The Association For Supportive Child Care Receives Substantial Grant From The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation To Help Prepare More Children For School.
The Association for Supportive Child Care (ASCC) has been awarded a $744,000 multi-year grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation to deliver its Play & Learn series across Maricopa County. The program provides training and support for non-licensed childcare providers – like neighborhood babysitters and family members – where 60 percent of children in Arizona spend their early and most formative years. Children in these settings often arrive at kindergarten less prepared and with a lower ability to be successful than children who attend traditional preschool programs.
“It’s an unfortunate reality that children living in poverty are less likely to receive the early learning experiences needed to prepare them for success in the school system,” said businesswoman Renee Parsons. “The work of ASCC is teaching families how to bring education into the home through everyday interactions.”
ASCC’s Play & Learn series aims to level the playing field by building confidence among parents and caregivers by showing them they already have what it takes to support their child’s development and school readiness. The program focuses on using daily activities and household items to promote critical learning and brain building opportunities.
“Education is a powerful tool in the fight against poverty,” said businessman Bob Parsons. “ASCC has created a unique way to deliver important early education to children in low-income communities.”
Play & Learn consists of 10 adult-child interactive sessions, led by professional educators, that create a space where families can learn together. Core topics of focus for each class include language and literacy, brain development, yoga, child development, nutrition and discipline practices. The sessions will be held in a classroom environment and anyone who cares for young children – be it parents, family members, friends or neighbors – are welcome to attend. The grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation will allow ASCC to bring Play & Learn programming to 200 adults and 400 children throughout Maricopa County.
“Early education is critically important to a child’s development and long-term success, yet too many children in Arizona enter kindergarten without baseline skill sets simply because their families lack access to adequate resources,” said ASCC CEO Nicole Newhouse. “The support from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation will allow us to expand our program and close the learning gap for economically disadvantaged children by increasing home education during early childhood.”
Following the Play & Learn series, some participants will have an opportunity to continue on to participate in the Language & Literacy Technical Assistance Project (LLTAP). According to research on early literacy, the foundations for successful reading and writing are built early in life and interventions in school may be too late to fully reduce the learning disparities. The LLTAP program includes two major components: five in-home coaching sessions which teach families how to support young children’s language and literacy development and to provide materials, equipment and supplies to build home libraries and reading corners. For additional information about the organization, please visit the Association for Supportive Child Care website at www.asccaz.org.
Hope For Haiti Gets Major Gift From GoDaddy Founder Ahead Of Earthquake Anniversary.
Miami Herald: When Haiti’s deadly earthquake hit on Jan. 12, 2010, Renee and Bob Parsons knew they wanted to help.
As The Country Recognizes The 10 Year Anniversary Of The 2010 Haiti Earthquake, Hope For Haiti Receives $3 Million Grant From The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation.
The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation has awarded a $3,085,000 multi-year grant in support of Hope for Haiti in response to the organization’s Haitian Solidarity Campaign. The campaign seeks to honor the people of Haiti and their resilience during a decade which saw the devastating impact of the 2010 Haiti earthquake, Hurricane Matthew and the most recent wave of political and civil unrest. Funds from the grant will be primarily focused on improving access to quality healthcare, medication and dental services in Southern Haiti.
“We became involved with Hope for Haiti when the earthquake hit 10 years ago and wanted to help. We did our research on organizations working in Haiti and chose them for their intimate knowledge of the country, their boots on the ground and their efficient use of resources to maximize every dollar for those in need,” said businesswoman Renee Parsons. “We’ve continued to partner with Hope for Haiti for all of these same reasons 10 years later. They are making a difference in the communities they serve and we’ve seen transformational change for the better over the last 10 years. We’re proud to work with Hope for Haiti on these important initiatives now, and into the future.”
Hope for Haiti’s medical programs include managing a free-standing clinic, training and staffing community healthcare workers,operating mobile clinics that extend its reach into rural areas and collaborating with partner agencies to distribute donated medical equipment, medication and medical supplies. In addition to providing direct primary care and underwriting the cost of surgeries, Hope for Haiti is also addressing an increase in chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and malnutrition through both medical intervention and community health education. The organization has also increased its focus on women’s health and services for girls in their partner communities in Southern Haiti.
“Hope for Haiti strives to provide the Haitian people with a pathway to a better life despite the numerous challenges that exist, such as the pronounced lack of medical care,” said Hope for Haiti CEO Skyler Badenoch. “The success of our mission relies on generous donors like The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation and thanks to this grant, thousands of children, parents and grandparents will get desperately needed care that not only treats but prevents illness.”
Hope for Haiti is the leading nonprofit focused on comprehensive poverty alleviation, healthcare and education in Southern Haiti. The organization has implemented an integrated model for development that has been proven to reduce poverty by working with community leaders in rural communities in five key program areas: education, healthcare, infrastructure, access to clean water and economic opportunity.
“Renee and I believe that healthcare is a basic human right,” said businessman Bob Parsons. “Hope for Haiti is making it possible for even the most impoverished Haitians to receive medical treatment, essential medications and compassionate care.” Longtime supporters of Hope for Haiti, The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation has committed more than $10 million to the organization since 2010 in support of disaster relief, education, healthcare and community development initiatives. Hope for Haiti has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and is recognized as a Platinum Level partner by the GuideStar Exchange. To learn more, visit hopeforhaiti.com.
Meet The Arbiters And Philanthropic Champions Who Are Setting The Tempo In The Arts Scene.
Modern Luxury Scottsdale: For power couple Bob and Renee Parsons, no act of kindness is too big or too small.
7th Annual Bob’s Biker Blast Raises $1 Million For Phoenix Children’s Hospital.
Hosted by well-known businessman Bob Parsons, Harley-Davidson of Scottsdale and GO AZ Motorcycles, Bob’s Biker Blast celebrates the diversity within motorcycling and the positive impact bikers have on their community. In addition to proceeds generated by the event, Bob Parsons announced that The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation would provide a grant to bring total support for Phoenix Children’s to $1 million. Including this year, Bob’s Biker Blast has contributed $3.2 million to the hospital since 2014.
“Nothing should stand in the way of a child getting the medical care they need,” said Bob Parsons. “It is critically important that we continue to support organizations like Phoenix Children’s Hospital and its work to ensure all children have access to quality care, regardless of their financial or medical situation.”
Thousands of bikers, motorcycle enthusiasts and music lovers gathered in Scottsdale for the event and rallied in support of the hospital. Highlights from the three-day festival included the “I Ride for PCH” kick-off ride – where nearly 500 riders participated in support of local kids and their families – and a headlining performance by Darius Rucker.
“Homeless youth often face serious illness, injury and depression. Most lack both the access and resources necessary to address these issues,” said businesswoman Renee Parsons. “Phoenix Children’s Hospital answers the call for help by providing programs like the Crews’n Healthmobile to bring healthcare directly to those most in need.”
The additional grant provided by The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation will provide support over a five-year period for the hospital’s Homeless Youth Outreach program. Proceeds raised during Bob’s Biker Blast will benefit the Hope Fund at Phoenix Children’s. This special fund allows the hospital to meet the most pressing needs for technology, research and charitable care.
“It’s no surprise Bob Parsons is as passionate about giving back to the community as he is about business, golf and motorcycles,” said Steve Schnall, senior vice president and chief development officer at Phoenix Children’s Hospital Foundation. “This event helps the community connect to the Hospital’s mission, and we’re incredibly grateful for the visionary gift made by The Bob &Renee Parsons Foundation this year. We can’t thank them enough for helping the hospital sustain the kind of world-class care Arizona kids deserve.”
As one of the largest children’s hospitals in the country, Phoenix Children’s provides care across more than 75 pediatric specialties. It is Arizona’s only children’s hospital recognized by U.S. News & World Report’s Best Children’s Hospitals with rankings in all 10 specialties.
Learn more at: phoenixchildrensfoundation.org.
Semper Fi Fund & America’s Fund and The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation Announce 8th Annual Double Down for Veterans $10 Million Matching Challenge.
In the past 7 years, more than $100,000,000 has been raised by The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation’s annual Double Down For Veterans match campaign. With the help of donors during the holiday season, the money from the campaign provides critical funding in support of the mission of Semper Fi Fund & America’s Fund – to provide urgently needed resources for combat wounded, critically ill and catastrophically injured members of all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families.
Through Dec. 31, 2019, The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation will once again match donations to Semper Fi Fund – up to $10 million – with the goal of raising $20 million to continue providing vital assistance to our service members and their families.
“Every day, veterans struggle with injuries they receive in the line of duty. Some wear visible scars. Most also battle the invisible demons brought on by PTSD,”said U.S. Marine Corps Vietnam War veteran Bob Parsons. “We can’t look the other way. And that’s where The Semper Fi Fund comes in and takes care of business.”
Donations from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation have been critical to funding many of Semper Fi Fund’s programs including the LCpl Parsons Welcome Home Fund for Vietnam Veterans. Launched in July 2018, the program expanded Semper Fi Fund’s mission to include care for veterans from all U.S. military service branches who were catastrophically injured from combat operations in Vietnam.
“We are quick to welcome our veterans home. But too often the care stops there,” said businesswoman Renee Parsons. “That’s one of the many reasons we support The Semper Fi Fund. Its programs provide veterans with the resources they need to rebuild their lives.”
Recognized by CharityWatch, Charity Navigator and GuideStar as one of the nation’s highest-rated and most transparent charities, Semper Fi Fund provides immediate financial assistance and lifetime support for veterans during their time of recovery and transition back into civilian life. Since 2004, the Semper Fi Fund has issued 209,000 grants totaling $210 million in assistance to service members and their families.
“All of us at the Semper Fi Fund are deeply grateful for the extraordinary generosity and support of Bob and Renee Parsons,” said Semper Fi Fund President,CEO and Founder Karen Guenther. “Our shared mission of caring for America’s veterans has impacted so many members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families. We’re humbled to be able to serve those who have served us all.”
Parsons issued the Double Down for Veterans challenge via a video address during his annual Marine Corps birthday tribute. 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.
Donations to the Double Down for Veterans matching challenge can be made online at semperfifund.org/match. Follow @SemperFiFund via social media to keep up-to-date on the progress of the campaign and learn more about those benefiting from the work of the organization.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix Presents the Renee LaBelle Parsons Girls Leadership Award.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix (BGCMP) presented the third annual Renee LaBelle Parsons Girls Leadership Award during its recent “Fueling our Future” community breakfast.
Renee Parsons, Co-Founder of The Bob& Renee Parsons Foundation, announced the 2019 award winner, Araceli Morales Rodriguez, via video address during the September 13 event held at the Omni Scottsdale Resort.
Established by the Parsons three years ago, the annual Renee LaBelle Parsons Girls Leadership Award honors girls who have shown three fundamental leadership qualities: collaboration, assertiveness and empathy. The recipient, who is selected by BGCMP, is presented with a new laptop as well as the opportunity to be granted up to $80,000 of scholarship funding over four years. The Renee LaBelle Parsons Leadership Award is the Foundation’s largest scholarship to date.
“It is our mission through The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation to champion the important work of organizations like the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix,” said Parsons, who is also President of PXG Apparel and an executive at YAM Worldwide. “This award is especially close to my heart because of the opportunity it offers deserving and motivated young girls to pursue their dreams, reach their full potential and have a positive impact on those around them.”
BGCMP’s annual breakfast showcases the lasting impact the organization has on the local community. The organization’s comprehensive programs place a primary focus on academic achievement, personal development and leadership, which has resulted in above average graduation rates among members. High-quality programs, professional staff and a nurturing environment are just a few of the many resources the Club utilizes to fulfill its mission of helping youth become productive, caring and responsible members of the community.
“Pursuing higher education is one of the most effective ways to break the cycle of poverty, but many of our youth face unique challenges that may prevent them from having this opportunity,” said Marcia Mintz, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix. “Our organization is fortunate to have the continued support of Bob and Renee Parsons that gives individuals like Araceli the chance to continue her education beyond high school.”
For several years, The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation has supported Boys & Girls Clubs in both Metro Phoenix and Greater Scottsdale. The Foundation has given a combined $8+ million to the organizations, including numerous Youth of the Year scholarships. BGCMP serves more than 10,000 youth members with 16 clubhouses located in underserved communities across Phoenix and the West Valley. To learn more about BGCMP, please visit https://bgcmp.org/.
Unstoppable Dynamo.
North Scottsdale Lifestyle: Renee Parsons talks about the inspiration for creating The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation, as well as her business endeavors as President of PXG Apparel and an executive with YAM Worldwide.
Girl Scouts Arizona Cactus-Pine Council Unveils Renee LaBelle Parsons Cabin.
MyLocalNews.us: The Bob & Renee Parsons Leadership Center for Girls and Women at Camp South Mountain, Girl Scouts Arizona Cactus-Pine Council’s year-round urban program center, unveiled the Renee LaBelle Parsons Cabin in July 2019. Click here to read more.
Native American Connections Receives $420,000 From The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation To Complete Affordable Housing Complex For Homeless Youth.
Native American Connections (NAC) has been awarded a $420,000 grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation to complete renovations on the Saguaro Ki youth housing complex. On any given night, roughly 350 youth in Maricopa County find themselves without a place to call home. With the opening of Saguaro Ki, NAC will be able to offer even more transitional housing options and support services to those in need.
“Too many youth in our community do not know where they’ll sleep tonight,” said businesswoman Renee Parsons. “Native American Connections is addressing this need by providing not just a bed, but transformational services for young adults in crisis.”
Made up of 24 studio apartments, Saguaro Ki provides affordable housing for youth ages 18 to 24 who are transitioning from homelessness. Youth living at Saguaro Ki will have access to services focused on wellness, education and employment opportunities while addressing any substance abuse and behavioral health issues. The ultimate goal of these programs is to help youth gain the skills and financial stability needed to secure permanent housing.
“The opening of Saguaro Ki would not be possible without financial assistance from generous community partners such as The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation,” said Diana Yazzie Devine, CEO of Native American Connections. “The Parsons have been long-time supporters of organizations working to provide lasting solutions to homelessness, and we are honored to have their backing and encouragement on this project.”
Saguaro Ki is located next to NAC’s first youth facility, HomeBase, a 25-bed emergency shelter program that helps youth move from crisis situations to stable environments. Many youth housed at HomeBase lack the skills or experience needed to live independently or left undesirable family environments, often due to their identification as LGBTQ. With the two facilities next to one another, youth will have a continuity of care and work with the same staff they have come to trust during their stay at HomeBase.
“Regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity, youth who find themselves facing homelessness deserve a strong support system,” said businessman Bob Parsons. “In addition to affordable and transitional housing, NAC provides youth with resources necessary to achieve long-term success.”
NAC offers housing programs for individuals and families of all ethnicities with specialized communities for not just youth but also families, seniors, individuals with disabilities and chronically homeless men and women. Levels of support range from emergency shelters and transitional housing to affordable housing and permanent supportive housing. All of the programs offer onsite services to help residents increase stability and improve their physical and mental health. To learn more, visit nativeamericanconnections.org.
