Phoenix Nonprofits and Charities

Orpheus is an amazing choir. Brook Larson, our Artistic Director (Conductor) is a true professional and has multiple Masters/Doctorates in music (Theory, Conducting). And he's entertaining and easy to get along with. I came into the choir without singing experience, and I'm pleased to say that I can now call myself a singer. <br> <br>The part I like most about Orpheus is the camaraderie with the other guys. We all share a love of music, and we enjoy the faces in the audience when we delight them with our program. Join us for a few minutes some night and listen to us practice. No commitment required. You'll love the experience - my guess is you'll fall in love and join the choir! <br>

I began working with UMOM in 2007 when I joined the UMOM Auxiliary. We supplied volunteer help and did a fund raising luncheon each year. I am also a member of the Methodist Church women's group now called United Women in Faith. As a district officer for the group I volunteered to join the UMOM Board as an ex officio member. I can attest to the wonderful people who are employed at UMOM, the very professional UMOM Board Members. and the volunteers who work to end homelessness in the greater Phoenix area. In my time of volunteering for UMOM thousands of families and single women have been elevated out of homelessness and into affordable housing.

I met my husband , Michael, at an open mic at Fiddlers Dream about 21 years ago. He was 16 years old and I was 18. He played a set on his guitar right before I went on to play my piano songs. I instantly liked his music and his style. We didn't talk that first night at the open mic, but as it happened, we both came the following week in hopes to see each other again. Unbeknownst to me, Michael had recorded my set that second week and ended up showing my songs to all his friends at school the days after. We eventually worked up the courage to talk to each other and exchanged numbers for "musical" purposes, of course. We loved recording each other and creating songs together. Before long, we were frequenting Fiddlers as a couple. We probably tortured the audience with our cheesy loves songs and angsty teenage ballads, but all we saw was each other. The first several years of our relationship was dedicated to our musical endeavors together. We played many open mics and local shows together. Of all the places we played though, Fiddler's Dream remained a favorite of ours. It's small and intimate setting never lost its charm or appeal. The talent there was always exceptional and we youngins' were eager to learn from the gifted gray heads around us. After five years of dating, Michael and I got married. For our ten year marriage anniversary, I blind folded Michael and drove him to Fiddlers Dream. When we got out of the car I asked him if he knew where he was. The gravel parking lot under his feet was a slight clue, but it was the sound of guitars being tuned nearby that was all too familiar to him, especially the plucking of folk riffs that Fiddlers Dream was known for. I played him another cheesy love song that night in the building where it had all started for us 15 years before. It felt full circle, like coming around the corner and seeing an old friend. And even though there had been changes to the building, we sunk into the same old chairs with ease. Fiddlers Dream beautifully held our foolish youth, in all its passions, and allowed us to blossom and be nurtured in our musical meanderings. I know it has been a safe place of growth and friendship for countless others as well. Stories will always be told of this place, but I like mine the best. I fell in love at this little hole in the wall place 21 years ago... with music and my husband. (picture of us on the original stage at Fiddlers Dream in 2002)

I am very disappointed with Food for the Hungry. We have been faithful donors for over a decade, and recently after falling on very difficult financial circumstances and after prayer, we made the decision to cancel our sponsorship. Yet Food for the Hungry was angry with us and refused our calls, instead of appreciating the years of sponsorship we contributed to their charity. We will NEVER donate to Food for the Hungry once we are financially able to sponsor another child. I am appalled that they call themselves Christians - this is not the way Christians are to treat one another, grace should have been given. Additionally, whenever our sponsored child left the program there was zero notification to us - Food for the Hungry just reassigned our funds, as if the relationship to our sponsored child didn't matter. Do not give to Food for the Hungry - take your donations elsewhere.

The U.S. Marshals Posse has donated to Horses Help in support of their therapy horse volunteer services to children and adults with physical, cognitive, and behavioral challenges, including at-risk and military populations. Thank you for all that you do for our community! ~Russ Gunther, secretary

As an older person, I find Planned Parenthood Arizona's emphasis upon confidentiality reassuring, as women my age are not usually thought of as sexually-active. This is a nonjudgmental, honest, and affordable place for me to get the healthcare and guidance I need to keep myself safe and healthy. Very reassuring!

I'm proud to be a member of the Junior League of Phoenix. <br> <br>I, like many other women in this organization, joined to meet like-minded women. However, what I gained was so much more. I now actively make an impact in the community through volunteer opportunities, partnerships, and JLP programs. The League offers a variety of trainings ranging from leadership, diversity and inclusions, to even personal finance or getting involved in politics. The League offers everything I looked for in an organization. I can volunteer and make a difference, work with children and families, gain leadership experience, all while making lifelong friendships.

I am saddened to see this organization close. I began to volunteer with Shanti in 1992 helping out their clients in many ways. I was a disabled veteran dealing with my own pains and problems yet attending their Emotional Support Training and working as a volunteer gave me a boost emotionally.<br> In 1993 I transitioned into working with their intake programs and the homeless shelter. The staff was great and the Founder, R.G. became a close friend. I moved out of town and lost touch, now back in the valley I do wish that PSG would continue. However, perhaps it is a sign that the "crisis" is over, and that they have done their job. I would volunteer with them again without question.

I first started participating with Daring Adventure in 2013. I took a break and came back in 2016 with paddle fest. From there I did several day hikes and other activities with Daring Adventure. On February 24 2018 I had a serious fall that left me paralyzed from the waist down but with it came time for PSC 2018 Daring Adventure provided me a safari chair and excellent voulenteers for assistant so I could participate. It's because of Daring Adventure I can continue participating in inclusive activities.

The Roeser Rd Church of Christ Youth volunteered here on Jan 13, 2018 and we had a great time helping out. They were so organized, they made it so easy. We are planning to go back in a few months as a group and me and my family will definitely be going there soon.

Your company is a front, to rip off the children of wealthy parents. You should all be sued for extreme abuse and abandonment. You try to have people committed and eventually put into Rest Homes.

Every friday the volunteers deliver food to the needy the foundation feefs 200 persons

Do not donate to the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SVdP)! Your donations do not go to the basic needs of the homeless. SVdP does not even provide heating in 55° and lower weather, and throws the homeless out on the streets each day for hours. Your donations/government grants go to the Mafia who is Cynthia S. Cynthia S. runs SVdP and murders witnesses who are homeless by systematically breaking down their autoimmune systems to divert from her murdering county employees in the legal profession, and Arizona Dept of Public Safety covers for Cynthia S. so they approve of everything SVdP does!

CFN is a fantastic organization that helps multiple charities every year. I've had the pleasure of attending their annual Gala in March for a few years now and I'm always impressed by their quality of events surrounding that weekend. Staff is attentive and makes everyone feel like a star.

i adopted two kitties from AZ RESCUE and the experience was amazing. They asked me a lot of questions, although I was referred by a volunteer with them for over 10 years. They truly want to find great homes for their pets. The facility was nothing short of a wonderland for animals. It was perfectly clean, well kept and well managed. The pets I adopted adjusted very easily, as where they were housed was spacious, clean, and they were played with and given love several times a day. My friend of 4 years volunteers there and is an amazing person and she speaks so highly of what they do. I am a constant supporter of theirs and will continue to be. They are exceedingly ethical in the adoptions, care for the animals, and mission. My kitties are amazing (adopted 4 years ago).

Glad to be a donor to this organization keep up the good work helping others

I know that when I donate my money to the CFF my money is being put to work. The CFF is leading the way in how they manage their funding and how they are funding research. I do not know of any other disease that is making the strides the CFF is in improving quality of life and getting closer to a cure. I also know that I am also helping patients through the patient assistance program so that they can get help to keep up with their medications. I love the variety of fundraising events that they have throughout the year. There is something for everyone and so many ways for people to get involved. On a more personal level as someone who has a child battling this horrible disease I pay close attention to the CFF and how it is being managed. These people constantly go above & beyond for our loved ones. The life expectancy just keeps climbing and the quality of life is getting better. We have great reason to plan for a future because of the work done by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Each of us volunteers for our own personal reasons and I have been a recidivist volunteer all my life. But volunteering at the Rosson House Museum has been especially rewarding. First I've met some very friendly, dedicated people. It seems that being a part of this organization brings out certain overachievers in our community and stepping up to the task at hand is the norm with many. But I want to single out one individual in particular (and I know this is not fair, because from the Executive Director to the rest of the staff, all have brought something special to the organization) but, our volunteer coordinator just can't say, "Thank you" too many times. His friendly demeanor and profuse appreciation is palpable. Now, I rated this organization 4 stars, not because of any particular shortcoming, but because there is always room for improvement and in fact it has exceeded my expectation.

<br>I have been involved with the organization for two years in a number of different capacities – as a mentor, tutor, tour guide, coach, and camp counselor. I’ve served as head chef, teaching 7th graders to fry chicken in the industrial kitchen of a shelter as we worked to prepare dinner for the homeless. On four different occasions I cooked with the BHGH scholars, helping them learn the life skill of preparing food as they developed the far more important value of giving back to their community. I’ve coached pre-season football practice for 10 and 11-year-old boys, eager to try out for the flag football team at their elite, private school. After just a week at a new school, in a very different environment from the Title I elementary school where they had been nominated for BHGH scholarships, they were so brave to want to try out for the school’s flag football team. Without dads at home or yards to play in, most had never thrown a football in their lives. We worked on skills, offense and defense, but the confidence they built in having trained before tryouts was the most valuable part of our practices. <br> <br>Last month I took a group of 18 sixth, seventh, and eight graders, including Carlos (my mentee), on a trip to Sedona. Most had never been to Sedona before, and the boys in my car were amazed by the scenery around them. These scholars almost never get the chance to leave the city, and very few had ever done any hiking. We hiked 3.5 miles into the canyon to a beautiful, red rock swimming hole, where the bravest of the scholars could even jump off rocks into the blue green water below. They were absolutely delighted, having worked to arrive at an oasis, so different from anything they had ever experienced. <br> <br>BHGH requires scholars to write journal entries about a few activities of their choosing each semester. Last week, Carlos wrote the following reflection: <br> <br>“When we got to our destination, the hike paid off. The water was cold but very fun. We really did not want to get out of the water because the water was relaxing… Some friends and I went hiking and found lots of interesting things in the wild, like a slimy frog. The frog was just sitting on a rock. I wanted to touch it but it might have been dangerous… I liked that we were able to swim and have fun. I also liked that we could explore the nature and have an adventure at the same time. I liked that we could get out and explore the world. All kids should get out and play outside.” <br> <br>It has been a true privilege for me to participate in helping these kids to have the kind of opportunities that more privileged children take for granted and to reflect on the childhood experiences that shaped my own life.

Love this Church and the People from Lincoln Heights!! When I walk in the doors each sunday I feel I am at home! I love how Chris brings Gods word alive each week and is a awesome story teller!! The worship is powerful and dynamic!! I have kids in both the toddler and middle school groups and they learn so much each week.. they walk away talking about what God has taught them and I couldn't been more impressed!!

I attended a wonderful conference put on by the Epilepsy Foundation of AZ that helped me a great deal as the wife of a husband with epilepsy. The speakers were wonderful (several Dr.'s who specialize in epilepsy) and several people who gave moving stories of their struggles with epilepsy. I found out at this conference that Dilantin can cause osteoporos, and I am so thankful for that information and subsequently had my husband tested and he does have osteoporosis. He had numerous falls and fractured his pelvis in one fall. I was so glad to learn this about his medication, and so glad for the support I got at the confetemce! This is a great organization and I hope it gets the recognition and support it deserves for being an advocate for all those living with epilepsy. Thank-you.

I am chairman of the board at Homeward Bound and have seen firsthand how they break the cycles of violence and homelessness for families with children. As a work first program, each family is assigned a case manager who individually sets up a plan to move them toward self-sufficiency. Families with children live either in our secured Thunderbird Family Village in one of our 80 two-bedroom apartments or in one of our 75 scattered homes throughout the valley. Along with safe housing, each area is evaluated: employment (or lack of), education, budgeting, parenting, mental health, poor credit, custody issues, orders of protection (in DV cases). Children -- birth through 5 years stay in our ON- SITE daycare center where they are developmentally and socially evaluated every six months so they can be given a planned curriculum to ensure they are ready for Kindergarten. Homeward Bound addresses trauma, educational delays, health and dental issues, and social skills through a variety of collaborations with other organizations that specialize in various services. These families are given the tools and lessons that they lacked to manage their lives. After an average stay of two years, 95% of these families go on to self-sufficiency, meaning they are gainfully employed, able to afford market-priced housing, and their children are in school and thriving. It is a model of empowerment. E-mail me if you would like to get involved or learn more about Homeward Bound and the 155 families we serve! kari@havens.us

I've been working with Blueprint Education for the past two years as an advisor on social media and as a member of the Board of Directors. This year, as Chairman, I'm so proud of the work this team has focused on. The impact of this organization is tangible in the community and especially in the lives of the kids who are enrolled. The staff and volunteers are wonderful, hard working people who are truly living the mission of this organization to bring quality, alternative education options to kids who really need it. I wish continued success to this team and the kids who really carry the message forward.

I interviewed with this organization in Phoenix, Arizona and the executive who talked with me wanted to know my astrological sign. When I told her my sign she made disparaging remarks about people associated with the sign of Aries.

It helped me to gain my self esteem and confidence after my divorce along with helping me write a resume and job search