NBA Foundation marks three rounds of funding to support Valley women
Staff Reports | Digital Free Press
Valley of the Sun United Way is announcing a $210,000 grant by the NBA Foundation in support of Valley of the Sun United Way’s Pathways to Economic Opportunity program.
Pathways to Economic Opportunity works with Black and Latina women of Maricopa County, ages 16-29, to close the gender and race wealth gaps by providing job-skills training and upskilling, access to mentorships, internships and apprenticeships, financial literacy workshops and other opportunities.
Led by Valley of the Sun United Way, the program is facilitated in partnership with Chicanos Por La Causa, the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation, Pipeline AZ, Year Up Arizona and YWCA Metropolitan Phoenix, according to a press release.
“We envision a community where every person has every opportunity to succeed,” said Carla Vargas Jasa, president and CEO of Valley of the Sun United Way. “By increasing access to mentors, networks, skills training and more, we’re investing in the careers for young Black and Latina women and we’re also strengthening our entire community today and into the future.”
Many Black and Latina women often lack access to the same opportunities as their white peers, putting them at a distinct disadvantage when starting their careers. This disparity contributes to a significant national wealth gap where Black women earn $0.66 and Latinas earn $0.52 for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men.1 In Arizona, this equates to $19,156 less income annually for Black women and $25,511 less each year for Latinas.
In 2022, the NBA Foundation made an initial investment that helped create and launch the Pathways to Economic Opportunity program in Maricopa County.
“We are grateful for the NBA Foundation’s continued commitment and for our partners’ support in making equitable opportunities available to our community’s future leaders,” Ms. Vargas Jasa said.
The Pathways to Economic Opportunity program team is currently recruiting for mentors and mentees for the upcoming 2024-25 cohort.
