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2025 City of Tolleson Council Community Grant Program Cornerstone Community Development Corp dba Mercy House Community Center Mission Mercy House Community Center (MHCC) is dedicated to serving individuals and families in the Southwest Valley, with a special focus on those in Tolleson. Our mission is to provide comprehensive support through food assistance, health and wellness services, educational resources, and emergency relief to empower individuals and families, fostering long-term self-sufficiency and a sense of community. Through our Tia Mica’s Closet & Pantry, we address not just the immediate need for food and essentials but also the overall well-being of our clients by offering education, referrals, and a safe, welcoming space where people can seek help without judgment. Project The goal of this proposal is to expand the Food and Wellness Services at Mercy House Community Center (MHCC). We seek funding through the City of Tolleson Community Grant Program to enhance Tia Mica’s Closet & Pantry, providing vital resources such as nutritious food, hygiene supplies, clothing, and health and wellness services to Tolleson residents. Additionally, we aim to expand our outreach efforts and foster long-term self- sufficiency for individuals by providing nutritional education, healthcare screenings, and seasonal support. Tolleson Residents The proposed expansion will have a significant, direct impact on the residents of Tolleson. By enhancing our pantry services, we can continue to provide food and hygiene essentials to at least 600 Tolleson residents annually.. Furthermore, with expanded partnerships in healthcare, Tolleson residents will benefit from screenings, wellness education, and health referrals, enhancing the overall health and wellness of the community. Boundaries of Service Area Our services cover the Southwest Valley, with a focus on Cashion, Tolleson, and surrounding areas. We are strategically positioned at the boundary of Phoenix and Tolleson, which allows us to serve individuals from multiple communities. However, we do not limit our services based on location, ensuring that anyone in need can access the resources we provide. We serve approximately 2,400 individuals annually, with a significant portion of those being residents of Tolleson. Budget We are requesting $2,500 from the City of Tolleson Community Grant Program to support the expansion of our food and wellness services. This funding will go directly toward enhancing the services provided through Tia Mica’s Closet & Pantry. 2025 City of Tolleson Council Community Grant Program Dress for Success Phoenix Mission The mission of Dress for Success Phoenix (DFS Phoenix) is to empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire, and the development tools needed to help them thrive in work and in life. We provide each client with professional attire to secure employment: however, we are about much more than a new outfit. Project All of Dress for Success Phoenix’s Career Services programs offer a combination of career preparation and workforce development training, supportive services & resource connection, and ongoing impact opportunities. In addition to equipping the client with occupational apparel and accessories, we provide education, extensive job readiness, career training, and industry upskilling to furnish her with confidence that she carries forever with the knowledge that she can actively define her life, the direction she takes, and what success means to her. Tolleson Residents In 2025, Dress for Success Phoenix plans to serve 1,110 individuals through our Career Services programming. Of those 1,110 individuals, we anticipate serving 30 women and young people from the City of Tolleson. Boundaries of Service Area Dress for Success Phoenix’s main office and studio is located in downtown Phoenix. This studio, as well as our satellite studios in Glendale, Peoria, and Paradise Valley, can be accessed by any individual looking to access our services. It is Dress for Success Phoenix’s intention to bring our Mobile Career Center (MCC) to locations within the City of Tolleson’s boundaries to provide our career development services to Tolleson residents. Budget City of Tolleson funds will support a portion of our Career Specialist’s salary who works directly with individuals served by our programs by providing one-on-one coaching and case management for low-income women and youth. 2025 City of Tolleson Council Community Grant Program Helping Families in Need (HFIN) Mission Since 2011, HFIN’s Application Assisters and Community Health Workers have been dedicated to connecting community members with a range of resources and benefits, including food assistance through the SNAP program, health insurance via Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, as well as behavioral health services. By partnering with other local agencies, we expand our knowledge and access to specialized programs, allowing us to better support the community in obtaining benefits that improve household income and access to health care and nutrition. Project Access to Benefits for Healthy Lifestyles. Helping Families In Need (HFIN) supports the health, welfare, and quality of life of Tolleson residents by addressing community needs and offering education and assistance with enrolling in essential benefits that enhance their well-being. Tolleson Residents This project will focus on serving at least 2,500 Tolleson residents annually. Boundaries of Service Area Tolleson residents are served at the Esther Angulo Community Center inside of the Tolleson Civic Center 9055 W. Van Buren St. Tolleson, AZ 85353. Budget The requested amount will cover approximately 14% of the project cost. 2025 City of Tolleson Council Community Grant Program Homeless Youth Connection, Inc. (HYC) Mission HYC’s mission is to eliminate barriers to education so that youth experiencing homelessness can graduate and create lasting solutions for a successful future. HYC is a preventive measure for chronic homelessness. When you take away the worry about basic needs, homeless youth will thrive, graduate, and succeed, which dramatically impacts the quality of life of these youth. Project Homeless Youth Connection (HYC) requests support from the City of Tolleson for case management services for youth experiencing homelessness who are enrolled in school. HYC only has one ongoing program, Empowering Youth For The Future. This is an existing program. Tolleson Residents HYC serves more than 700 youths experiencing homelessness annually. Last school year, HYC served 60 youth experiencing homelessness who lived in or attended school in the Tolleson Union High School District. Boundaries of Service Area HYC serves youth experiencing homelessness ages 13 to 21 who are enrolled in high school. HYC partners with 130 high schools (including Tolleson Union High School District) and colleges in Maricopa County and Flagstaff. In 2024, the Arizona Department of Education reported that more than 7,800 homeless youth in 9th-12th grade live in Arizona, and more than 1,600 are unaccompanied youth. These youth face numerous educational barriers, keeping many of them from completing high school or achieving post-secondary education. Budget HYC requests $5,000 from the City of Tolleson to ensure youth experiencing homelessness have the resources and services they need to stay in school and complete their education. 2025 City of Tolleson Council Community Grant Program Mission of Mercy Inc (MOM) Mission Mission of Mercy (MOM) was founded in 1994 by a pharmacist who recognized that low-income patients in need of medical care also needed compassion and dignity. With a mission to restore dignity and provide “healing through Love,” she created a mobile clinic that provided care completely free of charge, never asking patients to prove their poverty to receive services. As a pharmacist, she also understood the critical importance of providing medications as an integrated part of medical care. Project The project aims to provide free healthcare services, including medical exams, medication, chronic disease management, and health education, to uninsured and low-income residents of Tolleson and surrounding areas. MOM operates a mobile clinic that offers these services without asking patients to prove their poverty status, focusing on improving the health and wellbeing of underserved communities. Tolleson Residents In FY 26, MOM projects serving 2,000 total unduplicated patients, of which 38 will be Tolleson residents. Boundaries of Service Area MOM’s six rotating medical clinics are in Avondale, Central and South Phoenix, Maryvale, Mesa, and Chandler. Nearly all Tolleson residents visit the Avondale clinic, though there are no geographic restrictions on which clinic patients can visit. Some visit clinics closer to their work rather than their home. Funds from the City of Tolleson will support healthcare services to Tolleson residents, no matter which clinic they visit. Budget A grant of $5,000 from the City of Tolleson will cover 0.2% of MOM’s Access to Care budget. At a cost of $82 per patient visit, a $5,000 grant from the City of Tolleson would subsidize approximately 60 patient visits. 2025 City of Tolleson Council Community Grant Program Sounds of Autism Mission Our Mission is to safely integrate families and children of Autism, including others At-Risk, back into society through unconditional LOVE and SUPPORT, one step at a time. Project Crisis intervention, bridging gaps between first responders, community leaders, and educational leaders to ensure safer outcomes during crises, especially for families with autism. Tolleson Residents The program directly and indirectly serves over 20,000 individuals annually, including 54 residents of Tolleson in 2024 alone. In 2024 we served 54 residents in Tolleson and assisted 12 educational staff members grades K through 12, many nonprofits, and multiple community partners who needed supporting an employee and their family member or just wanted to learn more about Autism or our programs within the City of Tolleson. We anticipate serving more families and community members this year with our focus specifically shifted towards the City of Tolleson and the City of Peoria involvement. Boundaries of Service Area The project primarily focuses on Tolleson, Avondale, Goodyear, West Phoenix, and Peoria. While Tolleson is the main focus, the initiative also extends to surrounding cities, including outreach to Luke Air Force Base and collaboration with other non-profits serving individuals across the West Valley. Budget Sounds of Autism are requesting $5,000.00. 2025 City of Tolleson Council Community Grant Program Teen Lifeline Mission Teen Lifeline’s mission is to prevent teen suicide in Arizona by enhancing youth resiliency and fostering supportive communities. Through providing a free, 24/7 confidential crisis hotline, suicide prevention education, and crisis response services, Teen Lifeline ensures that every teen knows they are never alone and that help is always within reach. Project Teen Lifeline promotes the health, welfare, and quality of life for Tolleson residents by providing a free, 24/7, confidential crisis hotline that connects teens with trained peer counselors under the supervision of master’s- level clinicians. We also work directly with schools, families, and community partners to deliver suicide prevention education and crisis response services when schools experience a student death by suicide. Tolleson Residents Through this funding, we anticipate serving 250 to 300 Tolleson youth annually through our crisis hotline, offering immediate support during their most difficult moments. We also expect to engage an additional 300 to 500 Tolleson students, parents, and educators each year through our prevention and crisis services, delivered in partnership with local schools and community partners. Boundaries of Service Area Teen Lifeline will provide services specifically to the residents of Tolleson, Arizona. This includes direct access to their 24/7 confidential crisis hotline for teens in the area, as well as prevention and crisis services delivered on school campuses and in collaboration with local community partners. The organization will expand its reach and deepen its impact within Tolleson, focusing on youth aged 10-24, particularly in a community that may face financial barriers and limited access to mental health care. Budget Although the proposal does not specify an exact dollar amount requested, it is clear that Teen Lifeline is seeking funding to support the expansion of its services into Tolleson. The funding will allow Teen Lifeline to serve approximately 250-300 Tolleson youth annually through their crisis hotline and engage an additional 300-500 students, parents, and educators annually through suicide prevention education and crisis response services. 2025 City of Tolleson Council Community Grant Program Valley of the Sun Young Men’s Christian Association dba Valley of the Sun YMCA (VOS YMCA) Mission Valley of the Sun YMCA's (VOS YMCA) mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. VOS YMCA is a non-sectarian, non-religious organization that is inclusive of all individuals. Project Affordable childcare is a significant challenge for many families in our community. Our early learning program is committed to expanding access to quality education, prioritizing the inclusion of low-income youth. More than 50% of the children enrolled in our programs receive financial assistance through subsidies from the Arizona Department of Economic Security, are part of the foster care system, or both. Our programs nurture essential skills, like communication and teamwork, that are crucial for lifelong success. Financial assistance ensures that families can access our services without cost being a barrier. Tolleson Residents With a $5,000 grant, Valley of the Sun YMCA would be able to provide childcare and early learning financial assistance to up to 10 families. Boundaries of Service Area Valley of the Sun YMCA has 2 childcare and early learning sites within the city of Tolleson to serve residents. Tolleson families may also choose to enroll their child at a YMCA location closer to their place of employment. Valley of the Sun YMCA has physical branches and community-based locations across Maricopa County, in Flagstaff, and a residential camp in Prescott. Budget Grant funding from the City of Tolleson (per their request $5,000) will be used to provide financial assistance for up to 10 low-income families residing in Tolleson to access high-quality, affordable childcare from the YMCA.