For 24 years, Primavera Cooks! has been more than a fundraiser; it’s a way for our community to come together to support our shelters and outreach programs. This year, we invite you to participate in a way that’s right for you.

Join us as a diner for an exquisite evening out, or step into the kitchen as an apprentice chef to design a menu and cook alongside Tucson’s culinary experts. Every reservation and every apprenticeship helps ensure our neighbors have access to the resources they need.

Reserve your spot today!

After five years of experiencing homelessness, Rhonda received the keys to her first apartment at Belvedere Terrace through the power of outreach, collaboration, and continued support.

From STAR Village to permanent housing, Primavera staff walked alongside Rhonda through challenges and milestones, proving that lasting change is possible when we never give up.

“Outreach is about believing in someone and the process long before others start believing in themselves,” said Senior Outreach Resource Specialist Cindy Carrillo.

Read more about Rhonda’s journey and the team effort that helped her find a place to call home.

When Mel Selway and his wife, Jane Grey, visited The Primavera Foundation to learn more about the work happening in the community, they saw firsthand the needs of people experiencing homelessness and the importance of creating spaces that provide dignity, safety, and support.

During their visit to STAR Village, a collaboration between Primavera Foundation, the City of Tucson, and Old Pueblo Community Services (OPCS), they learned about the challenge of providing relief from Tucson’s extreme summer heat in the open-air shelter environment.

Inspired to help, Selway and Grey funded the installation of a new mister system at STAR Village, creating a cooler and more comfortable space for residents during the hottest months of the year.

Their support is a reminder that small infrastructure improvements can make a meaningful difference in the daily lives of our participants. 

Primavera Works offers water harvesting and gutter installation services that help create greener, more sustainable landscapes while providing hands-on job training for people building pathways to employment.

Led by Water Harvesting Coordinator Adam, the program combines environmental stewardship with workforce development, offering free estimates and installation options ranging from basins and tanks to gutters and rainwater collection systems.

“It makes me feel good that I’m helping people out and teaching them,” Adam said.

This October, community members will have the opportunity to tee off for a great cause during the UA Family Weekend Golf Tournament, hosted by the Kappa Sigma Fraternity at the University of Arizona and presented by Tucson Integrity Realty.

The tournament will raise funds for three important causes, with proceeds divided equally between the  Primavera Foundation's veteran services, Barleycorn Scholarship Fund, and the University of Arizona Greek Life Leadership Fund.

Every dollar designated to Primavera will help support veterans on their path to stable housing and long-term success. Through programs like Project Action for Veterans (PAV), Primavera connects veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness with housing assistance, case management, and supportive services throughout Southern Arizona.

We're grateful to Kappa Sigma and Tucson Integrity Realty for choosing to support our mission while investing in veterans and future leaders in our community.

Interested in playing, sponsoring, or donating a raffle prize? The tournament takes place on Friday, October 2, at Starr Pass Golf Club, and welcomes alumni, families, students, and community members to join in making a difference.

After 15 years of dedicated service, the Primavera Foundation is preparing to say a heartfelt goodbye to Community Engagement Liaison Lupita Rodriguez as she begins her well-earned retirement. Since joining Primavera in 2011, Lupita has helped hundreds of families achieve homeownership, guided community members through times of crisis, and built lasting relationships across Tucson.

After spending 25 years in the for-profit mortgage industry, Lupita was looking for a career with greater purpose when she discovered Primavera.

"I kept Googling it and Primavera kept popping up," she recalls. "I showed the job description to my husband, and he said, 'That is totally you.'"

She quickly found her calling, helping families who once thought homeownership was out of reach.

"The homeownership program helped a lot of people," Lupita says. "I have to say it's the most gratifying job I've ever had."

Throughout her career, Lupita played a key role in several major initiatives, including helping 252 families secure down payment assistance through the 2014 LIFT grant program and leading rental and utility assistance efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic in partnership with Pima County. Most recently, as Community Engagement Liaison, she became a familiar face throughout the community, connecting residents with resources and strengthening relationships that advanced Primavera's mission.

As she reflects on her time at Primavera, Lupita says the people she worked alongside made all the difference.

"I see such passion in what they do," she says. "Sometimes it may not seem like it, but people out there deeply, deeply appreciate them. It's never one person who does it—we have a staff of many wonderful people."

Looking ahead, Lupita is excited to spend more time with her husband of 45 years, her grandchildren, and enjoy the slower pace that retirement brings.

"Now there will be a little bit of time," she says with a smile.

Lupita leaves behind a remarkable legacy of compassion, service, and unwavering dedication to the families and communities Primavera serves. Her impact will continue to be felt for years to come.

Thank you, Lupita, for 15 years of making a difference. We wish you all the best in your next chapter!

Pricing: $25 per ticket or 5 for $100

Staff competition: We're hosting an internal contest! The employee who sells the msot tickets wins a $100 gift card. Contact Pete to get your tickets.

If you have any questions, please get in touch with Philanthropy and Donors Connection Officer, Pete Corrigan, at pcorrigan@primavera.org. 

NOTE: Raffle ticket purchases are NOT tax-deductible donations. To make a tax-deductible gift, please visit our give page. 

With rising food prices and mounting challenges to federal assistance programs, the need for food support in our community is greater than ever.

You can help. Your food donations will provide essential, nourishing meals to individuals, families, veterans, and seniors staying in our shelters and participating in Primavera programs.

How can you help? 

Most needed non-perishable items include: Canned protein, rice, pasta, cereal, peanut butter, canned fruits & vegetables, and snacks.

To donate food or learn more, contact Sophia Smith-Gatto at 520-882-3707 x1509 or ssmith.gatto@primavera.org.

Want to make a tangible difference? Grab your official Primavera Foundation T-shirt today! 

At just $20 (+$8 shipping), you’re supporting everything from street outreach, shelters, drop-in centers, and workforce development to financial education and community growth.

Available in soft-touch fabric (S-2XL), these are perfect for everyday wear. We have limited stock available, so grab yours before they're gone!

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: Mobile Outreach, Homelessness, Intervention & Prevention (HIP), Men's Shelter, Casa Paloma Women's Shelter and Hospitality Center, Project Action for Veterans (PAV), Rapid Rehousing, Family Pathways, Primavera Works, and now STAR Village. Purchasing items from an Amazon list is one way to support our programs. We appreciate everyone's generosity and support!

If you have any questions, contact Sophia Smith-Gatto at ssmith.gatto@primavera.org. 

*Please do not send Amazon packages to our programs; we will not accept items other than the ones listed on our Amazon Wishlist.

Primavera Works offers supervised crews for yard maintenance and water harvesting, as well as individual workers for general labor, moving, landscaping, construction cleanup, janitorial services, and more. Services are available for both residential and business needs. If you are interested in hiring Primavera Works, please contact us to discuss your project at (520) 882-9668 or visit our website.