WESPAC Charities Awards Grant to MentorKids USA

Phoenix, AZ – MentorKids USA is honored to announce that it has received a generous grant from WESPAC Charities in support of the organization’s year-round youth development programming.

MentorKids USA serves more than 600 K–12 youth each year through six Promise Neighborhoods across the Valley. Through LEAD, its K–8 after-school program; the Summer Enrichment Program; and iLEAD, its high school leadership and workforce development program, MentorKids provides youth with academic support, mentorship, leadership development, enrichment, workforce preparation, and opportunities for personal growth. All programming is provided at no cost to families.

“We are incredibly grateful to WESPAC Charities for investing in MentorKids USA and the young people we serve,” said Aaron Parrott, Executive Director of MentorKids USA. “Their commitment to strengthening Arizona communities closely aligns with our belief that lasting change begins by investing in young people and equipping them to become leaders in their lives, families, and communities.”

MentorKids USA’s Promise Neighborhood model establishes a long-term presence within the communities it serves, with programming currently offered in South Phoenix, Palomino in North Phoenix, Paiute in South Scottsdale, Maryvale, Tempe, and Sunnyslope.

WESPAC’s commitment to giving back is rooted in strengthening the communities that shape Arizona’s future. MentorKids USA is grateful to partner with WESPAC Charities in creating lasting opportunities for young people and stronger communities across the Valley. To learn more about WESPAC Charities, visit www.wespacaz.com/charity.

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About MentorKids USA

MentorKids USA is a faith-based nonprofit equipping K–12 students to become transformative leaders in their families and communities. Through six Promise Neighborhoods across the Phoenix area, MentorKids provides no-cost programs focused on academic excellence, spiritual growth, and leadership development. From elementary school through high school, students are surrounded by consistent relationships and opportunities to learn, lead, and invest in others—Building Leaders Who Build Leaders.

Media Contact

Jill Bailey
Development Director, MentorKids USA
480-767-6707 | [email protected]

OneAZ Community Foundation Awards Grant to MentorKids USA

Phoenix, AZ – MentorKids USA is honored to announce it has received a generous grant from OneAZ Community Foundation in support of its iLEAD My Generation Program – an innovative four-year high school leadership and mentoring initiative.

The iLEAD My Generation program (Leadership, Exploration, Academics, and Discovery) equips high school students in underserved communities with critical job training, academic support, and leadership development. A defining feature of the program is its paid mentorship model, where participants serve as assistant teachers and role models for younger children in MentorKids’ afterschool and summer programs. Through this hands-on experience, students build real-world skills, confidence, and a strong sense of purpose.

“We are incredibly grateful to the OneAZ Community Foundation for this generous investment in the lives of the youth we serve,” said Aaron Parrott, Executive Director of MentorKids USA. “This funding allows us to deepen our impact and expand opportunities for students to grow into confident, capable leaders within their families and communities.”

Currently serving students in South Phoenix, North Phoenix (Palomino), South Scottsdale (Paiute), and the Maryvale Promise Neighborhoods, iLEAD is transforming the trajectory of teens at high risk of becoming disconnected—those who are neither in school nor working. The program consistently demonstrates strong outcomes in school attendance, academic achievement, leadership development, and high school graduation.

Support from the OneAZ Community Foundation will help sustain and expand iLEAD My Generation, ensuring more students are empowered to graduate high school and take meaningful next steps toward college, careers, and lifelong success.

For more information about MentorKids USA and its programs, visit www.mentorkidsusa.org.

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About MentorKids USA

MentorKids USA is a faith-based nonprofit equipping K–12 students to become transformative leaders in their families and communities. Through six Promise Neighborhoods across the Phoenix area, MentorKids provides no-cost programs focused on academic excellence, spiritual growth, and leadership development. From elementary school through high school, students are surrounded by consistent relationships and opportunities to learn, lead, and invest in others—Building Leaders Who Build Leaders.

Media Contact

Jill Bailey
Development Director, MentorKids USA
480-767-6707 | [email protected]

$25K Grant Helps MentorKids Teens Lead the Way

MentorKids USA has been awarded a $25,000 grant from Thunderbirds Charities to expand its iLEAD My Generation program—a four-year leadership and mentoring initiative for high school students in underserved Arizona neighborhoods. This investment helps equip teens with academic support, paid mentoring opportunities, and real-world job training to become confident leaders in their communities.

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Learn more about Thunderbirds Charities and their commitment to youth development in Arizona.

Celebrate the Class of 2025 – Leave a Message That Matters

Graduation season is here—and for our MentorKids high school seniors, it marks the start of something big.

These students have grown into leaders—many of them starting in elementary school with us, staying the course, and stepping into mentorship roles themselves. They’ve invested in their communities, persevered through challenges, and built something meaningful. Now, as they prepare to graduate, we want to send them off with the love and support of the entire MentorKids family.

📝 Share Your Words of Wisdom

We’ve created a space where you can leave a personal message for our graduates. It could be a bit of advice, a verse, a favorite quote, or simply a “We’re so proud of you!” Whether it’s signed or anonymous, your message will be shared with our grads as a reminder that their community is cheering them on.

Let them know they are seen, celebrated, and supported—today and always.

Thanks for being part of this journey. Your words mean more than you know.

Introducing Our Fresh New Look for iLEAD and iLEAD Launch

We’re excited to unveil the updated branding for our iLEAD and iLEAD Launch programs! These refreshed logos represent the growth, momentum, and leadership we see in our students every day. With a bold, modern design and a color palette aligned with our mission, this new look reflects the energy and purpose behind our high school leadership pathway.

iLEAD equips students to grow as leaders marked by confidence, character, and compassion—and now, our updated branding reflects that same bold and purposeful vision. As mentors become role models and students rise to lead their peers, this refreshed look visually represents the transformative journey our youth are taking—made possible by your support.

You’ll start to see the new branding across our website, printed materials, apparel, and more. We’re grateful to everyone who shared their input during this process, and we look forward to what’s ahead as we continue building leaders who build leaders.