Primavera Foundation, with the City of Tucson and Old Pueblo Community Services, on Oct. 15, celebrated the official opening of STAR Village. A safe, outdoor sleeping site for women experiencing homelessness, STAR stands for Serving Together and Rebuilding.

The site is a one-year pilot program providing shelter and support for up to 25 residents, helping connect them with longterm housing and community resources.  We’re inviting community members to get involved by providing prepared meals, breakfast, dinner, or shelf-stable food—for up to 25 residents. 

STAR Village is also in need of donations, including bedding (especially blankets), water and storage bins/racks. For a full list of needed items, to volunteer, or to learn how to give, visit primavera.org/star-village.

As part of our commitment to the community, we have agreed to provide cleanup. Last week, community volunteers, STAR Village residents, Primavera Foundation staff, and the City's Multi-Disciplinary Outreach Team (MDOT), gathered to pick up litter along Grant Rd. and the residential streets in the area around STAR Village.

Ward 3 Council Member Kevin Dahl and Ward 6 Council Member Karin Uhlich were present. We are grateful to all who parcipated in this effort, making a difference to those who are living at STAR Village and its surrounding community.

Recently, federal food assistance programs have been challenged. In addition, food prices are rising and the need for assistance across the community is growing.

Join us in our efforts to provide essential meals to those we serve.

Your food donations will support participants staying in our shelters and taking part in Primavera programs, including individuals, families, veterans and seniors.

How can you help? 

 Most needed non-perishable items include: Canned protein, rice, pasta, cereal, peanut butter, canned fruits & vegetables, snacks.To donate food or learn more, contact Sophia at 520-882-3707 x1509 or ssmith.gatto@primavera.org.

Volunteer Carroll sorting through clothing at the Training Center 

We’re thrilled to share that our recent Clothing Pop-Up Giveaway, hosted at the Primavera Foundation Resource Center, was a success. Thanks to your support and generous donations, we were able to provide clothing to 79 individuals, distributing nearly 400 pieces of clothing.

The joy was palpable—many participants were excited to receive new clothing and even changed into their new outfits on the spot! This event met a critical need and also brought moments of dignity and comfort to our community.

Thank you to everyone who made this possible, from donors who donated clothing, volunteers who helped sort and organize it, and staff and volunteers who helped distribute it.

Matt Cazel, Primavera Outreach Resource Specialist, tabling at Operation Clear Path.

Primavera Foundation's Mobile Outreach Team recently took part in Operation Clear Path, a coordinated, multi-agency outreach initiative designed to provide intensive outreach, peer support, and essential services to unsheltered individuals living in washes. These areas are identified due to safety risks and quality-of-life concerns that arise when encampments are established.

Participating agencies include Pretrial Services, Tucson Police Department’s CORE Team Bravo 1, Primavera Mobile Outreach, Pima County Transition Center, City of Tucson Homeless Protocol & Housing and Community Development, Pima County Health Department, TC-3 Fire, and CMS.

Some event outcomes included the Primavera Mobile Outreach securing shelter placements for two individuals and a pet at the Primavera Men’s Shelter and The Salvation Army. Additionally, four individuals were transported to treatment.

Primavera Foundation will take part in a national Homeless Persons Memorial that commemorates the lives of those who died without a safe place to call home.

City leaders, clergy, and Tucson community members are invited to join Primavera Foundation 4-5 p.m., Monday, Dec. 22, at Paupers’ Field at Evergreen Cemetery, 3015 N. Oracle Road, Tucson.

The memorial will feature music selections, reflections, prayers, and a reading of names. 

"The annual homeless memorial is a time to honor the men, women, and children who perished on the streets this past year -- a time of reverence, dignity, and reflection,” said Primavera Foundation CEO Tisha Tallman.

Our "Get Ready With Me: Primavera Foundation Edition" video highlights how everyday essentials like shampoo, body wash and toothpaste can make a big difference to our participants.

We’re currently in need of hygiene donations, especially shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toilet paper, tampons and deodorant. These items help our community members start their day with dignity and comfort.

Donations may be dropped off 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays, at the Primavera Training Center, 151 W. 40th St. We are grateful!

Join us Saturday, November 9 at Catalina State Park for the Everyone Runs TMC Veterans Day Trail Races (5.3 & 10.6 miles) and the Kaiser Garage Door & Gates 5K Run and Walk!

A portion of the proceeds benefit Primavera Foundation’s Project Action for Veterans, supporting veterans in our community with housing and vital resources. Everyone Runs will match all donations made to Primavera Foundation!

Primavera’s Project Action for Veterans provides housing support services and temporary financial assistance to veterans and their families facing eviction or homelessness. Services address barriers that threaten the veteran and/or their family’s housing stability.

The program connects veterans to vital public and community resources. Register at: Everyone Runs Veterans Day Catalina St. Park 10.6 & 5.3 Mile Trail Races + 5k Road Run. To Give, go to📧 https://primavera.org/give/. 

Pete Corrigan is Primavera's Philanthropy and Donor Connections Officer. Pete manages relationships with current and prospective donors to raise philanthropic support for Primavera's mission and programs. He engages individual and corporate donors, develops personalized engagement and stewardship plans, and executes fundraising events.

He supervises Primavera's in-kind and volunteer coordinators and works collaboratively with the communications and events team, and with senior leadership establishing and executing priorities.

A native of Chicago, he has lived in Tucson since 1991. 

What is your educational background?

I have an undergraduate degree in economics from DePaul University and a masters degree in education from the University of Arizona.

Describe your most recent professional role.

I was associate director of employer and alumni connections at the University of Arizona for 16 years. In that role, I developed connections with employers in Tucson, the state and region, with business organizations, with University of Arizona alumni and with the Tucson community. I was a career counselor and mentor to key student groups including Women in Medicine and Science, Students for Sustainability, and the Campus Sustainability Fund, along with those in Greek organizations and, in the past, the Eller College of Management. Prior to my roles at the University of Arizona, I was an independent trader at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.

What attracted you to Primavera Foundation? I have been aware of Primavera Foundation and the amazing work they do in the community for many years. Recently, I had the pleasure of interacting with the recruiting team through my role at the University of Arizona in career development. When I learned of the open role, I was very interested in having a conversation. When I met with the leadership team, I was amazed at how thoughtful, caring, and welcoming everyone was. I was excited to join the team and contribute to the work of co-creating pathways out of poverty and having a positive impact in people's lives. 

What excites you the most about Primavera Foundation? I have a passion for meeting people and building relationships and am looking forward to being out in the community representing the Primavera Foundation and sharing the great work we do co-creating pathways out of poverty for many participants. I have found people to be generous and kind to the work we do. 

What are your goals for this role? My goals are to learn as much as I can about the work we do and the people we serve. I look forward to expanding my network and growing the foundation's resources. I want to do the very best work I can to support this amazing cause and the wonderful people at Primavera in their work of helping others. I am very thankful for this opportunity.

Primavera Foundation is hosting its Second Annual Golf Tournament at Omni Tucson National Resort's Sonoran Course on Saturday, November 15! 

The tournament features an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start and finishes with an awards banquet reception, which will include a luncheon, awards, and more! The event raises funds for Primavera's shelters and emergency services. 

Register and share with your friends and family. Click on the button below to visit the event website.

Have you purchased tickets for this year's 2025 Jim Click Millions for Tucson Raffle? 

The Grand Prize is a 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid SX Prestige (MSRP $54,510). The second prize is two round-trip, first-class airline tickets to anywhere in the world (some restrictions apply) and the third prize is $5,000 in cash. Tickets are $25 each or 5 for $100 and

All proceeds from tickets sold by Primavera benefit Primavera.

To purchase tickets through Primavera Foundation, contact Sophia Smith-Gatto at ssmith.gatto@primavera.org.

Friendly staff competition: The employee who sells the most raffle tickets will win a $100 gift card. If you would like to sell tickets to your family and friends and join this friendly competition, contact Sophia!

Left to Right: Bombas; U.S. Air Force; Summit Hut; Holsum Bakery; Zeta Phi Beta

We’re grateful for the generosity that continues to pour into Primavera!

Recently, Primavera Foundation's philanthropy team received several incredible in-kind donations, including 10,000 pairs of socks from Bombas, 65 pillows from Summit Hut, and 30 cases of water from Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, Omega Rho Zeta Graduate Chapter.

In addition, Slow Body Beer took part in a summer donation drive and a percentage night that generated a monetary gift for Primavera's emergency services programs.

Primavera continues to receive between 30 and 50 loaves of fresh bread from Holsum Bakery Outlet every Tuesday and Friday. These contributions help us meet essential needs and bring comfort to those we serve.

With colder days ahead, many in our community need extra warmth and care. The Primavera Foundation is seeking donations of blankets, jackets, pants, water bottles/Gatorade, hats, reusable bottles, non-perishable snacks, and more for our friends at the Homelessness Intervention & Prevention Drop-In Center and Shelters! 

For information on how to donate in-kind items, contact Sophia Smith-Gatto at ssmith.gatto@primavera.org. 

The lists below have the latest items Primavera programs need. The lists are updated frequently to adapt to the ever-changing needs of each location: Homelessness, Intervention & Prevention (HIP), Men's Shelter, Casa Paloma Women's Shelter and Hospitality Center, Mobile Outreach, Project Action for Veterans (PAV), Rapid Rehousing, Family Pathways, Primavera Works, and now STAR Village. Purchashing items from an Amazon list is one way to support our programs. We appreciate everyone's generosity and support!