are too often overlooked by traditional healthcare. Emergency needs are addressed in a hospital, but they are left without the resources to fully recover,” said businessman Bob Parsons. “Circle the City is providing its patients with a safe place for continued care and complete healing.”

Circle the City works under the philosophy that if people are given the time and place to recover their health, they are able to recover their lives. In addition to medical services, the organization addresses things like chronic disease management, mental healthcare, substance abuse intervention and physical therapy. Additionally, measures are taken to ensure patients are successfully discharged to safe living environments and case managers work diligently to help them apply for benefits and find appropriate housing.

“There has been a steady rise in homelessness and widening gap in available resources to meet the complex healthcare needs of this population,” said CEO of Circle the City Linda Ross. “Because of the generosity of Bob and Renee Parsons, and their belief in our organization, we can continue to serve our community’s most vulnerable where they are, with dignity and compassion.”

The $250,000 grant is the latest gesture of support from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation, which has a record of backing Circle the City’s efforts to fill critical gaps in healthcare for individuals experiencing homelessness. A gift in 2015 largely funded the construction and launch of The Parsons Family Health Center, an innovative family health clinic that provides primary care, integrative behavioral health services, case management and substance use intervention to homeless individuals. This recent grant brings the Foundation’s cumulative support of Circle the City to $3,250,000.

“Circle the City has been nationally recognized for its work in providing high-quality healthcare to people facing homelessness,” said business woman Renee Parsons. “But just as important, they treat their patients with respect and kindness. Something many of them have not experienced in quite some time.”

Circle the City’s Medical Respite Centers have been recognized as one of the leading programs of its kind in the United States and have served as a model for dozens of other emerging programs across the nation. More than excellent healthcare, the organization provides patients with a path out of homelessness with integrative outpatient behavioral health and substance abuse services as well as housing placement assistance. This recent grant also will enable Circle the City to improve patient satisfaction while simultaneously modernizing scheduling, increasing staff engagement and enhancing its culture of patient-centered care. To learn more, visit circlethecity.org.

Brighter Way Institute Receives $900,000 Grant From The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation.

Dental care nonprofit, Brighter Way Institute, has been awarded a $900,000 multi-year grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. The Arizona-based organization is dedicated to transforming lives by improving the oral health of economically disadvantaged and significantly underserved individuals in its community. The grant will allow Brighter Way to expand the reach of its Mobile Dental Unit and support the four dental centers operating in the greater Phoenix area.

“Far from a luxury, proper dental care plays a major role in a person’s well being,” said businesswoman Renee Parsons. “The work of Brighter Way Institute is relieving pain, improving health, increasing self-confidence and restoring employability among our community’s most vulnerable populations.”

Brighter Way patients are most often uninsured or under insured, live at or below the national poverty level and deal with a variety of social and health disparities. Many of them present with extreme and complicated oral health disease. Dental decay can lead to chronic respiratory infections, poor academic or work performance and social isolation. These conditions often have devastating consequences throughout a person’s life.

“The gift from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation will enable us to expand our services to reach even more people in need,” said Brighter Way Institute’s Founder and CEO Kris Volcheck, DDS. “Our patients include children who may have never been to a dentist, older youth, adults, veterans and seniors. Many of whom face homelessness or poverty and have not had access to oral healthcare for several years.”

A reported 30 percent of Arizona (1.3 million individuals) has limited access to dental care. By utilizing an innovative model that incorporates staff and volunteer dentists and local dental educational institutions – engaging both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors – Brighter Way is significantly addressing the growing needs and health inequities among the poor and homeless in Maricopa County.

“Brighter Way Institute is doing a whole lot more than giving people a nice smile or straight teeth,” said entrepreneur Bob Parsons. “Proper dental care is critical for maintaining overall health and improving long-term outcomes for people in marginalized communities.” Brighter Way provides a complete range of oral healthcare services from general preventive care (exams, x-rays, cleanings, sealants, fillings) to complex restoration (root canals, extractions, dentures, crowns and implants). In 2018, Brighter Way provided more than 95,200 oral health services and served 11,200 individual patients in roughly 35,500 visits. To learn more, visit brighterwaydental.org.

Renee Parsons Talks Cookies and Empowering Young Women.

AZBigMedia: Have you stopped to think what it means to buy a box of Girl Scout Cookies? Or what the girls learn through this process? Renee Parsons breaks it down for you.

The Semper Fi Fund and The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation Raise More Than $20 Million In Annual “Double Down for Veterans” Campaign.

The Semper Fi Fund and America’s Fund (the Fund) officially announced its annual Double Down for Veterans campaign raised more than $20 million – including a $10 million matching contribution from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. This achievement marks the eighth consecutive year the Foundation matched donations to the annual campaign, and, to date, Double Down for Veterans has raised more than $116 million.

“The brave men and women who serve in the United States Military, and their families, make incredible sacrifices for our country,” said businessman and Marine Corps Vietnam War Veteran Bob Parsons. “But sometimes, they need our help. That’s when Semper Fi Fund steps in.”

The Fund works to provide immediate financial assistance and lifetime support to combat-wounded, critically ill and catastrophically injured members of all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families. Its programming falls under three main categories: Service Member and Family Support, Integrative Wellness and Transition. Services can include anything from financial aid and meeting adaptive housing needs to PTSD counseling and job training.

“One of the things that makes Semper Fi Fund so special is that it is managed by military spouses and veterans,” said businesswoman Renee Parsons. “Fund staff members have been in the trenches and deeply understand the physical, practical and emotional needs of those impacted by war. When a veteran or service member is facing their darkest hour, the Fund is there to answer the call.”

The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation is a longtime supporter of the Fund and this year, PXG (Parsons Xtreme Golf) kicked off the campaign with a $50,000 donation. One of Parsons’ 16 companies, PXG leverages breakthrough technology and sophisticated manufacturing processes that integrate high-performance alloys to produce some of the finest golf clubs in the world.

“We are deeply grateful to Bob and Renee Parsons for their amazing partnership in our mission to support those who have preserved our freedom,” said Semper Fi Fund President, CEO, and Founder Karen Guenther. “The positive impact the annual Double Down for Veterans campaign has on our nation’s service members and their families is immeasurable.”

The Fund is one of only two veteran-serving nonprofits to receive an A+ from Charity Watch and was awarded the 2019 Platinum Seal of Transparency from Guide Star. It has also held a 4/4-star rating from Charity Navigator for the past nine years – something achieved by only three percent of rated charities. Additional information about the Semper Fi Fund can be found at the organization’s website: SemperFiFund.org.

$5 Million Grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation will Allow Hundreds of Full-Time Students to Complete their Bachelor’s Degrees.

The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation will fund scholarships for hundreds of full-time University of Baltimore students who transfer to UB primarily from community colleges, including current or former members of the military. These need-based scholarships, totaling up to $5 million over five years, will help students close the financial gap between their Federal Pell Grants and the cost of tuition and fees for their final two years of undergraduate education.

Bob Parsons – a Baltimore native, UB alumni and Marine Corps Vietnam War Veteran – has been a strong supporter of his alma matter and The Bob Parsons Scholarship Fund is the single largest donation to a scholarship program in the history of the University of Baltimore. This recent gift brings Parsons’ total support to the university to more than $7,000,000 since 2013.

“A college degree is a game changer. It opens the door to more career opportunities, higher paying jobs and a happier life,” said Parsons. “I’m establishing this scholarship fund to help low-income students acquire a first class college education and build a brighter future for themselves, their families and the city of Baltimore.”

UB is known as an institution with both high employment rates and robust salaries for its graduates. The Bob Parsons Scholarship Fund will significantly reduce the financial burden that many students experience as they begin their careers, degree in hand.

“The Bob Parsons Scholarship Fund is a huge investment in our students, and our university,” said UB President Kurt L. Schmoke. “For students to have a financial plan in hand as they work towards getting their diploma lifts a huge weight off their shoulders. These scholarships will be a breakthrough for many deserving students.”

Eligible students may qualify for a Bob Parsons Scholarship if they meet the following criteria:

Eligible for the Pell Grant (as determined by the FAFSA)
Enrolled full-time at the University of Baltimore (12+ credit hours)
Earning his/her first bachelor’s degree
Meet the requirements to qualify for Maryland in-state tuition rates
Transferring to UB having earned an associate degree, or transferring to UB with active-duty military, veterans, Maryland National Guard or reservists status, with any combination of 60+ college credits from a recognized, accredited institution

The scholarships will be available beginning in fall 2020. Learn more about The Bob Parsons Scholarship Fund. The University of Baltimore is a member of the University System of Maryland and comprises the College of Public Affairs, the Merrick School of Business, the UB School of Law and the Yale Gordon College of Arts and Sciences.

THE BIG BUYOUT!.

Watch Renee Parsons, Girl Scouts Cookie Boss, surprise local Girl Scouts as she buys out their entire cookie booth! Join her in supporting girls this cookie season.

Project Sanctuary Receives $1 Million Grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation.

Project Sanctuary – a nonprofit organization working to heal military and veteran families – received a $1million, multi-year grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. Understanding that one person’s military service can take a high toll on the entire family, Project Sanctuary is one of the only nonprofits serving veterans, spouses, caregivers and children as a family unit. The organization works to reconnect families, restore hope and change lives through free therapeutic retreats and long-term family support services.

Veterans and service members often struggle to transition back into civilian life after deployment and as a result can face critical issues such as unemployment, mental health struggles, financial instability, marital discord or volatile home lives. Project Sanctuary’s programing works to heal the traumatic effects of military service, treating each member of the family at their individual level of need.

“Too often military families are left fighting silent battles alone because they are ashamed of the struggles they face or simply don’t know where to turn for help,” said businessman and Marine Corps Veteran Bob Parsons. “Project Sanctuary is a game-changer for these families, providing hope and resources needed to overcome obstacles and restore a family’s connection.”

Project Sanctuary programs include:

Therapeutic sessions designed specifically for children and teens
Medical referrals to ensure veterans are properly diagnosed and receive long-term treatment when necessary
Educational programs focused on things like relationships and communication, how to live with PTSD, financial literacy and ongoing access to higher education opportunities
Homelessness prevention that provides emergency funds to prevent evictions and works with local resources to keep military families in their homes

“The families we serve have one very courageous thing in common, they are ready to take the first steps towards healing and create a better life for themselves and their children,” said Project Sanctuary CEO Heather Ehle. “Thanks to The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation, we will be able to expand programming and nearly double our capacity to reach even more families in need.”

Since 2017, Project Sanctuary has worked to bring hope and transformation to more than 2,600 families. With this additional funding, Project Sanctuary expects to serve 400 new families a year through its retreats and an additional 4,000 families with outreach programs, family support services and resource weekends.

“Military families face unique struggles both during times of deployment and once their loved ones return home,” said businesswoman Renee Parsons. “Project Sanctuary is helping service members and their families reconnect while learning how to live healthy and sustainable lives.” Project Sanctuary works to facilitate family and individual healing and provides long-term, comprehensive support to the people it serves. In addition to the retreats – which provide opportunities for reconnection, learning and healing – the organization offers ongoing counseling, job placement assistance and emergency financial aid. Currently, Project Sanctuary hosts therapeutic retreats in eight states across the country. Retreats are open to active duty service members and veterans of all branches of the military and all types of families, including single individuals and the LGBTQ+ community. To learn more, visit projectsanctuary.us.

The ASU Foundation Receives $937,000 Grant To Support Scholarship Program For “DREAMers”.

The ASU Foundation has been awarded a three-year, $937,000 grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation in support of 35 scholarships for students who are considered “DREAMers.” These students are young immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children and are allowed to remain in the country if they meet certain criteria. Because of their circumstances, DREAMers are unable to benefit from university or federal aid or work-study programs. Despite the fact that many of them have spent their entire lives in Arizona and have all graduated from local high schools, these students are also required to pay 50 percent more than the standard in-state tuition. The grant will provide tuition assistance to cover that extra cost and establish the Parsons Scholars program, which will include financial literacy training and ongoing academic coaching.

“By no fault of their own, DREAMers are starting their pursuit of higher education at a great disadvantage,” said businessman Bob Parsons.“America is a nation of immigrants, and it is our duty to step up and support those who are working hard to earn a better life for themselves and their families, no matter how they got here.”

Many of the Parsons Scholars come from low-income households and work full or part-time jobs to support themselves, and in many cases, their families. Most are first-generation college students and act as role models for their siblings and greater community. Tuition gap funding provided to the Parsons Scholars will mitigate the risk of a DREAMer leaving school due to financial hardships.

“ASU has long supported DREAMers, a position that is congruent with our unwavering commitment to providing access to all students who are qualified to attend the university, regardless of their background or circumstance,” said ASU President Michael M. Crow. “Bob and Renee Parsons’ support will help more deserving students have an opportunity to attend the university and enhance their opportunity for a successful future.”

The program is also designed to prepare students for long-term success and encourages co-curricular activities, such as internships, to provide students with the skills and connections needed to enter their chosen career field. A capstone trip to Washington, D.C. will more broadly connect the Parsons Scholars to public policy and empower them to enact change.

“It is our belief that everyone deserves access to quality education and DREAMers are no exception. In fact, they face more obstacles to obtaining a college degree than most of their peers,” said businesswoman Renee Parsons. “We are proud to support ASU’s commitment to making higher education a reality for all Arizona high school graduates.” The ASU Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization that raises and invests private contributions to the university. Through the ASU Foundation, generous donors help build and sustain Arizona State University’s students, faculty and research goals. To learn more, visit https://www.asufoundation.org.