When Tucson’s summer heat hits its peak, reliable cooling is a matter of health, safety, and dignity. For the men at Primavera’s Men’s Shelter, having a cool place to rest is vital as they work toward long-term stability. 

To meet the demands of rising temperatures, longtime supporters Denice Blake and John Blackwell stepped forward with a generous $14,500 gift to fully fund a new, high-efficiency air conditioning system at the shelter. 

When asked about their motivation to fund the physical upgrade, John’s response was simple and heartfelt: "We have to help our brothers." 

Former public schoolteachers who moved from Virginia to Tucson 27 years ago, Denice and John believe in living frugally and "giving while living." Through their required retirement distributions, they actively support tangible physical projects in the community—ensuring their generosity creates an immediate impact today. 

Read more about Denice and John’s 20-year journey with Primavera and their inspiring philosophy on giving: 

Casa Paloma is getting a little more sustainable thanks to a generous $40,000 gift from an anonymous donor passionate about solar energy and Primavera’s mission. 

Given in March, the donation supported the installation of solar panels at Casa Paloma, Primavera’s shelter for women. After connecting with Solar United Neighbors to evaluate solar opportunities across Primavera’s properties, the organization identified Casa Paloma as a strong fit. Net Zero Solar completed the installation. 

The panels will help reduce Casa Paloma’s energy costs over time, allowing more resources to support the women who call the shelter home. This thoughtful gift is an investment in both a more sustainable future and Primavera’s mission to create pathways out of poverty. 

Thank you to our generous donor for helping power a brighter future for Casa Paloma!

Our third event of the Primavera Cooks! series was an incredible success! A heartfelt thank you to our amazing supporters, dedicated volunteers, and culinary partners who continue to make these gatherings so special. Your generosity directly fuels our mission and strengthens our community.

While our final dinner at The Carriage House with Chef Janos and Chef Gary is sold out, you may add your name to our waitlist.

Whether you are a diner, an apprentice, a sponsor or a culinary partner, we would love to hear from you about your interest in participating in next year's season. Please send a note to Pete at pcorrigan@primavera.org.

See event photos:

We are still energized by the incredible turnout and community spirit at the recent Second Chance Tucson Job Fair! This impactful event brought together over 450 job seekers, 30 employers, and 50 community resources under one roof to foster fresh starts and meaningful career connections.

It was wonderful to see so many community leaders and partners show up in support, including Tucson Mayor Regina Romero and Pima County Supervisor Andrés Cano. A special thank you goes out to all of our dedicated committee members, volunteers like Debbie Wong, and partners such as Andy Silverman and his Civil Rights Restoration Clinic for providing vital on-site resources.

The momentum of this event has even caught the attention of local media! You can read more about how the job fair is helping connect formerly incarcerated individuals with employers and resources in the KGUN 9 News coverage.

Thank you to everyone who made this day a resounding success—we couldn't do this life-changing work without your continued dedication!

COPE Wellness on Wheels (WoW) will bring accessible care directly to our community starting Monday, Sept. 21.

WoW’s fully licensed mobile clinic will be on site at the HIP Drop-In Center on the 1st and 3rd Monday of every month to provide integrated health and medical services. 

"The mobile health clinic will reduce access barriers, build trust in a safe space, lower emergency department visits and hospitalizations for individuals experiencing homelessness, and provide overdose education and awareness," said Jodii Weiner, Senior Director of Integrated Outreach Services.

This partnership directly aligns with COPE’s mission to enhance the health and quality of life of those served by meeting people where they are with high-quality care.

🚴 Primavera Foundation is an official charity partner of the 43rd El Tour de Tucson!

Join thousands of riders on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026, for Tucson’s iconic cycling event and choose to ride and fundraise in support of Primavera.

Every mile can help co-create pathways to stability, opportunity and self-reliance for individuals and families in our community. ❤️

Ready to ride with us? Register for El Tour de Tucson and select Primavera Foundation as your charity partner!

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.

Support Veterans at the UA Family Weekend Golf Tournament

Kappa Sigma Fraternity and Tucson Integrity Realty are hosting a golf tournament on Oct. 2 at Starr Pass Golf Club to raise funds for three great causes—including Primavera’s veteran housing and support services. Whether you want to play, sponsor, or donate a raffle prize, community members, alumni, and families are invited to join and make a difference.

Register today at the button below.

Support Project Action for Veterans at the Splash 3 Golf Tournament

The Splash 3 Foundation is hosting its 7th Annual Veterans Charity Golf Tournament on Dec. 11 at The Club at Starr Pass!

We are deeply honored to be named a charity partner alongside BaseCamp for Veterans.

Proceeds directly support Project Action for Veterans (PAV), standing alongside veterans and their families when they need it most.

Register today at the button below.

Pricing: $25 per ticket or 5 for $100

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. 

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.