Press Room
Chandler Christian Community Center unveils new name, AZCEND
Chandler Christian Community Center Unveils New Name, AZCEND
After 50 years of service to the communities in Southeast Valley, local nonprofit organization embraces new brand that reflects its evolution and future.
Chandler, AZ. May 16, 2017 – In front of a crowd of staff, volunteers, donors, sponsors, clients, and local church and community dignitaries, the Chandler Christian Community Center (CCCC) board of directors unveiled its new brand name…AZCEND. 
“We have changed our name but our mission and services remain the same. We change lives by nourishing minds and bodies to create a connected, thriving community. This is an exciting new chapter in the life of this longstanding organization,” said Trinity Donovan, AZCEND CEO. “Our new name embraces who we are now, and establishes the foundation for future growth.”
“We felt our 50th anniversary was an ideal opportunity to look back at the history that brought CCCC to this point, as well as look ahead to
prepare our organization for the fifty years to come,” said AZCEND board president Gail Kavanagh. “As part of those strategic discussions, we realized that our organization had grown far beyond the physical and services boundaries of our initial name and what are known for. We wanted to move forward under a new name and brand that would honor our current mission and allow for potential future growth.”
Deli co-owner gives back with free Thanksgiving dinner
CHANDLER, Ariz. (KSAZ) – One of the co-owners of Carlo & Emilie’s Gourmet Deli is Chandler decided to give back to the community on Thanksgiving, and host a free Thanksgiving dinner at a church in Chandler.
The co-owner said he used to live in an orphanage in Italy. FOX 10’s Danielle Miller reports.
Watch: https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/arizona-news/219683728-story
Phoenix-area exhibit puts a face to homelessness
CHANDLER, Ariz. — A new exhibit presents an eye-opening look at homelessness in Chandler.
The exhibition, “Portraits of Homelessness,” features pictures of the homeless within the city and allows them to tell their stories to visitors.
“Some of their stories talk about why they’re homeless,” said Chandler City Councilmember Kevin Hartke, who helped organize the exhibit.
“Some of their stories talk about how they got out of being homeless or things they wish people would know about them.”
Hartke said in some pictures, it may be tough to tell if that person is homeless. He hoped visitors will be moved to compassion by the exhibit instead of suspicion and judgment.
“It’s our goal to change people’s mental image of what a homeless person is and how they got homeless,” Hartke said.
The exhibition features pictures and stories of homeless individuals who are part of the Interfaith Homeless Emergency Lodging System (I-HELP).
Hartke said in Chandler, 18 faith communities open their doors to the homeless every night on a rotating basis.
The exhibition at the Vision Gallery, located on the first floor of City Hall, was scheduled to run Nov. 3-12.
Link : https://ktar.com/story/1343731/phoenix-area-exhibit-puts-a-face-to-homelessness/
Deli owner who grew up in an orphanage provides hot meals for homeless
Hot meals mean a lot to the homeless, as Carlo Ventura knows. He lived in an Italian orphanage from ages 2 to 14.
“The many nights of going to bed with just a piece of stale bread; I know how stressful it can be for anyone,” Ventura said.
Ventura, co-owner of Carlo and Emilie’s Gourmet Deli in Chandler, wanted help others get through those rough times, so he decided to do something about it.
Chandler lowering property-tax rate for homeowners
Chandler homeowners and social-service agencies scored in the budget for next fiscal year.
Chandler adopted a $971 million budget June 9, a total that represents a 6.7 percent increase over last year, while decreasing the city property-tax rate to reflect rising home values and giving $1.12 million to social-service agencies.
The median home price increased from $186,800 to $200,500 over the past year. But the city is expected to formally lower the property-tax rate on June 23 to offset the city property-tax bills. Lowering the property-tax rate will mean average homeowners will pay about $5.71 more per year based on the higher values. If rates stayed the same, the increase would be about $8.67 for the year.