Impacting Our Community
The Partnership for Impact was founded by a team of seasoned professionals from the marketing, event management, and philanthropic sectors. We saw a recurring challenge: while non-profits are masters of their cause, they often lack the specialized resources to effectively communicate their message, engage their communities, and secure the funding needed for sustainable growth.
Our founders recognized that by pooling our diverse skills and offering them to a network of non-profits, we could create a multiplier effect. We’re not just a service provider; we’re a force multiplier. Our origin story is one of shared purpose, a belief that when non-profits have the right tools, their impact on the world becomes immeasurable. We are here to partner with you and help your mission flourish.
Ways the Bear Essentials Fund is Involved
Emergency Removal Resources
In partnership with Department of Child Safety (DCS), OCJ Kids fills a gap in the underfunded system. Working with DCS, OCJ Kids provides resources statewide to kids upon removal from their home.
Group Home Support
When a child is removed from their home, they are placed in a foster home, kinship care, or a foster group home with other foster kids. OCJ Kids partners with 160 group homes across the state to provide programs and support so the youth have many of the same opportunities as non-foster youth.
Aged-Out Youth
OCJ Kids maintains relationships with youth after they exit foster care. OCJ Kids provides ongoing support and resources, including mentors to help them create a life plan, build communities of support, and provide other assistance so they can attain and excel in independent living.
RICH BEAR
A Letter from the Founder
In October 2005, I had a conversation with Andi McDowell, a staff member at a local foster group home, that would change the course of my life forever. Feeling prompted by God, I approached Andi and asked, “Who is helping these kids?”
She said: “They are the faceless generation. They are the forgotten ones. No one is helping them on their journey.”
These statements were a wake-up call. I felt compelled to act, asking, “What can I do? What can our church do?” My research into Arizona’s foster care system began immediately, revealing significant resource gaps. Starting with a Christmas event in 2005, Tammie and I began working tirelessly to partner with faith-based organizations and businesses to address these needs.