$975,000 from AZ Coronavirus Relief Fund to Support Homeless Arizonans

Governor Ducey announced $975,000 from the AZ Coronavirus Relief Fund has been allocated to 12 organizations in Arizona that provide shelter for those experiencing homelessness. The funding will support efforts to provide food for those utilizing shelters; locate alternative housing to maintain social distancing among the homeless population; and clean and sanitize shelters to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“Organizations throughout the state are working around the clock to support individuals and families experiencing homelessness, providing them with shelter and food and keeping them safe during COVID-19,” said Governor Ducey. “These dollars will bolster their efforts. I am grateful to everyone working to protect our most vulnerable and the many businesses and organizations who have generously donated to the AZ Coronavirus Relief Fund to help those in need.”

Tucson-based recipients of the funding include:

• Gospel Rescue Mission
• Our Family Services
• Primavera

Phoenix-based recipients of the funding include:

• Human Services Campus
• St. Vincent de Paul Phoenix
• Phoenix Rescue Mission
• Chicanos Por La Causa
• UMOM New Day Centers
• A New Leaf

Other recipients include:

• Flagstaff Shelter Services
• Sunshine Rescue Mission in Flagstaff
• Crossroads Mission in Yuma

“As a nonprofit, we rely on donations to help the vulnerable. Receiving this award shows that the Governor’s office cares about the least, the last, and the lost in their time of crisis,” said Gospel Rescue Mission at the Center of Opportunity CEO Lisa Chastain. “Thank you! We are humbled and grateful.”

“With the support of the AZ Coronavirus Relief Fund, runaway and homeless youth in Southern Arizona will continue to have a safe place to stay, ” said Our Family Services CEO Beth Morrison.

“We are delighted and deeply grateful for this generous investment in the essential services that Primavera Foundation is providing to the southern Arizona community during this critical time of the pandemic,” said Primavera CEO Peggy Hutchinson.

“Funding from the AZ Coronavirus Relief Fund was critical in our ongoing commitment to provide services and resources to the individuals experiencing homelessness we serve every day on the campus,” said Human Services Campus Executive Director Amy Schwabenlender. “The funds were used to help purchase a shower trailer for our clients and to help cover monthly costs associated with showers, laundry and other COVID-relief programs. We will be able to allocate remaining funds to operate heat-relief space at a time when our existing space is significantly limited to accommodate social distancing. We are deeply grateful for this generous support.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted communities across the country, but Arizona families are faced with unique challenges as we approach the hot summer months,” said St. Vincent de Paul Associate Executive Director Shannon Clancy. “The AZ Coronavirus Relief Fund will help us provide rent and utility assistance, food, clothing and healthcare to stabilize the lives of families recovering from this major crisis. We are grateful for the support as we continue to feed, clothe, house and heal our neighbors in need.”

“We are incredibly grateful to Governor Ducey for this funding.  Times are uncertain and this funding helps ensure we can meet the rising need for our services in the community,” said Phoenix Rescue Mission CEO Ken Brissa.

“COVID-19 has made the already dire situation for homeless families even more critical to address,” said UMOM CEO Darlene Newsom. “This is a solvable problem, and support from our city and state leadership will make a profound impact on the most vulnerable individuals in our community by providing access to a safe, clean, and healthy environment. UMOM is honored to be supported by the AZ Coronavirus Relief Fund; working together, we will end family homelessness.”

“Our emergency shelter and community support programs are striving to meet the increased need for services despite losses in funding, in-kind donations, and volunteer support, as well as increased costs for sanitization/protective measures We are also ramping up services to address the need for more intensive Workforce Development Services and assistance to help families regain financial stability,” said A New Leaf President and CEO Michael Hughes. “Support from our community is more critical than ever to help vulnerable households stay healthy and regain economic and housing stability. We are so grateful for the support we have received through the AZ Coronavirus Relief Fund.”

“Funding from the AZ Coronavirus Relief Fund will help Flagstaff Shelter Services protect some of northern Arizona’s most vulnerable residents by supporting the agency’s Hotel to Housing campaign. In light of COVID-19, all shelter guests have been moved to hotel rooms to enable social distancing and quarantining,” said Flagstaff Shelter Services Executive Director Ross Altenbaugh. “The best public health precaution and the most basic form of healthcare—especially at a time like this—is housing. The right thing to do is to get people out of a congregate setting.”

“On behalf of Sunshine Rescue Mission, words cannot express our level of gratitude! During these trying times, our entire staff has labored to keep more people fed and safe from the unseen threat of pandemic,” said Sunshine Rescue Mission Executive Director Kathie Knapp. “Receiving notice that the AZ Coronavirus Relief Fund Committee sees what we do and is reaching out to help with financial relief is just incredible. We are humbled, honored and deeply grateful.”

The AZ Coronavirus Relief Fund was established by Governor Ducey as part of the Arizona Together Initiative to provide financial support to non-profit organizations serving Arizonans most in need statewide. The fund has collected more than $8.6 million to date. Arizonans can visit ArizonaTogether.org to learn more, donate and find volunteer opportunities.