Non-Profit Corner

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.

The Highlands Center for Natural History (HCNH) has been a leader in natural-science education since the 1990s. Passionate individuals came together to build and sustain the non-profit – helping “children and adults discover the wonders of nature and become wise caretakers of the land.” Today, HCNH celebrates the Education team, a dynamic group of women, shaping the future of education at the Center.

Around the Prescott area, people may occasionally see homeless people publicly asking for help. What most people probably don’t see: the 110 students in the Prescott area schools who are considered homeless; the little boy who shows up to school every day with disheveled clothing from sleeping in a tent in the forest; the young mother who lives in her car with her children, and gets ready for work each day in a public restroom.