I-HELP (Interfaith Homeless Emergency Lodging Program) provides homeless people with hope and opportunity for a better future by offering shelter, meals and connections to community services. Each day at 4 p.m., 30-35 homeless people are transported from the Tempe Salvation Army to a host site, which rotates among different faith communities in Tempe.  Tempe Community Action Agency (TCAA) administers this program in partnership with over 25 local faith communities and service organizations. See www.tempeaction.org or contact Stephen Sparks at 480-350-5893 or ihelp@tempeaction.org.

Open Table

Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) in Tempe supports chronically homeless individuals with disabilities by providing affordable housing and access to services that ultimately will allow them to lead stable, independent lives. The Arizona Department of Health Services, City of Tempe and Valley of the Sun United Way are partners in PSH. Another partner is Urban Outreach at the Tempe First United Methodist Church at 215 E. University Drive.  Urban Outreach provides supportive services for homeless guests with a Resource Center, Shower Program, and Faithful Friends, which connects guests with faith community members committed to assisting them in moving towards self-sufficiency and stable housing.  See www.urbanoutreachaz.org or contact Kim Van Nimwegen at 480-967-3376 or kvurbanoutreach@aol.com.

Tempe Neighbors Helping Neighbors (TNHN) provides assistance to low-income and frail Tempe residents who could not maintain or stay in their own homes without help. TNHN seeks to provide such residents with volunteers who will assist with yard and landscape maintenance, minor home repair and modifications.  By providing assistance, volunteers will help residents maintain their home’s appearance, safety, accessibility and quality of life.  Go to www.tempeneighbors.org or contact 480-858-2309 or tempeneighbors@yahoo.com.

3. SERVING CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

Children First Academy (CFA) of Tempe is an elementary (grades K-7) charter school located at 1938 E. Apache Boulevard that serves homeless and underprivileged children.  Through community support, CFA provides students and their families with clothing, food, medical care, counseling, transportation and social services.  Their volunteer and mentoring program is A.L.I.V.E. -- Active Learning Ignited through Volunteer Enrichment.  Volunteers assist teachers in the classroom, work with students one on one, help in the office, the clothing room and food pantry, and assist with the after-school program.  A mentor is assigned a child for the entire year, and dedicates two or more hours per month tutoring, playing games, reading or just talking.  See www.cfatempe.org or contact Diane Fernichio at 480-557-6211 or dianef@edkey.org


Communities in Schools of Tempe and Kyrene.  Faith communities can assist children in need by hosting clothing and shoe drives.  Underwear and socks (all sizes and both sexes) are in very high need. Sites are: Connecting with Kids (Tempe Elementary School District), 3205 S. Rural, Tempe, contact Jacki Favaro at jfavaro@tempeschools.org or 480-921-9003, ext. 6428; Kyrene Family Resource Center (Kyrene District), 1330 E. Dava Dr., Tempe, contact Khalid Jenkins at kjenkins@kyrene.org or 480-783-3172; Teen Resource Center (for middle school and high school students), 4525 S. College, Tempe, contact: Lynette Stonefeld at 480-858-2316 or lynette_stonefeld@tempe.gov.  Also, please go to http://www.tempe.gov/tcc/CIS/default.htm.

Experience Corps engages adults ages 50+ to provide one-on-one early literacy tutoring to struggling students in kindergarten through third grade at Tempe Elementary School District sites in classroom and after-school programs. Volunteer tutors work individually with students the entire school year for two mornings or afternoons each week (six hours per week).  Excellent training and support provided.  Contact Peggy Goldberg at 480-858-2465 or peggy_goldberg@tempe.gov or see http://www.experiencecorps.org/cities/tempe/index.cfm

Laird School and Thew Elementary School in the Tempe Elementary School District are Title I schools serving children predominately from low-income families. School-day and after-school volunteers are needed for academic support as well as other classroom and school-wide tasks and activities.  Assistance is also needed to support families through parenting classes, community referrals, and financial and legal counsel.  Donations of school-age clothing, books, backpacks, and school supplies are always welcome. 

• Laird School is located at 1500 N. Scovel Street in north Tempe. Contact Principal Mark Eley at 480-941-2440 or meley@tempeschools.org.  See http://www.tempeschools.org/Laird.cfm.

• Thew Elementary School is located at 2130 E. Howe Avenue in Tempe. Contact Principal Julie Schroeder at 480- 894-5574 or juschroe@tempeschools.org. See http://www.tempeschools.org/Thew.cfm. 

Tempe Salvation Army Family Center is located at 1619 S. Hardy and hosts summer and after-school programs for children from Holdeman School, while providing other services for families in the neighborhood.  Volunteers and supplies are needed.  Contact Captains Robyn and Stephanie Bridgeo at 480-967-8649 or robyn.bridgeo@usw.salvationarmy.org or stephanie.bridgeo@usw.salvationarmy.org.