Partnership Spotlight -
Valley of the Sun United Way

Valley of the Sun United Way (VSUW) has been bringing the community together to focus resources on the most critical human needs of the Valley since 1925. Communities In Schools of Arizona connects resources with schools so that students can learn and successfully prepare for life. With such similar missions, it only makes sense for VSUW and Communities In Schools of Arizona to work together to meet our mutual goals. As a Primary Partner Agency of VSUW, CISA receives support for our School Based Services, Workforce Development & Workforce Investment Act programs each year.

Several years ago, CISA took on a program called Project LEARN. Project LEARN started as a VSUW program that provided small grants to dozens of schools to help them provide programming to their students they would not normally be able to offer. In 2001, Project LEARN transformed into our School Based Services program which now offers three-year partnerships with schools to provide for the non-academic needs of students so they can be successful in school and in life.

Not long after Project LEARN came to CISA, another great program also migrated from VSUW, the Jobs for Valley Youth (JVY) program. Jobs for Valley Youth helps students ages 16-21 gain the skills they need to successfully find employment. JVY has provided Job Skills Workshops all around Maricopa County to ensure that teens have the basic skills they need to be employable.

Then in 2004, VSUW, CISA and several other community partners came together to create a new collaborative, Aspire. Aspire empowers youth by partnering with schools, agencies and community centers to see that Valley youth transition successfully from school to full-time work. Aspire helps students get the training and support they need to be productive adults.

With the 2007 Valley of the Sun United Way Campaign underway, CISA would like to thank everyone that has or will contribute again this year. Not only does your donation to VSUW help Communities In Schools of Arizona, it helps the countless other non-profit organizations with which we partner. If you have questions regarding this year’s campaign, or how you can contribute, visit their website at: www.vsuw.org.