Impact Stories
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Elaine
In just one year, as a single mother of five children, she learned how to manage her finances, save money, and improve her credit rating. She believes it was her Mother’s Day gift from Primavera when she received vital financial assistance, allowing her to purchase her first home for her family. All of her children enjoyed learning about financial empowerment and completed the Her Family financial education classes, too. -
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Chris
Back in 1995, he was a troubled young adult who discovered a passion for the cabinetry trade, thanks to two years of dedication through our original workforce development program, Primavera Builders. 24 years later, he stopped by Primavera Works to inquire about hiring current program participants for his own cabinetry business, Escalante Kitchen & Bath, LLC, with a desire to give back by inspiring others to be their best in life. "Start strong. Stay strong. Most importantly, finish strong,” he said. -
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Barb
Eight years ago, she lived in the Santa Cruz river bed. A tree away, a former participant introduced her to Primavera. As a victim of a hate crime one Friday night, she was beaten with a bat so severely, it landed her in the hospital. Now, she is a receptionist at Primavera, a resident at Alamo Apartments, and is building her credit to buy a home. This is the most calmness she’s ever had. “I’m very grateful for Primavera helping me,” she said. “Otherwise, I’d be dead.” -
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Marcela
She completed Primavera's "Her Family" financial empowerment program for mothers and daughters to learn how to build a healthy financial future. Although her income was too low for home loan qualification, we connected her with our collaborative community partner, Habitat for Humanity. After 200 sweat equity hours, within one year, she bought the same house she had first seen in our homebuyer classes. "If it wasn't for Primavera, I wouldn't have been able to happily achieve my dream of owning my own home," she said. -
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Lemy
He and his wife Macele, and two children (Chris and Shekinah) are refugees from the Congo and South Sudan. They've lived at Primavera's Las Abeulitas family rental housing for almost two years. Both brother and sister have improved their literacy skills with one-on-one support. "Wow! How wonderful it is that my son says his ABC's on his own now thanks to the Las Abuelitas After School program," he said.
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Jeanne
She has lived at Primavera's Winstel Terrace Apartments for four years. She's active in the garden, growing sunflowers and vegetables for all the residents. Having been disabled for over 20 years, Jeanne feels joy knowing that she's independent and able to take care of herself. She volunteers her time at a thrift store and teaches children's bible study at her church. "My disability does not hold me back. It's my strength. I'm proving there is no limit to what I can do," she said. -
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Gregg
He worked for about 25 years in hospitality at the Grand Canyon before re-routing his life to Tucson. He stayed at Primavera's Men's Shelter, expecting to be there a short time. Yet, he was soon hired by Primavera as a residential team lead at the shelter and now enjoys cooking in his own apartment, which he enjoys renting from Primavera, too. "I think about what Primavera has done for me every day, so now I'm paying it forward every day," he said. -
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Ilse
She lived in her car for a few months before she became a resident at Primavera's Casa Paloma Women's Hospitality Center & Residence. She's now starting to regain some responsibility, independence, and structure that she says she needs. She will continue her education with the scholarship she received to study research science. She is interested in neurology because she is fascinated by the human brain and how it functions. "Casa Paloma is a place where I feel safe. I have a sense of hope for my future," she said.
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