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ASU Lodestar Center graduates 10th Public Allies Arizona class
Phoenix, Ariz. (July 1, 2016) – The ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation graduated its tenth Public Allies Arizona class on June 30th at the Balsz Community Center in Phoenix, Ariz. Public Allies is an AmeriCorps national youth leadership organization that places service-minded young people in apprenticeships in nonprofit organizations throughout the community. It identifies talented young adults from diverse backgrounds and advances their leadership through a ten-month program of full-time, paid apprenticeships in nonprofit organizations, leadership trainings, and team service projects.
“It has been an exciting year as Public Allies Arizona took on new initiatives to engage a more diverse population of young people as we grow to develop the next generation of leaders,” said Irma Q. Leyendecker, Director of Public Allies Arizona at the ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy & Nonprofit Innovation. “After ten great years of impact, we look ahead to another ten years of creating a just and equitable society and the leadership to sustain it,” she added.
Completing its tenth year in Arizona, Public Allies recognizes 32 first-year Allies, six second-year Allies and the 23 Partner Organization nonprofits where the Allies completed their apprenticeships.
Graduating First-Year Allies:
- Carnell Anderson Chandler Christian Community Center
- Elijah Barnes Northwest Valley Family YMCA
- Matthew Brest Lodestar Day Resource Center
- Bryce Broome Central Arizona Shelter Services, Inc.
- Kevin Campos Tumbleweed Center for Youth Development
- Sam Castro one•n•ten
- Briana Davis Civitan Foundation
- Ashely Dickerson Valley of the Sun United Way
- Megan Drazek Tumbleweed Center for Youth Development
- Elija Flores Maricopa County Education Service Agency
- Nika Forte’ Society of St. Vincent De Paul
- Francisco Garcia Tumbleweed Center for Youth Development
- Ashlee Gonzales Boys Hope Girls Hope of AZ
- Ally Holley Native American Connections
- Michele Johnson Maricopa County Education Service Agency
- Justin Jones Maricopa County Education Service Agency
- Saraya Lyons Society of St. Vincent De Paul
- Alex Pardini Rebuilding Together Valley of the Sun
- Dana Perry Marc Community Resources
- Sarai Piña GoPurple.org
- Ayana Rainey Central Arizona Shelter Services, Inc.
- Oliver Renteria Rebuilding Together Valley of the Sun
- Zak Ricci Arizona Coalition to End Homelessness
- Rebecca Rivas Lodestar Day Resource Center
- Raymond Romero Lodestar Day Resource Center
- Rhea Shah American Lung Association in Arizona
- Michelle Sheydayi Scottsdale Training & Rehabilitation Services
- Brooklynne Sundseth Chandler Christian Community Center
- Blake Thurston Pioneer Preparatory Academy: A Challenge Foundation Academy
- Glorianna Vercruyssen Tumbleweed Center for Youth Development
- Ashton Wright Experience Matters
- Jalen Zambrano Maricopa County Regional School District
Graduating Second-Year Allies:
- Star Kempton Chandler/Gilbert Family YMCA
- Melissa Lopez Valley of the Sun United Way
- Ceyshe’ Napa Center for Neighborhood Leadership
- Jehryn Plunkett Valley of the Sun United Way
- Ashley Rodriguez Be a Leader Foundation
- Marisa Santillan Tumbleweed Center for Youth Development
The June 30th ceremony included remarks from Irma Q. Leyendecker, Director of Public Allies Arizona at the ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation. Other speakers included Blake Thurston, School Library Media Consultant (Pioneer Preparatory Academy) a graduating First Year Ally; Ceyshe’ Napa, Community Development and Engagement Program Coordinator (Phoenix and South Mountain Community Colleges/Center for Neighborhood Leadership) a graduating Second Year Ally and Michael Soto, Economic Equity Policy Manager (Arizona Community Action Association), a Public Allies Arizona alumnus. Additionally, an Honorary Ally Award was presented to Sarah Lords, Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator for the International Rescue Committee and a Partner Organization Supervisor of the Year Award was given to Ken Lewis, Community Relations Manager (Native American Connections).
Additional information about the 2015-2016 year includes:
- Collectively, Allies have served over 66,300 hours this past year.
- Allies created 113 new collaborations and developed formal partnerships on behalf of their Partner Organizations representing new opportunities for information sharing, partnerships, and collaborative projects.
- Allies have engaged 6,017 volunteers through placement and service projects.
- Allies have implemented 10 community service projects, impacting hundreds of individuals.
- Allies have earned $225,225 in Eli Segal Education Awards to be used to offset the cost of attending college.
Over $4.6 million in external grant dollars have been awarded to the ASU Lodestar Center in support of Public Allies Arizona since the program's launch in 2006. When accounting for the value of in-kind support, as well as funds invested by the nonprofits to have an Ally placed within their agencies, the total financial investment is almost $1.1 million this year and more than $9.5 million over the past ten years.
For additional information regarding any of the ASU Lodestar Center’s programs, visit lodestar.asu.edu. If you have questions, please call 602.496.0500 or email nonprofit@asu.edu.
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ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation
The ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation is recognized as a national leader in undergraduate and graduate nonprofit education, research and technical assistance. The ASU Lodestar Center exists to enhance the quality of life in communities through the advancement of nonprofit leadership practices and provides knowledge and tools to build the capacity of nonprofit organizations, professionals, board members, donors and volunteers by offering a selection of capacity building workshops, conferences, classes, and programs. For more information, please visit: lodestar.asu.edu.
Public Allies Arizona
Public Allies Arizona, now beginning its eleventh year at Arizona State University, is an AmeriCorps national youth leadership organization that places service-minded young people in apprenticeships in nonprofit organizations throughout the community. It identifies talented young adults from diverse backgrounds and advances their leadership through a 10-month program of full-time, paid apprenticeships in nonprofit organizations, leadership trainings, and team service projects. For more information, please visit lodestar.asu.edu/pa.