The Rise of AZCEND

Phoenix AZ

30 November, 2021

2:02 PM

Description

Providing aid to those experiencing substantial crises can be seen as an innate effort for many social services and resource centers throughout the valley. AZCEND has been a staple for that objective in the southeast valley for over 50 years, with a regional mission to "change lives by nourishing minds and bodies to create a connected, thriving community." Previously known as Chandler Christian Community Center (CCCC), AZCEND was founded in the mid-60s by a conglomerate of key individuals in Chandler, including the Mayor, the president of Chandler's Women Club, and the pastor of the Spanish Nazarene Church at the time. The center was originally established to secure a permanent dwelling for an out-patient health clinic, but soon its intended mission morphed into something bigger and definite in the name of care for all persons. "Our organization has expanded in ways that I'm sure our founding dignitaries 56 years ago never could have predicted, but would be overwhelmingly pleased with," said AZCEND outreach specialist Lisa Price, "This started as a relatively small health clinic primarily geared toward providing women's natal and children care to those without health coverage. Now we offer services such as food and clothing banks, Community Action Programs, Family Resource, and Senior citizens Centers, where we host community events and activities, we also partner with I-HELP which is a program based in Tempe." AZCEND was incorporated as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in January of 1968. In laments terms, it meant AZCEND became a consolidated organization formed for religious charitable, scientific, literary, or educational purposes and could be exempt from federal and state tax. According to 990 documents they have been tax-exempt since July 1984. "That was what catapulted the organization into some important developments of that time--after AZCEND became incorporated, there were considerable collaborations and sponsorships with The Boys and Girls Scouts, The University of Arizona Agricultural Extension program, and Red Cross." Said Amanda Shepard, AZCEND's activity specialist. Shepard helps curate programs/events and also assists in the ones already existing. The organization host a multitude of activities and resources at their center such as cooking classes, child watch, early literacy mentorship, emergency shelter, and on-site meals; but they're most known for their food banks, CAP, and I-Help services. "During this fiscal year we have assisted nearly 18,000 people--We service a non-discriminatory and wide-ranging demographic with a majority of those individuals we assist living in the city of Chandler. But we also cover Gilbert, Mesa, and Tempe." Recent documents couldn't be located, but in the fiscal year 2017/18 they served approximately 16,989 and 5,794 households--54% were female,94% had incomes below 150% of the poverty level, and 37% were children under 18. Last year AZCEND's Food Bank, in partnership with their partners and other programs, distributed 12,968 food boxes--a distribution that was calculated to feed 48,189 individuals for a few days. AZCEND's CAP (Community action program) has also done some heavy lifting in the valley by assisting individuals and households with case management, emergency financial and utility assistance, eviction prevention, and employment and education referrals, to name a few. As claimed by AZCEND's fiscal year documents their aid prevented 2,289 utility disconnects and 414 evictions totaling $1,242,782. Other programs such as their Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) was responsible for delivering $426,310 tax returns to 224 individuals last year. To supply the public with resources and services, AZCEND funded largely from contributions and grants, according to Form 990 their total revenue was $5,520,622 for the period ending in June 2020--approximately $5,239,116 is supplemented by those grants and contributions. While their total expenses hit right underneath it at $5,324,475. $1.8 million of their expenses go to salaries and employee benefits, last fiscal year they had 757 volunteers, though accounting clerks, kitchen specialists/cooks, and office coordinates are some paid positions they fill. In the 50+ years of servicing the community, AZCEND has achieved some incredible feats that have fundamentally remedied some of the socio-economic issues that destitute individuals and families face.