Service Directory

PHOTO BY LCGROSS The Miami Genesis Board: Terri Griego (Gila County Supreme Court), Rosemary Castenada (former Mayor of Miami), Susan Hansen (Business Owner), Stephanie Borunda (Miami Police Dept.) Christine Duarte (Director of Miami Sr. Center and Transit) and Lisa Remos (Business Owner).

MIAMI GENESIS, Continued from page 1

In 2016 Genesis finalized its Highway 60 Beautification project, utilizing grants received from the Freeport McMoRan Corporation. The project consisted of fixing up the facades of 11 commercial buildings, installing custom benches along the road and at Bullion Plaza Museum, and adding welcome banners on light poles throughout the business district.

Two years later, in 2018, the group completed the Bullion Plaza Lighting Project, providing lampposts and 30-foot field lights at Bullion Plaza Park, opening the area to evening events. As a result of the project, electricity was also made available for public gatherings.

Miami Genesis also partners with Globe-Miami Habitat for Humanity in providing for residential facade beautification.

One of the biggest projects that never really made it off the ground was a plan to build Bloody Tanks River Walk, which would have created a linear park along the wash that parallels Sullivan Street.

The project would have created sidewalks on each side of the creek with access to businesses on Sullivan Street and Highway 60, allowing visitors and residents to circulate through the downtown area. It would also have cleared out the creek bottom to create a groomed, clean nature walk.

“We pulled off everything but the River Walk, which is too bad because it would have been a true asset to the town,” Hanson says. “That one probably will never happen, especially nowadays. It was going to be $1.5 million when it was developed, but I can’t imagine that happening now in the current financial climate.”

Bullion Plaza Director Tom Foster says that while many of the local nonprofits compete for the same dollars from grants, donors, and other available income streams, in the end they all work to serve the greater community.

“We all work together for the same end,” he says. “We work separately but, all in all, we get it done.”

MIAMI GENESIS, Continued on page 19

PHOTOS BY LCGROSS MIAMI FIESTA

Miami Fiesta will take place on Saturday, Sept. 17 from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. at Bullion Plaza Park.

There will be free live entertainment, including music, mariachis, and Ballet Folklorico. Beer, food, and gift booths will be on site for purchase. The Miami Fiesta Chihuahua Race will again be the highlight event, with an entry fee of $5 in advance or $8 the day of the races.

Children will have a free all-day pass to the Kiddy Land rides, and in the evening, the Neto Vasquez Band will perform from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., with a DJ taking the reins for the remainder of the evening.

The Bullion Plaza Cultural Center and Museum will be open throughout the day so visitors can delve into the history of the Copper Corridor.

Vendors interested in participating can call Susan Hanson at (602) 510-1809 or pick up applications at Miami Town Hall, 500 W. Sullivan St., Miami.

There are always projects waiting in the wings. Currently, Genesis is working on the installation of plaques on historic buildings in downtown Miami and in empty spaces where historic buildings once stood. The group is also creating a walking map for visitors that will give a short history of each building, the bridges, and other historical features of the town.

The plaque project was the brainchild of Lisa Remos, a lifelong, third-generation Miami resident who owns My Mom’s House DZynes, on Gibson Street. Remos joined the board of Miami Genesis three years ago after finding the organization was not “an exclusive club.”

“I have a little business in Miami and never really paid attention to these things before,” she says. “But somebody’s got to step up to the plate, even if it’s just something little, like music in the park or Christmas or July 4.”

Remos also hopes to build more community participation to increase the organization’s effectiveness and bring more ideas on what can be done to improve the feel of downtown.

“I’ve been here my whole life,” she says. “Miami never leaves you; once you’ve been here, you always belong.”

PHOTO BY LCGROSS The Bullion Plaza Gymnasium is managed by Miami Genesis, including bookings and clean-up after events. The Gymnasium is available for community events and private parties, as well as professional workshops like this one.

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PHOTO BY LCGROSS Rosemary Castenada at last year’s Miami Fiesta. The fiesta involves an “all hands on deck effort” as the Board gets ready to host this year’s Fiesta.

MIAMI GENESIS, Continued from page 18

Throughout the event, the public is encouraged to tour the museum, which will feature updated exhibits, including new mineral displays and video presentations on local history, made possible through grants from the Arizona Commission on the Arts.

The symbiotic relationship between the two nonprofits makes Miami Fiesta possible, with Bullion Plaza providing water, electricity, and other various necessities while Miami Genesis gives a donation to the museum and continues its work managing a portion of the facilities.

“Bullion Plaza has always been a part of that, and we’ve helped [Miami Genesis] as much as we can,” Foster says. “It’s pretty much whatever they need that we can accommodate, we do.”

He added that anyone who wants to donate anything— except for livestock or hungry lions, Foster quipped—is more than welcome, as local nonprofits are struggling in the wake of COVID.

“In these times, any donations to either of these groups is greatly appreciated and really, really helpful,” he said. “It’s been a challenge.”

Hanson says that while much of the event has already been planned, she’s always looking for new vendors. There will even be parking available for vendors who would like to come in the night before Fiesta or want to stay after the end of the festival.

“We are always looking for vendors and we would love some creativity,” she says. “If any of the vendors want to spend the night, they’re welcome. They can bring their RV, fifth wheel, or whatever and spend the night back there. It’s safe.”

Miami Genesis board members are Rosemary Castaneda, Terri Griego, Susan Hanson, Cyndi Castaneda, Lisa Remos, Christine Duarte, Stephanie Borunda, and Tricia Preston.

Miami Genesis fiscal partners include the Town of Miami, Bullion Plaza Museum, Gila County, United Fund, Freeport McMoRan Mining Corp., BHP Mining Corp., Capstone Mining Corp., and Resolution Mining Corp. u

PHOTO BY LCGROSS With the addition of DeZeeuw, CVIT also hopes to provide support resources for high school students whose schools don’t employ a counselor.

CVIT, Continued from page 1

Suddenly, as the pandemic’s impact grew, students weren’t finishing programs and were struggling in the classroom. “We thought we needed to do something to provide the support services our students need to be successful,” says O’Neal.

“We needed an academic and career advisor, but we also needed someone who could connect with kids and help with our students’ social and emotional needs. We were blessed Aja applied for the position.”

With the addition of DeZeeuw, CVIT hopes to also provide support resources for students at high schools that don’t employ a counselor. CVIT also plans to provide overflow mental health support to students throughout the six-school district. “It’s not only a school need, but a community need,” says O’Neal.

Guiding students is DeZeeuw’s passion. She was in the middle of a successful career in retail marketing and management when her younger brother was killed in a car accident, and Aja decided to change careers. Her family set up a scholarship fund for Superior High students in his honor, and DeZeeuw was reading the essays written by student applicants. It was there she found her calling.

“I wanted to help these kids meet their goals and guide them differently than I was guided in high school,” she says. She decided to go back to school and eventually earned two master’s degrees – one in psychology and one in school counseling.

It was her dream to come back and work in the rural areas near Superior where she grew up, so after interning with the Mesa Public School District, she became the school counselor for Globe High School. Five years later, she joined CVIT.

“I’m really excited the CVIT board and staff recognized the need for a school counselor, particularly one like myself with a mental health background,” DeZeeuw says. She feels this kind of support has never been more important, as students are currently experiencing higher than normal levels of anxiety and stress.

According to Aja, school counselors generally focus on three areas – academics, career guidance, and social/emotional well-being – because they’re all related. For example, if a student is struggling with family issues it’s harder for them to focus at school.

As CVIT’s counselor, Aja’s biggest goal is to provide students with the opportunity to explore different types of careers and give them a competitive advantage, whether for getting into college or getting hired into a specific field after high school.

All of CVIT’s programs, books, and supplies are completely free, making it a great way for students to pursue a college education, gain amazing skills, and get hands-on experience to determine if a specific career path is right for them.

“It’s our duty as educators to help students see the different pathways,” Aja says. “Every student should have the opportunity to attend a four-year university if they want to, but it’s not for everyone. We need to do a better job of showing them they can have an amazing career – and possibly make more money with less debt – through apprenticeship programs or CTE courses. I want to make sure parents and students are aware of the opportunities and benefits CVIT’s programs provide.”

To that end, DeZeeuw attends meet-the-teacher nights, hosts CVIT Days for area sophomores to visit the campus and talk to current students, and makes presentations at area high schools.

Of course, her impact extends further than career guidance. “When I’m talking to students, I’m also letting them know I’m here to help with their academic, career, and social or emotional needs,” she says.

Although her physical office is on the CVIT campus, she’ll come to a student’s home high school or do Zoom meetings as necessary. “I want to be accessible to the students,” she says.

DeZeeuw sits on the advocacy board of the Arizona School Counseling Association. She’s equally passionate about helping educators understand the value of having a certified counselors on campus and utilizing them correctly.

“Our value is when we’re with the students … teaching them to develop coping skills or stress management techniques, helping them explore career options, or guiding college-bound students through the financial aid process,” DeZeeuw says. “CVIT is adamant they want me to be involved with the students, which is very exciting for me.” u

Serving San Carlos, Superior, Miami and Globe for over ten years.