Public Allies Arizona grads celebrate accomplishments

The ASU Center for Nonprofit Leadership and Management (CNLM) held its inaugural Public Allies Arizona graduation ceremony July 25 at the Desert Botanical Gardens.

Public Allies is an AmeriCorps national youth leadership organization that places service-minded young people in apprenticeships in nonprofit organizations throughout the community. It identifies talented young adults from diverse backgrounds and advances their leadership through a 10-month program of full-time, paid apprenticeships in nonprofit organizations, leadership trainings and team service projects.

The ceremony recognized 12 public allies and the 12 partner organization nonprofits where the Allies completed their apprenticeships, including the following:

• Micaela Cheatham, Arizona Spinal Cord Injury Association.

• Shazi Chiha, Childhelp USA.

• Jessica Feldman, Valley of the Sun United Way.

• Rafe Halsey, Riparian Institute.

• Jolie LaBrot, Arizona Association for Environmental Education.

• Paula Lowe-Chin, Crittenton Youth Academy.

• Elizabeth McBride, Communities in Schools of Arizona.

• Ayensa Millan, Community Legal Services.

• Emily Nock, Alzheimer’s Association.

• Akeia Randolph, Beatitudes Center DOAR.

• Celia Williams, Volunteer Center of Maricopa County.

• Diana Zaragoza, Valle del Sol.

Collectively, the 2006-2007 allies have served more than 24,250 hours and directly affected more than 12,674 people. Additional 2006-2007 program highlights include:

• Allies have recruited close to 4,000 volunteers who have served 45,685 hours and affected 3,125 people.

• Allies created 180 new community linkages on behalf of their partner organizations, representing new opportunities for information sharing, partnerships and collaborative projects.

• In recognition of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, allies picked more than 4,232 pounds of citrus fruit as part of a gleaning project in partnership with Make a Difference and United Food Bank.

• In recognition of Cesar Chavez Day, allies conducted a book drive and distributed more than 1,500 books to children at Squaw Peak Elementary School in partnership with Communities in Schools of Arizona.

• Allies received 272.5 hours of training on a wide range of topics, including nonprofit management; diversity, power and privilege; interpersonal communications; and project management, citizenship, leadership and community organizing.

Communities In Schools, a 2006-2007 Partner Organization, is returning for the 2007-2008 year, based on its experience with Public Allies.

“This is an outstanding group of individuals who let their beliefs and passions on the inside translate into the work they do on the outside,” says Cassandra Hilpman, director of program services at Communities in Schools. “Public Allies has helped to propel our organization to a deeper level of community impact and interaction, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for this upcoming year.”

Amy Cox O’Hara, (602) 496-0185
Center for Nonprofit Leadership and Management