MentorKids Stories & Updates
Press releases, MentorMoments, announcements, reflections, and real-life updates from across our Promise Neighborhoods.
Dollar General Literacy Foundation Awards Summer Reading Grant to MentorKids USA
MentorKids USA received a generous summer reading grant from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation in support of its no-cost Summer Enrichment Program. The funding will help provide literacy materials, educational resources, and reading-focused activities for more than 300 students across six Promise Neighborhoods, strengthening reading skills and supporting academic engagement during the summer months.
Phoenix, AZ – MentorKids USA is honored to announce it has received a generous grant from Dollar General Literacy Foundation in support of Summer Reading and our no-cost Summer Enrichment Program.
MentorKids USA’s Summer Enrichment Program (SEP) provides K–8 students in underserved communities with consistent literacy support, academic enrichment, and hands-on learning opportunities during critical out-of-school time. A core focus of the program is strengthening reading skills through daily reading activities, small-group literacy instruction, and engaging educational experiences. Through a safe, supportive environment, students build confidence, improve academic engagement, and develop the foundational skills needed for long-term success. Funding from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation supports these literacy efforts and helps ensure this programming is provided at no cost to families.
Currently serving students across six Promise Neighborhoods throughout the Valley, MentorKids USA’s Summer Enrichment Program will support more than 300 youth this summer through literacy enrichment, leadership development, STEAM activities, healthy living education, and relationship centered mentorship.
Support from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation will help provide literacy materials, educational resources and reading-focused activities that encourage students to strengthen their reading skills, remain academically engaged during the summer months, and build a lifelong love of learning.
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
MentorKids USA is growing its iLEAD My Generation program thanks to a new grant from OneAZ Community Foundation — empowering high schoolers to lead, earn, and serve their communities.
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]
UFG Foundation Awards Grant to MentorKids USA
MentorKids USA is honored to be supported by a grant from the UFG Foundation, furthering a shared commitment to service, empowerment, and lasting community impact. This funding will help sustain and expand MentorKids USA’s year-round programming for K–12 students, providing academic support, mentoring, leadership development, and safe, consistent out-of-school environments across its Promise Neighborhoods. Through this investment, MentorKids USA will continue equipping students to thrive in school and beyond while creating a lasting ripple effect of building leaders who build leaders.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 17, 2026
Phoenix, AZ – MentorKids USA is honored to announce it has received a generous grant from the UFG Foundation in support of its year-round youth programming, strengthening shared commitments to service, empowerment, and lasting community impact.
In partnership with local organizations, MentorKids USA provides free, year-round programming for K–12 students designed to remove barriers and open pathways to academic success, leadership development, and future opportunities. Through after-school programs, a tiered high school leadership and workforce development initiative, and summer enrichment program, students receive academic support, mentoring, life skills training, STEAM learning, physical activity, and access to safe, consistent environments during out-of-school time.
MentorKids USA’s Promise Neighborhood model reflects UFG’s focus on people, service, and growth by investing in youth, strengthening families, and fostering long-term community development. Grounded in Academic Excellence, Leadership Development, and Life Skills, the organization provides place-based, individualized support that equips students to thrive in school and beyond. MentorKids USA currently serves youth in South Phoenix, North Phoenix (Palomino), South Scottsdale (Paiute), Maryvale, and Tempe.
“We are deeply grateful to the UFG Foundation for this meaningful investment in our students and families,” said Aaron Parrott, Executive Director of MentorKids USA. “Their partnership reinforces our shared commitment to building trust, empowering young people, and creating opportunities that lead to lifelong success.”
This grant will help sustain and expand MentorKids USA’s comprehensive programming, ensuring students receive consistent, high-quality support that creates a generational ripple effect of building leaders who build leaders.
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]
Western Alliance Bank Awards Grant to MentorKids USA
Thanks to the generous support of Western Alliance Bank, MentorKids USA hosted its Annual All Promise Neighborhood Christmas Party, bringing families together for a joyful morning of celebration, connection, and holiday traditions.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 22, 2025
Phoenix, AZ – MentorKids USA is honored to announce it has received a generous grant from Western Alliance Bank in support of its Annual All Promise Neighborhood Christmas Party.
Families from each Promise Neighborhood were transported to Valley Presbyterian Church, where they enjoyed a festive morning full of holiday crafts, face painting, a photo booth, a climbing wall, bounce houses, a petting zoo, and a delicious shared meal. Students delighted their families with holiday songs and a Christmas play, and each child received a gift before returning to their neighborhoods.
“We are deeply grateful to Western Alliance Bank for this generous gift, which helped provide a meaningful and joyful Christmas experience for our children and their families,” said Aaron Parrott, Executive Director of MentorKids USA.
The celebration served more than 600 children and family members from MentorKids USA’s Promise Neighborhoods in South Phoenix, North Phoenix (Palomino), South Scottsdale (Paiute), Maryvale, and Tempe.
For more information about MentorKids USA and its programs, visit www.mentorkidsusa.org.
Download Press Release
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]
Beaty Martinez Foundation Awards Grant to MentorKids USA
MentorKids USA is honored to receive a generous grant from the Beaty Martinez Foundation in support of its LEAD After-School Program, which provides critical academic enrichment and leadership development for under-resourced students. This investment will help sustain and expand programming that supports students’ educational, social, emotional, and spiritual growth—ensuring every child has access to the tools and mentorship they need to thrive both in and beyond the classroom.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 18, 2025
Phoenix, AZ – MentorKids USA is honored to announce it has received a generous grant from the Beaty Martinez Foundation in support of its LEAD After-School Program.
LEAD stands for “Leadership, Enrichment, Academics, and Discovery”, and is conducted four days per week immediately after-school. The commitment of this program is to positively impact the lives of under-resourced students by improving their educational access and outcomes, at zero cost to their families. Through the LEAD program, MentorKids USA provides reading and math assistance, homework help, lessons on leadership, Bible lessons, art, music, physical exercise, a nutritious snack, and fun extra-curricular activities.
"We are incredibly grateful to the Beaty Martinez Foundation for this generous investment in the lives of the youth we serve," said Aaron Parrott, Executive Director of MentorKids USA.
Currently serving students in South Phoenix, North Phoenix (Palomino), South Scottsdale (Paiute), Maryvale, and Tempe Promise Neighborhoods, LEAD’s objective is to positively impact student success—in the classroom and in the community, long- and short-term—by focusing on outcomes tailored to each individual student, and his or her unique strengths and challenges.
The grant from the Beaty Martinez Foundation will help sustain and grow the LEAD after-school program, ensuring students’ academic, social, emotional, and spiritual needs are supported.
For more information about MentorKids USA and its programs, visit www.mentorkidsusa.org.
Download Press Release
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]
Gila River Indian Community Awards Grant to MentorKids USA
MentorKids USA has been awarded a grant from the Gila River Indian Community State Shared Revenue Program to support its iLEAD My Generation program—a four-year leadership initiative that equips high school students to mentor younger peers, gain job skills, and become confident community leaders.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 6, 2025
Phoenix, AZ – MentorKids USA is honored to announce it has received a generous grant from the Gila River Indian Community State Shared Revenue Program in support of its innovative iLEAD My Generation program – an intensive four-year high school leadership and mentoring initiative.
The iLEAD My Generation program (Leadership, Exploration, Academics, and Discovery) equips high school students in underserved neighborhoods with critical job training, academic support, and leadership development. A unique feature of the program is that students serve as paid mentors to younger children in MentorKids’ after-school and summer programs, helping them grow while gaining real-world skills and confidence.
"We are incredibly grateful to the Gila River Indian Community for this generous investment in the lives of the youth we serve," said Aaron Parrott, Executive Director of MentorKids USA. "This funding will allow us to deepen our impact and expand opportunities for students to become confident, capable leaders in their families and communities."
Currently serving students in South Phoenix, North Phoenix (Palomino), South Scottsdale (Paiute), and Maryvale Promise Neighborhoods, iLEAD is transforming the lives of teens at high risk of becoming disconnected youth—those who are neither in school nor working. The program boasts strong outcomes in school attendance, academic achievement, leadership development, and high school graduation.
The grant from the Gila River Indian Community State Shared Revenue Program represents a three-year investment that will help sustain and grow the iLEAD My Generation program, ensuring students are supported on their journey toward high school graduation and a purposeful next step.
For more information about MentorKids USA and its programs, visit www.mentorkidsusa.org.
Media Contact:
Jill Bailey
Development Director, MentorKids USA
480-767-6707 | [email protected]