UMOM gets $1.5M from Parsons Foundation to help homeless

UMOM New Day Centers received a $1.5 million grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation aimed to help the homeless.

The money, distributed over three years, is unrestricted in where it can be used. UMOM officials said they planned to use the funds to help homeless families through shelters and services.

“We are deeply grateful to The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation for standing with the families we serve,” said Monique Lopez, CEO of UMOM New Day Centers, in a press release. “This unrestricted grant gives us the ability to break down barriers, stabilize families in crisis, and open the door to long-term opportunity for thousands.”

The foundation said the funding was crucial as the number of homeless people in the Valley continues to grow.

“It’s sad that more and more families are falling into homelessness,” said Renee Parsons, co-founder of The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. “UMOM is the gold standard in Arizona when it comes to helping parents and their children regain stability. From nutritious meals and healthcare services to job readiness and childcare – their programs don’t just shelter families, they transform futures.”

Officials with UMOM said the funding will help the organization meet rising demand, reduce waitlists and expand programs to help parents and children.

“It hits me hard to think about children sleeping in cars or on the streets,” said Bob Parsons, co-founder of The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. “UMOM embraces families at one of the toughest times of their lives, giving them the dignity, stability and the support they need to move forward.”