44 22 32 NONPROFIT AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS FEATURED IN THIS MONTH’S ISSUE: EDITOR’S NOTE ..................... 07 Education Today, Success Tomorrow 10 QUESTIONS WITH ......... 08 Eric Bucher, Ed.D. BOOKMARKED ...................... 12 Smart Summer Reads OFFICE DOORS ..................... 14 Tracy Bame of the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation and Expect More Arizona CAREY’S CORNER ............... 20 A Mighty Change of Heart COVER STORY ...................... 22 From Earning to Learning NEXT DOORS ......................... 28 The Genesis of a Brighter Future STYLE UNLOCKED .............. 32 Inherent Style CHEERS TO THE CHAIR .... 38 Andrea Marconi CHARITY SPOTLIGHT ....... 40 Assistance League of Phoenix KITCHEN DOORS ................. 44 Refreshments on the Road A 2 ND ACT ................................. 46 One Small Step OPEN DOORS ........................ 50 A Peak Behind the ‘Frontdoor’ + A Mighty Change of Heart + Arizona Association for the Education of Young Children + Arizona Humane Society + Assistance League of Phoenix + Center for the Future of Arizona + Children’s Museum of Phoenix + Expect More Arizona + Freeport-McMoRan Foundation + Gateway Academy + Genesis City + Junior Achievement of Arizona + NorthBridge College Success + One Small Step + Rodel Foundation of Arizona TABLE OF CONTENTS { july 2019, volume 17, issue 7 }

EDUCATION TODAY, SUCCESS TOMORROW A few months back, I attended a celebration for NorthBridge College Success, a program created to help students with learning differences transition to life after high school. Designed for students enrolled in college and vocational programs, NorthBridge provides academic support, executive functioning coaching, and social events to help minimize anxiety for students working to overcome educational challenges so they can reach their goals. When Amy Bockerstette, a young woman with Down syndrome, first told her parents she wanted to go to college, they lovingly told her that maybe college isn’t for everyone. Thanks to her hard work and NorthBridge’s help, Amy not only attends Paradise Valley Community College, she earned a full-ride golf scholarship, is a valued member of the team and a thriving student at the school. This year, seven NorthBridge students completed their associate or bachelor’s degree. The proud parents at my table at the celebration told me how life-changing it was to receive the support that let their children defy the odds — but that all of their kids’ accomplishments started with their decision to try. Those sentiments ring true for many of the organizations we highlight in this issue. Couple a young person’s hard work with an organization’s help, and students can do remarkable things. In Office Doors, Tracy Bame, the board chair of Expect More Arizona, shares how the organization is working to ensure every child in the state receives a high-quality education. In our 10 Questions column, Eric Bucher, the governing board president of AzAEYC, talks about the critical importance of supporting and elevating the work of early childhood professionals. Our cover story spotlights Junior Achievement of Arizona, which is teaching kids from kindergarten through 12 th grade how to manage their money, be ready to enter the workplace and to think innovatively. In Next Doors, Tom Evans takes us inside Genesis City to see how a fresh approach is providing at-risk and underserved students a second shot at education. And Charity Spotlight looks at Assistance League of Phoenix’s efforts to provide new school clothes and fresh confidence for kids from low-income families as they start the new school year. Here at Frontdoors , our team has kids, siblings, nieces, nephews and grandkids in all stages of the education continuum — from preschool to college. So we have skin in the game when it come to education. But really, we all do. We know that the education students receive today will set the groundwork for success tomorrow — for both themselves and for our state. So read on about some of the great work being done to offer all of our kids a brighter future. Because as Amy Bockerstette’s family will now tell you, education is for everyone. Karen Werner EDITOR @kwerner409 EDITOR’S NOTE {on the job}