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"Everyone deserves to live in a society where they feel safe, respected and protected. We can, and must, do better to guarantee the human rights, freedom and the ability to succeed of every person."
Carla Vargas Jasa
President & CEO
Valley of the Sun United Way
We cannot beat today’s issues with yesterday’s thinking. Change demands bold new solutions. Therefore, we are redeploying our energies and realigning our resources and partners to drive Mighty Change in our community. Together, we tackle the systemic, interrelated issues holding us back to create more opportunity and access throughout the Valley. Progress will be tracked and reported annually, and we will change courses as needed to stay focused on the right programs and solutions to reach our goals.
Here is where we are focusing our efforts:
In 2020, together, our Board of Directors and staff developed the following Diversity, Equity, Access and Inclusion (DEAI) Vision to guide our organization and the work of MC2026 on behalf of our community.
Inequities are deeply ingrained and systemically upheld. Our work is generational, and no lasting change happens overnight. We will dig deep, confront issues with honesty and take the difficult steps every day to accomplish these goals. Over time and with sustained effort, as the principles of DEAI integrate into all elements of how Valley of the Sun United Way functions, we will shift our organizational culture, ensuring both internal and external work filters through a DEAI lens. We will stand in solidarity with community members and partner with other organizations calling for systemic change to address racial disparities in our community and across our nation. We will lead by example, sharing best practices, learnings, as well as remaining open to listening and learning from others.
Investing long term in DEAI is our duty to the diverse communities we serve. Proving our sustained commitment to equity and inclusion we will build trust with those communities, and reshape the public narratives surrounding our organizational impacts.
We will model the importance of starting with self to create the change we want to see for our sector and society. As a 95-year-old organization and demonstrated community leader, we plan to showcase that progress and change are absolutely possible, no matter the size, age, or history of any entity.
We couldn’t do it without you! Our corporate partners work with us to create a stronger community by launching workplace campaigns, advocating, and volunteering their time and talent. By supporting Mighty Change, companies are sending a powerful message to employees and customers that care about the place they call home and want to help make a difference. Taking the lead is our Million Dollar Corporate Circle, the partners that impact our community with a commitment of more than $1 million annually:
APS, Edward Jones, Freeport-McMoRan, Inc., QuikTrip, and SRP.
Promoting regular attendance to reduce chronic absenteeism continues to be top initiative for improving educational outcomes
Announcement marks third year of funding by the NBA Foundation in support of Valley women.
Our outstanding Board of Directors guide our strategy, govern our policies and provide fiduciary oversight, all while ensuring we reflect and represent the community we serve.
With the end of her Section 8 housing lease drawing near and nothing available to transition into, Diamond and her children found themselves with no options, nowhere to go and on the verge of homelessness.
2024 annual Point-In-Time Count report indicates positive shifts in homelessness statistics.
Throughout Maricopa County, days exceeding 100°+ have settled in, and excessive heat warnings have been put into effect; there is no denying summer is off to a blazing start – which, for some, can be a matter of life or death.
There is a big changing of the guard in the works at Valley of the Sun United Way, one of Arizona's largest nonprofit organizations, as longtime board chair John Graham steps down.
In April 2024, Valley of the Sun United Way hosted its annual We Are United Breakfast. This event brought together more than 700 community members for an UNSTOPPABLE morning.
Valley of the Sun United Way is forming a new Fair Chance Collaborative to help address the multi-dimensional needs of individuals in the Phoenix metropolitan area who have been involved with the justice system. The collaborative was catalyzed by a $500,000 investment from the JPMorgan Chase Foundation.
The new Collaborative will build off existing efforts and explore comprehensive and interconnected Fair Chance approaches.
VSUW is bringing together key stakeholders, including more than 100 nonprofit organizations. One of those nonprofit partners is UMOM New Day Centers who supported Felicia and her daughter, Sapphira.
Valley of the Sun United Way announced three of its women leadership team members are finalists for local business awards in their respective industries.
