It has been an extraordinary year for the United Way of Northern Arizona and, more importantly, for the communities we serve. We saw dramatic increases in some programs, added benefits to others, and witnessed the amazing ability of our communities to pull together and collectively improve conditions for all in our region.
Here are our Top 10 highlights of the year:
United Way of Northern Arizona recently convened a meeting of more than 50 business and community leaders, elected officials, and early childhood education experts to discuss how strategic investment in early childhood programs can help support our local workforce and the economic health of our region.
Among the items discussed was the benefit of programs like Elevate PreK, the highly successful initiative that provides free, year-round, high-quality preschool education to 4-year-olds.
To better serve our communities and Lead the Way in improving lives in Coconino, Navajo, and Apache counties, United Way of Northern Arizona (UWNA) is hiring for three key positions.
These positions will be open until filled and the application review process for all three will begin this Monday, October 14.
We would appreciate your help in spreading the word. If you or someone you know would be a great fit for one of these roles, please check out the job details below and feel free to forward this email to potential candidates!
United Way of Northern Arizona (UWNA) is in the planning stages of a new effort to increase the reading skills of young children through Literacy Fairs that target children who are below proficient reading levels.
The two fairs, the first of which will be held prior to the Thanksgiving holiday, are being made possible by a grant from Read On Arizona, the state’s early literacy initiative. One fair will be for second graders, while the other will focus on preschoolers.
UWNA is partnering with key local organizations to identify and reach out to students who may benefit from these fairs. The events will not only provide access to community resources, but also offer interactive workshops aimed at equipping families with practical literacy strategies.
“The workshops will focus on making literacy development fun and accessible, showcasing activities that can easily be integrated into everyday life—whether at home, in the park, or even in the car,” said UWNA President & CEO Liz Archuleta.
We hope to see you on September 28 at the Sky Bar at Agassiz Lodge for Brews & Views, Snowbowl’s 3rd Annual Community Fundraiser to benefit United Way of Northern Arizona.
This full day of fun in the mountains will include delicious craft brews from local and nationally known breweries; live music with the Flag5; lots of giveaway prizes; and much more.
Tickets are $40 and all proceeds will be donated to UWNA to help fulfill its mission of improving lives by mobilizing communities to create lasting changes in community conditions.
“Arizona Snowbowl is beyond proud to partner with United Way of Northern Arizona on Brews & Views in order to improve lives and community conditions for people in Northern Arizona,” said Angie Grubb, Marketing Manager at Arizona Snowbowl.
Time is running out to save your seat for our Annual Campaign Kickoff breakfast at High Country Conference Center. We are bringing northern Arizonans together so that we can continue Leading the Way in making our communities stronger, more resilient, and a place where our youth can thrive.
The deadline to register for our event is Tuesday, Sept. 3.
Registration is still open for the upcoming year of Elevate PreK, the highly successful initiative that provides free, year-round, high-quality preschool education to 4-year-olds.
The program, developed as part of the LAUNCH Flagstaff initiative at United Way of Northern Arizona, is in its fourth year and will be housed at Evergreen Academy Preschool in Flagstaff.
Designed to provide equitable access to high-quality early education, Elevate PreK is open to 4-year-old children in households that have incomes between 101% and 250% of the federal poverty level.
Last month, more than 150 four- and five-year-olds in Flagstaff, Williams, and Pinetop-Lakeside received a preview of what school life will be like by attending KinderCamp™.
The targeted intervention program, provided free to families, is a signature early education initiative coordinated by United Way of Northern Arizona with local school districts. It provides students who have limited preschool experience with the academic and social skills they’ll need to successfully transition into kindergarten.
FLAGSTAFF — Elevate PreK, the highly successful initiative that provides free, year-round, high-quality preschool education to 4-year-olds, is seeking students for the upcoming academic year.
The program was developed as part of the LAUNCH Flagstaff initiative at United Way of Northern Arizona. After completing a three-year pilot program through Candelen, Elevate PreK will continue its fourth year through UWNA.
“UWNA knows that early childhood development lays the foundation for all future learning, behavior, and health,” said UWNA President & CEO Liz Archuleta. “The experience children have in their first five will have a profound impact on their ability to succeed in school, work, and life.
The preschool class, which has a maximum enrollment of 18 students, is housed at Evergreen Academy Preschool in Flagstaff.
Designed to provide equitable access to high-quality early education, Elevate PreK is open to 4-year-old children in households that have incomes between 101% and 250% of the federal poverty level.
With the potential for continued warm, dry, and windy conditions throughout Northern Arizona, Stage 1 Fire Restrictions were enacted today (June 6) in the City of Flagstaff, unincorporated parts of Coconino County, and the Coconino National Forest.
The precaution is to lessen the chance of a devastating wildfire like the ones we’ve had over the years, most recently the Tunnel and Pipeline Fires of 2022 and the Museum Fire in 2019.
United Way of Northern Arizona coordinates crisis response volunteers for both Coconino County and the City of Flagstaff during emergencies and disasters.
The best time to plan for an emergency is before one happens, which is why we’d like to ask you to consider adding your name to the list of volunteers we can call on if an emergency occurs.
Access to high-quality preschools can be transformative – not only for the children who attend or their families, but also for our communities as a whole and the economy of our state.
For proof of this, look no further than the results of Elevate PreK, which is concluding its three-year pilot program and moving into a fourth year of providing free, high-quality preschool education to lower- and middle-income families in northern Arizona. The pilot program was supported by a consortium of partners, including United Way of Northern Arizona.
We recently received a progress report from Northeast Arizona Representative Tempy Wessel about the region’s efforts to redefine its future.
Tempy joined United Way of Northern Arizona earlier this year at a pivotal time for Navajo and Apache counties.
Historically an economically challenged area, the region has faced additional pressures due to imminent power plant closures. Stakeholders are hoping to create new jobs, address workforce development, and increase the supply of workforce housing.
UWNA is focusing on positive youth development and building the capacity of community nonprofit organizations after receiving community input that substance abuse/mental health, affordable childcare, and afterschool programs are among the top priorities for Northeast Arizona. The creation of the Northeast Arizona Representative position is part of UWNA’s commitment to the region.
“It’s a huge effort to help support community vitality and positive youth development is critical to that effort,” Tempy said. “Youth are our future workforce and leaders.”
United Way of Northern Arizona has launched a campaign to add 200 more children in Coconino, Navajo, and Apache counties to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library by the end of this summer.
The free book program is available to all children from birth to five years old and does not have any income eligibility requirements. The country music icon started the program in 1995 to honor her father, a sharecropper in Tennessee.
“He was the smartest man I have ever known but I know in my heart his inability to read probably kept him from fulfilling all of his dreams,” she said.
The Imagination Library started in Parton’s home county with the goal of providing every preschool child there with a library of books to encourage a love of reading and learning.
The initiative was so successful that she began offering the program to any community that would support it financially. It now sends out more than 2 million free books each month to children around the world, mailing them directly to families.
The NARBHA Institute and Coconino Community College unveiled major new investments in our youth at our recent United Way of Northern Arizona Annual Campaign and Community Impact luncheon.
The NARBHA Institute announced a $100,000 grant being awarded to UWNA to further our efforts to foster youth leadership, promote youth mental well-being and resilience, and increase their sense of belonging and inclusion. (That’s The NARBHA Institute COO Jon Perez receiving the Community Builder Award from UWNA President & CEO Liz Archuleta and Board Chair Armando Ruiz during the luncheon).
The majority of the funds from The NARBHA Institute will be dedicated to expanding the KinderCamp™ program to rural areas in Coconino, Navajo, and Apache counties.
This is the day Arizonans come together and unite for positive, lasting changes in our communities by supporting the nonprofits that are making a difference in our state every day.
We invite you to step up for our youth and our communities on Arizona Gives Day with a donation to United Way of Northern Arizona.
Together we can advance early childhood development, positive youth development, and safety and security for our neighbors in northern Arizona. You can make your donation HERE.
The strength of any nonprofit organization largely depends on the people who are willing to give their time and talent to ensure its success. United Way of Northern Arizona has always been fortunate in having leaders who embraced our goals of stepping up for our youth and our community.
At the Annual Campaign and Community Impact Celebration on March 27 (register here), we will install four new members to the UWNA Board of Directors. These remarkable people bring a wealth of experience and diverse perspectives that will augment an already exceptional board.
This year has been one of change and progress for United Way of Northern Arizona.
Before we take a look at some of the biggest events that defined this year, I wanted to thank you not only for your support of UWNA, but also for the kindness you have shown me during my first year as the President & CEO of this superb nonprofit.
When I joined UWNA, I was thrilled to help lead a nonprofit known for its ability to address the big issues and be an agent for change. The Board of Directors and staff of UWNA are committed to amplifying UWNA’s role as a community convener in 2024 and beyond.
Thank you for your support of UWNA in the past year and for living United in Purpose.
Students from Holbrook High School and Joseph City High School are helping our communities better understand the needs of youth in Navajo County.
The two students are participating in an internship that was created through a partnership between United Way of Northern Arizona, the Center for the Future of Arizona, and the Work-Based Learning Alliance.
The six-week program is asking the students to conduct an analysis of current issues facing youth in northeast Arizona.
Join us at the Sky Bar at Agassiz Lodge on September 9 for Brews & Views, Snowbowl’s 2nd Annual Community Fundraiser to benefit United Way of Northern Arizona.
This full day of fun in the mountains will include delicious craft brews from more than 15 local and nationally known breweries; live music; lots of giveaway prizes; and much more.
Tickets are $40 and all proceeds will be donated to UWNA to help fund programs that promote early childhood development, positive youth development, and safety and security for residents of Coconino, Navajo, and Apache counties.
“Arizona Snowbowl is beyond proud to partner with United Way of Northern Arizona on Brews & Views in order to improve lives and community conditions for people in Northern Arizona,” said Angie Grubb, Marketing Coordinator at Arizona Snowbowl.
The Board of Directors of United Way of Northern Arizona and President and CEO Liz Archuleta are excited to announce that Dan and Kim Musselman have been named the 2023-2024 Campaign Chairs for our annual fundraising effort which kicks off on September 27.
If I asked you to guess who was the driving force behind the founding of what would become the United Way of Northern Arizona more than a half century ago, what would you say?
City government? School officials? Local churches? Nonprofit organizations?
Actually, it was the business community.
Much has changed at UWNA since local businesses spearheaded the founding of the “United Fund” in 1967 (story below).
From the desk of:
Liz Archuleta
President & CEO
One thing has remained true throughout the past 56 years is how both the business community and UWNA benefit from this powerful connection.
I hope you enjoy the articles below about the vital role local businesses played in UWNA’s past and present, as well as the many ways hosting a workplace campaign is good for your business.
Our annual fundraising effort kicks off in about two months. To those businesses already planning to host workplace campaigns, we are very grateful. If you would like to start a workplace campaign at your business, please reach out to us at (928) 773-9813 or email me or Campaign and Operations Manager Christine Pierce. We’d love to help.
Summer’s here and it’s the perfect time to make a difference in the lives of your friends and neighbors by becoming a volunteer.
Donating your time and work to our local nonprofits helps these organizations fulfill their shared mission of improving our communities.
If you’d like to volunteer but don’t know where to start, we have something that might help. It’s a 2023 Guide to Volunteering in Northern Arizona, featuring dozens of opportunities currently available with our nonprofit partners in Coconino, Yavapai and Apache counties.
Plans are underway now for this year’s KinderCamp™ in northern Arizona, which will give preschoolers the foundational, social and academic skills needed to successfully transition into kindergarten.
However, as you’ll learn below from KinderCamp Coordinator Sara Owen, this effort to Step Up for Our Youth is as much for the parents and families as it is for the kids who will attend this summer.
KinderCamp has been close to my heart since it began in 2005, and I am proud of being one of its earliest supporters. Many thanks to our partners who are making this year’s program possible.
Liz Archuleta, highly accomplished and nationally recognized leader, and former Coconino County Supervisor who has been serving as a presidential appointee in the Biden-Harris Administration as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture senior leadership team, has been chosen to be the new President & CEO of United Way of Northern Arizona (UWNA).
“We are thrilled to have such a highly respected and accomplished leader as Liz join us,” said UWNA Board President Mike Kelly. “Her ties to UWNA and commitment to our program of work go back to 1997. During that time, she’s championed many efforts at UWNA. She’s been a Board chair, led an annual campaign and a capital campaign, been the chair of the Summit Society, and spearheaded a special 50th anniversary drive to support the KinderCamp program.”
The Coconino County Board of Supervisors unanimously enacted a proclamation on November 15, 2022, officially recognizing the United Way of Northern Arizona as an essential non-profit partner and lending the County’s support to the organization’s annual Fall Giving Campaign.
The United Way of Northern Arizona has been a long-time non-profit partner with Coconino County, coordinating volunteer efforts during and after emergencies, as well as providing financial and other assistance to members of the community in need.
Emphasizing how local programs supported by United Way of Northern Arizona dovetail with their work as educators, the team at Flagstaff Unified School District doubled the number of participants and donations to this year’s workplace campaign.
Almost 60 school district employees raised $10,572 in the most recent workplace drive for UWNA, compared to $5,259 the prior year and well in excess of the stated goal of $6,600.
The two-week campaign was largely accomplished through emails and posters urging FUSD employees to “Step Up for Our Community,” said Kurt F. Steele, Executive Assistant to Superintendent Mike Penca.
As we continue our annual fundraising campaign for United Way of Northern Arizona, we wanted to take a look at how your generosity impacted the safety and security of residents in Coconino, Navajo and Apache in fiscal year 2021.
Which raised a question: what exactly is “safety and security,” and how did your Stepping Up for Our Community change lives?
There are the three basics that everyone knows – food, shelter, clothing. However, safety and security encompasses so much more than that. It’s about access to healthcare and vital medications, funds to pay for utilities, and financial education and employment programs so families can have a better future.
Here are some of the ways UWNA with its partners transformed your donations into strategic programs that helped those in need in the past year:
With the recent kickoff of our Annual Community Fundraising campaign, we’re imagining what’s possible when we ensure that our children are ready to learn. That’s the purpose of programs like KinderCamp™ – making sure our students are ready academically, emotionally and socially for that all important first day of school.
Don’t take our word for it. We think Riley and her Mom do a great job explaining what KinderCamp has meant to them in the video above.
Thanks to generous people like you, United Way of Northern Arizona and our partners can provide KinderCamp and other early education program at no cost to families.
Will you join us as a supporter of this year’s campaign, and Step Up for Our Community with a donation today?
Every donation makes a huge difference in our community and we sincerely THANK YOU for your support.
Step up for Youth and Families/Individuals During COVID Relief and Recovery
United Way of Northern Arizona (UWNA), in partnership with Coconino County is pleased to announce the opening of the 2021-2023 grant application cycle on April 1, 2021. Grants will be due on April 15, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. This is a two-year application cycle (based on availability of funds).
Any verifiable social services non-profit (501c3) organization in good standing with the IRS, and that meets the eligibility requirements set forth by UWNA is invited to attend a virtual required training session.
As the United Way of Northern Arizona (UWNA) grows in its commitment to Step Up for Our Youth, it’s important to ensure that the work we do aligns with our three core areas of focus: early childhood development, positive youth development, and supporting families in need.
With that in mind, we’ve been working diligently to transition the Volunteer Income Tax Assistant program to trusted partners so that thousands of local tax filers who have relied on VITA services in the past will continue to have access to them.
We are pleased to announce that United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona (UWTSA) and Northland Free Tax Assistance (NFTA) will be coordinating efforts to provide VITA services this year in our region. We are grateful to these two organizations for continuing our work so that northern Arizonans will keep receiving the tax refunds and credits they are entitled to.
