Our Programs

Founded in 1966, AZCEND changes lives by nourishing minds and bodies to create a connected, thriving community. Last fiscal year (2017/2018), AZCEND served 16,989 unique individuals from 5,794 households.

16/17 Program Stats

17/18 Program Stats

Of those served:

31% are Hispanic
53% are female
94% have incomes below 150% of the poverty level
67% live in Chandler and 14% live in Gilbert
37% are children under 18

Volunteers

AZCEND would not be able to serve those in need without the assistance of our dedicated volunteers. Last fiscal year 757 unique individuals volunteered at AZCEND (including the Chandler and Gilbert Senior Centers) giving a total of 29,669 volunteer hours. In addition, over 15,080 volunteer hours were provided through our partners to the I-HELP program. Many thanks to all who help us fulfill our mission!

NAS (Neighborhood Assistance Services, formerly CAP)

NAS is funded in part by the City of Chandler, Maricopa County Human Services Department, Department of Economic Security, Town of Gilbert, and Valley of the Sun United Way. AZCEND NAS programs offer a balanced approach to meet the needs of our community:

Case Management
Goal Planning Through Life Action Maps
Job Training
Employment and Education Referrals
Financial Education
Referrals to Other Services and Programs
Follow-up and ongoing support
Emergency Financial Assistance
Utility Assistance
Eviction Prevention
Shelter/Housing Referrals
Food and Clothing Referrals

Last year, NAS provided supportive services, case management, referrals and financial assistance and prevented 2,289 utility disconnects and 414 evictions totaling $1,242,782. Our VITA, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, prepared 224 returns, recovering $426,310 in federal and state refunds before being interrupted by the pandemic

1,315 individuals were beneficiaries of SNAP and/or AHCCCS benefits, providing approximately $165,000 dollars in SNAP benefits.

Family Resource Center- FRC

Last year the FRC provided over 2,041 hours of instruction and services were provided to children and adults through our Family Resource Center Programming.

Two locations:
AZCEND- Chandler AZCEND- Gilbert
345 S. California St Heritage Center
Chandler, AZ 85225 132 W Bruce Ave.
480-963-4321 Gilbert, AZ 85233
+++++++++++ 480-428-5446

Giggles, Squiggles, and Squirms

This fun, interactive early literacy program is designed to prepare families for their children’s entrance into kindergarten. Each family is assigned a mentor that works directly with the parents and children. Children ages 3-5 learn how to count, recognize letters and sounds, sing and dance and expand their vocabulary, while developing social skills, playing and creating memories.

Monday/Wednesday AM- 9:30-11:30 AM
Tuesday/Thursday AM- 9:30-11:30 AM
Monday/Wednesday PM- 1:00-3:00 PM

AZCEND- Chandler
345 S. California St
Chandler, AZ 85225
480-963-4321
+++++++++++

Child Watch

Child Watch provides a safe environment for children while their parents participate in AZCEND programs. Child Watch is open during most class times, food bank hours, and during appointments. Parents must remain on the premises while their child is in the program and sign them in and out. 763 children were served by Child Watch.

Operation Santa

Each year AZCEND’s Operation Santa program provides holiday assistance to children throughout the community. Last year, 606 children participated in Operation Santa in 2019 and received toys, books, candy, and more.

Operation Back to School

Through collaboration with the City of Chandler and other area organizations, we assisted over 2,000 children with backpacks, school supplies and clothing for Back to School in 2019.

Food Bank

AZCEND’s Food Bank distributed 12,968 food boxes last year. That was enough food to feed 48,189 individuals for at least 3 days (12,597 unique individuals). We received 1,201,808 pounds of donated food from various partners.

Emergency Food Boxes

Emergency food boxes tailored to family size and special dietary needs, including infants, children, and homeless individuals are distributed Monday 12:00 PM through 3:00 PM and Tuesday 3:00 PM through 6:00 PM, Wednesday and Thursday 9:00 AM through 12:00 PM. Third Saturday of the month from 9 to 12

Supplemental Food Boxes

Supplemental food boxes containing fresh perishable food are distributed every Friday from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Food tickets are distributed beginning at 7:30 AM.

*In accordance with Federal law and U.S Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

I-HELP

In the fiscal year 2019-20, I-HELP (Interfaith Homeless Emergency Lodging Program) provided 6,859 bed nights to 218 unduplicated individuals. 151 individuals received intensive case management services. I-HELP made 68 employment placements for homeless individuals and 54 housing placements for homeless individuals

Interfaith Homeless Emergency Lodging Program (I-HELP). I-HELP provides a safe place to sleep and a hot meal for homeless adults every night of the week. I-HELP also offers case management services to connect homeless individuals to the vital resources needed to regain stability and break the vicious cycle of homelessness. The mobile shower unit, the “Chandler Clean Machine,” provides guests with ready access to a warm shower.

Emergency Shelter

For emergency shelter, please contact us at 480-963-1423 at ext 116. I-HELP services are at AZCEND, 345 S. California St. Chandler, AZ 85225.

Case Management

I-HELP Case Management services:

Job Placement
Medical Referrals
Bus Passes
Benefits Connection (SNAP & AHCCCS)
Housing Assistance

Senior Centers

The Chandler and Gilbert senior centers provided 20,003 meals at their respective locations and 32,454 home delivered meals to home bound seniors. A total of 52,457 meals were provided to 1,199 individuals!

The center disbursed 42,740 tickets for transportation to and from the centers where 910 senior activities and classes were provided with a total 2,869 participants.

On-site Meals

On-site nutritious meals
Opportunities for social interactions to combat loneliness and isolation

Home Delivered Meals

Meal delivery to the homes of frail, elderly, disabled and otherwise home-bound persons.
Wellness checks to ensure safety and well-being. Our monitors report tasks, such as changing a light bulb that the client cannot reach, to advising family members or case managers of the need for medical attention.

Activities

There are over 1,378 activities provided each year, including:

Zumba
BINGO
Restaurant Outings
Tai Chi

Nondiscrimination

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.