2022_GRANT_APPLICATION_AZ HEROES TO HOMETOWNS FOUNDATION.PDF

Maricopa County — Formal (2021-09-15)

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SALT RIVER PIMA-MARICOPA 
 INDIAN COMMUNITY 
10005 E. Osborn Road, Scottsdale, Arizona  85256 / Phone 480-362-7520 / Fax 480-362-7593 
 
12% Gaming Grant Program Application 
Calendar Year 2022 
Cover Page 
 
Organization Name: AZ Heroes to Hometowns Foundation  
Street Address: P.O. Box 31646, Mesa, AZ 85275 
Telephone: 480.330.1632 
Email:  kathy@azheroestohometowns.org 
Chief Executive Officer: Kathy Pearce 
Title: Founder/President  
Proposal Contact Person: Kathy Pearce     
Proposal Contact Person Title: Founder/President 
Proposal Contact Person Telephone: 480.330.1632 
 E-Mail: kathy@azheroestohometowns.org 
Amount Requested: $25,000 
Type of Support: Programming 
Program name: Wilderness Healing Retreat – Anasazi Experience  
Agency Revenue Budget: (for year of grant) $ 330,000 
Program Budget, if applicable: (for year of grant) $25,000 
Mission: AZ Heroes to Hometowns is designed to welcome home our Wounded Service Members who, 
because of injuries sustained, can no longer serve in the military. AZ Heroes to Hometowns is here to 
assist our wounded troops/veterans and their families with social, emotional, spiritual and physical in 
the transition back to their community and their new normal.

About the Grant Program Application: 
The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community 12% Gaming Grant Program (“Program”) application 
will serve to provide a comprehensive review of the programming requests for Arizona cities, towns, 
counties, non-municipal public service organizations, and non-profit organizations selected to apply for 
grant funding.  It is not the intent of the Program to award grants that would benefit individuals, be used 
as sponsorships, be used for religious activities, primarily fund the indirect or administrative costs of a 
program/organization, or be used for the direct benefit of the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian 
Community.   
 
Date of Application:  June 28, 2021 
 
Organization Name:   AZ Heroes to Hometowns Foundation 
 
Organization/Municipal Government Mailing Address:  PO Box 31646, Mesa AZ 85275 
 
Organization History:  
(Provide a brief summary of the origins of the organizations and any notable milestones and/or 
significant audit findings)  AZ Heroes to Hometowns (AZH2H) was organized in 2010 after working 
with Department of Defense with our Wounded Heroes to fill the needs of those returning home 
from combat. AZH2H has helped with financial resilience, home repairs, monthly dinner for our 
wounded heroes to meet others that have been where they have been and provided over 21,500 
Thanksgiving dinners since 2010. AZH2H had developed a working partnership with Anasazi 
Foundation in the treatment of our wounded heroes to reduce the number of suicides, help with 
depression and anxiety.  As the long lasting impact of Covid-19 this program is even more vital 
to the well-being of our military families. With added isolation, fear and the unknown, this 
program helps with dealing with those fears, provides tools to deal with changes and the 
unknown, as well as being allowed to be with their peers. 
Organization Structure:  
(Provide a list of current board members and key staff members) 
 
Board of Directors for AZH2H - 2021 
Kathy Pearce – Founder/CEO AZ Heroes to Hometowns  Kathy has been an advocate for wounded 
heroes for 14 years.  Started with the Severely Injured Center in Arlington with the Department of 
Defense after her son was severely injured while serving in Iraq. In 2010 the AZ Heroes to Hometowns 
was formed to continue the work of assisting our wounded heroes as they return home. 
William Naney - Ret SFC- Army  Served his country for over 23 years. Has deployed 2 times to combat 
zones and has many awards including a Bronze Star. Is father of 2 children and 5 step children. William 
has a number of surgeries but is always looking for way to still serve.  William is a great motivator and 
communicator or our wounded heroes. His depth of understand is vital for AZ Heroes to Hometowns.  
Frank Molinar - Richer Life Ready Warriors  With over 30 years in financial planning experience. Has 
developed a financial strategies that work for our military families. It helps them look at their financial 
future in military terms. Frank teaches financial seminars for our military families to help them have a

brighter future.  Strong families are stronger communities and Frank helps our wounded heroes more 
confident of their financial future.  
Brent Bretz – (Ret) SSG - Army Sniper   Served in Iraq in 2004 and was severely injured, with the loss of 
both legs and use of his left arm are just a few of the changes he has had to face. After more than 2 
years of surgeries and rehab at military hospitals, Brent returned home to try and find his new normal. 
After returning home there were more surgeries and the struggles of finding his place. Brent has a way 
to touch the hearts of those that have been where he has been and his outreach is invaluable to AZ 
Heroes to Hometowns.  
Anthony Irby – (Ret) SFC Army  After deployments Anthony was struggling to find his new normal. He 
became homeless for a short time. He looked to his military serve and worked to make a better life. He 
has worked at the  VA Homeless program. His experience in the service of our country and after have 
given him an amazing insight to those that are still struggling with finding their new normal.  He strives 
to be an example to his 3 daughter and the veteran community. His insight is an assets that AZ Heroes to 
Hometowns relies on often.   
Do any conflicts of interest exist within the organization structure? 
(I.e. family, professional or personal conflicts, SRPMIC representatives on board, etc.)  
Brent Bretz is the son of Kathy Pearce. He adds much knowledge and value being a combat severely 
injured Iraq veteran. There is no conflict of interest with Brent on the board.   
 
Project Name:  AZ Heroes to Hometowns – Wilderness Healing Retreat 
 
Provide a brief description of the project being submitted to the 12% SRPMIC Grant program.  In the 
description provide a summary of the relevant experience, administrative activity, and program 
development related to the grant request.  
Wilderness Healing Retreat  – Anasazi Experience 
After nearly 20 years of war, hundreds of thousands of our U. S. Military have faced the many horrors of 
battle and most of them are in desperate need of spiritual healing.  Military demise due to war since 
2001 in combat is just over 7,000 with suicided during the same time period is over 30,000.  According to 
the Veterans Affair 2012 data report, it is estimated that there are 22 veteran suicides a day, this is 22 
lives too many.  The loss of life due to lack of resources, community support, and family education is 
beyond belief.   
AZ Heroes to Hometowns, is excited to be working with Anasazi Foundation to help lessen the number of 
suicides that are destroying the members of our military through the spiritual healing program. Provide 
tools to help with depression, anxiety and PTSD. The repercussions of war is reaching too far into the 
families of veterans as well as both the military and non-military communities.  The Wilderness Healing 
Retreat - Anasazi Experience will have an exponential positive impact, even if the life of one service 
member is altered.  
In partnership, AZH2H and Anasazi Foundation will provide a therapeutic and spiritual healing 
environment for veterans.  Specifically veterans dealing with anxiety, depression with and without 
thoughts of suicide, and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.  This will be accomplished through 
the following interventions:

1.) Provide experiential therapeutic milieu based on learning and using primitive wilderness skills; 
2.)  Provide education and experiential opportunities related to forgiveness, guilt, and 
depression; 
3.) Facilitate therapeutic group experiences (group therapy) in an outdoor primitive setting 
through ceremony called fire circles. 
Target population is our military/veterans that have experienced war. Our military are often facing 
multiple deployments and return home where the VA or DoD may heal the physical wounds but the 
spiritual wounds go untreated. The stigma of asking for help complicates the insures.  The Wilderness 
Healing Retreats  - Anasazi Experience will provide the much needed help in an environment where they 
are with their peers.  The program is a non-judgmental, back to nature experience with the focus on 
therapeutic experiences for healing and tools to move forward in their healing. This creates stronger 
veterans, families, and communities.    
The funds from 12% SRPMIC Grant program will be used to for staffing with AZH2H and Anasazi, lodging, 
food, transportation and supplies for the Wilderness Healing Retreats - Anasazi Experience for our 
wounded heroes.  
Three goals of the AZH2H Wilderness Healing Retreats – Anasazi Experience are: 1. A spiritual healing for 
our wounded heroes. The VA and other medical professionals can help heal physical wounds, but the 
spiritual wounds are left untreated. 2. Reduce the loss of life due to suicide among our veteran/military 
population. 3. AZ Heroes to Hometowns – Anasazi Experience will provide tools for our veteran/military 
community to continue the journey to spiritual healing.  This will make stronger veterans/military, 
families, communities, and stronger Arizona.  
AZ Heroes to Hometowns has extended the retreat to 4 nights to give more time to learn and apply the 
skills taught to better apply into the life of our veterans daily living. From comments made by attendees 
this will be a much needed change. Example of comments: Priscilla “I wish to live moving forward. The 
tools learned will help me to achieve a better walk in life.”   Jake “Wonderful retreat!!  Hugh release of 
emotional trauma.”   
What percentage of the grant request are Direct Costs of the programming and Indirect Costs, 
respectively? 
100% is direct cost for the Wilderness Healing Retreat Program.  
 
Define the Project Category and/or relevant sub-category:  
(i.e. Education, Public Safety, Transportation, Economic Development, Health Care, Social Services, or 
Cultural and Environment) 
Health Care, Cultural and Environment  
 
Beginning Date of Project:  April 2022 - 4  nights, Sept 2022 – 4 nights     
End Date of Project:   
 
Geographic Area to be served:  Arizona Wounded Heroes / Veterans 
 
** Attach Detailed Budget** 
 
Amount of Total Project:  
 
 
 
Amount of 12% Request: $25,000

(No Multi-Year Request will be accepted)  
Budget for Grant Application 2022: 
Wilderness Healing Retreat 2020 
Cost of 1 retreat (Plan or 2 per year) 
Per 5 day / 4 night program 
Anasazi Facilitator (1)   x 2 events 
3500.00  x 2 = 7000.00  
Trail walker/assistance (2)  x2 events 
1800.00   x2 = 3600.00 
Lodging (10 - 12)   x2 events 
2500.00   x2 = 5000.00 
Food/Transportation   x2 events 
2000.00   x2 = 4000.00 
AZ H2H Facilitator/Coordinator  x2 events 
3500.00   x2 = 7000.00 
Misc. supplies   x2 events 
500.00   x2 = 1000.00 
  
  
Total 
13800.00   x2 = 27600.00 
Ethnicity - Disabled Military/Veterans  Ages 18 to 65 
 
 
If the amount of funding received is less than the amount needed for the project, do you have other 
funds to complete the project? (Please Explain):  AZ Heroes to Hometowns  is writing grants for many 
programs as well as funding for Wilderness Healing Retreats.  
 
If you receive SRPMIC 12 % funding, will it be spent (Check One): 
 
 Monthly  
 
 
 Quarterly 
 
 
X     Lump Sum 
 
List any SRPMIC 12% funds you have received in the past.  If the organization has received funding 
through the SRPMIC 12% Gaming Grant Program for five consecutive years, they will be required to 
submit a comprehensive report of grant funding toward the stated program objectives and mission of 
the organization.  In addition, you will be asked to provide a formal presentation to the 12% Gaming 
Grant Committee prior to the awarding of any additional funding.  Funding in 2020 and 2021 for 
Wilderness Healing Retreat Program  
 
List any other 12 % grant funds your organization may be seeking from other Tribal Governments in 
2021-2022.  
N/A

List any other funds you have received from the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community 
(Enterprises Included) and identify the amount and the source: 
N/A 
Has your organization ever applied for and received any local, state or federal grants?  If so, please 
detail. 
Yes. AZH2H has applied for state grants, but no federal. Information for 2020 with Fry’s Food Stores - 
$12,000 for Turkeys to Troops program, Safeway/Albertson’s - $5,000  for Turkeys to Troops program, AZ 
Dept. of Veteran Services - $4,999 for Peer Mentoring, Arizona Disable Veterans Foundation 2019 - 
$10,000 for Turkeys to Troops and general needs, Wal-Mart Stores in Arizona - $8,000 for Back to School 
and Turkeys to Troops program, PSEMC - $7,000 for sponsorship, smaller grants with OneAZ Credit 
Union, Bank of America, Zion’s National Bank and Desert Diamond West Valley Casino. 
 
Funding for project/programs may be based on available funding.   As such, if funding were not 
available for the full the amount of request how would you prioritize funding. 
1. Apply for funding to reach our goal for the Wilderness Healing Retreats 
2. Continue to  look and foster other sponsors to maintain and grow the program 
3.  
Which municipal governmental entity will serve as your pass through agency to accept 12% gaming 
grant on your behalf? 
 
 
By execution of the 12% Gaming Contribution Grant Application the undersigned agrees that the 
information contained in the Application is true to the best of the Applicants knowledge. The 
Applicant shall notify the SRPMIC if any information in this Application changes.  
 
 
Kathy Pearce 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
June 
29, 2021 
Signature for the Applicant 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date 
 
Founder/CEO 
 
Name and Title 
 
 
 
The Application shall be signed by the senior elected official of the local government, or in the case of 
a non-profit entity, the Chief Executive Officer authorizes to commit the non-profit entity to apply for, 
accept, and implement an award from the SRPMIC utilizing 12% Gaming Contributions.