Qualified Charitable Organizations AZ QCO: 20889
Saving Amy Saving Amy, a 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2015, is making a significant impact in Phoenix and the surrounding areas with a mission focused on creating communities, transforming lives, and resolving homelessness. The organization is committed to helping families and veterans of diverse backgrounds, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or national origin. The heart of Saving Amy lies in its hand-up approach, aiming to break the cycle of homelessness by fostering self-sufficiency. The organization employs a holistic strategy through five key programs that address various aspects of the challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness. The Empowerment Through Therapy program offers trauma therapy for adults and children, with licensed trauma therapists tailoring individualized care across the Valley. In partnership with local high schools, the Kids Go program, including Brophy College Preparatory, provides year-round tutoring, mentorship, and a summer camp, ensuring that children within the Saving Amy community receive comprehensive support for their educational needs. The Rolling Forward program tackles transportation barriers by offering donated vehicles, car repairs, Lyft credits, and Uber rides. This enables reliable transportation for work, school, appointments, and extracurricular activities, facilitating independence and mobility for Saving Amy families. Rise Up, a twopart program, provides essential support by offering rent subsidies, furniture, and home supplies. Additionally, it empowers families to move out of low-income neighborhoods, fostering a sense of stability and progress. The THRIVE program focuses on life skills, teaching budgeting, nutrition, career development, parenting, and meditation. Every family and child involved with Saving Amy is paired with a mentor or tutor/mentor, ensuring personalized guidance and accountability. Saving Amy’s impact is remarkable, with a 100% success rate. All families supported by Saving Amy find themselves in stable housing and become contributing members of society. With Saving Amy’s unwavering commitment to holistic care, the organization is creating lasting transformations, one family at a time, and providing hope for a future free from homelessness and despair! Website: savingamy.org
AZ QCO: 22497
Soldier’s Best Friend Soldier’s Best Friend provides U.S. military veterans living with combat-related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) with service or therapeutic companion dogs, most of which are rescued from local shelters. Helping the veteran and dog train together builds a trusting relationship that touches two lives at once and inspires countless others. Their dedication to pairing and training service dogs with veterans - at no cost to the veteran - is also making a positive impact on the pet overpopulation problem. “My experience with Soldier’s Best Friend has been life-changing,” says veteran Ric, who was matched with his new best friend, Wilfred. “Coping with civilian life has become more manageable. I often imagine how simple life is for my buddy Wilfred; it keeps it all in perspective. When things get too much, my buddy is there. From the restless nights to the difficult situations, I have something that has been an elusive possibility—I have hope again. I consider myself fortunate to have had this opportunity. Having this service animal has given me both an outlet for coping and restored much of my confidence. Thanks to Soldier’s Best Friend and the generous donors who made this all possible.” Financial donations aside, there are also a wide range of volunteer opportunities including administrative duties, bulk mailing, building maintenance, yard work and more. Their annual fundraising events, including the 13th Annual Sporting Clay Event on March 23rd, rely heavily on volunteers. Soldier’s Best Friend is an Arizona Qualifying Charitable Organization (QCO). This means individuals will receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit on their Arizona state return, up to $400 for individuals and $800 when filing jointly. Please consider supporting them and their life-saving programs. Website: soldiersbestfriend.org
50 • EG PUBLISHING • GOOD DEEDS GUIDE 2023-2024