Save the Family has been chosen by Valley Partnership for its 2013 Community Project.

This project will enhance the Escobedo at Verde Vista development in Mesa. Save the Family was surprised and overjoyed with the announcement at the April 18 Valley Partnership commission meeting.

“Save the Family came prepared to present additional information on our project and organization in order for Valley Partnership to make their final decision. Can you imagine our utter surprise when in my peripheral vision I see a bouquet of balloons and a congratulatory banner stating that we had been chosen as their charity of choice?” said Jacki Taylor, Chief Development Officer.

Jacki Taylor, CEO for Save the Family, and Jennifer Hunt, grant writer for Save the Family.
Jacki Taylor, CEO for Save the Family, and Jennifer Hunt, grant writer for Save the Family.

“We are incredibly grateful for Valley Partnership’s decision. This project will have a great impact on relieving capital costs of our new build, therefore allowing us to provide more services to homeless and at-risk families with children.”

Valley Partnership’s work on the Escobedo at Verde Vista project will include a playground, landscaping, and painting. Escobedo at Verde Vista is a new mixed-use development located in the Washington-Escobedo District in Mesa.

The purpose of this project is to provide 70 affordable housing units for low-income households in Phase I, and 62 units in Phase II, including low-income foster families struggling to keep children out of the foster care system.

The development will also include on-site residential services, features for the disabled, and new administrative and program facilities for Save the Family’s clients and the surrounding community. Phase 1 construction began December 2012 and is scheduled for completion November 2013.

The two organizations were a great match from the beginning. Both Valley Partnership and Save the Family’s mission align by helping build strong communities. Together, the two organizations will build a stronger Valley by giving children in homeless, low-income, and low-income foster families a safe place to build stronger bodies and minds.

Video courtesy Save the Family