As part of the Core Program of Scottsdale Leadership, members form teams to implement community service projects. The goal of each team is to identify a community need and develop a project that positively affects that need while gaining hands-on experience as community leaders. Each Spring, the teams present their projects to the public and a panel of judges. Judging criteria includes identifying a community need and the impact the project had on that need, effective teamwork, successful collaboration with key stakeholders and other community partners, and sustainability - that the project concept will live on for years through the identified stakeholders taking over the project concept.
In an effort to broaden the range of possible projects and to give exposure to current needs, we are requesting project proposals from the community for future classes. You may submit a project proposal by downloading the form here.
The projects from Class 27 included:
Bigs 4 Littles – A Mentor Recruitment Event Connecting Boys to Big Brothers
In partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Arizona, this team was to created an annual program focused on recruiting critically needed male mentors (Bigs) to help reduce waiting list of more than 250 boys (Littles) in the Greater Phoenix area. The inaugural Bigs 4 Littles free event included food, prizes, and autograph/photo opportunities with major league sport celebrities, mascots and cheerleaders. http://bigs4littles.org/
Doggie Drive-In: Raising Awareness of Homelessness with Pets
Homeless shelters don’t accept pets …until now! Family Promise, which serves Greater Phoenix, wanted to launch an annual event to bring awareness to the importance of accommodating families with pets. This team created the inaugural Doggie Drive-In at Scottsdale Community College to provide the experience of being homeless in your car with your beloved four-legged family members. The team provided all logistics, event planning, marketing, public relations, sponsors and support for this free event (donations were accepted). http://www.doggiedrivein.com/
Give Kids a Smile: Free Dental Screenings
This team partnered with Arizona Dental Foundation and the Barker branch of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Scottsdale to make a difference in the lives of school-aged children, by offering free dental screenings. This fun-filled event gave children the opportunity to be examined by several top dentists, receive fluoride and varnish, and have X-rays taken, allowing for an internal view of the child’s overall oral health. Participants enjoyed education on oral hygiene, character appearances, and prizes. For those children who were in need of additional care, Arizona Dental Foundation will provide further service, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.
TLC (Teen Lifeline Central): Mobile Site for Teens
This team identified a disconnect between the vast services available to Scottsdale's youth and their awareness of these services. The mission of this group was to literally put these services at teens' fingertips by developing Scottsdale's first mobile site geared specifically towards youth. The TLC mobile site, backed by the venerable Scottsdale Prevention Institute as stakeholder, is a free, one-stop shop for youth which links them directly to those who can, and will, help. Depression, eating disorders, crisis support, and job opportunities are just a few of the issues teens can gain information about via this mobile site. You can access the site from your smart phone at: www.teenlifelinecentral.com.
Plant the Seed: Interactive Garden Program
The focus of this project was to build and create an interactive garden program and curriculum for the Rose Lane Branch of the Boys & Girls Club of Scottsdale with future potential implementation at other clubs. The project included a complete redesign and unveiling of a garden space for youth and a teaching art mural focused on seasonal planting of local produce. They also developed an interactive online curriculum with an annual timeline for how, what and when to plant, and various kid-friendly activities. Ongoing, the project 1) teaches children about the importance and benefits of a healthy, balanced lifestyle; 2) instills responsibility and pride in the children who see, maintain and harvest the garden; and 3) encourages children to take the knowledge of how to grow and prepare fresh food into their homes and establish home gardens. http://www.foodyouchoose.com/
Life in a Box: Teen Life Skills Workshop partnered with the Piper branch of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Scottsdale to launch "Life in a Box". This project was a one-day workshop with local experts to empower youth with real-life skills they will need as they enter adulthood. Topics included financial literacy, self-defense, dangers of social media, interview skills and healthy eating habits. The keynote speaker was Andrew Walter, former NFL quarterback and Arizona State University star athlete.
The projects from Class 26 included:
Play it Forward implemented getting musical instruments out of retirement and into the hands of students, particularly to those in low-income areas who might not otherwise have access to musical education. The team, in partnership with Ear Candy Charity and Arcadia High School Contemporary Music and Sound, is conducting an instrument drive benefiting schools in the Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD). For more information visit EarCandyCharity.org. Project Play it Forward Group was featured on Channel 12 news at: www.azcentral.com
Everybody Dance Now! is a youth-run nonprofit dedicated to inspiring students through positive opportunities that promote healthy and active lives. This project team started a local chapter and partnered with the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Scottsdale to provide weekly dance programming to middle and high school youth who would otherwise not have access to such opportunities. The program was created to enhance the lives of youth through dance, leadership and community involvement. For more information email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Paiute Community Garden partnered with the Paiute Neighborhood Center to create a multifaceted edible garden with raised planting beds and an art-inspired seated reading area. The Paiute Community Garden will be a beautiful place for children and adults to grow an edible garden while layering an educational curriculum to inspire healthy food choices. For more information as posted in the Arizona Republic visit www.azcentral.com
Healthy Packs Program was created to to aid children in Title 1 schools experiencing weekend hunger by sending them home from school with food on Friday afternoons. Good weekend nutrition ensures the children arrive to school on Monday well-nourished and ready to learn. Project partners included Vista Del Camino Food Bank, SUSD, Police Officers of Scottsdale Association, Scottsdale Sunrise Rotary Club, Bethany Lutheran Church, and Concerned Citizens for Community Health. The project will continue to need volunteers and donations. You can volunteer with the Vista Del Camino Food Bank to help pack bags, deliver bags or collect funds for the program. You can also donate online at concernedcitizensscottsdale.org for the Healthy Packs Program.
Dream Fair was created to inspire Coronado High School students entering 9th and 10th grade and their parents to be more involved in school to help them realize their dreams for graduation and beyond. Increased student and parental involvement are key contributors for better educational performance and decreased dropout rates. The 1st annual Dream Fair on March 24 featured former White House Doctor Connie Mariano and Craig Jackson of Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction and a former Coronado High School graduate. Both shared how school helped them reach their dreams.
Class 26 teams presented their projects the community during formal presentations on April 27 at the Scottsdale Civic Center Library Auditorium. Project Pay It Forward Presentation Day was sponsored by the Scottsdale Charros. A panel of judges will evaluated the projects and the winning team was Project Play it Forward. Their charity, Ear Candy received $2,000 from Scottsdale Leadership. Photos from the check presentation can be viewed at: www.gettyimages.com
The projects from Class 25 included:
P.E.T. Pantry implemented a platform to keep pets with their owners during times of financial crisis through a collaborative effort between Vista del Camino Food Bank, Animal Guardian Network and Scottsdale Community College. This project embraced public awareness, direct donations and practicality for food banks. A panel of judges selected P.E.T. Pantry as the winning project. For more information: scottsdalepetpantry.org/
Come Take a Stand created awareness campaign educating youth in understanding effective bystander strategies to apply when witnessing cyber-bullying. School curriculum was developed to support Scottsdale’s eighth grade students. For more information: http://on.fb.me/lwNoAM
Seeing Is Believing provided under-represented children with the gift of vision. Striving for all children to have eye-exams and glasses, the team raised funds and created community collaboration between individuals, businesses and schools. For more information: http://bit.ly/k5ww1B
Growing Greatness at Camelot Therapeutic Horsemanship transformed an unused plot into a special spot for children and adults who face physical challenges and obstacles. The project team recruited contributors and constructed a wheelchair accessible, raised bed garden. For more information: http://bit.ly/kBLl0u
Foundation for Sustainable Senior Centers created a nonprofit foundation serving Scottsdale’s seniors and senior centers and bridging the gap between city services and community needs, including health, safety and medical. For more information: sustainableseniors.com/
Bridging Generations created a platform for sharing, learning and interaction between seniors and elementary school students. The project was designed to enhance the curriculum for children and quality of life for seniors through interviews related to history.
The projects from Class 24 included:
OlymPALooza! ConnectinGenerations created bridges of communication, appreciation and mutual respect during a fun day of sharing between seniors from Granite Reef Senior Center and youth from the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Scottsdale. The closing ceremony generated smiles, "Aha" and even tears of happiness as the circle of new friends connected during their shared special moments. A panel of judges selected OlymPALooza! ConnectinGenerations as the winning project.
Project It’s Your Turn’s increased awareness of prostate cancer, fundraised, and informed men to be responsible about their health. Team It's Your Turn appeared at the Fiesta Bowl Art Walk, Parada Del Sol, Scottsdale Healthcare, WM Phoenix Open; finishing with a MLB baseball game where March 20th was proclaimed as Scottsdale's Prostate Cancer Awareness Day.
The Meet Green created a platform to provide inforamtion on how community and/or business groups can conduct “green” meetings. The team selected Appaloosa Library and the events planned for their building as their ‘pilot’ to make available supporting materials and tracking processes for conducting environmentally–friendly meetings.
The Classroom Wishes team created a project to provide the necessary tools to maximize the educational experiences of local K-5 students. The team developed a plan where local businesses can “adopt” area schools and assist in fulfilling educators’ unmet needs. Tavan Elementary School served as their model.
Team Check the Box project raised awareness and funds for the Scottsdale Cares program. Scottsdale Cares supports non-profit agencies and is funded by the City of Scottsdale's utility customers. The team developed marketing strategies which included streamlining the online donation process. The long term goal is to raise awareness and contributions by a minimum of 20% by 2012.
Project Scottsdale STARS focused on raising awareness and funds for Scottsdale Training and Rehabilitation Services (STARS). The team worked to increase attendance for STARS Annual Fiesta de las Madrinas Charity Ball, surveyed the Ball participants will hold an open house for them to see first-hand the work of the agency. The team also consulted on the creation of a donor tracking system.
