SU2J is a full-service civil legal education and assistance center, created to close the justice gap for low-income residents of Pima County who need but cannot afford an attorney. They serve clients with meritorious claims in housing, family law, domestic violence, consumer fraud, bankruptcy, employment, wills/probate, and other areas. SU2J is privately-funded and volunteer-driven so that their doors are open to all, including clients who cannot be served elsewhere due to caseload limits, conflicts of interests, national origin, or re-entry status.

Apply for help and learn more on the Step Up to Justice website!

SPW was founded by and for people who use drugs. They started with a singular focus: everyone should have access to the knowledge, tools, and community they need to be safe and healthy. Today they’re committed to making that a reality at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels through street-based outreach, organizational capacity building, and state-wide advocacy work. Their staff draw from a wide range of lived experiences and professional knowledge, and are also parents, science nerds, niche-music connoisseurs, yoga practitioners, makeup artists, cooks, collectors, DJs and so much more.

A longer version of the episode is available below:

SARA members receive extensive training in all aspects of search and rescue work, including wilderness searching, cave rescues, high-angle and technical rescues, swift water rescues, mine rescues, and outdoor safety education. Members are also required to regularly re-certify both their medical qualifications and technical skills. SARA typically responds to more than 100 search and rescue missions each year, representing more than 4,400 hours of volunteer time.

Save the date, February 19th, 2023, for the second annual Pet Parade on 4th Avenue!

Visit their website to find out about upcoming events and volunteer opportunities working directly with animals or assisting with their community outreach efforts.

Their Programs range from care navigation to community art installations (Murals) and Scholarship programs.

All of their services are at no cost to the participant, we do not charge for use of art supplies or for participation in our events. We rely heavily on donors for us to execute our programs and services.

Here’s a link to What Peace Means to Me by Eri, a youth program participant whose essay was mentioned in the interview!

You can learn more about Owl & Panther and become a volunteer by visiting their website.

Visit their website to find out about upcoming events, submit your own event for inclusion on the Tucson Peace Calendar, and connect with community-minded folks!

In this episode of  Nonprofit Spotlight, Stephanie Engs talks with Julie Robinson the first and new Executive Director of Friends of Tucson’s Birthplace the nonprofit that manages Mission Garden. Julie shares how Mission Garden started ten years ago and how they have grown to fulfill their mission to preserve, transmit, and revive the region’s rich agricultural heritage by growing garden plots representative of more than 4000 years of continuous cultivation in the Tucson Basin. Recently, they are working to expand their education programs. The basis of their educational template is to exchange and promote agricultural techniques that combine traditional knowledge with modern science. Mission Garden is located at the foot of Sentinel Peak, at the site of the Native American village of S-cuk Son (pronounced Chuk Shon), a place sacred to the Tohono O’odham.

Caroline also discusses the root of the Tucson Community Safety Survey in partnership with the mayor’s office. The genesis of the work was a community-centered research study developed and carried out by Dr. Grace Gámez (now Assistant Director of Advocacy at The Center for Antiracist Research, Boston University) in collaboration with Flowers & Bullets (https://www.flowersandbullets.com/) in Barrio Centro, Tucson. You can read the research report here (https://afscarizona.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Barrio-Centro-Report.pdf) The survey is available to any Tucson resident of the City of Tucson. 

Tucson Community Safety Survey: Any Tucson resident can take the survey online. It’s available in both English and Spanish: https://www.tucsonaz.gov/home/announcement/take-reimagining-community-safety-survey

Upcoming Expungement Clinic:

Persons in need of assistance with expungement should contact: Southern Arizona Legal Aid, Inc. at

520-623-9465 ext. 4420, or email us at expunge@sazlegalaid.org

To contact the Reclaim Your Future statewide Marijuana Expungement coalition contact 1-800-722-4026 | info@azexpunge.org | azexpunge.org

BorderLinks offers experiential learning opportunities that explore the difficulties of migration and life along the U.S./Mexico border, and beyond the border to Chiapas. They aim to educate individuals through interactive workshops and immersion delegation trips; their approach centers the voices of migrants and people committed to social change. Now offering both virtual and in-person programming!

In this episode of The Nonprofit Spotlight, Cheron Taylor talks with Shruti Kaul from BICAS (Bicycle Inter-Community Art & Salvage) a worker self-directed nonprofit 501(c)(3) bicycle center located just north of downtown Tucson.

Relying largely on generous donations from our community, and responsible stewardship of those donations, BICAS is able to provide a variety of programs to learn how to fix a bicycle, earn a bicycle, create unique art from recycled materials, and provide programs specifically targeted towards youth. We believe in bicycles and other human-powered machines as essential vehicles for transportation justice, and we are always striving to make them more accessible to our community.

Thank you for visiting KXCI.org

Elva De La Torre talks with Roxanne Torres from SAAVI Services for the Blind about who they serve in our community and how they have adapted their programs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ScholarshipsA-Z is an immigrant-youth led organization that cultivates the power of Undocumented youth to create spaces where immigrant families have access to the educational and social resources they deserve and where youth work alongside educators to transform Arizona’s educational landscape. For most of its history SA-Z has been fully-volunteer led. In June of 2020, SA-Z hired its first-full time staff member and is in an exciting growing stage.

Groundworks is looking for artists, performers and volunteers of all ages to help with the build out of their new location and planning for the future.

With 2 events coming to the new location in November so stay tuned!

• Direct aid that extends the right to provide humanitarian assistance
• Witnessing and responding
• Consciousness raising
• Global movement building
• Encouraging humane immigration policy
• 

This episode originally broadcast on 91.3 FM July 2020

The mission of the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation is to cultivate a healthy and stigma-free society through transformative action.

SAZAEYC promotes high quality early learning for all children, birth through age 8, by connecting practice, policy and research. We advance a diverse, dynamic early childhood profession and support all who care for, educate, and work on behalf of young children.

Founded in 1969, Chicanos Por La Causa believes that all people, without discrimination, should have the power to live a life of dignity. Their programs work to help individuals and families achieve self-sufficiency by providing accessible healthcare; affordable housing; a quality education; access to meaningful work; and political representation.

Beth Morrison talks with Elva De La Torre about Our Family Services.

Elva De La Torre recently spoke with Anakarina Rodriguez from NALEO, the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials about their work on the Census and making sure everyone gets counted.

Imagine losing, in an instant, your ability to communicate.  To struggle to say your own name, to write a simple email, or to read the newspaper.  This is a reality for individuals living with aphasia.

Aphasia is a communication disorder that robs individuals of their ability to speak, understand, read, and/or write. Typically, it results from a stroke, but it can also be caused by a traumatic brain injury, a brain tumor, a brain infection, or brain degeneration.

Friends of Aphasia is a Tucson-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families living with aphasia by providing comprehensive aphasia services, implementing advocacy and awareness projects, and spearheading innovative aphasia treatment research. For more information about participating in our programs, volunteering, or supporting our work, please visit our website at www.friendsofaphasia.com or email us at info@friendsofaphasia.com.

Imagine losing, in an instant, your ability to communicate.  To struggle to say your own name, to write a simple email, or to read the newspaper.  This is a reality for individuals living with aphasia.

Aphasia is a communication disorder that robs individuals of their ability to speak, understand, read, and/or write. Typically, it results from a stroke, but it can also be caused by a traumatic brain injury, a brain tumor, a brain infection, or brain degeneration.

Friends of Aphasia is a Tucson-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families living with aphasia by providing comprehensive aphasia services, implementing advocacy and awareness projects, and spearheading innovative aphasia treatment research. For more information about participating in our programs, volunteering, or supporting our work, please visit our website at www.friendsofaphasia.com or email us at info@friendsofaphasia.com.

Elva recently sat down with Noreen Olsen from the Colby Olsen Foundation.

Elva was joined in the studio by Linda Hollis from St. Luke’s Home.

Liz Gulick, Co-President of Goodwill of Southern Arizona shares about the programmatic work of the organization and their 50 year anniversary in Southern Arizona.

Bag It educates, supports, and empowers those impacted by cancer.

Host + Engineer: Jennie Grabel

Editing + Post Production: Bridgitte Thum

Our guest is Peggy Hutchison, CEO of the Primavera Foundation Primavera Foundation a critical nonprofit doing profound and innovative work in our community. Peggy talks about how her organization is promoting social and economic justice by providing pathways out of poverty through safe affordable housing, workforce development and neighborhood revitalization. For more information and to find out how you can get involved, go here

or call 520-882-9668

Jennie, host of the Nonprofit Spotlight and Liz Baker-Bowen, CEO of SARSEF

SARSEF (Southern Arizona Research, Science and Engineering Foundation) is creating Southern Arizona’s Next Generation of Critical Thinkers and Problem Solvers through Science and Engineering. In this edition of the Nonprofit Spotlight, Liz shares the vision, mission and special approach that SARSEF uses to inspire local youth to think critically and solve problems. The organization supports students, teachers and parents in science and engineering project work.

Learn more at SARSEF.org

John Vornholt talks with Jennie G about Old Pueblo Playwrights.

More information about Old Pueblo Playwrights can be found here 

They are also active on Facebook.

Humane Society of Southern Arizona’s Chief Operations Officer, Brandy Burke shares information on the celebration activities of 75 years of work in the community and highlights one of their unique programs.

For more information, you can visit the website:

compassaffordablehousing.org

More information can be found on their website, Tucsonpops.org

Shay Bieder, Integrative Touch for Kids

The Nonprofit Spotlight features Integrative Touch for Kids, Founder and CEO Shay Bieder to share more about their incredible work in the community.

www.IntegrativeTouch.org

Testimonials from Families

“My whole life I never expected I would be diagnosed with Stage 4 lymphoma. The service provided to me from your company has been the most effective and most enjoyable experience of my whole situation. Thank you so much and I hope your company can grow and help more people heal with such an amazing service.”

-Child in the hospital who received our services.

“I had no idea what to expect. I am floored by this event. I have never experienced anything like this!”

“I feel more empowered.”

“I cannot wait for the ITK Healing Center to be built and to participate in more ITK Healing Circles. This is the best part of the year for our family. We all learn so much and grow every time!”

“This event exceeded my expectations. All presenters and sessions were excellent. The number and quality of volunteers is shocking. Wow! What a great experience.”

“What a wonderful experience. Thank you so much. Just a great organization with an awesome mission.”

“I’m really in awe of how well my expectations were met! I am just so thankful!!!”

“I am so grateful! I am not even this confident with the care of my respite providers!! So grateful!”

“The overall experience was meaningful….being able to take a step back from everyday life to take a look at my life and my family’s life and what we can do to be happier and healthier. We can incorporate what we learned into our everyday life.”

“This was an incredible program that helped link people together over the things they had in common.”

“Thank you for providing such a needed and incredible service to the Tucson special needs community!”

“I wish every family had a chance to experience this.”

“Everything went well today. I got the perfect balance of healing therapies, physical and mental support to give me a reboot.”

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

“The staff was awesome and very patient.  I was told by your staff that my grandson was spunky and wonderful instead of all the negative things I hear all the time. Also, my husband has cancer and today was very healing for all of us. Thank you for making a huge difference in our lives today.”

Jennie G talks with Candace Martin from the YMCA! Learn more about the YMCA’s All Kids Swim program while you listen!

Jennie sits down with Katie Rogerson of Tucson Values Teachers,

to talk about Teaching In Arizona 

a new documentary film that is an accurate portrait of what it is like to be a teacher in Arizona.

Teacher’s Appreciation Week is May 6-10.

To hear our special Teacher’s Appreciation Week segments,

follow this link: A Teaching Moment

https://www.friendsofpacc.org/

The Nonprofit Spotlight welcomes Joanna Keyl, Development Coordinator of Coyote Task Force which operates Cafe 54 and Our Place Clubhouse.

Left to Right: Joanna Keyl and Jennie Grabel

United Way Shares VITA Program on The Nonprofit Spotlight

From left to right:

Melissa D’Auria, Director of Marketing

Rae Pilarski, Director of Financial Stability

Jennie Grabel, Nonprofit Spotlight Host

United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona sponsors an annual program called Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, or VITA, which provides tax return preparation services, by IRS-certified professionals, free of charge. There is no cost at all to the taxpayer to have their returns prepared and filed, and the tax preparers volunteer all of their time. Those eligible for the VITA program are individuals and families that earned up to $66,000 last year. CLICK HERE to learn more about the program and various offerings of support.

On March 6, United Way’s Young Leaders Society will host an event at Hotel McCoy called Taxes and Tacos, where people meeting the above income criteria can show up to have their taxes done, for free, and enjoy complimentary tacos and beverages.

https://www.unitedwaytucson.org/vita

Mia Hansen, Board President of Southern Arizona Adaptive Sports joined Jennie G. to share more about the organization and how you can get involved.

Jennie G. talks with Scott Blades, The Executive Director of TIHAN.

Listen Here!

more information at tihan.org

Our Host Jennie G finds out how the people at Sonoran Glass are changing lives and playing with fire!