The Junior League of Phoenix (JLP) partnered with the Phoenix Rescue Mission’s Changing Lives Center for Women & Children (the Center) from 2012 to 2015, sunsetting this partnership at the May 6, 2015 General Membership Meeting.

The Center improves our community as a recovery program in the region offering long-term, comprehensive services to women and children, and helps to rebuild lives. The 12- to-18-month program provides a stable, nurturing environment where women work through addiction and abuse issues. They receive life skills education and counseling, and ultimately become self-sufficient through career assessment and job placement.

Our partnership with the Center allowed the Junior League to bring events to the families, allowing parents and children to rebuild a bond after times of separation. Additionally, we offered educational programs including healthy cooking on a budget and learning about emotional intelligence. We also brought their cookie sales program to our events, including Touch-A-Truck and membership meetings, where they were able to raise funds to support their efforts.

The impact has been a success. Moms staying at the Mission have shared that our activities have helped them rebuild the bond with their children, taught them how to cook with limited means, and learn about themselves through the Emotional Intelligence 2.0 book we provided.

“It was a great honor to serve this Center and watch as these women rebuild their lives, making Phoenix a better community and place to live,” said Debi Birch, chair of the Phoenix Rescue Mission Committee.