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Harlow: Philanthropy continues during COVID-19 crisis

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As the pandemic surged through the country in 2020 many organizations had to evaluate how to continue their mission safely.

Through generous funding and innovative events, one Phoenix nonprofit awarded $52,500 in grants to help other organizations meet the needs of women and children across the state. Grants are awarded annually through a grant application and review process. The Arizona Women’s Partnership, Inc., is an all-volunteer philanthropic non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the status of Arizona women and empowering women’s grass roots organizations through mini grants and publicity.

“Our numerous grant recipient nonprofits, which operate on shoestring budgets, continue to do phenomenal work in assisting underserved women, children, and families in Arizona,” said Paula Cullison, AZWP president and founder.

Many of the organizations are multi-year grant recipients. Organizations with the longest AZWP partnership found ways to continue to serve the community as well as address new needs that surfaced during the pandemic.

AZWP contributed to a number of organizations, Valley-wide.

Helping At Risk Teens (HART) offers a food pantry and supplies for at risk and homeless youth in the West Valley.

Billy’s Place offers grief counseling services for children of deceased parents in the Phoenix metro area.

Alice’s Place provides counseling and shelter for victims of domestic violence in Winslow. The 2020 grant helped cover the cost of a 24-hour crisis phone line that is vital for clients, law enforcement and hospital staff.

Arizona Association for Foster and Adoptive Parents provides services and programs for foster and adoptive parents, including donated clothing and supplies, a training series to address situations unique to foster and adoptive parents, and toy drives.

Desert Sounds Performing Arts offers musical instruments and instruction for low income youth in Mesa. The grant funding covered the repair of 20 instruments and the purchase of ancillary supplies.

H.A.V.E.N. Family Resource Center provides domestic violence and family counseling services in Lake Havasu. During the pandemic they were able to continue crisis counseling for victims of crime and traumatized women and children totaling almost 400 hours of service.

Unlimited Potential offers English as a Second Language and General Educational Development programs for Hispanic women and their families in the south Phoenix area.

Welcome to America is a resource for refugee families in the Phoenix metro area that provides services and household furnishings. Short term and existing services were funded by the grant including hygiene and cleaning kits as well as assistance with finding employment and transportation.

NavajoYES offers leadership programs for youth on the Navajo Nation. During the pandemic they were able to focus on local trail restoration, among other needs, and encouraged families to visit them.

The funds aided in helping so many people and projects across the state. The following organizations also received an AZWP grant.

About Care for the Elderly — building a community support system for the frail elderly, physically challenged and chronically ill homebound residents in the East Valley area. Constructing Circles of Peace — mental health program that provides domestic violence counseling services for women in Nogales.

Grand Canyon Music Festival — initiated the Native American Composers Apprentice Project in 2001 to train talented Native American students in the art of composition.

Rim Country Literacy — literacy and ESL classes in Payson, as well as books for children and adults in the area.
Angel Heart Pajama Project — provides PJs and books to abused and neglected children and youth in foster care in Tucson.

Dignity House — shelter for sexually trafficked/domestically abused women in the Phoenix metro area.

Hope’s Crossing — meets the needs women released from incarceration in the Phoenix metro area by helping them to transition into a life of work, family and community.

Laptops4Learning — provides laptop computers to under served high school and college students in the Phoenix metro area.

Neighbors Who Care — transportation to medical appointments, evening meal delivery, and other services for the underserved elderly in the East Valley area.

Pan de Vida — intergenerational social services (ex. vegetable garden) in Queen Creek and East Valley areas.
Somali American United Council of AZ — serves a variety of different refugee groups in Phoenix metro area by providing supplies to make clothing as well as masks.

West Yavapai Guidance Clinic Foundation — provides mental health services, clothing and other supplies to women and children in Prescott.
Will2Walk — Provides services to improve the quality of life for youth with spinal cord injuries in the East Valley area.

Next year AZWP will celebrate 20 years of supporting and promoting programs that focus on Arizona women and children.

“As I reflect on the 20 years, since I created the Arizona Women’s Partnership, I am truly amazed at the number of people who have stepped forth to help, whether to donate funds, in-kind services, or to volunteer. For this, I am extremely grateful,” Ms. Cullison said. “Knowing that the needs of vulnerable populations remain constant, the Arizona Women’s Partnership will continue to do as much as we can for as long as we can.”

For more information on the grant recipients, applying for future grants or to donate to the Arizona Women’s Partnership, Inc. please e-mail azwpinc@aol.com or visit www.azwp.org.

Editor’s note: Becky Harlow is a public relations volunteer for the AZ Women’s Partnership.