A Year of Belief, Action, and Transformation

As we come to the close of another remarkable year, one truth stands above all else: our kids are worth it, and they are all of our future. This is not just a slogan we print on banners; it is the heartbeat of every classroom interaction, every late-night phone call from a mentor, and every community event we host. Over the last twelve months, we have witnessed the profound transformation that occurs when a community chooses to show up, pour in, and believe deeply in the potential of the next generation.

The Power of Presence: A December to Remember

In December, our focus was on “leaning in.” While the world often speeds up during the holiday season, at Elevate Phoenix, we strive to slow down and create intentional space for our students. We spent this month reminding our youth that they are not alone—that they are part of a family.

These moments of connection are the true currency of our mission. We believe that presence matters. It is one thing to provide a curriculum; it is another thing entirely to provide a consistent, loving presence that says, “I see you, I value you, and you are worthy of every ounce of effort we give.” This month was a powerful testament to that life-changing commitment. We saw students who once felt invisible begin to lead, and those who felt silenced begin to find their voices, simply because someone stayed.

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A Bold Declaration: The 9th Annual Invitational

In November, our community came together in a way that can only be described as historic. Hosted by our long-time champion Tom Lehman, with special VIP guest and golf legend Tom Watson, the 9th Annual Elevate Phoenix Invitational served as a watershed moment for our organization.

Beyond the excitement on the green, this event was a bold declaration. Together, our community made a clear statement that our urban youth deserve the best resources we can offer. We are incredibly humbled to share that together, we raised $1.4 million. This investment is more than a financial milestone; it is a validation of our students’ worth. It provides the fuel needed to keep our 24/7 mentorship model running, ensuring that when a student faces a crisis at 2:00 AM, an Elevate Phoenix mentor is there to answer the call.

Living the Mission: Long-Term Relationships

This is the essence of Elevate Phoenix. We are not a “quick fix” program; we are a “long-term relationship” program. We understand that changing the trajectory of a life takes time, patience, and relentless consistency. By showing our young people—through both action and example—that an entire community believes in them, we are effectively breaking cycles of poverty and replacing them with cycles of leadership.

Our recent blog highlights from throughout the year illustrate this impact in action:

24/7 Mentorship: Our Teacher-Mentors have continued to bridge the gap between home and school, acting as advocates, educators, and second parents.
Accredited Excellence: We’ve expanded our elective classes, teaching character qualities and life skills that traditional textbooks often overlook.
Adventure & Exposure: We took students beyond their neighborhoods, exposing them to new career paths, outdoor adventures, and college campuses to broaden their vision of what is possible.

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Looking Forward: Investing in Our Shared Future

As we step into a new year, we do so grounded in gratitude and strengthened by unity. The success of the past year is not just our success—it is yours. It belongs to every donor, every volunteer, and every partner who refused to give up on our kids.

We are inspired by the reminder that when we invest in our kids, we invest in the future of us all. Our journey doesn’t end with a year-end report; it begins again with every new student who walks through our doors. Thank you for believing that our kids are worth it.

Join us in making next year even brighter! Support our Students today

Paying It Forward: The Story of Reyna

Elevate Phoenix utilizes a holistic approach to prevent “at-risk” students from dropping out. By employing full-time salaried Teacher-Mentors and focusing on accredited classes, literacy, and post-secondary plans, we build a bridge to a stable future. “I have been lucky enough to see this program firsthand and meet the students who have changed their lives through it.” – Gerald Deetz

One of those students is Reyna.

Reyna has been part of the Elevate Phoenix family since her freshman year. She started as an apprehensive student, unsure of the unwavering belief her mentors had in her. But as they pursued her and affirmed her leadership potential, something powerful happened. She began to believe in her own voice. She became a bridge for others, bringing friends into the Peer Leadership classroom at César Chávez High School so they could find the same hope she had.

Today, Reyna is a wife and a mother to three beautiful girls under the age of five. Despite the rising costs of living and the pressures of adulthood, she has never walked away from the community that helped raise her. She currently serves faithfully as part of our “Office Squad,” volunteering her time and pouring back into the place that once poured into her. Her dream is to return as a full-time Teacher-Mentor once her children are older—a full-circle moment of servant leadership.

Thank You to Gerald Deetz and the team at Bell Bank for Paying it Forward. Your impact is life changing!

Join Us in Making a Difference

It is not too late to donate and receive a tax credit for your end of year giving. If you are interested in supporting Elevate Phoenix or make a difference in the lives of young people by monthly donor, we encourage you to becoming part of our Elevate family!