Primavera’s First Job Fair is Here!

Primavera Foundation is holding a job fair 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, Feb. 2, at the Primavera Training Center, 151 W. 40th St., Tucson, AZ 85713.

If you are an enthusiastic, dedicated individual who will embrace Primavera’s mission, we want to hear from you. We are looking to increase staffing in emergency services, which could involve working in our shelters, with our Project Action for Veterans initiative or with the Homelessness Intervention and Prevention program. 

Stay tuned! And in the meantime, you can check our current list of open positions here. 

Primavera is Partnering with Community Gardens of Tucson

Primavera Foundation has entered a partnership with Community Gardens of Tucson to further enhance Primavera’s community garden presence and engagement in South Tucson.

Primavera currently has three community gardens - Tierra Anita, Las Abuelitas and La Capilla. Through this partnership, Community Gardens of Tucson staff will offer their subject matter expertise in managing Primavera’s gardens to include soil and garden health, water resources and community engagement.

As part of the partnership, Community Gardens of Tucson Outreach and Educational Manager Jessica Paul will host a series of educational workshops, starting with “Gardening 101” from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, at Tierra Anita Gardens, 1101 N. Anita Ave., Tucson, AZ 85705. The workshop will cover topics like closing the winter garden, composting and getting ready for spring.

The gardens currently have plots available for Spring. To reserve your plot, contact Resident Services Manager Rosanne Loya at rloya@primavera.org or (520) 882-5383, extension 123.

Primavera Celebrates Black H istory Month

Help Primavera Put Together Hygiene Kits

Primavera is making branded hygiene kits and water bottles to share with participants and others in need. If you are interested in putting together hygiene kits or are willing to donate or purchase needed items, please reach out to our Volunteer Coordinator, Eric Cross, at ecross@primavera.org or (520) 882-5383, extension 102. 

We rely on donations and volunteers to assemble Hygiene Kits, so please use the below list to compile items.

Former Men’s Shelter Participant Gives Back as a Volunteer 

This month, we are relaunching our Participant Profiles, starting with Manny Roca-Ekonen, a former participant who now volunteers with our meal teams to distribute food at our different shelters. 

After his entire team was laid off in 2004, Manny lost his car, his home, and most importantly, his ability to care for his family. Following a brief stay at Gospel Rescue Mission, Manny was back to living out of his truck, sleeping anywhere he could and often getting kicked out of parking lots. At the recommendation of a friend, Manny decided to go check out the Primavera Men’s Shelter. Manny was able to get connected with COPE Community Services, Inc., where he spent two years receiving the 

help he needed. Once he had completed the program at COPE, he was finally able to get off the streets and into an apartment. Stable housing gave him worth and a feeling that he could contribute to society in a positive way. 

Now, 20 years after falling into poverty and homelessness, Manny is back to working with Primavera, but this time, he’s serving as an example for the participants in our shelters. He and the team at “To Be Free Ministries” volunteer with several organizations, including Primavera Foundation, to provide meals and spread messages of hope and support to those experiencing homelessness. 

“Go for the program and stick to it, no matter how much it hurts,” Manny said. “Because there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. Tell them I want a way out…[and] they will move heaven and earth to get you set up.” 

Public Policy Corner: 2024 Older Adult Housing Summit

Primavera Foundation Public Policy Advocate Anna Rojo Keene presented at the United Way of Tucson’s ELDER Alliance 2024 Older Adult Affordable Housing Summit on Jan. 11.

The presentation included insights from CEO Tisha Tallman, Director of Homelessness Intervention and Prevention Danell Jessup, and Director of Emergency Services Reyna Leon, regarding Primavera programs and efforts to address the needs of older adults, including safe, affordable housing, homelessness and housing policy. Anna Rojo Keene also offered reflections on the past year and recommendations for addressing the current housing needs of older adults in Pima County.

Other presenters included United Way, the American Association for Retired People (AARP), Southwest Institute of Research on Women (SIROW), and the City of Tucson. Currently, over 3,000 older adults remain on years-long waiting lists for subsidized housing in Tucson and surrounding areas. 

The Affordable Housing Initiative for Older Adults attempts to identify barriers, make recommendations, and identify best practices that can lead to more innovative housing options for our region.

National Data:

• Nearly 1 in 4 people experiencing unsheltered homelessness (living in places not meant for human habitation) were over the age of 55. (National Alliance to End Homelessness)

Primavera Data:

• At HIP, in 2023 32% of our enrolled participants were 55+ and 9% were 65+.

Older adult population at Primavera’s shelters is growing.

Old Pueblo Community Services Recognizes Primavera Foundation!

Last month, the Primavera Foundation was acknowledged by Old Pueblo Community Services for our contribution to the Tucson Homeless Work Program.

The Tucson Homeless Work Program functions through the collaboration of different groups and organizations. Primavera, along with numerous other organizations, partners with Old Pueblo Community Services to ensure the successful implementation of the program.

Big Thank You to Bombas for 5,000 Pairs of Socks!

Big thanks to Bombas for their generous donation of 5,000 pairs of socks to the Primavera Foundation. Socks are essential for people experiencing homelessness, especially this hard freeze season. Wet and cold socks can lead to a range of health problems, so having access to clean, dry and warm socks can make a significant difference in someone’s life. We are grateful for companies like Bombas who are dedicated to positively impacting people’s lives.

Be a Primavera Ambassador!

Do you love Primavera? Has it changed your life, your community or your interaction with others? Are you proud of the impact we have in the community and want to spread the word? Join the external affairs team by volunteering for tabling events, recruiting fairs and other activities where you can share the good news about Primavera. Not only that, you can earn money while doing it! To sign up, please contact communications@primavera.org and watch for Ambassador training dates.

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Primavera provides pathways out of poverty through safe, affordable housing, workforce development and neighborhood revitalization.