Staff Reports | Free Press Philanthropy
Pilgrim Rest Foundation is doubling its efforts to help those who are experiencing homelessness get back on their feet across the Phoenix metropolitan area, thanks to a recent grant from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.
The $500,000 grant is designated for emergency rental assistance for individuals and families in need, according to a press release.
“We are deeply humbled and grateful for the support of the Pulliam Trust,” said Richard Yarbough, president of Pilgrim Rest Foundation. “As the housing crisis in our community worsens, our direct assistance programs that help families stay current with their housing payments are more vital than ever.”
Over the past three decades, the Pilgrim Rest Foundation has assembled a comprehensive collection of programs, services and resources to help individuals and families in their time of need, the release states.
“Helping people in need has been a cornerstone of the Pulliam Trust since its creation,” said Gene D’Adamo, president and CEO of the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. “We are proud to support Pilgrim Rest Foundation in its ongoing work to address families’ fundamental needs and enrich life in the Phoenix community.”
The Pilgrim Rest Human Services Fund was created to provide emergency financial assistance for critical expenses including rent/mortgage, utilities, emergency transportation, food and clothing. The foundation receives an average of 300 applications per month and historically has only been able to assist approximately 10% of those applicants, officials there say.
Now, in addition to increasing the foundation’s overall resources dedicated to emergency rental assistance, thereby increasing the number of applicants it can support, the grant also allows the foundation to increase individual Human Services Fund awards up to $1,000, helping families avert further crisis and avoid the prospect of homelessness.
