Desert Schools extended its Shine On Campaign to donate $60,000 to local nonprofits for one more month.
Now in its second year, Shine On is Desert Schools’ largest philanthropic effort, with plans to donate $60,000 to six local non-profits.
Launched in October, the program utilizes crowd sourcing as a way for the organizations to receive charitable support.
ShineOnAz.org, the campaign’s website, is how the charities “earn” money through voting. For every 5,000 votes a charity receives it earns an additional $1,000 from Desert Schools.
Desert Schools launched Shine On by donating $5,000 to each organization with the hopes of donating $5,000 more. Shine On has been extended through the end of March, to give the selected charities more time to interact with their networks and earn additional dollars.
Here are the six organizations taking part in Shine On this year:
Future for Kids coordinates weekly small group mentoring for children ages 6 through 14. Mentors meet with students in a structured small-group program, focusing on academics, athletics and ethics.
StreetLight USA provides residential care for girls who are victims of sex trafficking. Girls ages 11 to 17 receive life skills assistance and counseling to build self-esteem and work toward becoming independent and successful young women.
Save the Family helps homeless families find transitional and permanent housing, in addition to providing financial education, career coaching, legal assistance, life skill classes, and youth enrichment programs.
Singleton Moms provides support and resources to single parent moms (and dads) battling cancer. Services include financial assistance, basic supply donations, pre-prepared meals, house cleaning, and social activities for the parents and children.
St. Joseph the Worker helps people who are homeless or low-income find gainful employment through mentoring and support services. Clients receive assistance with resumes, applications, email access, job searches, interview skills, transportation, dress clothes and more.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona provides one-on-one mentoring services for at-risk youth through their traditional community program, as well as a site-based program where children meet with a mentor during their school lunch hour.
Desert Schools is committed to giving back and supporting local organization that make a positive impact on Phoenix and the surrounding areas.
“These are remarkable organizations and we want to help support the work they do, serving a variety of groups here in the Valley,” said Susan Frank, CEO of Desert Schools. “The Shine On program is one way Desert Schools works directly with non-profits and the community, a priority and focus that is very important to us.”
The public is encouraged to visit www.shineonaz.org to vote for their favorite participating organization, helping it to earn the additional $5,000 allotted.