Non-Profit Corner

As a Prescott fourth grader, Mary Maroon couldn’t even imagine a life as a cycling professional … much less where such a life might take her.

Now, she knows. She recently retired from professional bicycling, and her career took her around the world: to Australia, Canada, Guatemala, China and Europe.

She credits her Big Sister through Yavapai Big Brothers Big Sisters (YBBBS) “for planting seeds and teaching me different ways to connect ideas. I would generally be the same person without my Big, but my brain would work differently.”

One woman can make a difference. One hundred women or more—they can make an impact. That is the philosophy and the mission of Prescott Area Women Who Care (PAWWC), a “giving circle” of generous women who are dedicated to helping the community thrive by supporting the tireless efforts of local nonprofits.

Many of us are all too familiar with the frustration of trying to juggle an overwhelming number of tasks in systems over which we have little control.  It is hard and excruciating work!  For those in our community who do not drive, are elderly, have physical limitation, are not familiar with new technology, or are new to being a patient, these tasks may seem nearly impossible!  

One little-known but remarkable service organization in the greater Prescott area is The Quad City Interfaith Council (QCIC).  The organization brings together leaders of faith and humanitarian organizations, and they combine their resources to help the homeless during the cold winter months. 

Back at the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, Barry Barbe, owner of El Gato Azul, formed the Gato Community Gives program, focusing on finding locals in need and filling that need, whether through providing meals or needed cash or other means of support. 

When emergency services are dispatched to a scene, a group of volunteers—heroes of a different degree—are dispatched as well. They’re the members of Arizona Crisis Team, specially trained volunteers who provide emotional and practical support to individuals in crisis—and therefore relieve emergency personnel so they can serve in a more focused manner.

You don’t need an economic event such as COVID to create a financial crisis.  Long before quarantines and temporary closures, 1 in 30 children in Yavapai County were without a place to call home, and 7 out of 10 Arizonans were one paycheck away from being homeless.

While navigating the challenges of this unparalleled year, our local Clubs are proud to also move forward with a Strategic Vision that will guide the organization in achieving excellence throughout the next five years. Based on the newly derived vision, “Recognizing Greatness in Every Club Member,” the plan elevates Clubs’ critical role in creating measurable, life-changing impact for our community’s youth.

Right in the heart of Prescott, three local women are helping the local economy thrive. Through their work at the Northern Arizona Council of Governments’ (NACOG) Economic/Workforce Development (EWD) office, Teri Drew, Leah Clickavage, and Anita Payne run the programs that offer training, services, and resources to help people find and retain quality employees and help businesses run smoothly.