United Way of Northern Arizona (UWNA) officially launched its 1.2 million annual campaign last Friday at the High Country Conference Center. Funding from this year’s campaign will be used to promote several initiatives based at UWNA and almost 40 partner programs that work to ensure that youth and families in northern Arizona thrive.
“I’m very excited and energized about the theme of this year’s campaign – Leading the Way – because it reflects United Way of Northern Arizona’s innovative spirit,” said UWNA President & CEO Liz Archuleta. “It’s about how we bring together our community and boldly pursue opportunities for improving lives in our region with courage, intention, and creativity.”
During the event, Northern Arizona University President José Luis Cruz Rivera – who is co-chairing this year’s campaign with his wife, Dr. Rima Brusi – announced a further expansion of benefits for graduates of the popular KinderCamp™ program, a signature early childhood education initiative developed by UWNA and implemented in partnership with local school districts.
Building on a promise made by Coconino Community College earlier this year to provide KinderCamp graduates with a “Teal Ticket” allowing them to attend CCC for free upon graduating from high school, President Cruz Rivera extended that commitment, unveiling a “Golden Ticket,” which will allow future KinderCampers who graduate from CCC to transfer and complete their bachelor’s degree at NAU with tuition fully covered.
“United Way of Northern Arizona’s campaign is emblematic of one of NAU’s key strategic priorities, which is to ensure we are providing beneficial economic and social benefits to the communities we serve,” said President Cruz Rivera. “That starts with stepping up for our youth so that they can achieve their dreams and aspirations.”
During the breakfast, January Contreras, President and CEO of the Arizona Children’s Action Alliance, shared data from an upcoming report on the status of children in Coconino County and the challenges facing the region in areas such as childcare, economic security, and healthcare.
UWNA is in a unique position to help address those challenges by bringing the community together to “step up for our youth,” knowing that when we invest in their future, we are also guaranteeing a better future for our region as a whole.
