non profit organizations in yuma county key elements of ...€¦ · home doctors karina jones,...

BY JOYCE LOBECK There are more than 21,000

nonprofits in Arizona, including 412 in Yuma County, that go about the business of helping people who need help.

They provide services that touch all ages and all walks of life, providing a wide range of services from emergency shelter and food to healthcare, education, youth development and cultural enrichment.

Less well known is the economic impact these nonprofits have on the state and on the community.

“No one thinks about nonprofits and the number of people they employ or as an economic engine,” observed John Courtis, executive director of the Yuma County Chamber of Commerce. “We don’t think of them in those terms.”

But their contribution is substantial, according to a report, Arizona Nonprofits: Economic Power, Positive Impact, that is being presented around the state, including Yuma.

“It was an eye-opener,” Courtis said.“The main focus (of the study) was

to understand the economic footprint of nonprofits,” said Dr. Anthony Evans, a researcher with the L. William Seidman Research Institute of the W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University. The institute was a partner in

the study with the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits, ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and NonProfit Innovation and the Phoenix Philanthropy Group. Funding was provided by the Arizona Community Foundation, Maricopa County Industrial Development Authority and Arizona Public Service Co.

The study began with the simple question: “What is the economic impact of Arizona’s nonprofit sector?” Drawing from multiple sources of data for 2014, including the Arizona Department of Revenue, researchers concluded that:

- Arizona’s nonprofit sector generates 8 percent of the Gross State Product, accounting for $22.4 billion in wages, goods, services and their ripple effect throughout the economy. That’s comparable to the entire retail sector.

- Nonprofits employ 167,000 paid staff, paying $7.7 billion in direct wages. They are responsible for an additional 158,000 indirect/induced jobs through their operations in the state. That’s a total of 325,000 fulltime time jobs and $14 billion in wages.

- More than 72 percent of nonprofit revenue is generated by earned revenue such as thrift stores and Girl Scout cookie sales, membership dues, fees for services, special events income and contracts. Contributions from individuals, foundations, trusts and private companies are estimated to generate another 27 percent of Arizona

Non profit organizations in Yuma County key elements of GDP, workforce

August 2017 Volume 3 – Issue 8

See GDP continued on page 13

CoNGratulatioNs!New Members pg4

pg7

Yuma Visitor’s Bureau August Calendar

pg15

Loaned Photo/Courtesy of AEAAEA Federal Credit Union staff volunteer at the Yuma Community Food Bank.

Member of the Month, Desert Hills Gallery

pg3

Yuma County Update pg7

BY JOHN COURTIS, Executive Director, Yuma County Chamber of Commerce

I say it often, “We could not do what we do without the efforts, the volunteerism, and the contributions of our many Ambassadors. These individuals take care of greeting new members at our events, make sure they are invited to their ini-tial networking opportunities, and represent your Chamber at Rib-bon Cuttings and Ground Break-ing ceremonies. In addition, these hard working Ambassadors handle all of the cash and check in tables at Good Morning, Yuma! and the Monthly Mixers. The Ambassadors also, in concert with Chamber staff, interface with the sponsors of Good

Morning, Yuma! and the Monthly Mixers to make sure these events stay relevant, continue to grow, and give great value to the sponsor investors. In short, this small army of energetic partners truly help to keep the Chamber going in the right direction.

To say, “Thank You, seems shal-low, so I am going to say that I ap-preciate each and every one of you, so much, for all that you do for your Chamber, and for your commu-nity! With that, let’s meet the 2017 Ambassadors of the Yuma County Chamber of Commerce:

Mission statement:“To Represent Our Membership By

Advocating A Healthy Economic Climate Through The Effective Use Of Our Unique

Regional Resources To Enhance The Quality Of Life In The Greater Yuma Area.”

Enrique Villarreal, Events and Outreach Coordinator

AUGUST 2017 Volume 3 – Issue 8

Published and direct mailed monthly by the Yuma County Chamber of Commerce.

For information or to ask about submitting articles, call the chamber office at 928-782-2567 or send us an e-mail at [email protected]

928-782-2567180 W. 1st St., Ste A

Yuma, AZ 85364

John Courtis, Executive Director

Sheryl Hehe, Member Services Coordinator

Your ambassadors; the Backbone of the Chamber.

• Lupe Andrade, Marketing Specialist, Hospice of Yuma

• Rita Avery, Business Development, Service Master All Phase Restoration

• Mark Briones, Yuma Visitors Bureau• Margi Castaneda, Owner, Operator of

Records and Documents• Rosemary Castro Jose, Marketing

Director at Quality Rehab Networks• Shirley Epke, Retired• Gina Kutas, Branch Manager, Wash-

ington Federal Bank• Cindy Landin, Account Executive, El

Dorado Broadcasters

• Cheryl Lee, Account Executive, Del Outdoor / Sign Pro

• John Lizarraga, PR Hotels, Candle-wood Suites

• Flora Llamas, Director of sales for Marriott Hotels

• Esther Markle, Oak Tree Inn & Penny’s Diner

• Deric Millis, Director of Marketing, Homewood Suites

• Mary Miranda, Owner / Operator of Aponi Home Care

• Victoria Perez, Personal Banker, Wells Fargo

• Bill Regenhardt, Executive Director, Adult Literacy Plus

• Kari Tatar, Community Outreach Coordinator, United Way of Yuma County

• Marcellus Toro, Sales Coordinator at Hampton Inn

• Alyssa Turner, Wells Fargo Bank• Trevor Umphress, Marketing Director,

Amberly’s Place• Perla Wicks, Heritage Festivals, City

of Yuma• Sheila Wood, Personal Banker, Wash-

ington Federal Bank

Tawnee Miller, Chairperson,

PHD - Professional Home Doctors

Karina Jones, Chair - Elect,

United Way of Yuma

Meagan Hannon, Mixer Coordinator,

Realtor, Keller Williams

Real Estate

Jeff Ahuactzin, Good Morning

Yuma Coordinator, 24 Karat Awards

and Jewelry

Argelia Morales, Social Media Coordinator,

Realtor, RE/Max Territory

Lisa Rammelt, Good Morning

Yuma MC, General Manager, Fretworks! Music

CenterHere’s the rest of the Ambassador team:

Please join me, and the office staff of the Yuma County Chamber of Commerce in saying “Thank You, Ambassadors, for all that you do!”

2 YUMABiZ August 2017

Exceptional Quality, Superb Customer ServiceCongratulations to the August

Member of the Month for the Yuma County Chamber of Commerce, Desert Hills Gallery. Their address is 316 S. Main Street, but their frame shop technically faces Madison Avenue, a few yards south of the MGM Design Building. Desert Hills Gallery is owned by Allen and Susan Newberry, who also own and operate Mattress Warehouse and Newberry Furniture.

Eddie Ochoa is the craftsman / artist that creates your monthly sand painting award for your Yuma County Chamber of Commerce member of the month. Eddie cares

deeply about his customers, truly makes all the extra efforts to make each piece he frames something you will be proud and privileged to own and display. Desert Hills has a virtual endless inventory of frame designs, frame materials and matting combinations. His custom work is extremely affordable and Desert Hills Gallery should be your first choice as a chamber member for framing anything. Eddie’s customer service to us, here at the Chamber office, is short of miraculous, and we are proud to give Eddie and the Newberry’s the member of the month recognition.

Desert Hills Gallery 316 Main Street, Yuma AZ | (928) 329-1737

Open Wed - Fri. 9am - 1pm (other days by appt. only)

Congratulations to our august

Member of the Month: Desert Hills Gallery

AUGUST Calendar of Events

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THESE, OR ANY OF OUR EVENTS, CALL THE CHAMBER AT (928)782-2567

4 - Legislative Affairs Committee Luncheon 11:30 am By invitation only, please call if you’d like to be included in this group that meets every 2 months

10 - Good Morning, Yuma! 6:30 am 3C Conference Center on the campus of A W C Sponsored by APS, the program is the Yuma City Council Candidate Forum Cost: $15.00

15 - Board Of Directors, Conference Room 3:00 pm

23 - Monthly Mixer - Yuma Landing 5:30 pm 195 S. 4th Avenue Cost: $5.00

23 - Ambassadors, Yuma Landing 11:30 am

31 - Transportation Committee, Conference Room Old City Hall - Please RSVP for lunch 11:00 am

Yuma County Chamber of Commerce YUMABiZ 3

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Yuma international airport is bustling with projects this summer!

Brewers Restaurant and Sports Bar recently opened their restaurant inside the airport terminal, and has a delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner menu. Brewers will validate parking (with purchase) and deliver out to 9E. Airport staff has begun working on Phase II to covert the former Military Comfort Center (known as the MCC) located on the second floor, back into a bar for Brewers patrons to enjoy. Phase II is expected to be complete at the end of August. The airport’s Military Comfort Center has been relo-cated downstairs to the right of the Brewers restaurant making it more convenient directly across from the TSA screening area.

The Federal Aviation Administra-tion has awarded a $4,469,265 grant to Yuma International Airport to rehabilitate Taxiway H1, a project

that is part of the Airport’s Capital Improvement Program. Taxiway H1 is located in the southwest portion of the airport with direct access to Runway 21R/3L, the primary runway used by large corporate and general aviation aircraft as well as Federal Express and contractors op-erating within the airport’s Defense Contractor Complex. Taxiway and shoulder rehabilitation is expected to measure approximately 40,000 square yards of concrete and 15,000 square yards of asphalt. The profes-sional services contract for design, engineering and construction over-sight was awarded to Consultant Engineering, Inc. and the lowest qualified bidder for the construction contract was Yuma’s local contractor DPE Construction, Inc. Construc-tion is slated to start in August with 171 days to complete the project.

Airport staff will post the project’s phasing and progress on the air-port’s Facebook page: www.face-book.com/flyyuma.

On the commercial air service side, Gladys Wiggins, Yuma Interna-tional Airport Director has attended several conferences this year to meet with various airline network plan-ners in an effort to attract another commercial air carrier regarding new service to/from Yuma. In the coming weeks, airport staff will begin working on a Small Com-

munity Air Service Development Program grant, if successful; the funding would be used as a Revenue Guarantee to assist with the recruit-ment efforts and consideration from an airline. The airport will work closely with Yuma’s businesses and community partners to garner sup-port for the successful award of this grant. In the meantime, the airport team wants to remind everyone of the importance to use local business and FLY YUMA!


Several workforce development agencies will be hosting a Job & Education Fair on September 6th at the Yuma Civic Center at 1440

West Desert Hills Drive from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.

Local workforce development agencies have once again joined forces and will sponsor a unified Job & Education Fair to serve the Yuma community. Last year, over 120 employers, schools and resource agencies participated in this event. Registration is now open for employers to secure a spot at this event. We recommend that employers register early as there is limited space and registra-tion fills up fast. There is no cost to register.

Achieve Human Services and partnering agencies will also si-multaneously host

their 7th Annual DREAM Job Fair for people with disabilities in conjunction with the

Job & Education Fair.

D.R.E.A.M. (Disability & Reha-bilitation

Employment Awareness Month) is celebrated annually and this will be the fourth time

that they have been able to part-ner together to make this a mean-ingful event.

Many of the companies hiring at the Job Fair require on-line appli-cations. A Resource Center will be available on site with computers for job seekers to use so applicants can apply on-line. In addition, space will be provided for employ-ers to conduct interviews at the job fair as well. The partnering organizations are thrilled that they can make these connections and meet the needs of both the em-ployers and job seekers.

In addition to the Job & Educa-tion Fair, Employment Prepara-tion Workshops will be held at the University of Phoenix 899 East Plaza Circle, Yuma, AZ on August 30th from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Job seekers planning to attend the job fair are encouraged to attend the workshops so that they are totally prepared to meet with the employers. Job seekers attending the workshops will have a chance to win two computers that will be given away in a drawing by Achieve Human Services.

Job seekers with questions concerning the job fair, can con-tact one of the below participat-ing organizations for additional information.• Achieve Human Services 928-

341-0335• Adult Literacy Plus (ALPS) 928-

343-9363

• Arizona Western College, Ca-reer Services, 928-344-7605

• ARIZONA@WORK (Employ-ment Service/Veteran Services), 928-247-8740

• ARIZONA@WORK (RSA/Vo-cational Rehabilitation), 928-247-8880

• ARIZONA@WORK (YPIC) 928-329-0990

• Housing Authority of the City of Yuma (HACY), 928-782-3823 X 130

• Goodwill of Central & North-ern Arizona, 928-343-7600

• Greater Yuma Economic De-velopment Corp. (GYEDC), 928-782-7774

• Linkages, 520-209-2603• Marine Corps Air Station

(MCAS), Career Resource Cen-ter, 928-269-5181

• Portable Practical Education Preparation (PPEP), 928-627-3203

• Quechan Workforce Develop-ment, 760-572-2314

• Southwest Technical Education District of Yuma (S.T.E.D.Y), 928-366-5903

• U.S. Army Garrison, Yuma Proving Ground, Workforce Development, 928-328-2167

Job seekers wishing to attend the Job & Education Fair can pre-register at https://goo.gl/uCbTkk. Job seekers that are pre-registered will be able to use the express line for quicker access to this event.

Employers that would like to register and attend the Job & Education Fair can contact Grace Wehrle, 928-329-0990 X 147 [email protected].

ribbon Cuttings

The Good Morning, YumaMonthly Breakfast Event

Program: $15.00 @ the door

SAVE THE DATE!Thursday, August 106:30 am at the AWC

3C Conference CenterYumaCityCouncilCANDIDATEFORUM

Patrick Goetz

Yuma Community Job & education Fair


Call Us Now - Booth Space Is Filling Up Fast!

call the chamber office @ 928-782-2567 to

reserve your booth now

Saturday, Sept. 30 9am-2pmYuma Civic Center

FREE ADMISSION"Celebrating

Hometown Heros"

ribbon Cuttings

David McHone and Family do a groundbreaking for their new 11,000 sq. ft. Facility for 3:10 Diesel &

3:10 Auto. The new location will be on the southeast corner of 3E and 32nd St. (928) 344-3517

at Your service: research-Based redesign transforms Yuma County, arizona Website into a Customer service Portal

County governments are uniquely challenged to develop their “brands” and bring personalized services to the large areas they serve. But Yuma County was determined to keep pace with the expectations of our fast-grow-ing, vibrant community by turning our website into a customer service center.

The Challenge: Redesign with the “Customer” in Mind

After a redesign in 2010, Yuma County’s website was due for an upgrade and a new, customer-centric design. To begin that process the County consulted with current web site provider Vision Internet to develop a customer-focused model that stresses service in every aspect of its business, and a website development process that is firmly grounded in research.

Local government agency websites traditionally have served as online repositories of information for residents and a powerful first impression for visi-tors. But Yuma County dared to think bigger. We wanted to develop Yuma County’s new website as a customer

service center.Our first ah-ha moment came in the

research phase of the redesign project. Our Communications staff installed analytics to analyze the usage of the County’s existing website. This analysis produced site heat maps, or content navigation patterns, which revealed that 90 percent of site visitors ended up viewing just 10 to 15 percent of the content. Also, the website research showed that people want to do their government business online and get it done quickly. Clearly, our old site wasn’t satisfying that need.

Based off prior experience we found that creating a website for a county can be challenging because each depart-ment has its own interests and under-standing of what a website should be. Our previous website was designed around staff ’s perceptions of what citizens want, and we made a series of compromises to satisfy internal stake-holders. Analysis of our previous web-site and community gave us the user

See WeBsite continued on page 10


WITH THE RIGHT PARTNER, YOUR BUSINESS WILL GROW.

Offices in: Little Rock, AR | Fayetteville, AR | Raleigh, NC | Phoenix, AZ | Yuma , AZ www.frostpllc.com | (928) 782-9831

Frost, PLLC has formed a new partnership with Terkelsen, Smith & Tyree, PLC that will create the region’s most comprehensive public accounting firm, capable of providing expanded and exceptional services organizations deserve and expect.

Audit & Assurance | Consulting | Estate & Trust Planning | Financial Services | Tax | Small Business | International Tax

Committee updatesBoard of DirectorsNext Meeting: Tuesday, August 15, 2017 at 3 pm, Chamber of Com-merce conference room

• New members approved at this meeting were: Brewer’s Restaurant & Sports Bar, Omega Restaurant & Sports Bar, Copper Miner Restau-rant, Texas Roadhouse, Yuma Swap Meet, Gateway Mortgage, South-west Communications, AutoPilot, and Sprouts Farmers Market.

• This month the Good Morning Yuma! breakfast will be at AWC and will feature the Candidate Forum. Each candidate was sent their packet and they have been returned. Some of the board have agreed to review this information and come up with four specific

questions to pose to the candidates at the forum. Roxanne Molenar will be the moderator and the breakfast is on Wednesday, August 10, 2017 at 6:30 am at the AWC 3C Schoen-ing building.

• The theme for this year’s Business Showcase is “Honoring Hometown Heroes”. YPG, MCAS, Sea Cadets, Young Marines and First respond-ers will get separate rooms to offer services and/or demonstrations. The chamber Mega Mixer is Friday, September 29, 2017 at 5:30 pm. The event on Saturday is open to the public from 9 am to 2 pm. The chamber is actively seeking vendors for this exciting event. You can find the vendor application on our website or contact Enrique at the chamber office.

and Round Table Pizza present

Round Table Pizza will contribute a portion of all pizza sales to The Freedom Library Education and Scholarship Program

Pizza nighT TakEovERStop by

Tuesday, august 15, 2017 Between 5pm and 8 pm

Come out and support the liberty with your appetiteConstitution Class begins august 29, 2017 • 6 – 8 pm Economics Class begins august 31, 2017 • 6 – 8 pm

Check www.Freedomlibrary.Org for details. Thank you to our very generous supporters!

Round Table Pizza 2544 W. 16Th Street

(16th Street & Avenue B) Yuma, Arizona

2035 S. Arizona Avenue • Yuma, AZ 85365Phone: (928) 246-2327 • Fax: (928) 726-1105

Email: [email protected] • Website: www.freedomlibrary.org


A r i z o n a W e s t e r n C o l l e g e

2020 S Ave 8 E, Yuma, AZ 85365 | 928-317-6000 | azwestern.edu

Meet OurHighly QualifiedFaculty

Michelle Sims,Professor of Business(Master of Business Administration, and Doctorate in Management [in progress])

WITH THE RIGHT PARTNER, YOUR BUSINESS WILL GROW.

Offices in: Little Rock, AR | Fayetteville, AR | Raleigh, NC | Phoenix, AZ | Yuma , AZ www.frostpllc.com | (928) 782-9831

Frost, PLLC has formed a new partnership with Terkelsen, Smith & Tyree, PLC that will create the region’s most comprehensive public accounting firm, capable of providing expanded and exceptional services organizations deserve and expect.

Audit & Assurance | Consulting | Estate & Trust Planning | Financial Services | Tax | Small Business | International Tax

• The past few events we have asked for donations for the Yuma Com-munity Food Bank. This has been very well received and we are hon-ored to support this local non-profit that needs our support, especially during the summer months.

• Lastly, there will be 3 open seats for the Chamber Board of Direc-tors. August 31 is the deadline for nominations.

legislative affairsNext meeting: Friday, August 4, 2017 at 11:30 am at the Yuma Golf & Country Club. By invitation only, please call if you’d like to be included in this group that meets every 2 months

• Last met June 9; it was well attend-ed. Howard will Chair the August 4 meeting while John is out. Senator Don Shooter and Representative Charlene Fernandez are slated to be in attendance.

Military affairs CommitteeWill be dark for July and August. Next Meeting: Wednesday, Sep-tember 27 at 8 am at the American Legion Post 19.

• The Military Affairs Committee (MAC) last met on June 28. They are working with the City of Yuma (COY) to move Yuma Military Appreciation Day (YMAD) back to Main Street. The next YMAD will be Saturday, March 10, 2018 on main street. The City will pay for port-a-potties and street closure. The Chamber can handle enter-tainment and sell sponsorships. Gabby Herwig, Del Hamilton and Alan Pruitt will be in charge of this event. There will be quarterly meet-ings with COY staff. Regarding the Armed Forces Park, the committee is getting one plaque for the 7 sail-ors who died in the Fitzgerald, and another plaque for the 15 Marines

who recently died in a plane crash. The presentation of these plaques will be an official MAC event. There are more than 3,000 plaques now which were hung in order of purchase. Matt Molenar will make graphics for a banner to hang at the park to advertise the website and plaque-finder app.

ambassadorsNext Meeting: Wednesday, August 23 at 11:30 am at The Landing.

• The committee met last at Penny’s Diner in June; there was no July meeting.

• The July 13 Good Morning Yuma! was very well attended. The cham-ber would like to thank those Ambassadors who had to relinquish their seats to paying guests. We know how hard you work and we appreciate it! The Mixer at Prison Hill Brewery on July 26 was also well attended. The next Mixer is at

Yuma Landing, 195 S. 4th Ave., on Wednesday, August 23.

transportation CommitteeNo meeting was held in July. Next meeting: Thursday, August 31, 2017.

education CommitteeNo official meetings have been held. The entire committee will meet again in early 2018.

• Dale Ponder is now Chairman of the Education Committee. He has the emails of all the school prin-cipals and would like to see them contacted with regards to early nominations for the S. June Pallack Awards. Committee will be polled to work out the best time to meet and work on this project. Summer Works is still in the works.


experience data to show more clearly why we were making certain decisions about design and navigation. Basing our redesign on data, rather than percep-tions, helped keep our departments focused on customer-based outcomes as staff worked to transform the County’s web presence from a mere website to a customer service portal.

The Solution: Think Like a Customer Service DepartmentWe wanted the website to connect

with our customers on a level they weren’t accustomed to. Communica-tions staff met with Vision in L.A. We explained how Yuma County’s form of government differs from municipali-ties and shared our vision for the new site. We also introduced the idea that we wanted more than just a website: we wanted a customer service center.

The County envisioned four meth-ods for customers to access customer services:

1. Immediate service via online chat2. Online service request forms with

the promise of a 24-hour turn-around for response

3. An online directory giving citizens the ability to contact staff directly

4. Social media pages for ongoing engagement

Enthusiasm for the chat feature grew after a chance visit to Walmart provided a powerful customer service epiphany for one of the team members. He real-ized his experience in the megastore was similar to a customer using a government website. The store’s main door is the homepage. Department signs hanging from the store’s ceiling are webpage icons that indicate where various services can be found. For those unsure where to find something or simply in a hurry, the Walmart greeter at the entrance is there to offer personal assistance, equivalent to an online chat feature. So, the idea of offering personal as-sistance through live chat was a turn-ing point in viewing our website as a customer service center. The analogy, which may seem trivial, became our tar-get. We needed to become the Walmart greeters of Yuma County government.

The Result: Bringing the Personal Touch to an Online Community

After more than two years of re-search, discussion, and creative think-ing the County launched the retooled website on December 16, 2016 with on-line customer service support, including a live chat feature that follows users to every page.

Additionally, the homepage features a large Google-like search bar across the center with links to the site’s most often searched topics, as well as drop-down menus from broad categories at the top of the page. At the bottom of the homepage, three tabs with large icons clearly display links to Popular Services, Meetings & Events, and News.

By studying the analytics, the Com-munications Team was able to continue this same level of transparency and customer focus throughout the website. In addition to the homepage Popular Services button, each department has customer service “widgets” leading to the most-requested services. Building further on this concept, all topics for each department or area are prominent on each page.

Also, every page of the website fea-tures an option to chat in real time with a county staffer. It appears as the top op-tion in the Online Help Center overlay on the right border of every page. The chat function allows the public direct contact during normal business hours and can relay messages during off hours. For mobile devices, the respon-sive design feature creates something similar to an app menu with a small search bar with buttons taking people to popular destinations and a chat window at the bottom.

The new customer service features have been a huge success. For example, more than 2,500 chats were registered during the first month, which has caused the County to expand the online chat team.

The County is now working to chan-nel the chats to people in the appropri-ate departments. It’s much like texting and really no different than answering the phone. Expanding chat to every department will allow citizens to get their questions answered more quickly and completely.

The Yuma County Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations for

three Board of Directors seats that will open at the end of 2017.

Here are the minimum qualifications:

• Be a member in good standing for more than one year

• Be able to attend board meetings, held the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 3 p.m.

• Attend 75% of Monthly Mixers and Good Morning, Yuma! events

To be considered, please send your name, place of business, e-mail address, phone number and qualifications along with a

paragraph explaining why you want to be considered for the Board of Directors

to: [email protected].

The deadline to submit your name for consideration is Monday, August 14 at 5:00 pm. Send your correspondence

to [email protected]

WeBsite continued from page 7


(928) 317-2518 | 2375 S. Ridgeview Drive

yumaregional.org/cancercare

Together We Fight Cancer

You don’t have to fight cancer alone. Yuma Regional Medical Center Cancer Center is right here to support

you – near your family and friends – offering high-quality care close to home. You’ll find a team of dedicated

physicians, nurse navigators to help coordinate care, access to the latest clinical trials, complementary

therapies to support healing and staff members who are caring and compassionate. Backed by cancer experts

and a loving and supportive community – together we support you on your journey.


ECONOMICS CLASSBegins

August 31, 2017At

The Freedom Library2035 S. Arizona Avenue, Yuma, AZ 85365

6 – 8 PMAll Ages 14 and Up Welcome

Learn Economics Earn a Scholarship

U.S. CONSTITUTION CLASSBegins

August 29, 2017At



Learn the Constitution Earn a Scholarship

2035 S. Arizona Ave., Yuma, AZ 85365 • (928) [email protected] • www.freedomlibrary.org

1 Essay = $1000 scholarship

Election Day in the City of Yuma is Aug. 29. That’s right, Aug. 29. And of course three-fourths of Yumans vote by mail, so the definition of “election day” for some could be mere days away. So the time to engage is now.

City elections in the modern informa-tion age are, paradoxically, almost harder to follow. They don’t attract the same attention as national elections, and there aren’t as many of today’s modern media devoted purely to coverage of local candidates.

So it’s incumbent upon voters to seek candidates out and get to know their understanding of city issues and priori-ties. One such opportunity will be the candidate forum hosted by the Chamber on Aug. 10. The City hopes to make video of that forum available for reply on its government cable TV channel and that channel’s internet stream for local viewers.

City voters will elect the next mayor, presiding municipal judge and three councilmembers. Effectively, this means

a majority of seats on the City Council are up for grabs, so the election results could change the direction of the City.

Some may ask, why does it matter if I vote for City Council or not? Well, here’s one example: City Administration received a small handful of comments in the past year wondering why residents didn’t directly get to vote on issues such as construction of the Pacific Avenue Athletic Complex. Technically, everyone DID get to vote for it … during the last two city elections where members of the City Council were elected.

In a representative government, the Council makes these types of decisions. Councilmembers are briefed on issues frequently by City staff, so they have access to all the relevant facts in order to make important decisions. However, res-idents are important in providing from-the-ground feedback to councilmembers regarding issues so as to complete these sets of relevant facts. Again, getting and staying informed is key.

The City of Yuma provides the fol-

lowing services to residents: water and sewer, police and fire/rescue; solid waste and curbside recycling; community plan-ning and building safety; infrastructure building and maintenance; parks and recreation. To make all of that happen, the City needs engineers, accountants, purchasers, information technology services, fleet services, attorneys, admin-istration, human resources professionals and personnel at every level.

What are the top issues in the city? Those who want to get informed on candidates and the issues may wish to brush up on the following topics: Cost shifts imposed by the state government; looming growth in liabilities with the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System; the growing costs of materials needed for maintenance while budgets are being frozen; how property taxes work and how much the City gets from them compared to other sources; which poli-cies help attract business and business investment in Yuma;

how to encourage infill development, or building on vacant properties already in city limits and hooked up to city servic-es. How to provide incentives for growth while also paying for the additional costs for city services associated with growth is another main topic.

Voter turnout in City-only elections has, in the past decade, averaged at a minority of eligible Yuma voters: roughly 2 out of 5 vote. Increasing turnout would give councilmembers a higher level of confidence in serving Yuma residents. The City encourages all eligible voters to participate in our upcoming elections.

Ways to get informed on the issues:• Online: www.yumaaz.gov.• Facebook: City of Yuma Government• Twitter: @cityofyuma

• City 73 TV: yuma.peg.tv (No www.)• City News Thursday weekly radio show, 6 to 9 a.m. Thursdays on KCYK AM 1400 (City Administrator Greg Wilkinson covers city govern-ment issues from 8 to 9).

City encourages residents to be informed and vote


ECONOMICS CLASSBegins

August 31, 2017At



Learn Economics Earn a Scholarship

U.S. CONSTITUTION CLASSBegins

August 29, 2017At



Learn the Constitution Earn a Scholarship

2035 S. Arizona Ave., Yuma, AZ 85365 • (928) [email protected] • www.freedomlibrary.org

1 Essay = $1000 scholarship

nonprofits’ annual revenue.- Nonprofit status does not

automatically mean “tax-exempt.” They may still pay property tax, sales taxes and other taxes and employees pay income taxes for a total state and local tax contribution of $2.1 billion, 9.5 percent of the total collected.

“They really are making a difference in the economy,” Evans concluded. “Nonprofits should be included in any conversation about economic development. They should be at the table.”

While Evans didn’t have specific data for the impact by nonprofits on the Yuma economy, it’s significant, agree those who work for the various local organizations.

“People think of the services but don’t see the other side … what the nonprofits do beyond the services they provide,” said Karina Jones, executive director of United Way of Yuma.

She estimates that the organization brings in about $300,000 a year, money that funds both United Way programs and the work of other nonprofits that benefit from the fund-raising.

That money works hard. Funds from one person contributing $5 per pay period will purchase three pair pants, three shirts, five pairs of underwear and socks, shoes, jacket, books and health kit for eight students. A donation of $25 per pay period will fund vision screening for 723 students.

“We really focus on breaking the cycle of poverty,” Jones said. “They may need food or clothing or they can’t read so they fall behind in school.”

The community likely will always have people in need of assistance – and the community is generous in stepping up in an effort to meet those needs, observed Shara Merten, president and CEO of the Yuma Community Food Bank. The organization receives more than 20 million pounds of food annually from various sources, food it provides to 200,000 to 250,000 families a year through its programs. It also shares with such organizations as The Salvation

Army and Crossroads Mission.A large portion of that food is

donated by area agriculture companies, as well as by such stores as Walmart, Fry’s and the newly opened Sprouts. Private donations and food drives also help fill the Food Bank’s shelves and freezers.

“Yuma is a compassionate community,” Marten said. “It takes care of its needy.”

With those in-kind (non-monetary) donations, she placed the organization’s annual budget at $19 million. Of that, half a million dollars goes to payroll costs for its 15 fulltime employees.

But the Food Bank couldn’t do its work without its many volunteers, Merten said, adding that in a year’s time it has more than 400 volunteers who donate a total of 13,000 hours. Placing a value of $20 an hour on their donated time, “their impact becomes substantial.”

Shorr, regional director of the Arizona Community Foundation of Yuma, described nonprofits as “a business with a social service focus.”

There’s no way to put a dollar value on those services, whether it’s a blood drive by Red Cross, religious services in churches, operation of Yuma County International Airport, reading programs offered by Adult Literacy Plus, Helping Hands of Yuma enabling senior citizens to remain in their homes, Saddles of Joy providing physical and emotional therapy through interaction with animals or the enrichment provided by a ballet performance or orchestra concert.

But there are some things Shorr can put a dollar value on. She noted that close to $1 billion is invested in the Yuma community through such sources as foundations, school partnerships and government contracts. Through that investment, “nonprofits are able to do great work in the community.”

In addition, the foundation distributes almost $1 million a year from its local donors to various charities and causes in the community. This year, the foundation also provided $55,000 in scholarships to local students.

“In Yuma, businesses really support the nonprofits,” Shorr said. “As long as a community is healthy through the investment in nonprofits, businesses will thrive. We’re all in this together to make a better community.”

The Yuma nonprofit sector adds significant value to the local economy through paying taxes, making payroll and buying supplies from local vendors, concluded Madeleine Coil, who has over 22 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, including 15 years as the president and CEO of United Way of Yuma County. She also served 10 years as a board member on the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits and as a board member of the Yuma Area Nonprofit Institute, a network of Yuma’s nonprofits.

“The impact on the economy, however, is more than its total spending on these items along with program delivery expenses,” she said. “Spending by nonprofits impacts those businesses and employees who have an indirect association with the nonprofits’ programs or services as they spend their incomes in the local economy. It is important to recognize all the ways nonprofits are contributing to the economy and to our daily lives and also enhancing our community, making it an attractive place to live.”

The report, Arizona Nonprofits: Economic Power, Positive Impact, sheds a new light on Arizona’s nonprofit sector, wrote Steve Seleznow, Arizona Community Foundation president and CEO. “Gone are the days of viewing nonprofits as simple charities operating on shoestring budgets, heavily reliant on volunteers and donations to stay

afloat. This first-ever report shows that Arizona’s nonprofit sector—some 21,000 organizations strong—is a thriving network of social-purpose corporations and a powerful economic driver in our state that employs thousands of people and contributes significantly to the Gross State Product.”

As a follow-up to the report, researchers are now looking into the social impact of nonprofits, said Evans. “The focus will be on how people and places benefit from the programs and services provided by nonprofits and a reference to the volunteer workforce. The objective is to estimate the social return on the investment generated by charitable programs.”

Work on the second report began in July and the preliminary findings are expected by fall with the final report by late 2017.

GDP continued from page 1

Loaned Photo Courtesy of Arizona Community Foundation of Yuma

Arizona Community Foundation of Yuma staff member Miguel Salcedo interacts with animals at Old Souls nonprofit during a site visit.


BY ANNA CHAULK, APS Community Affairs Manager

While kids are enjoying their months-long break, our crews are out and about making sure the lights – and air conditioning – stay on for our 1.2 million customers throughout Arizona. Working right along with us are two teachers who are using their summer break to gain invaluable knowledge about the inner workings of an electric utility company as part of the Teachers in Industry program.

The program, run through the University of Arizona, was created for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) teachers looking to work hands-on in the electric utility industry while simultaneously earning credit toward their master’s degree. Teachers in the program work four days a week in the industry and take related courses on Fridays. Ultimately, they will take their knowledge back to the classroom and encourage interest in STEM-based education.

Companies all across the state participate in this program by hosting teachers every summer. APS first partnered with Teachers in Industry in 2014 and has since hosted an average of four teachers each summer. The teachers are fully integrated into existing business units as interns, and they work side-by-side with APS employees.

This summer the Yuma community is hosting two teachers-- Jose Amador from Southwest Jr. High School and Martin I. Hernandez-Haro from San Luis Middle School. Both teachers are in their eighth year of teaching STEM.

Jose is a math and science electives teacher and has been working at the APS Yuma Service Center as Operations Administration Support.

Through the Teachers in Industry program, Jose wants to learn “anything and everything there is to know about the industry.” He noted that acquiring better knowledge of the STEM industry’s needs helps him see what he can do in the

classroom to better prepare his students for jobs.

This summer marks Martin’s second year in the program; he spends his days working as a fossil intern at the Yucca Power Plant. When school is in session, Martin teaches seventh and eighth grade resource, a specialized classroom setting for students with learning disabilities.

Some of the most important things Martin will take back to his classroom are communication, teamwork, and collaboration. He says these components make APS a leader in the industry, and he wants to share these skills with his students so they are prepared for the 21st century.

The Teachers in Industry program is very important to us at APS because when the teachers in the program are back in their classrooms, they can share practical applications of each concept. These

teachers are helping pave the way for the next generation of STEM employees -- and potentially future APS employees!

I wanted to personally thank Jose and Martin for their time spent with APS this summer. It is because of teachers like them we are able to encourage the next generation of STEM leaders and grow a strong work force in our state.

summer is a notoriously busy time for us here at aPs

Investing in ArizonaWe believe it’s our responsibility to contribute to the growthand vitality of the communities we serve. That’s why wepartner with local business leaders to help attract new jobsand investments to our state. Every dollar that goes backinto our community helps create a stronger, more vibranteconomic future for all Arizonans and that’s a goal wellworth achieving.

aps.com


Last month, we teased a look at how Visit Yuma works to promote our community as a travel destination throughout the summer and fall. So, as promised, let’s sneak a peek …

Each year, the Arizona Office of Tourism presents destinations outside Maricopa and Pima counties with its Marketing Cooperative. Through this program, organizations like Visit Yuma benefit from advertising opportunities at half net rates. Visit Yuma is proud to announce that we are once again a participant, using the cooperative to make the most of our advertising dollars.

Over the next four months, ad campaigns highlighting Yuma’s outdoor adventure, history, agriculiary experiences, and unique events will begin to land in print with

publications from Canada to Southern California. Examples include WestJet Magazine, AAA’s Arizona and So Cal magazines, Arizona Highways, Edible Baja, and more.

On the digital front, the cooperative gives Visit Yuma the ability to precisely target internet users already considering Arizona as a destination. Combined, these print and digital offerings will hone in on the regional drive market to get travelers off the highway and into local shops, restaurants, and attractions.

Then there is the official Yuma Visitors Guide, arriving in October. Look for more on that in the coming months.

In the meantime, there are a whole host of events taking place in August.

For a lengthier list, go to VisitYuma.com and stop by our Information Center at 201 N. 4th Avenue.

August 2017 Events:Aug. 2 – Live Music

(North End Coffeehouse)

Aug. 4 & 18 – Lutes Summer Jazz Series (Lutes Casino)

Aug. 4, 11, 18 & 25 – Summer Jazz Nights (Julieanna’s Patio Café)

Aug. 5 – At the Crack of Dawn Sunrise Kayaking (Gateway Park)

Aug. 5 – Splash Out Crime Night (Valley Aquatic Center)

Aug. 17 – Ladies Night Out (Yuma Palms Regional Center)

Aug. 18 – Celebrate the Heat on Yuma’s Main Street (Historic Downtown)

Aug. 19 – City of Yuma Summer Swap Meets (Yuma Civic Center)

Aug. 19 – Lutes Washoes Tournament (Lutes Casino)

Aug. 24 – Thursdays at the Theatre (Historic Yuma Theatre)

Aug. 26 – Woof Splash (Kennedy Pool)

Aug. 26 – Party Expo (Yuma Civic Center)

selling sunshine Spread a Little Local Love

The Yuma Sun’s annual Shop Local promotion returns for the 9th year!

Spend $20 on the weekend of August 19th & 20th and show local

businesses that you love them and support the local economy.

Look in the August 18th edition of the Yuma Sun and Bajo El Sol for a list of participating businesses.

Spread A Little Local Love is supported by

Love the Locals!Share the Love!

To include your

offer contact the

Yuma Sun at

(928) 539-6800 or

email marketing@

yumasun.com


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