FEB. 29, 2024
Story published on Thunderbirds Charities website.
PHOENIX, AZ (February 29, 2024) – Fresh Start Women’s Foundation, a Phoenix-based non-profit dedicated to empowering women on their journeys to self-sufficiency, has received a grant of $100,000 from Thunderbirds Charities to enhance and expand its critical Family Law Support services. This grant is a testament to Thunderbirds Charities’ commitment to giving back to the community, raising funds through the WM Phoenix Open – an event that has become a catalyst for positive change in our community. In 2020, the Thunderbirds Charities Family Law Support Center at Fresh Start was named in their honor.
This generous contribution will help Fresh Start enhance its Family Law Support (FLS) Program, a cornerstone initiative that provides vital assistance to women contending with family law issues such as divorce, custody battles, and child support. The additional funding will support the expansion of FLS staff, ensuring increased accessibility for women seeking assistance in order to advocate for themselves and their children in family court.
Since 2006, Thunderbirds Charities has donated over $817,000 to Fresh Start, demonstrating their unwavering support for the 4,000+ women and their children served by the organization each year.
“The Thunderbirds Charities Family Law Support Center has been instrumental in providing a safe and stable environment for women and their families. Legal services provided include legal document preparation, access to an on-site virtual courtroom, pro-bono attorney referrals, and information and assistance to help women understand Arizona’s Family Court system and laws,” said Kim McWaters, President and CEO of Fresh Start Women’s Foundation. “Thanks to the incredible generosity of Thunderbirds Charities, thousands of women gain access to life-changing services at Fresh Start.”
In addition to staffing expansion, the grant supports Continuing Legal Education for the Certified Legal Document Preparers on the FLS Program team. The funds will also be allocated for updated legal reference materials, which are updated to reflect changes in Arizona statute.
Fresh Start’s mission is to provide access and resources that help women achieve self-sufficiency and use their strength to thrive. Our ultimate vision is to create unlimited opportunities for women. Over three decades, Fresh Start has supported more than 50,000 Arizona women, serving approximately 3,000 women each year. 86% are mothers, 60% are single mothers and 64% are women of color. Fresh Start offers focused programs, services, access to training and education, as well as employment and career services to help women reach their personal and professional goals. For more information, visit freshstartwomen.org or connect with us on Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn.