2021 NONPROFIT OF THE YEAR
THE LEGACY OF
MITCH
BY DAVID M. BROWN / PHOTOS COURTESY HCC
SWABACK L I V E S A T
HARVEST COMPASSION CENTERS
Mitch Swaback and parents Gaye and Bob at his high school graduation.
P
ETER VISITED the first Harvest Compassion Center in north Phoenix 12 years ago. He had been living on the street for more than three years. HCC gave him food, clothing and toiletries and hope. The same year, Libby walked into the store. The single mom was caring for her son, who has seizures and other developmental challenges. “It takes all my energy just to make it through a day of being his full-time care giver,” recalls Libby, who now uses a walker and is losing sight in one eye, among other
96
health problems. She continues her care for her son. Libby remembers: “I was blown away that this new place was so clean, had photos on the walls of actual clients smiling, and everyone was just so nice to me. It wasn’t like other places I had visited before where I had even been yelled at.” She continues her gratitude for HCC: “You all here are part of my refuge. I come here to be encouraged; you show me love and you have never looked down on me for having to come back time and time again,” she adds. “Here I shop freely with you, my friends. You do not
give me spoiled food. Most importantly, I feel safe at HCC.” That first North Phoenix store (602.788.2444) — part mini-mart, clothing boutique and food bank – – opened in 2011. Two additional locations are also serving the community, in Maryvale (623.247.0039) and West Phoenix (602.841.7110). “Our guests are from all walks of life and are facing life-altering challenges that they may never overcome,” says Nicolee Thompson, executive director. “Since opening, we’ve provided for families who have lost jobs, lost homes, have had major health crises, gone through
AZFOOTHILLS.COM
