National Volunteer Month

What is National Volunteer Month? April is National Volunteer Month, and as a small non-profit organization, we thrive off of the support of our volunteers! President Nixon first declared the importance of volunteers in 1974 by calling upon communities to “honor those who have given countless hours for the betterment of our communities and the American way of life.” In 1990, the global community finally acknowledged April as Global Volunteer Month. Live & Learn Volunteers We are so grateful for our dedicated volunteers that use their skills to creatively support our mission at Live & Learn. How To Volunteer Being

Read more

First Annual Hope Blooms Brunch Event

  About the author: Izabella is a student at Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. She is studying journalism with an emphasis in photojournalism. She is dedicating her journalism career to giving a voice to vulnerable populations and marginalized communities. You can see more of Ms. Zola’s work at Photography. She can be reached at izhernan@asu.edu.

Read more

1st Annual Hope Blooms Brunch: Distinguished Alumna Award – Stefanie Nader

In recognition of her personal and professional accomplishments, as well as her ongoing work to make a difference in the community, this award is presented to Stefanie Nader. As a Live & Learn client, Ms. Nader overcame daunting obstacles to reach financial self-sufficiency and stability for herself and her family. That was only the beginning. She earned a Masters Degree in Addiction Counseling and Mental Health and Wellness from Grand Canyon University, then pursued a Doctorate Degree in Organizational and Industrial Psychology. Currently, Ms. Nader works for the Landlord Tenant and VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) with the City of

Read more

1st Annual Hope Blooms Brunch: Community Ally Award – Daniel Sciortino

In appreciation of his ongoing commitment and dedication to Live & Learn, this award is presented to Daniel Sciortino. Mr. Sciortino works in Consumer, Small Business, and Wealth Management Client Care at Bank of America. He serves as the Phoenix Market Chair for Bank of America Community Volunteers and Better Money Habits Champions. With the Office of the Market President, Mr. Sciortino helps to determine the biggest needs in the Phoenix community and identify local nonprofits addressing those needs. For the past six years, Mr. Sciortino has received recognition for volunteering over 1,000 hours annually. In the midst of the

Read more

1st Annual Hope Blooms Brunch: Lifetime Service Award – Meri Friedman

For her long-term commitment to Live & Learn and in appreciation of her years of service in our community, this award is presented to Meri Friedman. Ms. Friedman is a retired photographer who has spent her life in service to others. Through her generosity with her time, talents, and resources, Ms. Friedman has made a lasting difference in the lives of countless Arizonans, especially women and mothers. She has volunteered for organizations including Jewish Family Services, Volunteer Aid, and Live & Learn. She has served on the Foster Care Review Board for over a decade. She has mentored foster care

Read more

Live & Learn Quarterly Coffee Event: Childcare and Housing 

Live & Learn hosts quarterly coffee events about an important topic affecting women experiencing poverty in Maricopa County. At the first coffee event of 2022, Live & Learn focused on the interrelated issues of housing and childcare, with two local experts weighing in, while attendees enjoyed free coffee supplied by Empower Coffee Roasters. Stefanie Nader, who is currently a CaseWorker III / Program Manager for the Landlord Tenant and VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance with the City of Phoenix) and a Live & Learn alumna, spoke on the housing issues in Arizona. Dr. Allison Mullady, who works for the Watts

Read more

Bank of America Names Live & Learn a Recipient of 2021 Neighborhood Builders®

Program Provides $200,000 in Flexible Funding and Leadership Development Training to Advance Economic Mobility in Phoenix  PHOENIX – Live & Learn and Fresh Start Women’s Foundation have been named as the 2021 Bank of America Neighborhood Builders® awardees for their work in the Phoenix community addressing local issues around women’s personal and financial empowerment. Read the full article: https://bit.ly/3ddI7Ke “As communities continue to recover and navigate a changing landscape, nonprofits are still experiencing significant demands and need resources to help meet critical local needs like supporting women experiencing poverty as they claim and create greater self-sufficiency,” said Benito Almanza, president,

Read more

Live & Learn through the pandemic

Nearly two years since the world halted, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Live & Learn, like many other businesses and organizations had to pivot their routines to continue to support its clients. Live & Learn is a nonprofit organization that guides women out of generational poverty, provides resources and tools for women to use to succeed without governmental assistance. The Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits reported “400 Arizona nonprofits reporting a total revenue loss of more than $91 million, a 52% drop in year-end giving and an increase of over $15 million in expenses primarily for PPE, supplies, and technology.” The

Read more

Live & Learn Has Been Identified as a Mighty Changemaker

Live & Learn joins Valley of the Sun United Way and a coalition of partners working for Mighty Change. Live & Learn has joined Valley of the Sun United Way and a coalition of other nonprofit organizations as a partner in MC2026, United Way’s new five-year plan to create mighty change in Maricopa County. Together, Live & Learn, United Way and other MC2026 partners will implement vital strategies to tackle bold goals which focus on creating solutions for the community’s most pressing needs. Specifically, Live & Learn will work to empower women to secure stable, safe housing for their families. 

Read more

Thunderbirds Charities Invests in Live & Learn Women Thriving

Thunderbirds Charities has generously granted $10,000 of Covid-19 relief funding to Live & Learn’s Women Thriving program. The Women Thriving program offers Maricopa County women a pathway back to stability and employment in the wake of the Covid-19 Pandemic. “Thunderbirds Charities is investing in Maricopa County’s recovery through their support of our Women Thriving program,” says Kristin Chatsworth, Executive Director of Live & Learn. “We must make sure women and their children are not left behind by the economic recovery.” Women in poverty have been devastated by the economic impact of the pandemic. Women in low-wage and service-sector positions lost

Read more