GIRL SCOUTS’ CAMPAIGN FOR GIRLS IN ARIZONA GETS $5 MILLION GIFT FROM THE BOB & RENEE PARSONS FOUNDATION.

Donation supports the Leadership Center for Girls and Women in South Phoenix

The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation has made a $5 million gift to the Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council’s Campaign for Girls in Arizona.  The goal of the campaign is to bring the Girl Scout Leadership Experience to more girls throughout the state, including underserved communities, and to recruit and train adult volunteers to support the girls. A key component of the Campaign for Girls in Arizona is transforming the existing 14.5-acre Camp Sombrero property into a leadership center.

“Girl Scouts is one of the most forward-thinking organizations focused on issues that impact women and girls,” said philanthropist Renee Parsons. “We are happy to support the Campaign for Girls in Arizona and to help give girls the support and experiences they need to become confident, capable young women.”

The new center – named The Bob & Renee Parsons Leadership Center for Girls and Women at Camp South Mountain – will extend the 60-year legacy of the property by increasing services to local girls, regardless of their ethnicity, physical abilities, circumstances or economic status. The center will contain meeting spaces for large and small group activities, trainings, classrooms for STEM and other focus area programs, a pool, sports field and cabins so girls can have year-round overnight camp experiences. Renovations on the Camp Sombrero site began in May, and are expected to take approximately two years to complete.

“The center will teach at-risk youth crucial life skills and self-confidence to help shape them into successful young women and future leaders,” said philanthropist and entrepreneur Bob Parsons. “The Girl Scouts are making a difference, and changing lives in a way that will have long-term effects on our community.”

The property, perched on the side of South Mountain, will become a vibrant center in the South Mountain community. Because of its location, the camp has a remote feel which offer the girls a true camp experience, while staying close to home. The center will provide leadership training for girls and women statewide and serve surrounding community groups, partner organizations and schools.

“Global and local leaders are realizing that investing in girls is an important investment in the future of all communities. Bob and Renee Parsons have sent a strong message about their belief in the Girl Scouts’ ability to help shape and develop the leaders of the future,” said Tamara Woodbury, CEO of Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council.

This is the second gift received from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. In April 2014, the Foundation awarded $288,000 to sustain and expand the capacity of the Girl Scouts Beyond Bars (GSBB) program. The groundbreaking prevention program empowers girls of incarcerated mothers to not only reconnect with their mothers while in prison, but also break the intergenerational cycle of incarceration. To learn more about the Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council visit http://www.girlscoutsaz.org/.