It’s been a big year for the Primavera Foundation. The group has started new programs, is helping more people than ever and in October celebrated a milestone – 25 years serving the needs of Tucson’s poor and disenfranchised.
Primavera Foundation began in 1984 to help the homeless and has since expanded its programs to include job training and transitional housing.
Last year alone, Primavera served more than 10,000 people in various programs at 12 different locations around Tucson, according to Peggy Hutchison, executive director of Primavera.
One of their newest programs is “Safe Start,” which finds housing for recently released prisoners who do not have a history of violence or sex offenses.
“The program was started because we know the difficulty of getting back on your feet,” said Reneé Bibby, marketing coordinator of Primavera. “We also know that surrounding them with a positive atmosphere will help them. They won’t fall back into their old habits.”
Bibby said that in addition to locating safe and affordable housing, they also provide educational and financial programs for the former prisoners.
Shelters run by Primavera are open year-round for both men and women and case managers are on hand to refer people as needed.
Case managers help form a plan that aids people in finding jobs and shows them how to save money. She said it’s an ongoing process, and the case managers keep in contact with everyone they assist.
Primavera focuses their work on providing services for people who may not be able to find help elsewhere. And with the downward spiral of the U.S. economy, they expect more people will need assistance.
“We focus on starting programs that are not addressed in other communities and we know we can help,” said Hutchison.
Because Primavera is a nonprofit organization, some of their projects are funded by grants from federal and state governments, but local fundraising is a year-round effort.
One of the biggest fundraising events this year was Primavera’s 25th celebration in October which was held at the Tucson Convention Center Leo Rich Theater. More than 300 people attended and the event brought in an estimated $110,000.
The Community Gratitude Campaign, which is Primavera’s ongoing gift campaign honoring the 25th anniversary, raised an additional $36,000, according to Bibby.
Both Bibby and Hutchison say one of the major challenges for the organization is dispelling the stereotype of homeless people and poverty-stricken families.
“Not everyone out there is lazy and are bums,” Bibby said. “Many want to work and earn a living and once again contribute to society.”
Hutchison agrees.
“There are some incredibly gifted people out there who have many assets and we want to support them,” said Hutchison.
She said they helped 99 families purchase their first home and 283 with rental assistance.
They are able to provide all this assistance because of the many employees and volunteers.
“I’ve never worked with a staff with so much passion for what they do and that really makes a difference,” said Bibby.
“I’m very fortunate to have the opportunity to work in an environment like this, where we all have the same mission and goals in mind.”
For more information on Primavera, call 623-5111 or visit their Web site, www.primavera.org.
