Brighter Way Institute Awarded $250,000 From The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation.
Institute Provides Comprehensive Dental Care to Underserved Communities
Brighter Way Institute has been awarded a $250,000 grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation to help fund staffing needs for its three dental centers. The expanded staff will allow the Institute to provide care to an additional 3,000 patients over the next 12 months. Through comprehensive dental treatment, Brighter Way serves working poor and homeless adults, children and youth living in foster care, veterans and low-income and undocumented students in the Murphy and Isaac school districts.
“Good oral health is a critical component of a person’s overall wellness, but can often be a challenge in underserved communities,” said businesswoman Renee Parsons. “Bob and I are proud to continue supporting Brighter Way Institute as they provide services to those who otherwise have no access to dental care.”
The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation has been a long-time supporter of Brighter Way, including the funding for the expansion of the pediatric dental clinic, Parsons Center for Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics. The Center provides services to thousands of children who suffer from untreated mouth and tooth infections that often result in missed school days and an inability to focus on learning due to chronic pain.
“Renee and I believe that anyone who needs healthcare in the USA should receive it, without regard to race, religion, station in life, or how they got here,” said businessman Bob Parsons. “We are proud to support Brighter Way because that’s exactly how they operate.”
The recent grant will help fund the additional staffing needs of Brighter Way’s three dental clinics – The Brighter Way Dental Center, Canyon State Academy Dental Center and Parsons Center for Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics. The Brighter Way Dental Center is the Institute’s primary clinic and offers comprehensive dental care to homeless, underinsured and uninsured adults. Canyon State Academy Dental Center provides care to at-risk youth in the foster care program.
“The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation’s continued support will make it possible for us to serve thousands of people in dire need of dental care,” said Brighter Way Institute’s Founder and CEO Kris Volcheck, DDS. “The return on investment in restoring someone’s smile is incalculable. They not only experience a renewed self-confidence, but many will be able to eat without pain and digest food properly for the first time in years.”
Brighter Way Institute has treated more than 130,000 patients since opening in 2001. Utilizing a unique model that incorporates both staff and volunteer dentists, they are able to address the social determinants of health inequity among the poor and homeless of Maricopa County. For more information, visit www.brighterwaydental.org.
Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona Celebrates 25th Anniversary.
Honorees, Bob and Renee Parsons, Donate $1.1 Million During Art Heals Gala
Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona kicked off its 25th Anniversary celebration with a Gala on Saturday, Oct. 20, at the JW Marriot Camelback Inn Resort & Spa. More than 300 supporters attended the event where Bob and Renee Parsons were honored for their many years of transformative gifts to Free Arts.
“Children are the world’s most precious gift and deserve to be shown love, support and guidance to grow into thriving adults. Unfortunately, not every child gets to know what it’s like to be loved or cared for by a parent,” said businessman Bob Parsons. “Free Arts uses art to create moments in time that have a lasting impact, helping these children gain confidence and realize that they are valuable.”
Presented by APS, Free Arts’ 25th Anniversary Gala raised a total of $1,358,066 to support programs that use art and mentorship to transform children’s trauma into resilience. During the evening, the Parsons surprised Free Arts with a $1.1 million donation, $1 million to go toward renovation of the new Free Arts building and $100,000 to support Free Arts programs.
“Bob and Renee continue to surprise and support us in the most generous ways,” said Free Arts Executive Director Alicia Sutton Campbell. “The number of children in out-of-home care in Arizona has tripled since 1993 and this incredible gift will help us expand services to serve more children and families through our current programs and through The Bob & Renee Parsons Center for Hope and Healing.”
Proceeds from the event will support Free Arts’ goal to serve even more children in foster care group homes, homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters, residential treatment facilities, schools and unaccompanied minor shelters through art, a trauma-informed curriculum and mentoring.
“Throughout the years, the work of Free Arts has touched us deeply,” said businesswoman Renee Parsons. “It is truly inspiring to see the transformation that comes about when children are able to express themselves, through art, in a safe and encouraging environment.”
The Parsons have been longtime supporters of Free Arts and through The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation have granted more than $4 million to the organization over the past six years, including this most recent gift. In August 2017, The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation awarded Free Arts a $2.5 million grant to double the organization’s physical space on Camelback Road and establish The Bob & Renee Parsons Center for Hope and Healing, expanding programming and reaching children Free Arts had previously been unable to serve.
Free Arts Statistics & 25-Year Journey:
Free Arts was founded in 1993 and served 50 children; in 2018 it served more than 8,000 children.
Free Arts had five volunteers in 1993 and this year it has more than 800.
The number of partner agencies has grown tremendously in 25 years – starting in 1993 with only five, to today’s 43 partners.
Throughout its history, Free Arts has impacted the lives of more than 125,000 Arizona children.
The children served by Free Arts have experienced combinations of family trauma, homelessness and violence. To help build resiliency and begin the healing process, Free Arts provides mentoring, a caring community and an opportunity to express themselves and learn new skills. To learn more, visit FreeArtsAZ.org.
Semper Fi Fund and The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation Announce 7th Annual Double Down for Veterans $10 Million Matching Challenge.
The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation is once again challenging all Americans to support the Semper Fi Fund in its mission 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, 2018, The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation will match all donations to Semper Fi Fund – up to a total of $10 million – through the Double Down for Veterans campaign.
“The successful transition for injured veterans back into civilian life is significantly enhanced by a supportive and loving family,” said businessman and Marine Corps Vietnam War veteran Bob Parsons. “The comprehensive programs provided by the Semper Fi Fund acknowledge this by providing much needed help not only for the injured veterans but also for their spouses, caregivers and kids.”
Parsons, a U.S. Marine Corps Vietnam veteran, issued the challenge via a video address during his annual Marine Corps birthday tribute. In addition to supporting the Semper Fi Fund’s work with wounded veterans and their families, donations from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation have been critical to the development of a new pilot program for Vietnam Veterans – the LCpl Parsons Welcome Home Fund. Launched in July 2018, the program has expanded Semper Fi Fund’s mission to include care for catastrophically combat-injured veterans who served in Vietnam.
“Service men and women and their families make incredible sacrifices for our country every day, and they deserve our gratitude and unwavering support. It is why support for veterans is one of our Foundation’s areas of focus,” said businesswoman Renee Parsons. “The Double Down for Veterans matching challenge offers donors the chance to multiply their donation’s impact.”
Recognized by CharityWatch and Charity Navigator as one of the nation’s highest rated 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 provided more than $185 million in assistance to service members, with an unprecedented 24-to-72-hour turnaround for funds to be issued after a grant is approved.
“We are deeply grateful to Bob and Renee Parsons for their extraordinary partnership and support of our work,” said Semper Fi Fund President, CEO and Founder Karen Guenther. “It is because of our incredible donors that we are able to expand our mission and provide urgently needed resources to members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families.”
This year’s challenge marks the seventh consecutive year that The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation has issued a matching grant to Semper Fi Fund, and if the full $10 million match is met, it will bring the Foundation’s cumulative giving to more than $51 million since 2012. GoDaddy will once again jump start the campaign with a $50,000 donation.
“We are honored to be a part of the Double Down for Veterans campaign,” said GoDaddy CEO Scott Wagner. “GoDaddy supports military veterans through programs such as Double Down, as well as hiring, development and retention programs to employ veterans throughout our organization.”
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 benefitting from the work of the organization.
The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation Awards $150,000 Grant to New Pathways for Youth.
Local Nonprofit Provides Mentoring and Life Skills Development for Youth in High-Risk Communities
The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation has awarded a $150,000 grant to New Pathways for Youth (NPFY), a community center serving at-risk youth in the greater Phoenix area. The grant will aid NPFY in scaling its services to better meet the needs of its mentors, staff and youth through improved mentor recruitment programs, staff training and curriculum development.
“Everyone should be encouraged to imagine their best possible future, and then provided the opportunity to make that future a reality,” said businessman Bob Parsons. “New Pathways and its dedicated team of mentors are offering the support Valley youth need to pursue their dreams and create a life that is not defined by their current circumstances.”
Celebrating its 30th anniversary, NPFY serves Valley youth experiencing poverty, making them more susceptible to adversities like physical abuse and neglect, substance abuse, parent incarceration and increased high-school dropout rates. The organization provides support through transformative mentorship programs based on each youth’s interests and skills, an intensive three-day retreat to identify and treat destructive behaviors, a college and career readiness program and parenting support for youth caregivers.
“New Pathways for Youth is helping students who are facing extreme hardship break through societal barriers by supporting their emotional, mental and academic development,” said businesswoman Renee Parsons. “We are proud to partner with an organization that is working to create change and positively affect generations to come.”
The grant will help NPFY expand its services to reach three key benchmarks: • Serve an additional 150 to 200 youth per year in targeted neighborhoods • Improve its mentor retention rate to 80 percent or greater for mentors remaining in the program until a youth’s 21st birthday • Increase college and career success of youth served
The need for committed and qualified mentors is crucial to NPFY’s mission. The transformative mentorship program goes beyond basic assistance, companionship and academic guidance. Mentors are trained to engage their youth in conversations that will help them identify and stop their own problematic attitudes and behaviors, getting them on the path to declaring a new possibility for their future. This type of mentorship requires extended time and personal commitments that are difficult to find.
“We are humbled that The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation is invested in our mission as they have an established credibility in this community that reinforces the importance of our work,” said NPFY CEO Christy McClendon. “These funds are critical to organizations like ours, allowing us to work through organizational challenges and expand our services. Without this support, the cycle of poverty will continue to plague families in high-risk neighborhoods.”
NPFY has grown to serve more than 500 youth each year, totaling 6,500 lives impacted since its founding in 1989. For more information, visit https://www.npfy.org/.
Chrysalis Receives $250,000 Grant From The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation.
Organization Provides Support to Survivors of Domestic Violence
Chrysalis has been awarded a $250,000 grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation to support organizational growth and expand existing programming to better serve those affected by domestic abuse. Utilizing a 360-degree approach, Chrysalis offers emergency shelter, transitional housing, counseling, legal assistance, offender intervention and mobile victim advocacy. The funding will allow the nonprofit to increase its staff and implement new services, including a transportation program.
“Home is supposed to be a safe place, but for many women in the United States that just isn’t the case,” said businesswoman Renee Parsons. “Chrysalis is working to help victims of abuse overcome the fear they live with on a daily basis and regain control of their lives as survivors.”
As a recently certified trauma-informed organization – the first certified domestic violence organization in Arizona – Chrysalis utilizes an approach that not only serves the physical needs of its survivors but also provides the mental and emotional support needed to break the cycle of abuse. Through its residential crisis shelter, survivors are given more than a safe place to stay, they receive individual and group counseling, case management, job development, medical services, parenting support and personalized assistance based on each individual’s needs.
“The support Chrysalis provides to families impacted by domestic violence is immeasurable,” said businessman Bob Parsons. “They not only offer survivors a refuge, but also give them the tools they need to move forward in rebuilding their lives.”
According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, one in four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. In total, more than 1,200 victims of abuse utilized Chrysalis’ services in 2017, a 20 percent increase from the previous year. To better provide trauma-informed practices and facilitate growth, the organization will utilize the Foundation grant to increase its staff. Chrysalis will also be able to upgrade its facilities’ security and technology systems and launch the new transportation initiative, providing a timely and safe option for survivors to receive medical attention, attend court hearings and access other important services for establishing lives free from abuse.
“The support from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation will have a direct and lasting impact on victims of domestic violence in our community,” said Patricia Klahr, president and CEO of Chrysalis. “With the growth we have experienced, the potential to serve more survivors can’t be realized unless we create the infrastructure to properly support and sustain that growth. We are deeply grateful to the Parsons for recognizing how vital a strong foundation is to the success of an organization’s mission.”
For more than 37 years, Chrysalis has been a staple in the domestic violence community and is the largest standalone domestic abuse organization in the Valley. In addition to its victim and offender services, the nonprofit also offers educational programming for civic groups, schools and businesses to help people recognize the warning signs of domestic violence and stop the cycle of abuse. To learn more, visit noabuse.org or follow @chrysalisaz on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Year Up Arizona Receives $750,000 Grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation.
Grant Supports Mission to Provide Higher Education and Career Opportunities to Young Adults
Thanks to a $750,000 grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation, Year Up Arizona will expand its operational capacity to provide higher education and professional career opportunities to low-income, young adults who are not currently in school or employed. The program offers a free, one-year job training curriculum for motivated individuals, ages 18 to 24, in Maricopa County.
Thanks to a $750,000 grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation, Year Up Arizona will expand its operational capacity to provide higher education and professional career opportunities to low-income, young adults who are not currently in school or employed. The program offers a free, one-year job training curriculum for motivated individuals, ages 18 to 24, in Maricopa County.
“As one of the fastest growing job markets in the nation, Arizona needs a qualified workforce to fill these positions, and Year Up Arizona is helping local youth prepare for those opportunities,” said American entrepreneur and philanthropist Bob Parsons. “With the right education and skills, these students will enjoy the benefits of being part of helping Arizona grow.”
The grant will allow Year Up Arizona to serve additional youth at their campus located at GateWay Community College in Phoenix. Students receive the education needed to develop in-demand technical and professional skills before participating in a six-month internship with a top local company, earning college credits and a weekly stipend throughout the year.
“Although our economy is strong, we believe that an important segment of our society is being left behind,” said businesswoman and philanthropist Renee Parsons. “We’re proud to have supported the initial launch of Year Up programming in Arizona and have been impressed with both the impact of the program and the growth over the last three years.”
In 2015, The Foundation provided a $500,000 grant to help launch the Year Up program in Arizona, and with this most recent donation it is the organization’s largest financial supporter with a total investment of $1.25 million.
“The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation is the largest supporter of our cause, bringing much-needed job training and education to local, underserved youth,” said Year Up Arizona Executive Director Kim Owens. “This funding has a significant impact on our ability to facilitate growth and provide an equal opportunity for these young adults to be successful in their careers and financially independent for the rest of their lives.”
A federally-sponsored evaluation conducted by Pathways for Advancing Careers and Education (PACE) found that the Year Up program has the largest positive impact on earnings for a workforce program tested in a randomized controlled trial.
Since its inception, Year Up Arizona has provided more than 530 young adults with in-demand skills training, creating a pipeline of diverse, motivated talent for leading businesses in areas such as IT, cyber security, business operations and computer programming. The program now serves more than 200 young adults each year, with 90 percent of graduates employed or attending college full-time within four months of completing the program, earning an average starting salary of $34,000 per year. For more information about Year Up Arizona, visit https://www.yearup.org/.
Boys & Girls Clubs Of Metro Phoenix Announces Renee LaBelle Parsons Girls Leadership Award.
Youth Recognized for Demonstrating Strong Leadership Skills
During its “Fueling our Future” community breakfast, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix (BGCMP) unveiled the new Renee LaBelle Parsons Girls Leadership Award and scholarship. Spearheaded by businesswoman and philanthropist, Renee Parsons, the award honors girls who have exhibited three key leadership qualities – collaboration, assertiveness and empathy – and provides the recipient with a new laptop and four years of scholarship funding up to $20,000 a year.
“While many of our grants support a broad range of youth and underserved adults, I am personally interested in providing motivated girls with the resources and support they need to become happy, thriving and successful women,” said Parsons.
Parsons formally introduced the award and announced the 2018 honoree, Yareli Guadalupe Martinez Medina, via video address. More than 250 business and community leaders attended the breakfast which highlighted the impact of BGCMP and the effect its programs have on the community. The organization provides structured, comprehensive educational and recreational programming designed to help youth reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible members of the community. Much of the focus is on academic achievement, personal development and leadership, resulting in higher than average graduation rates among Club members.
“More than half of our members live at or below the federal poverty level and the chance to pursue a higher education is crucial to breaking the cycle of poverty,” said Marcia Mintz, CEO of the BGCMP. “We are grateful for the continued support from Bob and Renee Parsons and are proud to recognize Yareli for her outstanding achievements this year.”
Longtime supporters of the BGCMP, The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation has given more than $8 million to the organization, including several Youth of the Year scholarships. The Renee LaBelle Parsons Girls Leadership Award, with an annual benefit of $20,000 and renewable up to four years, will provide financial support of up to $80,000 per student, making it the largest scholarship created by the Foundation to date.
BGCMP serves more than 30,000 youth each year with 12 clubhouses located in some of the Valley’s most underserved communities. To learn more visit https://bgcmp.org/.
A for Arizona Launches Statewide Expansion Fund With Generous Support From The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation.
A for Arizona is proud to announce the launch of a first-of-its-kind, statewide expansion fund to support the growth of Arizona’s highest quality district, magnet and charter schools, especially those serving low-income communities. The campaign is being jump started by a $1 million matching grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation – the match opportunity will run through December 31.
“By rewarding top performers, A for Arizona is raising the standard for public education in our state,” said American entrepreneur and philanthropist Bob Parsons. “Too often children in low-income areas are not provided with an opportunity to achieve their full academic potential. The expansion fund is specifically designed to reach these students by supporting educational excellence in underserved communities.”
Arizona is home to many excellent schools with educators who believe every student can learn. However, not all students have access to a high-quality public school option. A for Arizona’s Expansion Fund will fast-track the replication of ‘A’-rated schools so that Arizona can more quickly close the achievement gap for all students.
“Educational improvements are happening, but too many students still do not have excelling schools in their neighborhoods. The Expansion Fund is designed to accelerate the growth plans of high-quality facilities in low-income communities by awarding targeted grants to ‘A’-rated schools,” said Emily Anne Gullickson, A for Arizona Executive Director. “We are grateful to have Bob and Renee’s support. Their investment will help us serve even more students in some of our most at-need communities, and do so at a rapid pace.”
In addition to the $1 million match, The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation granted $250,000 to A for Arizona to support staffing and development during the crucial first phase of the Expansion Fund. A longtime supporter of the organization, the recent grants bring the Foundation’s total support of A for Arizona to more than $1.7 million.
“A quality education is a critical component in the fight against poverty,” said businesswoman and philanthropist Renee Parsons. “A for Arizona is making it possible for children in disadvantaged communities to access the educational tools necessary to begin building a better future for themselves and their families.”
Any ‘A’-rated public school in Arizona will be eligible to apply to receive a grant from the A for Arizona Expansion Fund, but priority will be given to applicants showing demonstrated need, including expansion into high poverty communities, parent demand and lack of quality school options in targeted neighborhoods. A for Arizona will begin accepting applications from interested schools this October. Learn more about A for Arizona’s Expansion Fund at AforAZ.org/Expansion-Fund and follow the progress of the Expansion Fund on A for Arizona’s social media channels: facebook.com/AforArizona and twitter.com/AforAZ.
Jobs For Arizona’s Graduates Receives $300,000 From The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation.
Jobs for Arizona’s Graduates (JAG) has announced a $300,000 grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. The nonprofit partners with school districts, the business community and the public sector to help students stay in school and acquire the academic, personal, leadership and vocational skills they will need to be successful after graduation.
“JAG is helping students in underserved communities overcome the barriers they face completing school and finding work after graduation,” said American entrepreneur and philanthropist Bob Parsons. “Renee and I believe that everyone deserves the chance to pursue the American Dream, and helping students obtain a quality education and a reliable job sets them on the right path.”
JAG programming focuses on three core areas: transitioning from middle school to high school, college and career readiness, and college success. The programs are designed to increase graduation rates by providing academic intervention, mentorship, resiliency skill-building and career exploration to help underserved youth succeed in high school and beyond.
“Jobs for Arizona’s Graduates has seen significant growth in the past 12 months, and this grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation will go a long way in sustaining new programming and helping us to reach even more students,” said Graciela Garcia-Candia, president of Jobs for Arizona’s Graduates. “We are thankful for all of our partners who make it possible for us to help deserving young adults obtain their high school diplomas and be given the tools necessary to reach their full potential.”
The organization’s recent growth included the launch of several new in-school JAG programs in Avondale, Tolleson, Phoenix and Tucson. JAG currently serves more than 1,200 young people through 25 different programs across multiple partner schools in Arizona, many of which are located in primarily low-income areas.
“By offering services in the areas of dropout prevention and career training, JAG is helping youth in Arizona finish school and grow into the next generation of productive workers and leaders,” said businesswoman and philanthropist Renee Parsons.
JAG’s history in Arizona dates to the 1980s, where the first program was launched at Tolleson Union High School. Today, JAG continues to help young people achieve economic prosperity by paying thorough attention to their personal and environmental circumstances, providing career and life skills workshops and professional development through student-led Career Association Chapters. To learn more, visit www.jagaz.org or follow @JagArizona on Facebook and @Jag_Arizona on Twitter.
The Phoenix Chapter of The Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) Awarded $150,000 Grant From The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation.
GLSEN Phoenix, a nonprofit organization focused on creating safe and affirming schools for LGBTQ students, has been awarded a three-year, $150,000 grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. Working on the school, district and legislative levels, GLSEN strives to ensure all students are treated with respect and feel valued at school, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. The grant will allow the organization to grow its staff and volunteer base and be able to take a more proactive approach to supporting student leaders, teachers and school staff. It will also increase its ability to impact public policy.
“At our Foundation, we deal in hope – hope for a happy and fulfilling life regardless of race, religion, roots, economic status, sexual orientation or gender identity,” said American entrepreneur and philanthropist Bob Parsons. “GLSEN is working to ensure a safe and positive learning environment for all LGBTQ students so their hopes and dreams can become reality.”
GLSEN’s research shows that LGBTQ youth continue to report high levels of anti-LGBTQ remarks at school from both fellow students and school staff. The bullying includes not only name calling but threats and, too often, physical and sexual assault. This level of harassment negatively affects a student’s ability to learn due to increased absenteeism, poor academic performance and lower educational aspirations. The anti-LGBTQ bias can also have a profound impact on a student’s overall health and well-being.
“GLSEN is doing important work in the fight for equality in the LGBTQ community,” said businesswoman and philanthropist, Renee Parsons. “Because the experiences you have in school can shape your entire life, all students should be protected, encouraged and allowed the opportunity to grow into happy, thriving adults.”
GLSEN Phoenix works to interrupt the patterns of discrimination and harassment that face LGBTQ youth. Today, the organization works with more than 150 schools in the Greater Phoenix Area to deliver professional development workshops to K-12 teachers and school staff. Additionally, GLSEN advocates for the reform of anti-bullying, anti-harassment and non-discrimination policies, and supports student-led Gay Straight Transgender Alliance (GSTA) clubs.
“This incredible grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation will help sustain our work and expand and strengthen our student organizing and education programs and leadership team,” said Ricardo Martinez, GLSEN Phoenix Chair. “We’ll be able to reach even more youth and formalize our policy program so that we can affect lasting change.”
This significant investment from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation will enable GLSEN Phoenix to move closer to its goal of ensuring safe schools for all students. To help meet this goal and sustain local engagement, GLSEN Phoenix invites community members to join the Parsons in investing in today’s youth. The need is critical as the local chapter has recently faced increased demand to support LGBTQ students in rural areas, trans and gender-nonconforming students, students of color and students with disabilities – particularly in underserved school districts.
“We started in Phoenix 15 years ago with just a handful of volunteers,” said Dr. Madelaine Adelman, co-founder of the GLSEN Phoenix Chapter. “From the beginning, despite our limited resources, our mission-driven volunteers and supporters have helped us recognize amazing growth, and we are excited to be able to expand that reach even farther.”
GLSEN Phoenix will host its annual “Sparkle, Glitter, GLSEN” fundraiser on Thursday, November 15, 2018. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, ticket sales, other ways to donate or to volunteer with GLSEN Phoenix, email [email protected] or visit www.glsen.org/phoenix.
