On Her Way: Meet Sara

Sara grew up with instability. She was one of four children raised by a hardworking mother who cleaned offices for a living. Sara’s father was abusive, and, though her mother tried to leave him many times, she and the children always returned. “It was living with him or being homeless, so my mom did it for us.” As she grew into adulthood, Sara found herself following in her mother’s footsteps. When her second child was born, she was determined to break the cycle of violence and poverty. She was determined to give her children a better future. The path was

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An Open Letter from Executive Director Kristin Chatsworth

Dear Friends and Supporters, Every October, we recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month, but, this year, Domestic Violence Awareness Month feels more urgent than ever. When families are not financially stable, the stress and conflict increases the risk of domestic violence. When childcare and housing costs rise, more women become trapped in domestic violence situations. This is what is happening right now, in Maricopa County. Just this week, Live & Learn paid rent for 3 women in our program.< One woman received a 5 day eviction notice, with over $300 in additional charges. Our trained staff called every resource available in

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Meet the Team: Megan, Volunteer and Operations Coordinator

What is your role? What are your primary responsibilities? My role at Live & Learn is Volunteer and Operations Coordinator. I am responsible for recruiting and coordinating volunteers, mentors, and interns. Plus, I assist in daily operational tasks for Live & learn. I work with volunteers in all capacities including creating and implementing workshops that teach important life skills to our clients. I also facilitate our mentoring program that offers additional support and encouragement to women of Live & Learn. What is the biggest challenge you have in your job? Adjusting to working remotely since Covid-19 hit! You have to

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Arizona Women’s Partnership Invests in Women

Arizona Women’s Partnership Invests in Women The Arizona Women’s Partnership, Inc. is an all-volunteer philanthropic non-profit based in Phoenix that formed in 2002. With a commitment to providing grants to grassroots nonprofits that assist women and children in AZ, the Arizona Women’s Partnership has given over half a million dollars in grant funding in less than 20 years. Live & Learn is grateful to be among the grant recipients. “This is a huge milestone”, notes Paula Cullison, Arizona Women’s Partnership founder and President. “We continue to do as much as we can – for as many as we can –

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Walk Like A Boss, Not Like A Girl: An Interview with Casey Sanders

This past week, I had an amazing opportunity to interview Casey Sanders. She is the VP Site Underwriting Manager at Bank of America, and she also sits on the Board of Directors of Live & Learn. Casey has held many leadership positions and takes on many responsibilities. In our interview, we talked about how she got to where she is today, and why Live & Learn is so important to her. What motivated you to get involved with Live & Learn? Being a single mom played a role. My son is 21 years old, and I’ve always been a single

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Diversifying Maricopa County’s Healthcare Workforce

In keeping with its commitment to improving the local healthcare workforce, BHHS Legacy Foundation has awarded Live & Learn a generous grant of $55,000. This funding will be used to expand Live & Learn’s Healthcare Workforce Development Program in 2021, and it will help to improve health equity throughout Maricopa County. In 2012, Live & Learn launched the Healthcare Workforce Development Program for women whose lives have been shaped by poverty, homelessness, and domestic violence. The Program provides these women an effective pathway to a healthcare career. Over two years, women receive one-on-one coaching and support to help them stabilize,

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Reducing Live & Learn’s Carbon Footprint: When Economic Justice Meets Environmental Justice

Reducing Live & Learn’s Carbon Footprint: When Economic Justice Meets Environmental Justice Filing cabinets full of client applications and referral forms, workshop handouts and feedback forms, self-assessments and exit interviews… Live & Learn’s Program has been 100% paperless since April 1, 2020. This was intentional and planned, but also accelerated by the Covid-19 Pandemic, which forced everything to become virtual. Going paperless is an important achievement for Live & Learn’s Program because it improves efficiency and cuts costs, but it is also an important environmental step for Live & Learn. Climate change is having serious effects in Maricopa County, and

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Meet the Team: Iris – Community Engagement Manager

Why are you passionate about Live & Learn? I am passionate about the program because it works. I can attest to that from personal experience. It not only helped me become financially independent and be the first one in my family to earn a high school and college degree. It also helped me find my true passion, strengthening our communities so that every one receives the services they need to reach their full potential. When and how did you get involved with Live & Learn? I joined Live & Learn in 2012 as a client. I was fortunate enough to

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New Shoes

A year ago, Live & Learn was helping Anna prepare to start college and advance her career. Then, when Covid-19 hit, she lost her job and her opportunity to go to school. Now, Live & Learn is helping her get back to work. In late December, Anna came to the office to renew her bus pass and complete some paperwork. Staff quickly noticed that Anna’s shoes were falling apart. Embarrassed, she said, “Money’s so tight right now. I’m not buying anything my children don’t absolutely need, I just can’t.” Thanks to a generous donor, there are boxes of new Converse

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Meet the Team: Stephanie – Program and Client Manager

What is your role? What are your primary responsibilities? I am the Program and Client Manager. My job is to support the Client Coordinators who work directly with the women in our program. I build relationships in the community with other nonprofits, schools, and businesses so that Live & Learn women can access resources, earn certifications and degrees, and secure jobs. When and how did you get involved with Live & Learn? In 2016, I was finishing my degree in Nonprofit Management at Arizona State University and did my internship with Live & Learn. That turned into a paid position

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