MentorKids Stories & Updates
Press releases, MentorMoments, announcements, reflections, and real-life updates from across our Promise Neighborhoods.
Executive Council Charities Awards $2,400 Grant to MentorKids USA
“Executive Council Charities’ investment directly supports the students we serve, many of whom face significant barriers such as poverty, unstable family environments, and limited access to resources,” said Audrey Gallinger, Grants Manager at MentorKids USA. “This grant will help ensure these youth receive the support and tools they need to realize their potential.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 3, 2025
Phoenix, AZ – MentorKids USA is honored to announce it has received a $2,400 grant from Executive Council Charities (ECC) in support of its LEAD after-school program, which equips underserved K–8th grade youth in the Greater Phoenix Area to succeed academically, grow as leaders, and build brighter futures.
LEAD—Leadership, Enrichment, Academics, and Discovery—is offered at no cost to families in MentorKids’ five Promise Neighborhoods: South Phoenix, Maryvale, Palomino, Paiute, and Tempe. Each year, more than 250 students receive daily homework help, reading and math support, enrichment activities, leadership development, and mentorship in a safe, nurturing environment.
Founded in 1997, the mission of MentorKids USA is to equip and empower youth to be transformative leaders in their lives, their families, and their communities. We are Building Leaders Who Build Leaders.
“Executive Council Charities’ investment directly supports the students we serve, many of whom face significant barriers such as poverty, unstable family environments, and limited access to resources,” said Audrey Gallinger, Grants Manager at MentorKids USA. “This grant will help ensure these youth receive the support and tools they need to realize their potential.”
Executive Council Charities is dedicated to helping Arizona’s youth overcome adversity and reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. MentorKids USA shares this mission and is proud to partner with ECC to transform lives and communities through its Promise Neighborhood model.
To learn more about Executive Council Charities, visit ECC: A nonprofit corporation dedicated to helping the youth
Media Contact:
Jill Bailey
Development Director, MentorKids USA
480-767-6707 | [email protected]
Celebrating Faithful Leadership and a Strong Future at MentorKids USA
MentorKids USA celebrates a season of faithful leadership and new beginnings. After seven years of dedicated service as Board Chair, Tammy Valdez passes the baton to Diane Erhart, who will lead us into a new era of growth and impact. Join us in thanking Tammy for her servant leadership and welcoming Diane into her new role as we continue building leaders who build leaders.
Board Leadership Transition at MentorKids USA
A Message from Aaron
God uses the right people at the right time to accomplish great things. This has been true with Tammy Valdez’s 7-year tenure as Board Chair. She stepped into the role during a very challenging season, and God used her to bring stability, strength, and growth.
We are so grateful for her servant leadership and dedication.
It is also my pleasure to introduce our new Board Chair, Diane Erhart. Diane began as a Program Volunteer in Palomino and, for the past year and a half, has faithfully led the MentorKids Board Finance Committee. We are excited to see how God uses her leadership to usher in a new era of growth and impact for MentorKids.
A Message from Tammy Valdez, Outgoing Board Chair
“It has been an incredible pleasure working with MentorKids USA for the last 10 years, including 6 years as Chair. Much has changed in that time. My focus has been on the People Experience, Process Scalability, and Expanding Funding. When I began, we had a different Executive Leader, and we developed Aaron to take on that role.
We went from financially unstable to financially strong with audited financials. I have remained constant through 18 board members rolling off the Board. We changed the Vision and Mission to the Promise Neighborhood model, grew from 2 to 5 Promise Neighborhoods, launched the iLEADer program, and weathered challenges like COVID and racial tensions.
Through it all, the Lord has shown up and made the impossible possible—with Aaron being extremely coachable and motivated to change the world, one kid at a time.
What a joy it has been to see what the Lord can do with our 5 loaves and 2 fishes.”
— Tammy Valdez
A Message from Diane Erhart, Incoming Board Chair
“I’m honored to step into the role of Chair of the Board for MentorKids USA. Having first been a volunteer for the organization, then serving on the board since 2023 and Finance Chair since 2024, I’ve seen firsthand the powerful impact of our mission.
I want to thank Tammy Valdez for her outstanding leadership. Under her wisdom and prayerful guidance, the organization has grown significantly and refined the execution of the Promise Neighborhood Model. Her counsel has been instrumental, and I hope she knows how much we appreciate her.
Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue our commitment to our core mission while ensuring long-term sustainability. Together—with prayer, trust in God, and your support—we can build a better future for our MentorKids, their families, and their communities.”
— Diane Erhart, Chair of the Board
A Closing Message from Aaron
Just as God brought Tammy at the right time 7 years ago, we believe He is bringing another amazing leader at the right time. Diane’s role as Board Chair is effective September 1, 2025, and Tammy will remain on the board through December 2025 to support a smooth transition.
Please join us in thanking Tammy for her service and welcoming Diane into her new role. We look forward to great things ahead!
Meet Our Board
We are grateful for the faithful leadership of our Board, past and present, who make this mission possible.
$25K Grant Helps MentorKids Teens Lead the Way
With this grant, more teens in our Promise Neighborhoods will step into leadership.
“We are incredibly grateful to Thunderbirds Charities 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.”
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.
Download Full Press Release
Learn more about Thunderbirds Charities and their commitment to youth development in Arizona.
Introducing Our Fresh New Look for iLEAD and iLEAD Launch
New Look, Same Mission
We’ve refreshed the iLEAD and iLEAD Launch branding to reflect the bold, transformative leadership our students embody. Take a look at the new design and see how your support continues to shape the leaders of tomorrow.
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.
