MEDIA CONTACT:
Lindsay Hansen
C: 480.205.6195
lindsay@ldhconsulting.net
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 5, 2024
PHOENIX, Ariz. – The Diane & Bruce Halle Foundation awarded a two-year grant to the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation’s (the Foundation) education initiative, ElevateEdAZ, to support local expansion efforts. The Halle Foundation identifies and funds outstanding non-profits to ensure all people can build healthy, productive, and inspiring lives. Funds from the grant will support ElevateEdAZ’s expansion into two additional high schools over the next two years.
With the support of the Halle Foundation, ElevateEdAZ will expand to serve an estimated additional 8,000 students through:
- Increasing the number of students completing CTE pathways that result in high-wage, high-demand careers through stronger, clearer pathway articulation and career awareness activities.
- Increasing attainment of industry-recognized credentials and early post-secondary credit by removing barriers to dual enrollment and incentivizing students and teachers for improved outcomes.
- Providing more students with high-quality work-based learning experiences to apply academics through internships and job shadows.
- Empowering educators to reimagine classroom learning through Educator Externships where teachers learn skillsets industry leaders are seeking and can access support to integrate these skills into the curriculum.
ElevateEdAZ partner schools provide quality work-based learning and clear pathways to employment to enhance social mobility for students from underserved backgrounds. Expansion to two additional Maricopa County high schools will enable the Foundation to provide a total of 44,000 students annually with aligned CTE and work-based learning opportunities, leading to meaningful relationships with employers in growing fields, ultimately opening new doors for them and their families.
In addition, the Foundation engages over 160 businesses in workforce collaboratives annually to ensure ElevateEdAZ is working to align career and technical education in Arizona with the most current workforce skill demands. Program expansion will also enable the Foundation to continue gathering the knowledge necessary to refine ElevateEdAZ for further sustainability, scalability, and impact.
“We are pleased to receive a grant from the Halle Foundation that will support our expansion and better prepare students for college and career,” said Jennifer Mellor, chief innovation officer, Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation. “Providing students exposure to different career pathways and opportunities to gain real-world experience is essential for students striving to secure high-wage, high-demand careers.”
To learn more about becoming a business partner with ElevateEdAZ, visit https://elevateedaz.com/business and complete the ElevateEdAZ Businesses Partner Form. For more information on engaging your business, please contact Jennifer Mellor at jmellor@phoenixchamber.com.
Jennifer Mellor, Chief Innovation Officer for the Foundation, is available for media interviews.
About ElevateEdAZ
Launched in 2020, ElevateEdAZ prepares individuals for college and career through stronger alignment between education, business, and the community. ElevateEdAZ is focused on increasing the number of students completing high-quality education to workforce learning pathways that align with the needs of the industry and supports students in achieving industry-recognized credentials, attaining early post-secondary credit, and participating in capstone work-based learning experiences, such as internships and job shadows. For more information, visit https://elevateedaz.com.
About the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation
The Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation convenes and catalyzes business, education, and community to enhance college and career readiness, develop a more robust workforce, and build healthier communities throughout Arizona. The Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, leads the charitable and education initiatives of the Greater Phoenix Chamber under the four pillars of education, workforce development, wellness, and research. For more information, visit https://phoenixchamberfoundation.com.
About Diane & Bruce Halle
The Diane & Bruce Halle Foundation’s mission is to strengthen the daily opportunities and lifelong outcomes for the people and communities of the State of Arizona. They provide grants to educational institutions and initiatives as well as to help increase access to education and training. The Diane and Bruce Halle Foundation funds educational institutions and initiatives to help increase access to high quality education and training particularly for lower income students.
Follow Online:
Twitter: @ElevateEdAZ
Instagram: @elevateedaz
Facebook: @elevateedaz
LinkedIn: ElevateEdAZ