Tempe Community Council boosts youth support programs with successful volunteer campaign

On February 10, 2025, the Tempe City Council and Tempe Community Council convened to discuss critical community programs and initiatives aimed at supporting local youth and families. The meeting highlighted the success of the Threads program, which provides essential resources such as clothing and school supplies to middle and high school students in Tempe.

Gloriana, a representative from the program, reported that Threads faced staffing challenges earlier in the school year, leading to temporary site closures. However, a robust promotional campaign, including media coverage and social media outreach, successfully recruited volunteers, allowing Threads to operate fully and serve a record number of students this year. This initiative is vital as it addresses socioeconomic barriers that contribute to absenteeism among youth, ensuring that students have the necessary resources to stay in school and graduate.

The meeting also addressed the ongoing community needs assessment conducted in partnership with Arizona State University’s Southwest Interdisciplinary Research Center (SERC). This assessment, which includes surveys and focus groups, aims to gather data on various community needs, particularly for vulnerable populations such as seniors and individuals experiencing homelessness. A community forum is scheduled for Wednesday, providing an opportunity for residents to voice their concerns and contribute to the data collection process. The findings from this assessment will inform future goal-setting and prioritization for community services.

Additionally, the council discussed the Open Horizons program, which supports pregnant and parenting teens in their educational pursuits. The program has been instrumental in addressing barriers such as childcare and transportation, which are critical for these young parents to continue their education. The council emphasized the importance of these services, especially given that only 40% of teen mothers complete high school.

The meeting concluded with a focus on the Triple P (Positive Parenting Program), which aims to improve parenting practices and family well-being. This evidence-based program is designed to support parents of teenagers, helping to reduce stress and improve family dynamics. The Tempe Community Council is actively promoting these services in collaboration with local schools to enhance community engagement and participation.

Overall, the joint meeting underscored the Tempe City Council and Tempe Community Council's commitment to addressing community needs through targeted programs and initiatives. The anticipated findings from the community needs assessment and the ongoing success of programs like Threads and Open Horizons are expected to shape future strategies for supporting the youth and families in Tempe.