According to the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, as of January 2020, Arizona had an estimated 809 individuals in family households experiencing homelessness. That number exceeds the totals from New Mexico, Nevada and Colorado combined. Finding shelter and basic needs for this population is the mission of a number of excellent organizations throughout the State, but meeting Jennifer Kiernan of Saving Amy introduced me to a new concept – empowerment through community!
Saving Amy’s vision is to create “A world where all people come together as one community; empowering each other to experience life-changing ways of living through inner transformation, compassion and love.” Families seeking to transition out of the homeless shelter are paired with a “Journey Partner,” who will walk alongside, guide and provide support through the transition back into society. When a long-term relationship is established built on trust, amazing transformation progress can be realized. Most families will remain partners with Saving Amy for three to five years, grounding that relationship in consistency and easing the path to a successful transition.
So, who is Amy? A single mother of four whose oldest son was living in a group home and youngest daughter was in the CPS system. Her partner was in prison; Amy was at rock bottom, living in a homeless shelter with her two other children. Connecting with Jennifer, who was volunteering at the shelter, she began to believe that a new life was possible and that she deserved a future. Her Journey Partner helped Amy find employment and build confidence. Saving Amy provided assistance with household goods, furniture and move-in costs, making her new house a home. With therapy and a partner on her life journey, Amy changed her life. She reunited with all of her children and today is living independently.
Programs powered by volunteers and community partnership make such a transformation possible. Empowerment through therapy helps families cope with life situations and learn problem-solving skills. The Rise Up program assists those exiting shelter with only a few possessions to make their new house a home with kitchen supplies, bedding, rent, utility assistance and more. A year-round mentoring program for kids, Kids Go, pairs youngsters with positive role models. Finding and keeping employment is made easier with Rolling Forward, an assistance program to aid in acquiring and maintaining a vehicle. Budgeting, parenting, technology and career planning classes are all made available to help Saving Amy families thrive!
Jennifer realized immediately that she would have to establish partnerships with caring community members to acquire goods and funding, and to provide the person power to get the important work done. She is a connector – matching the heart of caring people with the needs of families seeking to change their lives. She is inspirational – not afraid to ask for support, be it dental services from Midwestern University, or tutoring services from Xavier or Brophy students. She is dedicated – focused on the mission 24/7 and always seeking ways to improve and assist more families in need.
In seven short years under Jennifer’s leadership, Saving Amy has assisted hundreds of individuals by believing that inner transformation will lead to the ability to move forward in life. 100% of those families have remained out of shelter! Their website shares how Saving Amy has succeeded in their services: Hope, Love, Community, Compassion and Empowerment are the words that run across the screen. For Amy and so many others served by this organization, our community provides compassion to give hope, love and empowerment to families that see no future. What an incredible gift to bestow. Thank you to Jennifer and all who support and work for this cause.
To play a part in creating community, transforming lives and resolving homelessness, visit www.savingamy.org. Saving Amy is a Qualifying Charity for the Arizona tax credit (QCO#20889).
Dan Shufelt, the former CEO of Arizona Helping Hands, has been involved in the charity world as an executive and grant maker for many years.
If you enjoy learning of caring people and the amazing work they devote their energy to advance, be sure to sign up for Dan’s blog (see sign-up form below).
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