Thunderbirds Charities has awarded a $44,000 grant to MentorKids USA in support of their innovative youth leadership program, iLEAD. MentorKids has been the recipient of Thunderbirds Charities generosity for multiple years, but this is the largest grant awarded by Thunderbirds Charities to MentorKids to date.
“We are so grateful to Thunderbirds Charities for their investment in MentorKids over the years, and are tremendously thankful for this recent grant,” said Aaron Parrot, Executive Director of MentorKids USA. “Through this award, Thunderbirds Charities will fund the employment of seven iLEADers for an entire year, allowing these high-school students to develop leadership skills and job experience while serving their community and preparing for their post-secondary life.”
The mission of MentorKids USA is to equip and empower youth to be transformative leaders in their lives, their families, and their communities. This is accomplished through free year-round programming for K-12 students in their three Promise Neighborhoods in South Phoenix, North Phoenix, and South Scottsdale.
“The Promise Neighborhood model lays the groundwork for MentorKids to make long-term investments in our kids, their families, and their communities,” said Parrott. “iLEADers are the embodiment of our mission. They use the skills learned at MentorKids to mentor, coach, encourage, and lead the younger kids in the program, and serve their families and community. They are literally ‘mission accomplishments’ lived out on a daily basis in our Promise Neighborhoods.”
MentorKids will celebrate 25 years of service to the Phoenix community this year. For more information about MentorKids or the iLEAD program, contact lvandermaten@mentorkidsusa.org.
This grant is part of the Fall 2021 cycle. View a list of all Recent Grantees.