The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation has awarded Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona (Free Arts) a $250,000 grant to enhance existing programs. Providing services specifically to children who live in group homes, residential treatment centers, child crisis centers and domestic violence and homeless shelters, Free Arts relies heavily on the type of support provided by The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation to fulfill the organization’s mission of healing abused and homeless children through artistic expression.
“As demand for foster care placement continues to rise in Arizona, it’s wonderful to see caring people like Bob and Renee Parsons step in yet again to help support our community’s most at-risk children,” said Alicia Sutton Campbell, Executive Director for Free Arts. “Through the programs that Free Arts provides, children from homeless and abusive situations can experience healing with therapeutic arts and caring adult mentors.”
The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation has been an active supporter of Free Arts for several years and the most recent grant will allow the organization to expand programs and provide even more children with a positive outlet to channel their emotions and creatively express themselves. Free Arts provides a complex program, working to restore hope, build self-esteem and help children to grow emotionally. Programs include visual and performing arts, creative writing, theater camps, the Professional Artists Series and other artistic projects. The organization serves 32 partner agencies at more than 115 sites across Maricopa County.
“Working with Free Arts for the past few years, I have seen firsthand the enormous impact on children and the positive change these programs create,” said entrepreneur and businessman, Bob Parsons. “Free Arts is making a difference, and giving hope to children facing stresses in the home environment that are unbelievably difficult.”
“Art is an effective form of therapy. The work Free Arts is doing is changing and empowering vulnerable children, and we are delighted to continue our partnership with this inspiring organization,” said Renee Parsons.
The grant also helps increase awareness in the greater community of the Arizona Foster Care Tax Credit. Free Arts will use grant dollars to educate the community about this unique tax program designed to support agencies working with foster children. Additionally, The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation will match dollar-for-dollar, up to $100,000, all tax credit donations made by first-time donors and returning donors who have not donated since December 31, 2012. To learn more, visit freeartsaz.org.
