Mesa's Foster360 is top grantee in Republic, Gannett-sponsored Community Thrives program

Roxanne De La Rosa, Arizona Republic
·5 min read

Amiagh Jade Scott’s long journey into foster care began at age 11. Throughout her adolescence, she lived in group homes and a shelter. By age 20, she was living out of her car.

Daily life was a struggle.

But seven months ago, she learned about Foster360, a Mesa United Way initiative that provides housing, mentorship and help for young adults aging out of foster care. With the group's help, Scott stabilized her life and, in November, begins work on a certification in human resources. She hopes to get a job and save enough to eventually move into her own place.

"I needed support (and) someone who was understanding of the situation I was going through," Scott said. “Out of any living situation that I’ve ever been in, this has been the most stable. I feel the safest."

Foster360 is the recipient of a $50,000 grant from A Community Thrives, the national grantmaking and crowdfunding program sponsored by The Arizona Republic and the Gannett Foundation. Gannett Co., Inc., is The Republic's parent company.

It is the largest grant given to an Arizona nonprofit in the six years of the Community Thrives program's existence. Additionally, 15 other Arizona nonprofits will share more than $516,000 in local operating grants. Community Thrives received more than 760 applications from 45 states and Washington, D.C.

"Foster360 does the hard but critical work of helping people in our community get a solid start on life," said Greg Burton, executive editor of The Republic and azcentral.com. "All the groups receiving Community Thrives grants this year are doing such good work to help our neighbors in need."

Foster360 co-directors Elena Reid Steinbeiss and Sommer Knight were elated when they learned of the grant.

"This work can feel lonely and isolating, to get that call was just this moment of feeling seen and bringing awareness to this community," Knight said.

Amiagh Jade Scott, who receives services through Foster360, a Mesa United Way initiative that provides housing, mentorship and help for young adults aging out of foster care, meditates at the Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch on Oct. 22, 2022, in Gilbert. Scott enjoys being in nature and frequently visits the preserve to help center herself.
Amiagh Jade Scott, who receives services through Foster360, a Mesa United Way initiative that provides housing, mentorship and help for young adults aging out of foster care, meditates at the Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch on Oct. 22, 2022, in Gilbert. Scott enjoys being in nature and frequently visits the preserve to help center herself.

Said Reid Steinbeiss: "It takes a burden off to know that we can continue to do our work because other people have helped us. That’s huge."

To qualify for final consideration for A Community Thrives grants, organizations had to crowdfund a minimum amount of donations from supporters. Backers gave $17,700 to Foster360, bringing its Community Thrives total to $67,700.

A Community Thrives supports education, arts and culture, wellness and community building in USA Today Network cities around the country. More than $6 million (grants plus crowdfunding) will go to nonprofits this year.

Here is the list of Arizona's 2022 A Community Thrives grantees (and total raised with crowdfunding):

Arizona Bach Festival, Phoenix, $3,800 ($8,820). Promotes the legacy of Bach's music and his contemporaries' work through performances, workshops and educational opportunities. The festival received $4,700 from A Community Thrives in 2021.

Arouet, Phoenix, $9,500 ($15,730). Assists formerly incarcerated women by providing mentorship, job placement and other support services.

Clothes Closet, Lake Havasu City, $3,800 ($6,800). Provides homeless individuals and families with clothing, food and other resources.

Foster360, Mesa, $50,000 ($67,700) Helps homeless youth break the cycle of homelessness and poverty through safe housing and a focus on trauma-informed care. The grant supports a partnership with the city of Mesa to open a second location in the downtown area serving 10 more residents.

Amiagh Jade Scott hugs Sommer Knight, co-director of Foster360, as they're interviewed alongside Elena Reid Steinbeiss, co-director of Foster360, at the Foster360 campus on Oct. 21, 2022, in Phoenix.
Amiagh Jade Scott hugs Sommer Knight, co-director of Foster360, as they're interviewed alongside Elena Reid Steinbeiss, co-director of Foster360, at the Foster360 campus on Oct. 21, 2022, in Phoenix.

Hope House of Sedona, $3,800 ($11,443) Provides transitional housing provided for homeless families and children from the Sedona-Oak Creek Unified School District.

House of Refuge, Mesa, $9,500 ($16,510). Provides homeless families affected by domestic violence with transitional housing and support services. Refuge received $4,700 from A Community Thrives in 2021.

Kids With Autism Can, Phoenix, $3,800 ($7,121) Helps autistic children and young adults to become independent through therapy and socialization skills.

Liberty Wildlife, Phoenix, $3,800 ($14,163). Cares for more than 12,000 animals annually that are ill, injured or orphaned. A feather repository harvests feathers from rescued birds for indigenous communities' traditional ceremonies. Liberty received $10,000 from A Community Thrives in 2021.

Lily's Pad, Tempe, $3,800 ($9,465) Plans to build a hyperclean play facility for children with autoimmune disorders, cancer and heart defects. Lily's received $20,000 from A Community Thrives in 2021.

Phoenix Children's Chorus, $3,800 ($9,990). Serves more than 500 children ages 5-18 through performances, workshops and community engagement. Removes barriers for low-income students to access music education. The Chorus received $8,400 from A Community Thrives in 2021.

Prescott Area Habitat for Humanity, $9,500 ($17,658). Builds homes for families in need. The group has assisted 98 families. Prescott Habitat received $8,400 from A Community Thrives in 2021.

Rosie's House: A Music Academy for Children, Phoenix, $3,800 ($9,805). Offers music programs to students in need, including weekly lessons and performance opportunities. Rosie's received a $10,000 Community Thrives grant in 2021.

School Connect, Glendale, $3,800 ($13,050). Networks with schools to create community partnerships and provide resources for students. The group received $8,400 from A Community Thrives in 2021.

Southwest Lending Closet, Avondale, $3,800 ($6,845) Serves more than 5,000 people in need with medical equipment.

Tempe Community Action Agency, $14,500 ($28,865). Provides services to homeless families and adults including, a food pantry, community garden, rent and utility assistance and emergency shelter. The Agency received $10,000 from A Community Thrives in 2021.

The Be Kind People Project, Phoenix, $3,800 ($21,282). Serves more than 300,000 students, families, teachers and schools through performances that teach life skills, values and health and wellness. The group received $10,000 from A Community Thrives in 2021.

Roxanne De La Rosa writes about nonprofits for The Republic and azcentral.com. Reach her at rdelarosa@azcentral.com.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Republic, Gannett name 2022 Community Thrives grants for nonprofits