Low-income college students face incredible obstacles to earning their degree, obstacles that have nothing to do with their intelligence, motivation, or work ethic. One of the primary obstacles? The Digital Divide, the disparity in technology access and skills between low-income students and their peers. What is the Digital Divide? Over 85% of low-income college students lack the necessary technology to complete their classes. The numbers are even higher among first-generation and minority low-income college students. This Digital Divide is not just a lack of technology access, and it is not easily corrected by providing laptops or affordable internet access. Instead,
Read more →Live & Learn has received $15,000 of critical support from the Arizona Community Foundation’s Covid-19 Community Response Fund. The Arizona Community Foundation established this fund to provide immediate relief to nonprofits facing increased demand for services as a result of Covid-19. At Live & Learn, this support is a critical lifeline for the women we serve during this challenging time. In March, when Coronavirus safety measures began to take effect in Maricopa County, Live & Learn women began to lose wages, lose jobs, lose childcare options. The number of women financially and emotionally affected continues to rise daily. Demand for
Read more →Live & Learn is joining more than 700 nonprofit organizations in Arizona Gives Day, an online fundraising initiative, on Tuesday, April 7, 2020. Presented by FirstBank, Arizona Gives Day will bring together Arizonans from across the state to raise awareness and financial support for nonprofit organizations statewide. Arizonans are encouraged to help make a difference by investing in the nonprofit of their choice. “This is a critical moment for us to come together and take action against the damages Coronavirus is inflicting on the nonprofit community in Phoenix-metro,” said Kristin Chatsworth, Executive Director. “We’re already seeing sharp increases in demand
Read more →The Live & Learn community celebrated International Women’s Day this year by coming together to practice yoga, enjoy brunch, and hear from women currently in the Live & Learn program. It was a beautiful sunny morning in Live & Learn’s courtyard, and a perfect way to mark the occasion. International Women’s Day is an internationally observed day meant to call attention to the economic, social, cultural, and political achievements of women. It is a day to focus on the barriers women face, but also, importantly, to celebrate the progress that has been made. Live & Learn took the opportunity this
Read more →On a Thursday evening this February, a group of ten women gathered in Live & Learn’s courtyard to celebrate their completion of the Childhood Development Associate Training Program. The women were cheered by their parents, their spouses, their children, and the Live & Learn community. Then, the following morning, these ten women went right back to work at Immanual Care for Children. Ensuring childcare facilities have qualified, well-trained staff brings long-term benefits to the children. In fact, it can be a significant predictor of those children’s success in high school (https://www.naeyc.org/resources/blog/ece-role-closing-achievement-gap). What is a CDA Certification? A Childhood Development Associate
Read more →As the Coronavirus threatens our Phoenix-metro community, we must calm our anxieties, stave off our fears, and work together to meet this incredible challenge. Only by working together and focusing on the common good can our community protect those most vulnerable to the threats this pandemic poses, the threat to our health and physical well-being, and the threat to our economic well-being. This crisis is already taking a serious toll on low-income and financially vulnerable women. We are seeing it daily at Live & Learn, with increasing urgency. Yet, we know that the well-being of these women is crucial to
Read more →The 2020 Census is around the corner and we want to make sure you are counted! What is the U.S. Census? By participating in the Census, you help ensure our community receives the finances needed to continue public programs and services. The Census count determines funding for education, healthcare and other federally funded agencies and programs in Arizona. Each count will protect the resources people in Arizona need and want for the next decade. Another aspect of the Census that is often forgotten about is representation in legislative districts as well as Washington D.C. This is a way for Arizona
Read more →Alverta McKenzie has dedicated her life to helping children and families. She has become an expert in the field and spent her career mentoring others to succeed in the same field. Alverta has worked in the field of Children and Family services as a teacher and a professional. She has devoted her life’s work to bolstering the field of Children and Family Studies, bettering the foundation of our community and making the world a better place for the next generation. Early Life and First Career Alverta is originally from New Haven, Connecticut, where she spent time in the foster care
Read more →This Thanksgiving was truly a season of giving and gratitude at Live & Learn! We hosted our first turkey drive. Generous donors provided turkey, side dishes, and desserts to women who could not afford to put a feast on their own table. Donors were so kind and generous. They went above and beyond to make the holiday special for hardworking women and their families. There were beautiful homemade desserts. Some donors delivered directly to the homes of women who lack reliable transportation. Other women came to our office to pick up their dinners and meet their donors. One woman took
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