Through its WaFd Bank Foundation, WaFd Bank Arizona’s 31 branches were able to come together and donate $40,000 to both the Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS), based in Phoenix, and the Primavera Foundation, based in Tucson, in recent weeks to help them continue their critical operations amid COVID-19.
“Our purpose through the Foundation is to facilitate direct giving to community-based nonprofits serving low- and moderate-income individuals’ needs,” says Mike Brown, WaFd Bank Arizona president. “Over the past few years, we’ve been very proud to invest over $250,000 in direct giving across Arizona through it.”
CASS’ mission is to prevent and end homelessness among individuals and families while advancing compassionate community solutions. Serving the entire Phoenix metropolitan area, CASS is a regional solution to homelessness, working to fill service gaps and help thousands of people to transform their lives, get a roof over their head, a job, and a chance at a new life.
“CASS is the largest and longest serving homeless emergency shelter provider in Arizona. Both its adult and family shelters operate at full capacity 24/7, 365 days of the year,” says Brown. “And since 1983, the Primavera Foundation has provided tangible pathways out of poverty through safe, affordable housing, workforce development, and neighborhood revitalization”
According to Brown, each year, its programs impact more than 8,200 individuals and families across Southern Arizona. Through partnerships with volunteers, donors, neighborhoods, community-based organizations, businesses, and public entities, Primavera offers four vital areas of support through: survival, stability, security, and sustainability,.
“Primavera’s participants strengthen their skills, obtain steady employment, find safe, affordable places to call home, set and achieve realistic goals, build sustainable financial futures, advocate for their rights, and connect with their communities in meaningful, value-added ways,” says Brown.
