Official Web Site of the City of Phoenix

Mentoring

Garfield Elementary and APS

The partnership between APS and BBBS began developing over six years ago. APS has devoted significant energy to encouraging their employees to volunteer by supporting and recognizing their volunteer hours and community service where APS has a presence. The commitment of the volunteers is significant – one APS volunteer who was matched at Garfield School (site-based) switched to becoming a community based match when the child was no longer a student at the school. Other APS volunteers have proven to be committed and dedicated when they choose to re-match with another child after their match ended (for reasons such as the child moving out of the school district). These volunteers are willing to volunteer their time and talents outside of the workplace as they come together with their Little on a regular basis. Through the dedicated efforts of APS, they have made a statement in the community that they care and are concerned with more than the business aspect.



Innovation

Carl Hayden High School and Phelps Dodge Corporation

The partnership with Phelps Dodge began around 14 years ago when they were partners with school for many projects. One of the projects was the Arcrunner Electric Vehicle Racing Team at the school. Basically the students converted full sized internal combustion vehicles to all electric racing vehicles that competed the other high schools across the state and across the nation. The team was so successful that even competed against universities in their racing category. The partnership was helping our students to get exposed to the latest in electric vehicle technology so that they would go on to college and pursue a degree in a technological field for a career. There were also other sponsors at the time like Salt River Project, Arizona Public Service, and others that also helped to make electric vehicle conversions a reality. After about 10 years, the robotics phenomenon was grabbing hold and the electric car was fading. Phelps Dodge continued to be a sponsor with seeding sponsor ship from NASA at JPL who were funding teams that were starting.



Leadership

Westcor Shopping Centers, , ALLTEL Communications, Allstate Insurance Company, , Coca-Cola, The Arizona Republic and Clear Channel Communications

Westcor initially launched the Extra Credit School Challenge in 2003. During the program's inaugural year, Westcor received nearly 8,500 requests for matching funds. That year, Westcor and its partners contributed $125,000 to schools throughout the state, and individual districts reported tax credit funding increases ranging from 5 to 22 percent. In 2004, based on the preceding year's success, Westcor and its partners raised the bar to set an even higher goal to contribute $150,000 to Arizona schools and drive $3 million in School Tax Credit donations. Based on the exceptional public response, Westcor plans to continue implementing the program on an annual basis well into the future.