Community involvement and giving back is a top priority for Desert Schools. After the success of the inaugural year, Arizona’s largest federal credit union is launching the second annual Shine On campaign with the intent to give up to $10,000 each to six deserving organizations.
The following organizations were selected to participate in the 2015-2016 Shine On program: Future for Kids, StreetLight USA, Save the Family, Singleton Moms, St. Joseph the Worker and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona; each serving the community in a variety of important ways.
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.
To kick off the campaign, Desert Schools donated $5,000 to each charity and is providing the opportunity for each organization to earn an additional $5,000. For every 5,000 votes the agencies receive, they will earn $1,000 from Desert Schools. From now through the end of February 2016, 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. The Shine On website also features videos and updates from the groups on the work they do.
“As a credit union, we work for our members and the local community in everything we do. Shine On is a way for us to increase that impact exponentially, shedding light on other organizations that serve the community in different ways. These six non-profit agencies are very deserving and do remarkable work,” said Susan Frank, CEO of Desert Schools. “We hope that through the Shine On program, we can help them continue to succeed and bring awareness to the critical issues they address in Arizona,” concluded Frank.
Desert Schools’ commitment to improving the community is a pillar of the organization, and the Shine On program is the centerpiece of this mission.
