28 FRONTDOORS MEDIA | DECEMBER 2019 CIVIC ENGAGEMENT ASA was awarded Arizona Department of Education’s Excellence in Civic Engagement for the 6 YEAR IN A ROW! ASA’s Middle School Robotics team “Solar Surfers” were 2 PLACE STATE CHAMPIONS nd in 2018-2019 ASA’s Mock Trial Team A REGIONAL CHAMPIONS Design ate Your AZ Public School Tax Credit to Arizona School for the Arts at GOASA.ORG th in 2018-2019 Help our students design their future!

MARCH 2 020 | FRONTDOORS MEDIA 29 It’s no secret that homelessness is a critical problem right now. You can see it as you go around the Valley. The homeless population is increasing, and so is the enormity of the task of addressing the issue. Just one data point — in 2014, only 18 percent of homeless people in the Valley were forced to live unsheltered and outside. In 2019, the number was up to 48 percent. “Those people tend to be the hardest to serve, and their issues are most acute,” said Nathan Smith, director of community engagement with Phoenix Rescue Mission. “We need more intensive services to meet them where they are at and find some sustainable solutions.” NEXT DOORS {ahead of the curve} In 2014, only 18 percent of homeless people in the Valley were forced to live unsheltered and outside. In 2019, the number was up to 48 percent . Thankfully, there are many great nonprofit organizations and community leaders working to address homelessness. You could write a book about all of the work being done in cities like Phoenix. It’s a big, complicated, expensive problem that involves helping people with significant Tom Evans | Contributing Editor Glendale Works is helping homeless individuals restart their lives WORKING TOWARD A SOLUTION