Pas de Cristo Community Center has received a grant totaling $150,000 from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.
“Last year, Paz de Cristo served more than 16,600 people struggling with hunger, poverty and homelessness. We provided more than 600,000 meals to Veterans, senior citizens, single parents and working poor,” Executive Director Arlen Westling said.
According to Westling, this grant form the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust will provide the additional resources needed to enclose their dining hall and install air conditioning. “By transforming our space, volunteers and guests will find relief from 100-degree summer evenings. Now we will be able to expand the hours of empowerment programs for people in need.”
“We’re pleased to help Paz de Cristo serve clients in greater comfort, while providing a multi-purpose space where clients can access programs and services that lead to greater self-sufficiency,” said Senior Program Officer Laura McBride of Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.
The grant to Paz de Cristo represents one of 19 awarded to nonprofit organizations in Arizona by the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust during the second of two grant cycles this year. Since the Trust began its grant making in 1998, it has awarded $305 million to 988 nonprofit organizations in its home states of Arizona and Indiana. For more information about the Trust and its programs visit Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.
The mission of Paz de Cristo is to Feed, Clothe and Empower people in the Phoenix East Valley. the organization provides more than 50,000 meals each month and strives to relieve suffering while helping those in need improve their quality of life. Clean clothes, a hot shower and a haircut give people a fresh start.
Paz de Cristo’s Jobs Program offers personal career coaching along with practical, one-on-one assistance writing resumes, searching for job openings and preparing for interviews. Computers with online access and printers are available in the Job Center. Staff members help people get Arizona identification, birth certificates and bus tickets effectively removing barriers so people can get ahead.
This powerful intervention of food, clothing and jobs is helping end the cycle of poverty. Celebrate stories of life change and discover more about the vision, mission and values of Paz de Cristo.