Staff Reports | Free Press Philanthropy
Elevate Phoenix has been awarded a two-year, $500,000 grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation.
Elevate Phoenix is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to creating generational change for K-12 students both at home and in their communities by giving hope and teaching them skills in-school that inspire at-risk or underserved kids to become leaders, according to a press release.
More than 18,000 Arizona students dropout of school each year and many of today’s urban youth do not have the positive influence from a parent, teacher, relative, or mentor. That lack of guidance and connection can fuel school dropout rates, teen pregnancy and higher incarceration rates.
“Bob and I believe that, with the right champion by their side, every child can achieve their full potential,” said Renee Parsons, co-founder of The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. “Elevate Phoenix mentors build supportive relationships with youth, discourage unhealthy behaviors and prepare them for a bright future and long-term success.”
Elevate Phoenix partners with Arizona’s largest high school district — Phoenix Union — which has more than 30,000 students enrolled.
Elevate Phoenix representatives tell the Digital Free Press the infusion of grant dollars from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation will bolster Elevate Phoenix’s general operating budget, allowing it to expand and reach even more students throughout the school year.
“Education is the key to success,” said Bob Parsons, co-founder of The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. “But not all kids have it easy in school. Elevate Phoenix is making sure that those who are struggling have an entire team on their side to help them succeed.”
Elevate Phoenix uses full-time, salaried teacher-mentors, year-round programming, cross-age mentoring and a long-term relational approach.
“We are incredibly grateful to The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation,” said Dalila A. Gamper, executive director of Elevate Phoenix. “They saw the vision and potential impact of Elevate Phoenix from its beginnings and have come alongside us synergistically to embolden positive change in Phoenix’s urban youth. We oftentimes affably refer to our supporters as ‘Hope Holders’ so how serendipitous that they ‘Deal in Hope.’”
