East Valley Tribune Business - 06.07.2020

east valley

Volume 2 Issue 44 Mesa, AZ

June 7, 2020

ER2 employees Ric Villa, left, and Gary Romero flank Darren DaRonco of the Arizona Department of Child Safety as they load Chromebooks for delivery to Arizona foster youth. (Special to the Tribune)

Mesa company helps foster kids connect online TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF

W

IN THE BIZ

hen COVID-19 shuttered schools across the nation and forced students to shift to online learning, ER2 in Mesa was uniquely poised to help.

Public Notices ............... page 3 © Copyright, 2020 East Valley Tribune

The business, which provides new and refurbished technology to customers, donated 100 new Chromebooks to children in foster care, ensuring they would have the technology they needed to succeed in an e-learning environment during the pandemic and beyond.

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Robia Iggnhyte of Chandler said her foster son, a high school student, was thrilled to receive a Chromebook.

“He was extremely happy, smiling from ear to ear,” said. “He was also excited to know that the laptop belongs to him and he has something to call his own.”

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Though primarily intended for schoolwork, the laptops offer benefits beyond academic achievement.

“Currently, he’s unable to visit with family and/or peers,” said Iggnhyte. “In addition to educational needs, the laptop allows him to connect with peers during uncertain times. He said, ‘this means so much to me.’”

Many children lack access to computers at home, but the issue is especially problematic for kids in the foster care system.

While 90 percent of U.S. teens have access to a computer, only 20 percent of urban foster youth – and 5 percent of foster kids in rural areas – have access.

“The ripple effect of this technology gap is sobering: Nationally, fewer than 70 percent of kids in foster care graduate from high school,” company spokeswoman Katy Springer said.

“Our strategic focus for 2020 includes helping children in foster care,” said Gina Lidster, ER2’s director of human resources and team member engagement.

“Donating the computers was a perfect opportunity to live our vision of serving this often-overlooked population.”

“Every kid deserves to take classes without disruptions, and tech is vital to that,” added Darren DaRonco, a spokesman for the state Department of Child Safety. “These computers are theirs to keep, whether they move back home or are placed with another family. It’s a really big deal for kids who have very few things to call their own.”

ER2 has partnered with DCS since 2018, when the department launched its Fostering Achievement through Computer Technology (F.A.C.T.) program, which provides technology and training to Arizona’s foster youth to boost aca-

demic achievement and level the playing field.

“Our involvement with the F.A.C.T. program has provided hundreds of brand-new devices to teens,” said Derek Jackson, vice president of sales for ER2.

“We plan to continue supporting the program to give these kids a boost, as our company is committed to donating 10% of our time, talent and treasure back to our community throughout the year.”

Since the program’s inception, F.A.C.T. has benefited 300 youth in the Arizona foster care system.

In addition to receiving laptops that are theirs to keep, teens complete online safety and responsibility training from the Phoenix Police Department, Internet Crimes Against Children Unit, and The Arizona State Attorney General’s Office.

Mesa native’s film school helps girls of color

BY MELODY BIRKETT Tribune Contributor

M

esa native Shanice Malakai remembers her initial time in the film industry.

“I didn’t always have opportunities afforded to me,” she said. “I was also the only woman in the room and the only woman of color.”

And that’s why she started Made in Her Image two years ago – and why it had been scheduled to be honored at the prestigious South by Southwest Conference and Festival in March in Austin, Texas, – until the pandemic prompted organizers to cancel the annual gathering of artists.

“It seemed natural to start an organization that provided a space for young women to feel safe, create and to be nurtured,” said Malakai, whose nonprofit film school has been impacted by the pandemic as well in the last few months.

Movie terms like “action,” “cut” or “in the can” have been yelled out virtually as her film school transitioned to online workshops and camps.

“Introduction to Screen Writing” and “Introduction to Cinematography” were the first two courses launched online. Both had 30 to 40 slots and sold out in two days.

Girls and young women are getting a chance for a shot at a career in filmmaking at a school run by Mesa native Shanice Malakai. (Special to the Tribune)

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JUNE 7, 2020

Made In Her Image largely serves young women of color, mostly ages 8-18.

However, there are no restrictions on who can join and in one of the online classes, half the students are boys.

“Made In Her Image was founded with the intent to provide social equity within the space of film, media and technology,” said Malakai, who was born and raised in Mesa.

Her idea is to make sure young girls from underserved communities have a safe space so they can develop a skill set and know the resources that will help them create their own films and advance in their careers.

Field trips are also offered to animation studios in the Los Angeles area, including Universal Studios, where participants film public service announcements and learn how commercial production works. Malakai also opened a Made In Her Image chapter in L.A. “The young women all have a different interest which we love and it really diversifies what we’re trying to accomplish,” said Malakai. “We want to make sure young women are growing and emerging into their own spaces.”

Made In Her Image also partners with

Public Notice CITY OF MESA, ARIZONA ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Mesa is seeking qualified Consultants for the following: CONSULTANT ON-CALL LIST FOR MECHANICAL ENGINEERING SERVICES The City of Mesa is seeking qualified Consultants to provide design services and/or construction administration services on an oncall basis in the following area/ category: Mechanical Engineering.

All qualified firms that are interested in providing these services are invited to submit their Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) in accordance with the requirements detailed in the Re-quest for Qualifications (RFQ).

From this solicitation, the Engineering Department will establish a list of on-call consultants for Mechanical Engineering. This category is further defined below: Mechanical Engineering projects might involve studies, new construction, up-grades, rehabilitation, or other modifications.

Typical projects include, but are not limited to, HVAC systems,

various companies. For example, before pandemic-fueled shutdowns, it hosted a free workshop with AT&T n Mesa for women over 40 that featured film industry professionals with a panel that with AT&T Arizona President Toni Broberg. It was hosted by television personality Charity Bailey.

“The goal is really to empower young women,” said Malakai. “We’re really about creating social equity through film and technology and raising the next generation of filmmakers.”

“Since we started two years ago, we’ve had one student who changed her major to film production and sociology as a director.”

In the next five years, Made In her Image hopes to start a production curriculum.

“With that production side, not only will we be able to take young mentees from our program but we’ll also be able to produce and direct and create content and digital assets that support what they’re trying to do,” said Malakai.

“This is in addition to creating a digital aptitude platform with applicable content that is about educating women right from their home,” she added, noting: “This is our first baby steps, joining

gas piping installations, elevators, plumbing, fire suppression, and fire alarm systems.

A Pre-Submittal Conference will not be held.

Contact with City Employees.

All firms interested in this project (including the firm’s employees, representatives, agents, lobbyists, attorneys, and subconsultants) will refrain, under penalty of disqualification, from direct or indirect contact for the purpose of influencing the selection or creating bias in the selection process with any person who may play a part in the selection process. This policy is intended to create a level playing field for all potential firms, to assure that contract decisions are made in public, and to protect the integrity of the selection process. All contact on this selection process should be ad-dressed to the authorized representative identified below.

RFQ Lists. This RFQ is available on the City’s website at http:// mesaaz.gov/business/engineering/ architectural-engineering-designopportunities.

The Statement of Qualifications shall include a one-page cover letter, plus a maximum of 10 pages to address the SOQ evaluation criteria (excluding resumes but including an organization chart with key personnel and their affiliation).

EAST VALLEY BUSINESS

live forces, seeing how they work, seeing how the technology flows and make sure it happens correctly on the analytic side.”

Currently, Malakai is a full-time director for her company, Malakai Creative, plus she does other freelance directing, mentor companies and is involved in various projects.

She started her production company at age 21 and said her mission is to be a “disrupter” within the media and entertainment industry.

“The big challenge is fortitude…continually creating,” Malakai said. “Continuously making things. I think as creators it’s hard for us to get into that mode of our art, in our inner art first. And we often fall into a trap into making things for other people.

“For example, ‘Oh, this audience will like this. If I write the script this way, so and so will like that.’ Once we create things that are ours, it’s game over.”

Her message to those who want to follow in her footsteps is straightforward: “Create. Don’t let anyone give you a ‘yes.’ Make your own ‘yes.’ I think that’s the biggest thing. Make your own opportunities. Don’t wait for them.”

Information: madeinherimage.org

Resumes for each team member shall be limited to a maximum length of two pages and should be attached as an appendix to the SOQ. Minimum font size shall be 10 point. Please submit one (1) electronic copy in an unencrypted PDF format with a maximum file size limit of 20MB to Engineering-RFQ@ mesaaz.gov by 2:00PM, Thursday, June 25, 2020. The City reserves the right to accept or reject any and all Statements of Qualifications. In the subject line and on the submittal package, please display: Firm name and 2020-2023 On-Call Mechanical Engineering Services.

The City is an equal opportunity employer.

Firms who wish to do business with the City of Mesa must be registered and activated in the City of Mesa Vendor Self Service (VSS) System (http://mesaaz.gov/ business/purchasing/vendor-selfservice).

Questions. Questions pertaining to the Consultant selection process or con-tract issues should be directed to Michele Davila of the Engineering Department at Michele.Davila@mesaaz.gov.

BETH HUNING City Engineer ATTEST: DeeAnn Mickelsen City Clerk

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Published: East Valley Tribune, June 7, 14, 2020 / 31xxx

Public Notice CITY OF MESA PUBLIC NOTICE The Mesa City Council will hold a public hearing concerning the fol-lowing ordinances at the June 15, 2020 City Council meeting beginning at 5:45 p.m. in the Mesa City Council Chambers, 57 East First Street.

1. Repealing and replacing Title 1, Chapter 7 of the Mesa City Code pertaining to City Magistrates to formalize the term of office for the Presiding City Magistrate and clarify the term of office for City Magistrates, and amending Title 2, Chapter 3 of the Mesa City Code pertaining to the Judicial Advisory Board to formalize the appointment and reappointment process for the Presiding City Magistrate, clarify the appointment and re-appointment process for City Magistrates, and clarify the Presiding City Magistrate’s authority to appoint Magistrates Pro Tem.(Citywide) DATED at Mesa, Arizona, this 7th day of June 2020.

DEE ANN MICKELSEN, City Clerk Published: East Valley Tribune. June 7, 2020 / 31146

JUNE 7, 2020

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