Homeward Bound announced today that it has received a grant totaling $200,000 from Thunderbirds Charities. These funds will be used by the nonprofit to support their children’s services programming for homeless youth in Maricopa County, including a new afterschool program.
“We are extremely grateful for the support of Thunderbirds Charities,” said Barbara Ralston, Homeward Bound’s Executive Director. “This grant is going to programs that make a tremendous difference in these underserved children’s lives and help break the cycle of poverty in their families.”
“The Thunderbirds have been longtime supporters of Homeward Bound and we are proud to make this significant donation that will assist in their continued efforts to support homeless youth in the Valley and the creation of a much needed after school program,” said Tom King, President of Thunderbirds Charities.
Since its inception in 1990, Homeward Bound has been one of the largest providers of safe and secure housing to homeless children and families in Arizona. Every year, the organization helps 300 children on average with stable housing and children’s services programming that’s designed to support their healthy development and future academic and life-long success.
Seventy-five thousand dollars of the grant will be used to support a new afterschool program for school-aged children who reside at Thunderbird Family Village, Homeward Bound’s main housing community for homeless families. The remaining $125,000 will also be used to support the organization’s general children’s services programming, which provides year-round activities to enhance homeless children’s development and academic growth.
ABOUT THUNDERBIRDS CHARITIES
Thunderbirds Charities is a non-profit organization formed in 1986 to distribute monies raised through the Waste Management Phoenix Open golf tournament. The Thunderbirds Charities Board consists of 15 board members from varying professional backgrounds. The mission of Thunderbirds Charities is to assist children and families, help people in need and improve the quality of life in our communities. The organization’s giving is directed toward organizations based or with a significant presence in Arizona.
The Thunderbirds were founded in 1937 with the mission of promoting the Valley of the Sun through sports. The Thunderbirds consist of 55 “active” members and more than 250 “life” members. For more information on the Thunderbirds or the 2016 Waste Management Phoenix Open, visit www.wmphoenixopen.com. For more information on Thunderbirds Charities, visit www.thunderbirdscharities.org.