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Scottsdale Leadership Class 39 embarked on an impactful journey through the city's human services programs on a rare cloudy and rainy day, an anomaly for the area. Guided by day-chairs Cindi Eberhardt (City of Scottsdale Director of Operations, Class 23) and Raoul Zubia (Class 22), participants gained firsthand insights into Scottsdale’s commitment to social welfare and community support.

The day began with an overview of the Vista del Camino Community Center, led by Sue Oh (Human Services Manager, Class 36). Sue’s parents immigrated from Korea in 1981 with just $300 and settled in Tucson. Sue's personal journey underscored the vital role of community resources in fostering resilience and opportunity.

Vista del Camino provides crucial support through its Community Action Program (CAP), offering assistance for rent, utilities, and advocacy. With partnerships through organizations such as Phoenix Rescue Mission, the center helps individuals experiencing homelessness find shelter, jobs, and stability.

Liz Heavenrich, Human Services Operations Supervisor, highlighted CAP's impact, assisting 319 households last year with $1.2 million in aid. A former client shared his experience of nearly becoming homeless after a severe injury and credited Vista del Camino for helping him regain stability.

The Career Center, managed by Sheila Williams, supports job seekers with resume assistance, interview skills, and career coaching. The center conducted 1,000 meetings with job seekers last year, and an appreciative client shared her personal success story. Plans are underway to collaborate with Scottsdale’s Library to establish a College and Career Center for high school students, providing career exploration, FAFSA assistance, and scholarship guidance.

A bus ride led the class to the City of Scottsdale Food Bank on McKellips Road. Denny Brown with Scottsdale Community Partners (Class 37) detailed the non-profits efforts, including the Healthy Packs Program, which supplies nutritious food to children on free or reduced lunch programs. That day, the leadership class packed 900 Healthy Packs, a testament to the power of collective effort.

Brandon Chapman, Volunteer Coordinator for Scottsdale, emphasized the city's reliance on over 4,000 volunteers supporting 2,300 staff members. Reese Miller introduced Operation Fix It, a program assisting low income residents overcome code violations.

Jonathan Montoya, Food Bank Lead, described how food boxes—ranging from 120 to 250 pounds—support residents in need.
The next stop was the Paiute Community Center, where Lisa Randall (Class 28, Executive Director of Lexie’s Voice) introduced a nonprofit dedicated to supporting non-verbal autistic adults up to age 22.

Deanna Owens, Pablo Flores, and Rosita Pinedo shared the center’s work, which includes crisis intervention, case management, legal clinics, and emergency aid. A moving testimony from a human trafficking survivor demonstrated the life-saving role of the center’s services.

Tracy Weis, Family Resource Center Supervisor, highlighted early childhood programs for ages 0-5, funded with support from First Things First.

Raoul Zubia and Roger Lurie shared information about the nonprofit Partners for Paiute, which provides emergency financial aid, often within hours, to prevent homelessness and support the needs of residents.

Roger Lurie shared with the class his experience serving on the Human Services Advisor Commission.

The next destination was the Family Advocacy Center, where Police Crisis Intervention Services Supervisor Tracey Wilkinson and forensic nurse supervisor Sam Mendez (Class 37) detailed their work supporting victims of sexual assault, human trafficking, and domestic violence. The center is staffed with six full-time behavioral health specialists. The class also met Officer Devon Lines and Crisis Response K9 Rocket, a resource for mental health challenges in schools.

At the Adaptive Recreation Center, Kelsey Lamper (Class 38) showcased programs for neurodiverse individuals, including those with autism and Down Syndrome. The center offers Special Olympics training and features an adapted kitchen and sensory room. To cap the visit, Partners for Paiute provided an ice cream treat for the class.

The final tour stop was Granite Reef Senior Center, where Gene Munoz-Villafane (Via Linda Senior Center), Jessica Rapp (Granite Reef Senior Center), and Jennifer Murphy discussed recreation programs and caseworker support for seniors. Scottsdale is a dementia-friendly city, ensuring a compassionate environment for aging residents. A highlight was meeting Betty, a 98-year-old recipient of the William P. Schrader Volunteer Impact Award (2018), exemplifying lifelong community service.

The class returned to Vista del Camino, where Kristy Hahn-McDonald (Class 39), Kira Peters (Class 29), and Taylor Wood introduced the restorative justice program for youth and closed out the stimulating day.

The day’s experiences underscored three key values:
· Empathy – Understanding and walking in another’s shoes.
· Stewardship – Managing resources responsibly for the greater good.
· Humility – Placing others’ needs before one’s own.

Through rain and reflection, Scottsdale Leadership Class 39 deepened its commitment to community service, proving that even the stormiest days can lead to the brightest impact.