Class XXVI (2010-2011): Escalante Community Garden: The vision of the Escalante Community Garden is to build community through the production of high-quality organic fruits and vegetables; to teach our community about sustainable gardening and healthy cooking; and to strengthen community bonds by creating and sustaining an organic garden in the Escalante neighborhood that will foster environmental stewardship, horticultural education, entrepreneurialism and recreation.
Since 1985, Tempe Leadership has worked with more than 700 community leaders to make a difference for the next generation. Each class takes the opportunity to develop positive solutions to real problems. Projects have ranged from the development of a business resource guide, to improving the effectiveness of the City of Tempe Boards and Commissions process, to working to improve the Tempe school system.
As Class XXXI is in the early stages of its Care 7 Project, we wanted to take a few moments and reflect on some recent successes. If you are interested in learning more about Tempe Leadership, we invite you to the Class XXXII Recruitment Reception on Thursday, April 14 at the Tempe Mission Palms Hotel. This will be an opportunity to connect with alums in order to take the next step in your path to leadership. For more information on Tempe Leadership, please visit www.tempeleadership.org.
Class XXVII (2011-2012) Trees & Trails Project: The Trees & Trails Project, a collaborative community effort, raised almost $10,000 to re-forest 37 dead or dying trees in Tempe’s Kiwanis Park and create a half-mile, tree-themed learning trail. Remaining funds went to Trees for Tempe for future arbor care and tree replacements in the city’s parks.
Class XXVIII (2012-2013) Threads 4 Success | Empowering Tempe Teens in Need: Tempe’s Teen Resource Center (TRC) is a free facility open to teens in need of clothing and personal care products. Every year, the TRC serves more than 500 students. However, as many as 2,000 teens go unserved due to lack of resources. Tempe Leadership seeks to empower and strengthen the self-esteem of teens in need by expanding the service capability of the TRC. A second location was opened in 2015 at Marcos de Niza High School.
Class XXIX (2013-2014) Fresh Truck Project: Tempe Leadership Class XXIX donated two refrigerated food trucks worth $90,000 to the United Food Bank. The Fresh Truck Project aimed to eliminate the gap in the food supply in the Greater Phoenix area with nutritious, fresh food. United Food Bank will share these trucks with partner nonprofits such as Tempe Community Action Agency, Kyrene Family Resource Center and the Salvation Army to bring fresh food to those in need.
Class XXX (2014-2015) Tempe Bike Corral: The Bike Corral at Tempe Beach Park is a permanent bike valet serving to increase bike parking for the city, ease congestion during special events and promote bike usage to the downtown Mill Avenue and Tempe Beach Park area. The facility will be dual-use, providing open bike parking for the park and surrounding area every day, as well as a permanent and secure location for a staffed bike valet during special events.
