By Madeline Bates
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The Aris Foundation, a Tempe-based organization that helps homeless individuals, has been relocated to the University Presbyterian Church at 139 E. Alameda Drive for its weekly dinner and gathering to help those in need.

The previous location was the parking lot of Mountain Park Health Center in Tempe. When they announced that they would be changing their hours, they also said Aris would not be able to operate its services due to the new hours.

“We’re here in such a magical place, it’s such a great location,” said Katherine Kouvelas Edick, founder and CEO of Aris.

Electricity, air-conditioning and bathrooms are a few of the amenities that the volunteers and recipients enjoy about the new space.

“This saves me from a lot of stuff because if not, I’d be too focused on the things that go on out here,” said Chris Wyatt who has been coming to Aris gatherings for about two months.

Wyatt has been homeless for about two years and said that being in the heat can get tiring, but having a place for a meal and community is worth returning to.

Aris also partners with Crossroads, a rehabilitation center that helps those on the streets connect with resources to end addiction and build a community while they recover. Meals for the community rotate every week and food boxes are available for those who are food insecure

“They’re just an excellent organization and we have a really great partnership,” said University Presbyterian elder Jo Lewis.

Lewis is also the director of mission services and says Aris’s mission to help those in need aligns perfectly with the church.

Aris and Crossroads are always open to donations and Aris welcomes new volunteers for meal preparation every month.

“Every winter I can’t stand that summer is coming because the heat is that bad so it’s great to have a place where if someone is overheating, we can bring them inside and cool them off,” Kouvelas Edick said.

To learn more about Aris or to give visit www.arisfoundation.org

To voice your opinion on this story, connect with us at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.

Madeline Bates
Reporter | Tempe/East Phoenix

mbates@iniusa.org

Meet Madeline

Madeline Bates joined Independent Newsmedia in 2025 as a Phoenix/Tempe reporter. Before graduating college, she spent a semester in Washington as a Congressional reporter in the first 100 days of the second Trump administration. But local news is where her heart is. She is excited to be in Phoenix full time and exploring new parts of the city (as long as they have AC).  

Community: After living in East Phoenix for two years, she fell in love with Paradise Valley, Mesa, Tempe, and everywhere in between. She recently discovered the beauty of the South Mountain Reserve and hopes to continue exploring should the weather comply.

Education: Madeline has a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and a certificate in Political History and Leadership.

Random Fact: She is a self-taught nail tech. No, she cannot do your nails.

Hobbies: Hiking (when its not 100 degrees), fiction writing, cooking, baking and trying new coffee shops.