Staff Reports | Free Press Philanthropy
On Thursday, Nov. 6, St. Joseph the Worker (The Worker) hosted its third annual Be the Impact Happy Hour and Club 88 Speakeasy After Party, presented by Clayco, at The Grove in Phoenix.
The sold-out rooftop event brought together more than 200 community leaders and changemakers for an evening of connection and fundraising, generating more than $320,000 to support The Worker’s mission to transform lives through employment.
According to a press release, the event is part of The Worker’s ongoing efforts to expand access to employment and housing programs.
“This year’s Be the Impact reminded us what’s possible when a community rallies around second chances,” said Carrie Masters, CEO of The Worker.
“Every contribution helps expand access to employment and housing, and with this year’s funds, we’re one step closer to opening the new Workforce Village home in Mesa, where Arizonans will have the opportunity to rebuild their lives with stability, purpose and hope.”
Highlights from the evening
The rooftop happy hour featured live music, sunset views of Camelback Mountain and a silent auction with exclusive packages and client success stories. After sunset, guests entered Club 88, a 1920s-themed speakeasy-inspired after-party with casino games, signature cocktails and live entertainment.
Attendees enjoyed an acoustic performance by The Black Moods, tested their luck at casino tables and faced off against former LPGA player and Team Troon member Cheyenne Woods, niece of Tiger Woods, in “closest-to-the-pin” contests on a Trackman golf simulator.
During the program, The Worker COO Daren Strunk welcomed guests and shared organizational updates. He was followed by Ryan Abbott, Clayco’s Southwest Region president, who spoke about the company’s commitment to empowering Arizona’s workforce and supporting The Worker’s mission.
Former client Michael Tighe, now owner of VIP Electrical, shared his story of resilience and recovery, describing how The Worker’s programs helped him regain confidence, secure employment and rebuild his life.
Closing the program, longtime volunteer and past board member Joe Baer -spoke about the organization’s legacy and the impact of community-driven generosity.
A highlight of the evening came when an attendee offered a $50,000 match, helping The Worker reach a record fundraising amount. The funds will support Workforce Development and Workforce Housing programs.
The Worker partners with local businesses through its Preferred Business Partner program, which connects clients with employers offering full-time positions starting at $18 per hour, with benefits and opportunities for growth.
Thanks to these partnerships, clients secure full-time employment within an average of 23 days, compared with the national average of four months.
Proceeds from the event will support The Worker’s $375,000 campaign to strengthen employment and housing programs and renovate its new Workforce Village home in Mesa. The home will provide housing for up to nine individuals at a time—36 annually—while they work toward stability, save at least $5,000 and attend life skills classes.
