|
THE GIVING TREE OUTREACH PROGRAM, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, faith-based organization,
has been serving Tucson's homeless and needy since 1988. (The corporate name is The G.T. Outreach Program, Inc.)
We provide meals, emergency food boxes, transportation and referrals to community services. In addition, we provide a home
for abused, neglected or homeless babies and children. We invite you to join with people from all walks of life to serve
the needs of the less fortunate. You can be the difference in someone's life! The
mission of The Givng Tree is to support and improve the quality of life for children, families, elderly and disabled individuals.
We are committed to breaking the cycle of poverty, homelessness, and abuse in this community of marginalized people.
It all starts with the very basic necessities: food and shelter. Although we offer
numerous programs, they are all interrelated and serve to bring those in need back to a stable and healthy lifestyle. The
Giving Tree provides through several different programs and offers shelter from Grace Home (for mothers and children,) Promise
Home (for fathers and children,) Compassion Hope Center (for anyone,) and Lighthouse (for families) What we do Project FEED (Feed Everyone
Every Day) feeds more than 200 homeless and disadvantaged children, family members, veterans, elderly, and disabled individuals
each night of our twice weekly feeding program. We serve a hot meal, distribute clothing, emergency food boxes and toiletries
The Grace Home is our residence that houses children
and their mothers, who might otherwise be homeless or in abusive circumstances. They are cared for in a
safe environment, have a place for their personal belongings, served healthy meals and snacks, and are nurtured by our staff
and volunteers. Promise Home provides intergenerational housing for those soon
to embark on independent living. Our residents range in age from infants to seniors, offering a home for
fathers and their children. This housing arrangement mimics that of a traditional family with all age groups
represented; each relying on and working for one another. The
Compassion Hope Center is our non-denominational church. Services are held here on Sundays for all that wish
to participate. The Center also provides a safe haven, food, winter and summer shelter, clothing, mentoring, case management,
counseling, education, tutoring, and a variety of additional life management classes. The
Compassion Hope Center hosts Fellowship and Food on Tuesday evenings with a casual meal of soup and sandwiches.
This program allows for homeless or needy families to sit together at a dinner table, be served a meal and eat as a
family. Fellowship and faith-based inspirational discussions take place after our meal. HELP - Hands-on Education and Learning Program, is a tutoring and mentoring program
for at-risk children. HELP assists teens and adults prepare for GED testing and also provides tutoring for English as a second
language. Children are helped with homework, given a nutritious snack followed by structured activities
at Grace Home from 3:30 to 4:30 daily. The Benevolence
Program was founded to assist those who occasionally cannot pay their utilities, need gasoline for their vehicle
to get to work, or need rental assistance. The fund also helps the elderly with emergency repairs to their
home, costs of medications, toiletries, and counseling/case management. GEAR
(Gaining Employment And Respect) helps the unemployed, underemployed, homeless, near-homeless, formerly
incarcerated, and survivors of domestic violence to secure living-wage employment. The
success of this program can be directly attributed to the “wrap-around” services provided to our candidates in
the form of food and clothing, and, most especially, emotional support during and after this process. The Giving Tree Thrift Shop provides practical experience for those returning to the workforce.
Those individuals have the opportunity to hone their job skills in a supportive environment. This location also serves to
help financially support the many programs in operation by The Giving Tree. The Summer Feeding Program provides two meals daily during school recess, Monday through Friday,
to children that receive free or reduced fee meals during the school year. Without the availability of these meals, many Tucson
children would go unfed during the summer months. During Summer 2007, 145,924 meals were served to area
children. The Lighthouse serves as a transitional shelter for fathers and their
children. This facility is unique to Tucson where shelter choices allow for either single men or for women
and their children, but not for fathers and their children.
"Thank you for the gift of these childen, these lives to share these, minds to help mold, and the privilege
to love them." - Libby Wright, Director
|