United Way of Northern Arizona Kicks Off $1.2 Million Campaign

“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 and 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.”

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. Archuleta noted that UWNA is in the unique position to convene business, government, community groups, nonprofits and others to fulfill these goals.

“Strong communities fuel aspirations and elevate excellence, and the United Way of Northern Arizona is in the business of doing just that,” said Northern Arizona University President José Luis Cruz Rivera, who is chairing this year’s campaign, along with his wife, Dr. Rima Brusi, a professor at the university’s Honor College.

President Cruz Rivera also 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.

Earlier this year, The NARBHA Institute committed $100,000 to help expand the program, which serves up to 200 preschoolers each year, while Coconino Community College announced that children who participated in the targeted intervention would be presented with a “Teal Ticket” allowing them to attend CCC for free upon graduating from high school.   

This commitment has now been extended to NAU thanks to a “Golden Ticket” for future KinderCampers who graduate from CCC, which will allow them 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.”

Coconino Community College President Eric Heiser, Ph.D., welcomed the additional benefits for graduates of the program. “We’re absolutely thrilled to have NAU join us in our commitment to provide a tuition-free education for all KinderCamp graduates,” he said. “Together, we’ll continue to ensure that a higher education is available to all.”

During the Friday, Sept. 13, campaign kickoff 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, said Archuleta, through initiatives that “step up for our youth” and foster opportunity from birth to adulthood. “We know that investing in the success of youth is really about investing in the future of our communities,” she said.

During the breakfast, the co-chairs and Archuleta also honored this year’s Campaign Pacesetters, local companies and organizations that help give the campaign a head start for the coming year. Together, the six Pacesetters – APS, Coconino County, Joy Baking Group, Kinney Construction Services, Lowell Observatory and Nestle Purina PetCare – raised $149,219. FBN 

By Cindy May, FBN

To learn more about the 2024-2025 Annual Campaign, visit www.nazunitedway.org.

Courtesy Photo: Mascots Coco the Comet of Coconino Community College and Louie the Lumberjack of Northern Arizona University celebrated educational opportunities for students as UWNA President and CEO Liz Archuleta and NAU President José Luis Cruz Rivera announced the “Golden Ticket” for KinderCamp.