Fueling Minds with Heart
Just one week into the new school year, one of our nursing students stopped by the College Bound AZ office looking for a little extra support. Before the week was over, our team was able to send him home with snacks and essentials to help get him through the weekend.
A few days later, he returned with a huge smile and shared:
“I got lunch today because of you guys.”
His story is just one example of how the College Bound AZ Food Pantry is helping students and community members when they need it most.
Sometimes support begins with something as simple as a weekend food bag.
Viola Story
Viola Moses came to College Bound AZ during a season of major transition. After devastating flooding in the Globe area disrupted her family’s life and the business she had worked to build, Viola relocated to Phoenix and continued moving forward with determination.
She is currently studying psychology online through the College of Southern Nevada with the goal of eventually working with individuals affected by drug addiction. When financial strain made things especially difficult, College Bound AZ invited Viola and her family to receive support through our Food Pantry.
What began with a food bag quickly became a larger conversation about Viola’s education and career goals. Because of her interest in behavioral health, our team helped her explore opportunities that could allow her to gain experience in the field while continuing her education. We discovered that Valleywise Health offers an opportunity to train for behavioral health work while earning income.
Not long afterward, Viola sent us a message:
“Awesome, I applied, so let’s see what happens!”
That simple sentence reflects what College Bound AZ hopes to make possible. Sometimes the journey begins with a college application. Sometimes it begins with FAFSA assistance. And sometimes it begins with food, a conversation, and discovering an opportunity someone did not know was available.
A special thank you to MidWest Food Bank & BNI Sharks for helping us begin the year with a fully stocked fridge and nourishing snacks. Because of generous supporters like you, our Food Pantry can continue being a place where students and families find both practical support and a path forward.
Want to help stock our shelves?
Visit our Amazon Wishlist to purchase snacks, drinks, and essential items our students need most.
Donate to our Greatest Need
Prefer to donate items yourself? Donations can be dropped off at our office, or we’re happy to arrange a pickup. Simply contact us at [email protected].
Boots, Bling & Brighter Futures
Dust off your boots, add a little bling, and join us for an unforgettable evening at the Sheraton Mesa Hotel.
Boots & Bling is more than our annual gala; it is a night to celebrate the incredible community that makes our work possible. Every ticket purchased, sponsorship secured, and auction bid helps provide scholarships and essential support for students pursuing college and career success.
This year’s gala will be especially meaningful as we celebrate College Bound AZ Founder Liz Paulus and her retirement. After years of building and championing College Bound AZ’s mission, Liz will symbolically “pass the torch” as we celebrate her incredible legacy and look ahead to the organization’s next chapter.
There is still time to join us, but we encourage you to reserve your seat early.
Every seat at the table helps create another opportunity for a student to succeed.
We can’t wait to celebrate with you on October 30 at the Sheraton Mesa Hotel for an evening filled with gratitude, community, and brighter futures.
Growing Into Our Next Chapter
Big things are ahead for College Bound AZ! This September, two new team members will be joining us as we continue expanding our reach and strengthening the support we provide to students. Stay tuned! We can’t wait to introduce them and share more about the next chapter of College Bound AZ.
Beyond Graduation
VALERIA IS TAKING HER NEXT BIG STEP
Valeria, a 2023 RISE Scholars alumna, has a dream: to become the first in her family to earn a college degree and use her education to serve others through a medical career. She is pursuing Biochemistry and Data Analysis at Arizona State University.
During her sophomore year, however, her family needed financial help. Already carrying 18 credit hours, Valeria took a swing-shift position at a nearby Amazon fulfillment center. While continuing to keep her grades up, she quickly distinguished herself and was promoted to Problem Solver.
Then came an opportunity she never expected.
Not yet 21, Valeria was selected for a six-month assignment as a Process Assistant at Amazon’s new robotics fulfillment center near Buffalo, New York. As a frontline supervisor, she will help coordinate operations and oversee as many as 80 associates.
For someone whose farthest journey from home has been Flagstaff, this is an exciting leap.
“I’m going to be at only the second facility that has robotics. I can’t wait to get started!” says Valeria.
Most importantly, Valeria hasn’t put her college dream aside. She has switched to online classes so she can continue her degree while taking advantage of this remarkable opportunity.
Valeria’s path may look different than she first imagined, but her destination hasn’t changed. She is supporting her family, continuing her education as a college junior, discovering her abilities as a leader—and opening doors to a future she is working hard to create.
Valeria, we couldn’t be more proud of you. We can’t wait to see where your determination takes you next.
Welcoming a New Class of RISE Scholars
Enrollment is wrapping up, and we’re excited to welcome over 300 students into this year’s RISE Scholars program!
Throughout the year, students will receive support with college and career planning.
This year, College Bound AZ is also expanding into Career Bound. We are dedicated to help students who will be entering the workforce, pursuing a certification, or choosing a different path beyond the traditional college route.
We know that not every student’s path leads directly to college and we want them to feel supported and confident about what comes next.
We’re especially excited to extend our reach to more students earning their GED through EVIT, giving even more young people access to guidance and financial support as they build their futures.
Our students are already eager to begin exploring scholarships, opportunities, and the paths ahead of them.
We can’t wait to get to know this year’s scholars and help each of them take the next step with confidence.
Thank You
As another school year begins, we’re reminded that every student who walks through our doors is met with hope because of people like you. Thank you for believing in Arizona students and investing in brighter futures.