Heart For The City

HEART FOR THE CITY IS COMMITTED TO THE PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL AND SPIRITUAL (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) (CONTINUED FROM 990 PAGE 1) WELL-BEING OF THE CHILDREN AND POOR FAMILIES OF THE INNER CITY COMMUNITIES. SPECIAL EMPHASIS IS PLACED ON LOW-INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS OF GLENDALE BY CREATING INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO THE DIFFICULT SOCIAL PROBLEMS THAT POOR FAMILIES FACE DAILY.

HFTC PROVIDES SPORTS PROGRAMS THAT ALLOW YOUNG PEOPLE LIVING IN LOW-INCOME, HIGH-CRIME AREAS AROUND PHOENIX TO PARTICIPATE IN ORGANIZED ACTIVITIES. HFTC PROVIDES MENTORS, TRANSPORTATION, EQUIPMENT, AND REGISTRATION FEES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THESE ACTIVITIES. IN 2021, OVER 225 YOUNG PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN OUR SPORTS PROGRAMS. HFTC ARRANGED FOR 48 STUDENTS TO ATTEND A PRIVATE HIGH SCHOOL AT NO OR LOW COST TO THE STUDENT. HFTC PROVIDES DAILY TRANSPORTATION FROM THE INNER CITY FOR THESE STUDENTS.THE ORGANIZATION SERVED UNDERPRIVILEGED SCHOOLS BY ARRANGING FOR SANTA TO ARRIVE ON A HELICOPTER HANDING OUT GIFTS TO OVER 1500 STUDENTS.

JAVA GROUNDS, A COFFEE SHOP, PROVIDES LOW INCOME INDIVIDUALS AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT AND DEVELOP RESTAURANT OPERATIONS SKILLS. IT OFFERS PHOENIX-AREA YOUTH A PLACE TO LEARN BASIC, TRANSFERABLE JOB SKILLS, AND PROVIDES WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT FOR UNDERPRIVILEGED YOUTH. IN 2021 NINE YOUTH WORKED AT JAVA GROUNDS.

THE COMMUNITY GARDEN PROJECT ADDRESSES THE HEALTH ISSUES OF THE BROADER COMMUNITY WITH OUR COMMUNITY GARDEN. THIS PROGRAM HELPS TO ENCOURAGE CHANGE IN UNHEALTHY TRENDS DEVELOPING IN THE LIVES OF THE CHILDREN WHO MAY NOT BE INVOLVED IN OUR SPORT PROGRAMS. BY BUILDING A GARDENING PROGRAM WHERE CHILDREN ARE EXPOSED TO HEALTHY ALTERNATIVES, WE HOPE TO REDUCE CHILDHOOD OBESITY, INCREASE ACTIVITY AND IMPROVE ON THE NUTRITIONAL HEALTH OF THE CHILDREN IN OUR LOWER-INCOME NEIGHBORHOOD. IN 2021 WE HAD OVER 160 YOUTH PARTICIPATING IN THIS PROGRAM.