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 4th 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. Lauren Lepow
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.
Dr. Tamar Glatman Zaretsky
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/.
The Hawaii Island Humane Society Receives $1.5 Million Grant From The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation.
Funds will Support Construction Efforts to Complete the Anne Barasch Ryan Animal Hospital
The Hawaii Island Humane Society (HIHS) – a private, nonprofit animal welfare organization – was awarded a $1.5 million grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation to support final renovations of the Anne Barasch Ryan Animal Hospital. The grant will also name The Bob & Renee Parsons Welcome Center as part of the organization’s extensive Animal Community Center.
The Animal Community Center is a 12-acre campus designed to shelter animals in humane, modern housing and to provide the Hawaii Island community with a variety of low-cost pet services. The center encompasses two dog parks for public use and a welcome center. Recently named The Bob & Renee Parsons Welcome Center, the facility houses a pet support department, retail shop and an administrative building. The Center also features Adoption Square, which includes a fenced-in yard for pets to play outdoors, Scruffee’s Cat Barn and three Dog Dorms. The ultimate vision for HIHS’ Animal Community Center is to provide a humane facility for animals while also ensuring pet owners and community members feel welcomed.
“Renee and I believe in providing critical funding at critical times,” said Founder and CEO of PXG Bob Parsons. “With the addition of the new Anne Barasch Ryan Animal Hospital, the Hawaii Island Humane Society will not only provide critical care to abused and neglected animals, but also expand its services to care for pets community-wide.”
A big part of that care includes veterinary services for both shelter animals and local pet owners. The Anne Barasch Ryan Animal Hospital will allow HIHS to increase its capacity to provide low-cost and free veterinary care services to the community. The 13,000-square-foot facility, slated to be completed by the end of 2022 or early 2023, will feature a veterinary hospital and intake wing. The hospital will include three surgical suites and diagnostic equipment including ultra-sound and x-ray machines, isolation units for pets with infectious diseases, an intensive care unit for pets in recovery and exam rooms. The intake wing will provide temporary housing for adult dogs, puppies, adult cats and kittens that have been surrendered by their owners, found stray or transferred in from other organizations.
“A special mahalo to The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation for this incredible gift to support the completion of the Anne Barasch Ryan Animal Hospital. While this gift is helping to complete a physical structure, as important is the community good that this gift provides. Most importantly, The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation is helping to provide needed care to improve animals’ lives,” said Hawaii Island Humane Society CEO Lauren Nickerson.
“Bob and I have made the beautiful island of Hawaii our home away from home,” said President and Executive Creative Director of PXG Apparel Renee Parsons. “We are honored to help in the completion of the Anne Barasch Ryan Animal Hospital and to bring high-quality, low-cost veterinary care to the people and their animals on the island.”
HIHS’ programs and services include adoptions, fostering, volunteering, transport partnerships, behavior and enrichment support, veterinary care, low-cost spay and neuter, Pet Support (encompassing rehoming assistance and resources, education, veterinary outreach and end of life services for pets), a Community Pet Pantry and more. HIHS staff and volunteers are Fear Free Shelter-certified, which ensures each environment reduces fear, stress and anxiety for shelter animals and community-owned pets. To learn more about the Hawaii Island Humane Society and how you can get involved, visit hihs.org or follow @HawaiiIslandHumaneSociety on Facebook.
St. Joseph The Worker Awarded $250,000 Grant From The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation.
St. Joseph the Worker (SJW), a nonprofit that connects disadvantaged, homeless and low-income individuals to quality jobs, has been awarded a $250,000 grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. The funding will support the organization’s Workforce Villages program, which works to eliminate housing barriers for employed individuals experiencing homelessness.
“The truth is, many people facing homelessness want to work but lack the basic resources to find and maintain employment,” said Founder & CEO of PXG Bob Parsons. “It’s pretty rough keeping a job when you don’t have a place to sleep or take a shower. By providing stable housing and employment resources, St. Joseph the Worker is helping break the cycle of homelessness.”
SJW operates under the mission of giving anyone who is stable, ready and wanting to work a hand-up and not a handout. One of the organization’s key initiatives for finding a solution to homelessness is its Workforce Villages program. A transitional housing option for working, homeless clients, Workforce Villages provides up to three months of rent-free, stable housing. Residents then have the opportunity to transition into permanent housing and receive up to 12 months of additional services such as transportation assistance, professional attire or uniforms, resume development, financial planning, credit repair planning, long-term goal setting and conflict management training. Together, these resources build the foundation needed to achieve economic self-sufficiency and maintain quality employment. SJW defines quality employment as a career providing a livable wage and benefits as well as opportunities for upskilling/advancement.
“We are beyond grateful to The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation for this generous grant,” said Chief Operating Officer of SJW Dean Scheinert. “With this additional funding, we will be able to bolster essential employment resources for our clients that many of us tend to take for granted in our day-to-day lives. There are a lot of hard-working people out there who need a hand up when seeking and landing a job. And, having a significant financial boost from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation will bring us one step closer to ending homelessness through services that support long-term housing and employment.”
The recent grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation will allow the organization to expand its outreach and serve approximately 100 adults in the greater Phoenix area. During the past 12 months, SJW and the Workforce Villages program have helped 5,399 clients maintain and secure quality jobs.
“Access to affordable housing in the greater Phoenix area is a growing issue and, without help, many people experiencing poverty and homelessness are unable to get back on their feet,” said President & Executive Creative Director of PXG Apparel Renee Parsons. “St. Joseph the Worker is breaking down the most common barriers to gainful employment and providing its clients with the opportunity to overcome their circumstances, become financially stable and secure long-term housing.”
SJW reaches clients from more than 50 zip codes across the Valley through its five locations and 90+ nonprofit, government and private partners. In total, the organization has helped transform the lives of more than 35,000 individuals since its establishment and continues to dispense the resources needed to remove employment barriers and create success.
For more than 30 years, SJW has served marginalized, homeless and low-income individuals across Arizona. The organization is currently the largest, 100 percent community-funded employment organization in the state and is responsible for employing more individuals in real, paying jobs than any other Arizona-based nonprofit organization. To learn more about SJW, or for ways to get involved, please visit https://sjwjobs.org/.
one·n·ten Awarded $500,000 Grant From The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation.
Transformational Investment in LGBTQ+ Youth will Support Key Programming Statewide
one·n·ten, a nonprofit dedicated to enhancing the lives of LGBTQ+ youth, has received a multiyear, $500,000 grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. The funds will support one·n·ten’s online digital programs, in person satellite sites and Camp OUTdoors. one·n·ten serves LGBTQ+ and allied youth ages 11-24 by promoting self-expression, self-acceptance and healthy life choices.
“The hard truth is, many LGBTQ+ youth feel trapped, unsupported and unseen in today’s society,” said Founder & CEO of PXG Bob Parsons. “It is our duty to stand beside them and ensure that no one, regardless of their gender or sexual orientation, feels they are not part of the American Dream.”
one·n·ten strives to provide an atmosphere of acceptance and self-expression to youth who are still discovering their identities and those who may not feel free to express themselves at home, school or work. Its programs offer a high impact, low-cost model, to effectively reach and connect youth throughout Arizona, and beyond.
“The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation has been an incredible supporter of LGBTQ+ youth and young adults,” said Nate Rhoton, CEO of one·n·ten. “Its charitable leadership continues to inspire others to support our organization and allows us to expand our programming to reach even more vulnerable youth in our community.”
The most recent grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation will help support the following programs.
Camp OUTdoors is dedicated to helping LGBTQ+ youth build leadership skills, work in collaborative ways and develop a strong sense of self and community. Offering a mix of traditional, fun camp activities alongside focused workshops and educational programming, campers build confidence and resilience.
The one·n·ten satellite sites offer critical support to youth who do not have access to reliable safe spaces in their communities. These locations across the state help LGBTQ+ youth to make connections with their peers and gain support from caring adults who reflect their unique identities. Weekly group sessions at satellite locations can include guest speakers, small group discussions, art, music, dance, community activism and more.
Digital programs provide opportunities to engage disconnected youth who are unable to attend in person and help connect them to important resources offered by one·n·ten. Engaging, online programs have been facilitated on a variety of youth-friendly platforms like Zoom, Twitch, RocketChat and Discord.
“While we’ve come a long way, the LGBTQ+ community still faces significant challenges when it comes to things like bullying, equal access to medical care or simply having the ability to be confident with their own identity,” said President & Executive Creative Director of PXG Apparel Renee Parsons. “one·n·ten is helping create a world where LGBTQ+ youth are empowered, supported and embraced for who they are.”
To learn more about one·n·ten, its programs and supportive services for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults statewide, visit onenten.org or follow @onentenphx on Instagram or @onenten on Facebook.
ALL In Education Celebrates Adelante Fellowship Graduates & Expansion Of Key Leadership Programs.
Recent grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation supports organization’s mission to close the gaps in opportunity and Latino representation across Arizona’s education system
On May 14, 2022, Arizona for Latino Leaders in Education (ALL In Education) celebrated the graduation of its first cohort of Adelante Fellows and the continued growth and expansion of its key leadership programs. The first Latino-led education advocacy organization in Arizona, ALL In Education was founded to ensure that the communities most impacted by education inequities are the ones making decisions for all children.
More than 45 percent of students in Arizona are Latino, yet only 16 percent of the teaching workforce and less than 13 percent of education board members across the state are Latino. ALL In Education works to develop the next generation of Latino leaders in education and increase representation at the teacher, board and parent levels to improve educational outcomes for students of color.
In support of this work, The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation has awarded ALL In Education with a multi-year, $200,000 grant. The funds will provide the organization with the capacity needed to continue evolving its signature leadership programs including The Adelante Fellowship, Parent Educator Academy (PEA) and LISTO.
The first cohort of 23 participants in the Adelante Fellowship program recently completed a 10-month program which offered a deep dive into what it means to be an educational advocate, how policies are formed, how the education system works and the role politics play in influencing the system. The participants completed projects based on four of the most pressing issues impacting Arizona education – the social determinants of education, chronic absenteeism, teacher recruitment and retention and in-state tuition for DACA and Dreamers. As part of the graduation ceremony, the fellows met with community leaders to pitch research-based and data-driven solutions for these issues, along with timelines and implementation strategies.
“ALL In Education is excited to expand and continue to develop programs that help address the gaps in our education system and improve outcomes for Latino, low-income and students of color,” said Stephanie Parra, executive director of ALL In Education. “With the help our or partners, we can create transformational change at every level, from state policy to the classroom and inside our community.”
ALL In’s Parent Educator Academy (PEA) works to train parents on how to better support their children in the classroom. Now in its third cohort, PEA has increased its participant size from a starting group of 27 to 112 parents. The spring cohort celebrated their graduation on May 18 via a virtual ceremony. PEA is further expanding its capacity to serve and will welcome 120 parents and caregivers in fall 2022 from more than 25 public district and charter schools across Maricopa, Pima, Pinal and Yuma counties.
LISTO – Leaders In Support of Transformational Opportunities – is a leadership development program for Latino and values-based leaders that helps prepare them to serve in local and state education and governing board positions. The program graduated its first cohort of 12 participants in December 2021.
By creating these programs, ALL In Education is addressing the fact that the Arizona Education system is not currently equitable for students of color. These students are not graduating at the same rates as their white peers and are not appropriately represented in the state’s education policy-making bodies. The lack of lived experience has led to decisions being made that are not representative of the needs of the communities being served. ALL In Education aims to close the gap and ensure that students have access to opportunity and justice in and out of the classroom. Learn more about ALL In Education and its programs at allineducation.org and follow @AllInEdAz on social media.
Make-A-Wish® Arizona Wish Ball raises record-breaking $3.8 million to grant future Arizona wishes.
Make-A-Wish® Arizona is pleased to announce that the 2022 Make-A-Wish Arizona Wish Ball, presented by Phusion Projects, raised a record-breaking $3.8 million in a single night. The funds will help grant more than 380 future wishes to Arizona children with critical illnesses.
Wish moms Dana Graham and Stephanie Halvorson co-chaired this year’s sold-out event with the theme, Making Waves. Graham and Halvorson’s sons, Carter and Hunter respectively, received wishes after being diagnosed with the same critical bone cancer. Out of this disease, which affects 1 in 200,000 children in the United States, a life-long friendship was born.
“We were honored when we were asked to chair the event because we know the impact of a wish and the value of a wish experience,” said Graham. Halvorson agreed. “Our boys chose different wishes fitting their personalities, yet the outcome was the same for both our families – their wishes brought us joy and hope when we needed it most,” she said.
More than 900 guests attended the event, which included a successful live auction featuring a Danica Patrick pace car experience at Phoenix International Raceway followed by a chef dinner with Mark Tarbell and Patrick including her wine brand, Somnium. The item broke records raising $300,000 toward future wishes.
“As the first year back with a full ballroom, the energy of the room was palpable,” said Fran Mallace, President and CEO of Make-A-Wish Arizona. “The generosity of our attendees and our online donors expresses that they too see how a wish can transform a child’s life and believe in the mission of Make-A-Wish – Together, we create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.”
The Wish Ball included eight live auction items which raised more than $780,000 and a Fund-A-Wish auction, which collected more than $1 million. The evening ended with a special $1 million pledge from long-time donors Bob and Renee Parsons.
“We started our Foundation with the core belief that hope has the power to heal and change lives,” said Renee Parsons, President & Executive Creative Director of PXG Apparel. “I can’t think of an organization that more clearly demonstrates this power than Make-A-Wish Arizona.”
The 2023 Wish Ball will be held on Saturday, March 25 at the JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa. Chairs will be Jenny Wright and Melissa Bouma. To learn more about Make-A-Wish Arizona and how to get involved, visit: Arizona.wish.org.
